Weird Hours and things going on

We've been sort of quiet this week. We've been busy trying to settle in and find a schedule and rhythm that works for us. We aren't quite there but we are moving in that direction. For me and my little Kindergarten class it has been an eventful week. Three children were sick this week and 2 threw up while they were at school. (Just loving that mess.) On Tuesday, one child cried most of the day, one asked me "who the boss was" and when I said, "I am", she informed me that "oh no, I am". We has a little discussion. Then after lunch as we were lining up for PE one of my children just turned around, unprovoked and punched another kid in the mouth, knocking one of his teeth out. That was a day for the books. We survived and had a very good day on Wednesday. Thursday, however, was not. Many children got to spend 5 minutes in time out over the course of the day and the paras where going insane right along with me. I sent a note home to the children's parents asking for help in reminding their children of the rules and then put our behavior policy and consequences down on paper for them to see. We had been asked to do that. Well, Friday morning was off to a good start. I was talking to parents as they came in and was in the middle of a conversation when a Mother stepped right in and said, "I need to talk to you." I told her that I knew that. Could she please let me finish my conversation. To her that was apparently not OK. She began yelling at me and making quit a scene. I asked her to please step into another room so we could at least be alone to have the conversation and she continued to yell but followed me. She proceeded to tell me that her child was perfect and that his being in time out the day before was unacceptable, that he had awards from both the 3 year old class and the 4 year old class for being the best. She told me that I was a horrible teacher that her child was not interested in school or engaged in school and that he was NOT to be put in time out. She continued to yell and wouldn't really let me get a word in edgewise. I told her we should probably go talk with the principal and that would she please wait. She followed me into the hallway continuing to yell. I asked her to stop being rude and to stop yelling while I found the principal. We visited the principal and he was awesome. Not because he took my side but because he really listened to her, suggested that no one was perfect and that this was a big change for the children from Preschool to the academic world, etc. He supported me completely and yet helped her to talk more calmly. She continued to say that I was a problem. She was a teacher and she could come and show me how things should be done. She explained that her sons previous teacher Miss Olga walked on water (and she does) and that Miss Olga was who I should model myself after. Once the mother left, I cried of course. I simply wasn't prepared for that attack. I went to talk with Miss Olga and she told me that virtually the identical thing had happened with her and this parent two years before. She said it took about 3 months for the mother to settle down and be more respectful towards her. She said that the mother was a rude person and that finally they just sent her to talk to the principal every time she had an issue (which apparently was a lot).

I learned a lot on Friday. The principal was awesome. He didn't tell me I was right but he was very encouraging to me. He checked on me at lunch and then at the all-school assembly on Friday he had a cheer for me as part of a skit for Student Council. I'm the student council advisor now. The principal is a strong personality and kind of stern most of the time but his kindness on Friday was beyond words. I learned that this is how Azeri women interact a lot. It's not unusual for Azeri women to yell at each other in passion. I wasn't really having an issue with what the mother was saying, She had every right to feel the way she was feeling. My issue was more with how she interrupted and how rude she was. I also thought about things all day and realized that I wasn't very nice to her either and so when she came in that afternoon to pick up her son I apologized to her for my behavior that morning. She accepted my apology. I told her that her son had been great that day and she said, "I know" and left. I was thankful for her willingness to accept my apology and very happy that it was Friday.

I have three paras now. Two of the paras worked with this mother for the last two years and they were scared about the days events. Finally at about 3:50, school gets out at 3:30, the paras asked if they could ask me a question. They of course wanted to know what had happened and then very gingerly asked me if she had apologized and I said no, I had. They looked sort of scared. Then at about 4:00 they asked me why I had done that and I told them because it was the right thing to do and that I had been rude, too. They said, "she'll think she won" and I said, "that's OK, I just had to do what I knew was the right thing". It was tough to swallow my pride and apologize but I had spent a lot of time in prayer and knew that was what I needed to do.

Friday night Joshua had his first sleep-over. There is a boy in his class named Amar and he an Joshua just adore each other. The mother asked me if it would be OK and we agreed on the times. When we picked Joshua up Saturday morning he was just glowing and the mother said they'd love to have him again. I was really happy for Joshua. We may have Amar (from Macedonia) over this weekend.

Now, I'm sitting her at 10:30 at night and guess what it going on outside? It seems that delivering of dump trucks of dirt takes place late at night. I don't know why but this is the second time this week that 2 dumps trucks (very HUGE dump trucks) have come to our neighborhood to dump loads of dirt next door to our house. They at about 12:30 am or so (at least that's what happened last time) the tractor comes to work with the dirt and smooth it out and move it around a bit. It's a crack up to say the least. Tonight the tractor is actually out there right now. The streets are full of people until at least midnight. It's very interesting. The Ulrich family is often in bed by 8:30 pm. Guess we haven't really acclimated to Azeri time schedules just yet. I'm OK with that. We love you all.