"You love me! You really love me!"

Wow, even I couldn't remember where I had remembered this quote, which is terrible because every time I want to exaggerate the sappy-ness, I'll use this quote. Googled it, and it turns out it was Jim Carrey from The Mask (1994). Jeepers, sometimes it's frightening what'll get caught in the ole' steel trap...

A few weeks ago, my boss told me that he wanted to do a teacher exchange day where the other part-time English teacher would take care of my classes for a Saturday so that the students could be exposed to more English-speaking people. I agreed, and the week before the other teacher would substitute in, I let them know.

"Hey, so next week, another teacher named Janie will be here to teach you. How's that sound? It's just for that one week." "Whaaat?" Commence grumbles from both the students (ninth grade girls).

"Don't worry. It'll be fine. So what do you want to do with Janie? Do you want to play our English board game like today? Then it'll be fun, right?"

No response, just unconvinced frowns.

"Don't you want to play with Janie?"

Hesitant "No"s.

"Would you rather play with me?"

Two "Yeah"s.

Cue Jim Carrey's line in my head. A smile spreads on my face. And out my mouth, "Awwwwwwwww, I love you, too."

We eventually decided on having them fill out a worksheet of 40 or so questions to get to know Janie by interviewing her using only English.

I really wouldn't have guessed it, but they really do appreciate the way I -- me, Suzie Chhouk -- teach.

P.S. Note to self: be sure to remember teens show love subtly and unexpectedly.