Rich Humble, I'm neither

Rich and I first met in Hong Kong airport. We were two of 3 American people flying from China to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The odds were good we were heading to the same school. The third happened to be heading to ASU as well. Rich and I started talking about various science topics, and ideas we have for fun units and projects to do with the students. Between labored breaths, he would cough out more and more about himself. The conversation quickly diverted from science to Rich's road to entering the teaching profession. His thoughts seemed very scattered and I didn't know what to expect next. He informed me that after experimenting with drugs in his youth, he realized he had better drop it and do something with his life. He said, "If it wasn't the drugs holding me back, then I was screwed." Soon the flight began to board and I was rid of this rollercoaster ride of information that was this strangers life. Little did I know the impact this strange man would have on my in the weeks to come. 

We boarded the plane, and I was relieved to find that I was sitting a few rows away. I had been awake all night in the Hong Kong airport and was desperately looking forward to my nap. I knew if I was too close, I would be bombarded with stories in random order. Once we landed, we all hopped in the van to bounce our way down the dirt road leading into the capitol. The anecdotes continued. I don't remember what was said, I only remember thinking to myself, What in the world goes through this guys head? Why does he have to be in the science department? Can't we just be there yet? I wanted nothing to do with Rich at the time. I wasn't mentally ready to handle what I perceived as a scatterbrained old man that seemed constantly short of breath. 

Upon the first few days here, Rich would be around randomly. He had a strange sense of humor. I watched him attempt to tell someone a joke, realize they were in a conversation, wait about 3-4 minutes, just to tell them that "Hey we're twins!" because on their name tag it was mistyped to say they were both principals. Everyone's name tag said they were the principal. One day we went to catch the bus into town. He fell rather far behind. The walk had proved too much for him and he turned back. I found myself somewhat relieved that he wasn't coming. He had been telling me that we should meet up to work out what we want to do with the science program. A proposition that I wasn't overly looking forward to. Not that he wasn't extremely nice, I just had no clue how to respond to him. I felt uncomfortable talking to him. I felt as if I couldn't relate. 

Not too long into the first week of preparing for school, Rich disappeared. He wasn't at meetings, he wasn't around the apartment complex. It came to be known that he was in the hospital. After a few days, we found out that he was alright, but wouldn't be teaching here. He was in there through the weekend and I didn't see him until the first day of student contact. I politely asked him how he was doing. He mentioned it could be better, and said that he had something he wanted to give me. I had no idea what to expect. I never did with Rich. We decided to meet up around 7. I showed up to his room, meeting another staff member already hanging out with Rich. Originally, I didn't plan on staying there very long at all. He handed me about 25-30 CDs worth of teaching resources and videos. Upon talking to him, he also gave me a bath towel (unused) and his cell phone that he couldn't figure out. Like I said, random. I didn't know what to say. I was very appreciative. It was the least I could do to sit down and have a drink with him and Grant. As I sat there, we began to chat about anything and everything. This is when my perception of Rich began to change rapidly and often. 

Rich had a pretty rough go at life. His first wife had died, 6 month after he had found out she was an alcoholic. He remarried. She took everything. He fell into depression, and developed OCD. During this time, he invested his entire retirement fund into precious gem stones. Soon there after he realized the error in his ways, as gem stones don't hold much consistent value. He was broke, had nothing. The U-haul was packed and he went to a friends place, waiting on the porch for his friend to come home. When he arrived, he questioned Rich as to why he was in Wisconsin. Rich didn't know. He was in a rough patch, unimaginable to me, an invincible 25 year old with the world ahead of me. His friend lent him as much as he could, and Rich made it back onto his feet. He began teaching again, and has been in a few different countries. While in Asia, he did what I assume most older divorced/widowed men do, and he found a younger wife. He described it to work very well as it felt like more of a business arrangement than a relationship. He really painted a picture of himself with his stories about his time spent in Asia. 

While Grant and I were talking to him, I started to realize just how much Rich needed us to talk to. He did overshare quite a bit with us, but I imagine it was as if the floodgates opened and everything came pouring out. Regret swept over me for judging Rich so harshly upon first meeting him. He seemed like a guy that would have been very enjoyable to be around once you got a handle on his quirkiness. He had a fun sense of humor, and enjoyed to laugh. Who's to say anyone wouldn't be similarly unique if they had the same life experiences. Internally, I beat myself up a little after that conversation. I've seen myself as a very personable individual, able to talk to most people and be friendly. Yet, I pushed this man away undeservingly, because I was unconsciously too cool. 

The story continues the following night when Rich organized a large get together/pot luck. He made some soup with his left over groceries. He didn't need them as he would be leaving Mongolia soon. So many people showed up, and it was a really great social event for everyone. As the night went on, people started to dwindle away. It was about 9 when there were only 8 or so of us left. Rich had retired to his room, only to return carrying two small boxes. He referenced a book in which it mentions that people come into each others lives for a reason. And even though the time he had been here was short, we had all come together to impact each others lives. The boxes came out, and he mentioned he wanted to give each of us a gem stone from his personal collection. All of us sat in silence as he searched through these tiny boxes, squinting and searching for the perfect one. Each stone had a special significance or meaning. He shared with us why he chose each of the stones for us specifically. When it came to me, he pulled out a smoky quartz. He mentioned it was known for its masculinity, and he thought this was a very fitting stone for a fine young man. My mind was completely blank as I accepted this gift and muttered "Thank you." As he went on with everyone else, I fought back tears as I thought of how rude I had been with my thoughts towards this extremely generous man that I had only known for 2 weeks. After he finished handing out the last stone, he retired for the evening. We all showed each other the stone that he had chosen for us. No one really knowing what to think. 

As I left for my room, my mind was racing. I didn't know what to think. Here I had been avoiding this man for two weeks when all he had wanted to do was share ideas, chat about life, and share with me his experiences. I felt ashamed of myself for treating him so poorly, and also thankful that I did get to actually know him before he left Mongolia. I can't say with any merit that I would be half as kind or generous as Rich, had I gone through a fraction of what he had. While a smoky quartz stands for masculinity, the stone I have also stands as a reminder for what it means to be a man. It is a reminder to be a better person, to get to know people before I distance myself, and to be thankful for what I do have. 

With that, I wish to thank you Rich Humble. I hope that I did not share too much about you without your knowing, but thanks again for what you've given me. Sadly, I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you. 

My first days of school

The school year is officially underway. I've survived my first week, and as my peers were keen to point out, only 176 days left. The first week seemed to simultaneously streak past yet last almost as long as it takes to get into the city during rush hour. During the first day, I wrote on the board "Mr. CD Johnson." I introduced myself as such. My day is now plagued with a multitude of "Good morning Mr. CD Johnson" and "Have a good night Mr. CD Johnson." With each Mr. CD Johnson it sound more and more awkwardly formal, that it has become very difficult to refrain from replying with a sarcastic "Good morning to you Ms. Delgerchimeg Esonmunhk." To my friends teaching in the states, that is actually the names of one of my students (kind of: I'm not sure about privacy laws here in Mongolia, so it is one student's first name and another's last, but you get the point) Just sound it out. Not to pat myself on the back, but I've committed all of their names to memory. The real test though will come tomorrow morning after a weekend away from them. 

It is incredible how well behaved and polite the students are here. I take no credit for that. They are a group of amazing kids. Don't get me wrong, they are still middle school students and can get a little squirrelly. It seems as if most of them are interested in challenging themselves and actually learning science, which is a pleasant surprise from what I'm used to with students taking their education for granted. Even though most are engaged and willing to learn, there are a couple that jump to my mind that will give me the challenge to find what sparks their interests. 

One of the students in my class caused me to have an it's-a-small-world-after-all moment. When describing where I was from, I mentioned I was from Michigan. Sitting infront of me was a student that is originally from Big Rapids, Michigan only 20-30 minutes from where I grew up. After flying halfway around the world, there is someone familiar with the small town of LeRoy, Michigan. It's a small world after all. 

Not only have the students here been great, but it has been really nice to get to know the staff as well. Here is the quick version describing some of them that I've gotten to know. Dan is the guy I will watch NFL games with the day after, and probably hockey too; he's from Canada. David has coined himself as my dad. It mostly consists of him calling me son, and me watching his bag and coat. I've got a great workout partner in Keith. Liz is one kick-ass partner in the science department. Riann is always there to catch me if I fall. I actually did fall on him. Sorry about your knee Riann. Lianne is such a motivator, telling me how great my stories can be. Laura is the neighbor that I'm going to slowly see how loud I can be before she tells me to quiet down. There are so many more I could mention, but sadly my laundry is done, and this blog is getting long enough. 

A realization did hit me today. When I was mentally preparing for my trip to Mongolia, I had many dreams as well as apprehensions. In all of those day dreams never once did I envision doing dishes, laundry, or cleaning of any sort. Cleaning in Mongolia is no more enjoyable than it was in the states. Unless I get a cleaner...

First few days, and flights here

Flying half way around the world is no quick task. My short flight to Chicago was fairly quick and left me very optimistic. A pilot sat in the seat next to me, and he used up my entire pre-planned nap time with his great stories of when he traveled the world. Keith, the pilot, was gracious enough to point out all of the mistakes the new pilot was making on our flight. The rookie redeemed himself by making a very smooth landing. The flight from Chicago to Hong Kong was no where near as short. The 15 hour flight did seem to go rather quickly, due to me sleeping for 10 of it. Once I was in Hong Kong, I didn't have enough money to spring for a hotel or even sit in a lounge, so I explored the airport. It seemed more like a shopping mall than an airport. Luckily, there was a 7-11 open all night. I was able to get a few familiar snacks. Later in the night after a bag of M&Ms and an energy drink, I got a little more courageous with my snack choices. My flight from Hong Kong to Ulaanbaatar was only 4 hours, but after an all-nighter in Hong Kong, I was more than ready to sleep for the 4 hours.

Once we got to the airport, I met up with a few of the other teachers in the school. We took a small dirt road back from the airport into the city. Driving seemed to be controlled chaos. Drivers use their horns all the time, and what appears to be a 2 lane road, is scarily made into a four lane. Upon arriving at the school, I got my apartment. Small but perfect sized for one person. Some of the veteran teachers took us new teachers out for dinner and a couple drinks. The second day was more of an adventure. We again went out as a group, adding a few to our ranks. We visited various shops and stores. We were hooked up with cell phones. After awhile, a few of us split from the main group. This was a great choice as it allowed us to move at a quicker pace, and see a few places. The smaller group also allowed us to visit some of the local places and have our own adventure. Sunday comprised of wandering around town, looking at all of the shops and stores we hadn't visited the day before. After dinner at a small Korean place, the two of us walked 5 km back to the school.

Today was my first day in the school. Just like in the states, the first week is filled with orientation, meetings, and prepping your room. There are a few differences. They are taking a group into the city to go shopping. Another guy and I opted out and instead are going on our own. It saves on waiting for 10-20 people to go through all of the stores we've already looked through. It is very interesting getting back and forth between the school and downtown. There aren't too many real taxi's in UB. Instead you stand on the street and hold your arm out and someone will just pull over and give you a ride. It's hitch hiking at its finest. It's all very unique and interesting at first. I'm sure with time, I will get more accustomed to the differences. For now, I'm just enjoying the sun while it lasts.