How things change in a year

So, when I first started this job a year and a half ago, there were occasions where I would grievously misread how sensitive a child was. The first time this happened, I was expressing mild disapproval with a boy who had failed to start his homework three weeks running. He burst into tears. I felt remarkably guilty, even though my boss and the child's mother both were on my side. (The mom made him go back to the classroom and humbly apologize again.)

Well, lately, he's turned over a new leaf. He shows up early, if he doesn't understand the lesson he stays late and asks questions, he always has his homework done.

Today, his parents decided to visit his grandparents, and they called us and informed us he would be absent from today's lesson. (Of course, we have no problem with this.) Apparently, he complained so much about missing English class, his parents felt obligated to bring him to the school. They were amused/bemused by the whole thing.

Wow.

(He showed up about 20 minutes late, and was about an hour late to his grandparent's place.)

I'd feel proud...if I could figure out what the hell I did.

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I survived the Kid's Christmas Party with minimal discomfort (although the damned beard shed so much I felt like spitting hairballs for the next day or so). The end-of-year party (忘年会) for adults is this Saturday. I foresee...alcohol and karaoke...in my future.