The most important thing I think I've learned to this point, is that it's never what you say that makes the biggest impression; it's what you do. Real simple. What's led me to this? Everything, I think, and nothing really new, or terribly specific has happened to bring it to light. Except, well, as you might imagine, I have had a lot of time for philosophical bellybutton-poking, as I've noted before. Being a bit desolate, I suppose, is good like that, but I'd still rather not be in the habit of it. As far as teaching, no matter what you're working with or how you're doing it, you'll do best to get your classes involved with what they're supposed to be learning. And try to save handing out treats until the END of class. The net effect of that is about the same as the "H" consonant sound in Korean, a noise that sounds as though you need to be ejecting phlegm, or will be soon. The other little story I forgot to mention, stars Sharon, once again. After the initial educational "fear of flying" had dissipated, I broke out in my little "faith healer" routine once, and cut loose with a big "OH YEAH! HALLELUJAH! CAN I GET AN AMEN?!" Ever since then, of course, frequently when Sharon gets an answer right, she'll yell "OH, YEAH! HALLELUJAH!" I can only envision what her former teachers from Canada must have thought if she produced such an outburst on vacation last summer. The mind boggles.