Swimming...

I never ceased to be amazed at the things that I take forgranted about myself, my country, and how I am raised - when I am living away from it. I think the expression is something like: "A fish doesn't know he's in water until he is out of it."

This week we started the final unit of PE class - swimming. No I have not suddenly become a female Michael Phelps - the class is being taught by Sue Vissers (who knows what she is doing - I think I should take lessons!) and I am assisting. (Assisting means a lot of logistical work - including making sure the girls are hurrying, the guys aren't killing each other, and general encouragement. Plus, I get to be in the water with the kids teaching them how to swim.)

It is amazing to me to watch 12-14 year olds struggle to swim. Many of them are so uncomfortable in the water - their bodies are rigid and they are afraid to let their heads under the water. This made me realize how much swimming is part of Canadian culture - be it in the community pool, a friend's pool, or at the beach - we grow up with water around us. I am also thankful that I had swimming lessons (though to be fair - and nothing against my former teacher - these kids are learning things I don't even know.)

I just love the effort that I see from each of my students. It is great to see. Plus I feel that I have a relationship with these kids that is great - in fact with some of those boys their faces were turning red with effort - and they weren't going anywhere! I couldn't help but laugh - and they saw me laughing and laughed at themselves too. Because they knew that I knew that they were trying and we both knew they were not succeeding. But then know that they get full marks for effort - so that's what counts. But they also know that I will laugh at myself - which I think is why I can laugh at them.

Anyways, 5 more weeks. (Besides exams, graduation, re-tests, etc.)

Not that anyone is counting...

\manda