A special Mother's Day

My mom said this weekend marked one of her most special days as a mom.

She watched her daughter obtain her Master's degree on Friday and her son obtain two Bachelor's degrees on Saturday. We are proud to be her kids!!! :)
Here is a good picture of the "Master's Hood"...it's this weird thing that wraps around you. They make a pretty big deal out of it during the ceremony, but in actuality - it's just really uncomfortable! ...but still worth the tassle and hassle!

Mike and I pose with our graduation gear & Grandma.

My Master's Degree is finished!

Finally, graduate school has come to an end. It was an exhausting and demanding period of my life, but one in which I learned so much and met many wonderful students, teachers and friends. So much of what I have done would not have been possible without the support of:

my supportive parents

my wonderful boyfriend
my motivated and ambitious students
my understanding colleagues

and all others who helped me stay sane throughout the last two years of studies and stresses!

I couldn't have done it without you! :)

brother's graduation

My brother graduated from Minnesota State University - Mankato

on Saturday. He double majored in Psychology and Sociology and plans on going to

graduate school next year. He is thinking about becoming a school psychologist.

I'm so proud of him!!!

Above: Mike takes his 'walk of fame' across the stage and gets his degree.

Below: He shows off his prized possession!
My family and I were there to celebrate with him and his girlfriend, Jenny.
It was a freezing cold, rainy day - but that didn't stop us from having a wonderful time together.
Today is Mother's Day and it will surely be memorable for her - as she watched both of her kids graduate in less than 24 hours! :)

last day of junior high school

I love this picture of these girls!

They seem so happy to be learning English and gaining cultural awareness....

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Well, they take good pictures anyway :)

Today was the last day with these crazyspazzy 7-8th graders. They have another 5 weeks left of classes, but I am FINISHED! It's been a learning experience and I definitely have a better understanding of the refugee population's needs (academic and otherwise). I know my experiences in South Korea will be COMPLETELY different than this school -- but a wonderful opportunity just the same! Above: Shafi (sometimes up to no good) and Fahma

Below: Naimo, Fadumo (typical "cool" girl) & Hodan (smart and polite!)

Above: Sadik (always smiling) & Fahma (always laughing)

Below: Naimo (usually grumbling but manages a smile here :)

Group shot with most of the boys in the class is below...

lots of energy with this group (and as a result, LOTS of patience was required!)

as you can see from the photos, they are a pretty unforgettable group of kids!

wishing them luck as they head to high school!

i have the greatest students

Had a short reunion with some of my former ESL 201 students last nite.

We went bowling and played some pool - two games in which I am skill deficient.

I miraculously ended up getting a 130 in bowling, despite throwing a gutter ball every other frame. My students had only played once or twice before,

so their scores were in the 40's and 50's...

I was really flattered that a few of these students wanted to get together...more were suppose to show up but had untimely finals on Friday morning. It was so nice to catch up with these students who have finished their first year of studying abroad --- they have come so far! I am very proud of them!

L-R: Simeng (China), Eunice (Tunisia), Emmanuel (Ghana)

and pictured above, Irene (Tanzania)

wrapping up the semester...

Here are some pics from one of my last days working with

some of the ESL students at North Junior High.

I worked with a group of Somali students who have been

living in the USA for between 3 months and 1.5 years. They are a rambunctious,

enthusiastic and charismatic bunch of young adults! They are new to the concept of formal schooling, new to learning how to read or write in any language and new to American culture and customs. The learning opportunities for these students are endless...

They have come a long ways since January, but have a long ways left to go.

I wish them luck as they head to high school next year... :)

The whole group is pictured below (L-R, back to front)

Hamse, Fadumo, Fartun, Ismail, Sadik, Shafi, Mohamed, Hodan

Fadumo, Nimco, Naimo and Fahma.

ESL 102 - final class

Today my ESL 102 students had their final exam.

I am sure they did very well as I have many

eager students in the class...

Above picture (L-R):

Zhongwei (China), Lansun (China), Ejiro (Nigeria),

Chau (Vietnam), Carene (Gabon),

Shen (China), Miezan (Ivory Coast) & Fahad (Saudi Arabia)

It was a small group of students,

so we were able to cover a lot of material each day.

Also, I was able to individualize the lessons so the students

could get personalized feedback and lots of one-on-one attention.

The picture below came out a little strange

due to us having to rely on the timer. :)