I started this post last night. I was so tired, I was falling asleep typing. The night before we attended the Greek Orthodox Easter service at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Mobile with my friend Rita Skiadas. Their services start late at night and can last up to two or three hours. We did not stay that long. The service was beautiful. They chant passages and prayers and it was very moving to be there with Rita. Then, we light candles and go outside as a group. There continues the reading and prayers. It was a beautiful night. So, that is why I almost fell asleep typing.
The semester is officially over, projects have been graded, and those grades have been submitted. Enjoying a very short break, as in only a few days. I am also in the midst of packing for my study abroad trip to Italy. Though I have been abroad this is my first time taking students for a study abroad trip. They are all very excited and their excitement excites me but it also makes me a little nervous. It is all part of the adventure.
Teaching college aged students comes with a myriad of interesting and colorful moments and conversations. The moments are always memorable but what makes them even more remarkable are our casual conversations. And this semester did not fail to deliver.
For several minutes at the beginning of class, we talk. Simply talk. I call it “story time.” Sometimes they come ready to share and other times they are quieter. Some classes develop a very tight rapport and take risks with each other with bantering and wit. Other classes are more reserved and approach each other carefully. Even in those classes though, there are always a few who are eager to share and engage in lively conversations.
Aside from the precious creative discovery moments, my favorite moments are when the class and I talk. This semester’s conversations brought many quirky phrases and comments. Since I letter and the students know it, they are usually more than happy to help me by providing me with content. Anything shared in story time is usually confidential—unless they of course are sharing something that threatens their well being or the well being of others, I am sworn to secrecy. For some reason however, when something quotable and quirky comes up, they are eager to see it posted on my Instagram. I always tag them if I know their handles.
I thought I’d show you a selection of the quotes they happily shared with me to letter. Some of them will need some context to understand their significance. I will try to provide said context without violating any confidence shared in class.
Early in the semester we hit a little rough patch in one of my classes. The response to that was both hard and sweet. Several endearing shows of affection came out of it and one of them was the quote below from Alyssa Holder: “The ignorance of others should never be your burden to bear.” I thought it was a beautiful and wise affirming statement. What also came out of that rough patch was an unexpected, beautiful, and rich conversation with one of my students.
The Introduction to Graphic Design class was a small one. There were only four of them and myself. And the comments were odd, weird, and hilarious. A conversation about tomatoes prompted this quote by Meme Banks: “A tomato is natural ketchup.”
One of the funniest moments was when one of my Typography class students, Jonathan McFarlanne innocently told us about his acquaintance, Mr. Ricky and his influence in town. We started teasing about the possible ramifications—think of mob movies. The more he explained, the more oblivious he seemed to the joke. We laughed so hard and I told him I would letter it. He was very happy to see it when I emailed it to him. Some students downloaded it for their computer wallpaper.
Right after that conversation the same student said “we should have a pocket Alma.” I immediately wrote it down. He was saying how he’s never heard me say something. In response, I said, well, we are not together all the time, right?
Conversations about parents always come up. A story about how the app Life 360 can feel intrusive to them when used by their parents prompted this quote by Evan Sayre.
Our classroom smells like gas sometimes. the outside of the building also smells like gas. One day it was so intense that it came up in class. Meme Banks said our classroom had a “designated smell”. See below.
The next one is by Taylor Schilling who in reply to a joke in class said: “I like my dignity where it is.” I can’t recall the context but I remember we could not stop laughing that day.
I think the same day another gem came up also provided by Meme Banks. And again, we could not stop laughing. I think I will let you see it instead of typing it out.
That day was full of gems. Right after Kayla Jackson provided this quote: “Embrace your coolness, Taylor.”
Sometimes our critiques happen in the midst of a room full of laughter and when that happens, it is definitely one my favorite times. This one below was by Evan Sayre. He wanted to share it with me to letter it. It is part of his group of friends ongoing banter. It goes: “I am not here with you, you are here with me.” The quote is in reference to the movie The Watchmen.
In the midst of another story time during the final Alyssa Holder was sharing how pleasant it was to be at her apartment complex pool and shared the following: “Why am I so gorgeous?” What can I say, we all broke in laughter.
Last but not least. On Saturday, I was looking for something to letter. I asked my family to say something “stupid” for me to letter. My husband Tyson, thought I should letter exactly that. I did. One of my students then commented something and I had to letter too. Below, my questions and after the comment from one of my students.
The statement:
The question:
My student Evan Sayre, happily commented the following: “Life is like a sandwich. No matter which way you flip it, bread comes first.” I tried to find the source and the search gave me a lot of memes. If you know the author, please do let me know. See lettered comment below.
I hope you enjoyed this slice of my teaching life. It is a joy to get to know the students. I hope to post from Italy next week with some pictures.
Love,
Alma