Welcome to the library

Around these parts the days are growing shorter and the to do lists are growing longer. We’ve now reached the point in the semester where we can count the classes remaining on one hand, and the point where teachers say, “We just need one more week.” There are Christmas gifts to be bought, cookies to be baked, parties to be held, countless papers to be graded, and looming deadlines for graduate work.

All of these put together means that my camera has sadly been gathering dust most days, and my words are expended in places other than here. However, today I thought I would let you all join me in our foreign teacher’s library. The English department has given us a room in the main teaching building where we’ve set up a collection of English books, magazines, and movies. Four afternoons a week, we open the space up to students for a couple hours. Each of us foreign teachers have a day we’re “on duty” and we have senior English majors who also assist us in the library.

Kami and I are on duty on Tuesdays. We have a solid group of about five students who make an appearance each week, and then there are often a few new faces as well. In lieu of awkward small talk conversations, Tuesday has turned into card playing day.

The favorite game of the library is Monopoly Deal, a game that turns the eternally long board game into a quick and challenging card game.

The deck of cards is rather complex, so it takes a bit for students to get the hang of the game.

Thankfully, we have the ever patient and helpful Stella as an assistant.

She has taught the game again. And again. And again.

Freeing up Kami and I to chat with students.

Have I mentioned I love Stella?

While it takes a bit to learn, the students have quickly fallen in love with the game.

And Kami and I have fallen in love with how quickly it makes the minutes fly by.