As we have coursed our way through these two weeks, Denise and I have marveled at our host's stamina, integrity, and dedication.  Anna not only teaches in school, but she also gives private English lessons.  We have been fortunate to meet Gabby, Tomasz, and Patryk at Anna's house last Sunday, and each one invited us back to his or her home.  Anna's students love her visits, and welcomed us into their rooms where we asked each other questions and played games.  Gabby has a natural ear for the English language, and we taught her the word "gorgeous" because she is.  Patryk likes Star Wars, Harry Potter, martial arts, and his pet hamster, Fifi. Tomasz told us our fortunes, played the piano for us, and showed himself to be a force on the chessboard.
    

The second junior high school has been the class who has spent the most time with us, presenting poems, telling us how they spend their free time, teaching us Polish, and traveling with us to see the Wieliczka Salt Mine.  On this day, they presented Polish traditions and aspects of Polish life to us.  We learned how to predict one's future spouse, animals of the region, holidays, literature, and history.  Piotrek, in describing Polish history said that, "The Russians gave us our freedom, only to take it back," as he was handing out coupons from the Soviet era, bullets from WWII, cards that show party membership (a necessity if a person wanted to swim),  money that predated WWI, and family photos.  History became personal and familial with these presentations.  Several students in this class have a natural sense of humor.   Because of them I know how to say prosze (please), przepraszam (I'm sorry),  Mam na imie Allyson (My name is Allyson), siemka (yo, hey), Jak masz na imie?  (What is your name?), Golzie mieszkasz? (Where do you live?), and Mieszkam w Poinocnej Karolina (I live in North Carolina). 

To the second junior high school, thank you teaching us so well.   Many memories I have of Poland and Krakow will be of you.  I do have a few words that describe each one of you.  Can you guess which ones you are?  Gentle spirit; humble genius; witty and gregarious leader; cynical, but humerous  intellectual; confident and bright networker; playful (and hungry) student; ethical and trusted friend; meticulous fashionista; and genuine and conscientious thespian (he smiles as much or more than I do).  You are welcome in America, and especially in North Carolina.