Just what I needed...

So, after yesterday's random nuclear threat, today was so much fun! 3 of my students invited me to go ice skating with them. Nastya, Zhenya, and Ira are adorable but aren't really my best English speaking students. So, I was a little concerned that this would be an afternoon filled with awkward silence and miscommunication. But of course, I was worried for no reason. We went to a cafe for a little while before heading to the ice arena and the girls were so cute because they talked in English the entire time. I really feel like in 3 months of classes...I got to know more about them and understand their specific difficulties (as students) this afternoon. And for that, I'm so thankful. The girls kept cracking me up because whenever one of them would start speaking in English, they would look very seriously at each other and say, "In English please." I couldn't handle it. :) After some time at the cafe we headed to the ice arena, where I was more than a little nervous about ice skating. Even after today's experience, I can count on one hand the times I've skated. I mean, I'm from Alabama for goodness sake. Again, I was worried to no avail because it was sooo much fun! I guess I seemed a little bit tense though because Zhenya looked at me and said (and oh how I wish you could hear her Russian accent), "Miss Traylor, no stress!" So then I just died. It was hilarious. She kept saying it over and over. I have to tell you why this was particularly funny for me...it's exactly what I would tell my class when they looked overwhelmed by an assignment or task that I asked them to do...which I had to tell them A LOT! So, today Zhenya showed me that at least in those moments...she was listening :) I love it!