Last Bell

Julia and I were invited to two different graduation events. First we went to Elena's school and had a party with her graduating English class. They all took turns performing songs for each other in English. They had some lovely party food and then we played a game called Mafia. They were so funny. The language classes stay together for about 5 or 6 years so these kids know each other well and they really had a hard time fooling each other. They also just chose to murder the particular students who drive them crazy right away. They shouted and accused and were really fun. These kids are the cream of the crop and will probably all be accepted into the top schools of Russia. We had so much fun I lost track of the time and was quite late picking Gary up from work. oops!
The next day we were invited to the last bell ceremony for my graduating English class. The whole school lines up in the square and the graduating class comes in wearing slightly altered traditional Soviet era school clothes. Now there is no dress code. They only wear this costume for the last bell ceremony. Different classes give them gifts, and the teachers present them with awards. They give flowers and chocolates to their teachers. I left mine on the bench accidently.Darn. After the ceremony the students perform a concert for their school honoring their teachers by singing and dancing and saying goodbye. It was great to be included in the celebration and very interesting to see their traditions. Afterwards they asked to take a picture with Julia and I suddenly felt like a celeberty with tons of camera's flashing at me. It is unusual to have an American teaching in their schools and they tend to make a bit of a fuss over me. I try not to let them know how awkward it makes me feel to be the center of attention, but I truly do enjoy working with the students!