This is great. Thanks for telling us these stories.
I went to school at a missionary, mostly English speaking, school in Tegucigalpa Honduras when I was little, so I don't know if that counts...but I do remember the one year my parents were on "home assignment" and I had to attend about half a semester at the school my dad had gone to in New Jersey. For about five minutes I was exotic and strange and then everyone realized I basically looked like them and didn't speak Spanish and after that only one girl really wanted to be friends with me. I learned to make dandelion chains there and also some kids found a nest of baby bunnies in the playground once, though, so that was cool.
Thank you Jenn! It sounds like you’ve had some unique experiences growing up! And I think those kids at your dad’s school were missing out. I would’ve loved to make dandelion chains or daisy crowns with you. 🌼
Aw--thanks. That would've been fun! I definitely had some unique experiences...and tend to keep having them. I am therefore rarely bored. 😄 And it should be acknowledged that I have very many great friends now--many of whom just showed up for a virtual "birthday party" which ended a few minutes ago. Those are long-haul friends!
This was so fun to read both as a mom to TCKs in Asia that have gone to school for some time (now homeschooling) and an auntie to other TCKs in Japan who also had a brief stint in Japanese school (also turned to homeschooling!). Experiencing other cultures is so good for kids if uncomfortable much of the time.
Wow! We didn’t start until 2020 like a lot of other people but it got me over the hump of being intimidated and then learning we could do it, and enjoy it.
Oh wow, just wow, Erika - what an absolutely gorgeous post! I've learned so much - such wonderful stories! Unicycles! Lunch! Leather backpacks! Cleaning teeth at school! Cleaning THE school!
Rebecca! After reading you list out these cultural differences back to back, I'm reminded again how special it was to have this experience. I've had to take a bit of a break from Substack but look forward to catching up on my favorite newsletters—yours included, of course. ❤️
Lovely to see you, Erika! 😘 I’ve got a tonne of catching up to do, too - I’m very behind on notifications, and as for my Substack inbox, it’s bursting with glorious words from all corners of the world which I just haven’t been able to read yet!
What a delightful post. Thank you, Erika, for skillfully describing this blast from your past.
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for reading along and letting me you know you enjoyed it. 🤗 It was sure fun to write!
Hello, Erika. You are most welcome. The fun you had writing it was evident throughout the entire piece.
This is great. Thanks for telling us these stories.
I went to school at a missionary, mostly English speaking, school in Tegucigalpa Honduras when I was little, so I don't know if that counts...but I do remember the one year my parents were on "home assignment" and I had to attend about half a semester at the school my dad had gone to in New Jersey. For about five minutes I was exotic and strange and then everyone realized I basically looked like them and didn't speak Spanish and after that only one girl really wanted to be friends with me. I learned to make dandelion chains there and also some kids found a nest of baby bunnies in the playground once, though, so that was cool.
Thank you Jenn! It sounds like you’ve had some unique experiences growing up! And I think those kids at your dad’s school were missing out. I would’ve loved to make dandelion chains or daisy crowns with you. 🌼
Aw--thanks. That would've been fun! I definitely had some unique experiences...and tend to keep having them. I am therefore rarely bored. 😄 And it should be acknowledged that I have very many great friends now--many of whom just showed up for a virtual "birthday party" which ended a few minutes ago. Those are long-haul friends!
I hope you had a marvelous birthday! 🥳
Thank you! I sure did!
This was so fun to read both as a mom to TCKs in Asia that have gone to school for some time (now homeschooling) and an auntie to other TCKs in Japan who also had a brief stint in Japanese school (also turned to homeschooling!). Experiencing other cultures is so good for kids if uncomfortable much of the time.
Hey Amber, thanks for reading! It’s nice to meet you. 😊 Totally agree on experiencing other cultures.
Also I was homeschooled from 1st grade till graduation! That summer was the only time I’d ever spent in a public school. Kind of wild.
Wow! We didn’t start until 2020 like a lot of other people but it got me over the hump of being intimidated and then learning we could do it, and enjoy it.
Oh wow, just wow, Erika - what an absolutely gorgeous post! I've learned so much - such wonderful stories! Unicycles! Lunch! Leather backpacks! Cleaning teeth at school! Cleaning THE school!
A TERRIFIC read, as always! Thank you so much. ☺️
Rebecca! After reading you list out these cultural differences back to back, I'm reminded again how special it was to have this experience. I've had to take a bit of a break from Substack but look forward to catching up on my favorite newsletters—yours included, of course. ❤️
Lovely to see you, Erika! 😘 I’ve got a tonne of catching up to do, too - I’m very behind on notifications, and as for my Substack inbox, it’s bursting with glorious words from all corners of the world which I just haven’t been able to read yet!
Busy summer, so far! ☺️
What a joy to read this tonight! I laughed out loud when I read your footnote about the "American Girl" shirt. 😄
And teeth cleaning after lunch at school?! What a DREAM! How did I not know this? Is this why you've always paid attention to how I brush my teeth?
I loved everything about this post. Thanks again for sharing this with us.
Your comment brought me great happiness. 😂 I WONDER if that teeth brushing experience made me hyper aware of people's brushing habits. 🤣 🤣 🤣