I have been going to my first grader's school a lot this year, mostly around lunch time. She is still at an age where she is genuinely happy to see me at school. I really enjoy seeing her at lunch too, especially on days when I leave for work even before she gets up from bed.
A couple of weeks ago, while I was visiting her during their lunch break, one of her friends, Ellie, asked me what language we spoke at home. She probably heard me speak to Raaga in Telugu. I answered her question and was inspired to ask the same question back to Ellie and the other kids that were also seated at the same table. Ellie said she only spoke English. Joseph said he spoke English and Chinese. I said 'Ni Hao, Joseph' and he gave me the most beautiful smile. Then I turned to little Cali. She seemed very shy and didn't seem very interested in carrying on any conversation with me or anyone else. Just when I dropped the idea of engaging her in my random chat, I noticed a post-it on her lunch box. "Have fun at PE! love, mom"- It said. That sweet note made me change my mind and strike a conversation with her. I asked her what her name was, despite my daughter already announcing it. I asked her what language she spoke at home. Indonesian, she answered. I asked her how to say 'hello' in Indonesian. I forgot, she said. I suggested that may be she should ask her mom about that. She looked up and smiled at me, making eye contact for the first time during this entire conversation.
On Monday this week, I had to rush out the door in the morning before I had a chance to pack lunch for Raaga. I hurried home after my morning meetings, packed up a quick lunch and paid a visit to school, three minutes past first grade lunch time. As I was running down the stairs to the school cafe, another first grade teacher told me that Ms Stewart's class had not been dismissed to lunch yet. I relaxed a little and decided to wait right there instead of going downstairs. Four more minutes later, that same first grade teacher came back upstairs, apologized and said that Raaga's class was already at lunch and that she was mistaken earlier. They only get 20min to eat and I pretty much ate up 7 of those for my kid. I felt extremely guilty, sprinted downstairs, spotted my girl and gave her a big hug. Found a spot, sat down and finally Raaga got started with her lunch.
While I was completely consumed by this whole episode, a little boy at the adjacent table raised three fingers (sign for: I want help). I went to his table and peeled the banana for him. As I was returning to Raaga's table, another kid raised her three fingers. I looked at her lunch box and there did not seem to be any unopened box or unzipped bag of crackers. While I was still trying to understand what she might need help with, I spotted a post it note on her lunch box "Hope your day has been fun. Love, Mom". That note seemed very familiar but I could not remember the girl's name. I asked the girl what her name was and she instead said that she needed to tell me something. Apa Kabar, she said. Her mom told her that Apa Kabar is the Indonesian for Hello. Raaga reminded me her name from across the table- Cali. Of course! How sweet that Cali remembered my random chit chat from fifteen days ago! I thanked her for teaching me my first Indonesian word and also requested that she teaches me my second one next time I see her- Indonesian for 'Thank you'. Cali's eyes looked so bright and happy!
Oh, I also spotted Joseph a couple of tables away, stopped by and said Ni Hao. And he shyly bent his head down and smiled the most beautiful smile. What a beautiful and innocent world it is at that lunch hour!
A couple of weeks ago, while I was visiting her during their lunch break, one of her friends, Ellie, asked me what language we spoke at home. She probably heard me speak to Raaga in Telugu. I answered her question and was inspired to ask the same question back to Ellie and the other kids that were also seated at the same table. Ellie said she only spoke English. Joseph said he spoke English and Chinese. I said 'Ni Hao, Joseph' and he gave me the most beautiful smile. Then I turned to little Cali. She seemed very shy and didn't seem very interested in carrying on any conversation with me or anyone else. Just when I dropped the idea of engaging her in my random chat, I noticed a post-it on her lunch box. "Have fun at PE! love, mom"- It said. That sweet note made me change my mind and strike a conversation with her. I asked her what her name was, despite my daughter already announcing it. I asked her what language she spoke at home. Indonesian, she answered. I asked her how to say 'hello' in Indonesian. I forgot, she said. I suggested that may be she should ask her mom about that. She looked up and smiled at me, making eye contact for the first time during this entire conversation.
On Monday this week, I had to rush out the door in the morning before I had a chance to pack lunch for Raaga. I hurried home after my morning meetings, packed up a quick lunch and paid a visit to school, three minutes past first grade lunch time. As I was running down the stairs to the school cafe, another first grade teacher told me that Ms Stewart's class had not been dismissed to lunch yet. I relaxed a little and decided to wait right there instead of going downstairs. Four more minutes later, that same first grade teacher came back upstairs, apologized and said that Raaga's class was already at lunch and that she was mistaken earlier. They only get 20min to eat and I pretty much ate up 7 of those for my kid. I felt extremely guilty, sprinted downstairs, spotted my girl and gave her a big hug. Found a spot, sat down and finally Raaga got started with her lunch.
While I was completely consumed by this whole episode, a little boy at the adjacent table raised three fingers (sign for: I want help). I went to his table and peeled the banana for him. As I was returning to Raaga's table, another kid raised her three fingers. I looked at her lunch box and there did not seem to be any unopened box or unzipped bag of crackers. While I was still trying to understand what she might need help with, I spotted a post it note on her lunch box "Hope your day has been fun. Love, Mom". That note seemed very familiar but I could not remember the girl's name. I asked the girl what her name was and she instead said that she needed to tell me something. Apa Kabar, she said. Her mom told her that Apa Kabar is the Indonesian for Hello. Raaga reminded me her name from across the table- Cali. Of course! How sweet that Cali remembered my random chit chat from fifteen days ago! I thanked her for teaching me my first Indonesian word and also requested that she teaches me my second one next time I see her- Indonesian for 'Thank you'. Cali's eyes looked so bright and happy!
Oh, I also spotted Joseph a couple of tables away, stopped by and said Ni Hao. And he shyly bent his head down and smiled the most beautiful smile. What a beautiful and innocent world it is at that lunch hour!
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| I am not allowed to take pictures at lunch time but I did take one this morning- It's Picture Day at school! I am eagerly looking forward to the class picture so I can spot Cali, Joseph, Ellie and all my other little friends. |
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