I went to the chapel at the beginning of third period to play the piano. A minute later three grade 10 students came in and heard them said something about praying. I was debating whether or not to leave so they can have some space to pray. But then they were laughing and muttering things to themselves. So I figured they weren't there to pray but to fool around. It got to the point where their voices grew louder and louder with some swear words flying out of their mouths! At that point I decided to keep playing the piano in hopes that they would leave, because I didn't want them to act that way inside the chapel.
A few minutes later, one girl said something like "well I'd really like to play the piano! I've very goooooood at it!" I was still playing and thank goodness someone texted me. I was running out of songs to play so that was a good time to keep myself a little while longer inside the chapel. Later on they came closer to where I was. The girl who claimed to be good at piano invited herself beside the chair I was sitting. I told her to play something as I replied to a friend. She did, and you know what? She has an amazing voice!
She didn't take any piano lessons but instead played songs by ear. Honestly though? I'll admit at that moment she seemed to have the talent by ear, but when I asked her to play a song from Augustana called Boston, she had difficulty in starting out the introduction to the song. I even had the song out for her. I guess I'm comparing her to a friend who had an amazing ability to play things by ear. Incredibly talented (LOUIE B!).
ANYWAY, while her guy and girl friend were busy fooling around spitting out mean words to each other, I was busy trying to figure this kid out. At the same time though, I was still going crazy on the inside, they were very mean and rude! I kept calm and told myself to respond differently. As cheesy as it is, I responded with a loving attitude. >.< IT. WAS. HARD. I kept my cool and told her how amazing her voice was. Her voice was still harsh and coarse, but as I kept talking to her her tone changed. It was friendlier. This kid had more potential than what she realizes so I kept telling her how talented she is and that she must join the talent show. I was pretty amazed at how responding differently toward a kid like her could change your whole perspective about a person. But then she was back to her vulgar attitude as soon as her friends talked to her.
I had no idea why I was still there. Clearly they've managed to get me out of the piano. Later on as I was standing up, the guy asked me if the water bottle beside me was mine. He asked if he could have a sip while her friend said, "Don't, he has aids!" Obviously that was a joke. Before I could say anything he took the bottle as I was reaching for it! I told him to put water on the cap and sip from there. He took a sip and pretty much soaked the floor with water. They were joking around. He gave me back my now germ-filled water bottle and didn't even say thank you. >:(
A few things happened after that. They were pretty racist as well. They also lied about having a spare, they were skipping! Earlier the girl who played the piano got mad at me because apparently I "lied" about me being Spanish. I told her I was part Spanish and said she was "mad" at me for "lying" to her. UGH. And they have the guts to lie even bigger by saying they had a spare when they didn't (overheard them talking about it).
ANYWAY, I finally decided to get out of there. I told them I was going to go and reminded the girl how talented she was. I also mentioned the Hero Project to them as well. The guy told me be careful not to get hit by cars... ?!?!? My response?
"Have a good day!"
So that's my Valentines Day. I can't believe I was able to keep calm and do the unthinkable (though it was so possible). I was really hoping that by acting with a loving attitude, they'd change some of the way they think about others and also better their manners. I have mixed feelings about those kids. But they're young, they are still trying to figure out who they are and who their real friends are as well as I. I don't regret acting the way I did. It was another experience to build my character. Because if I responded the way they did? I'd go home feeling a lot worse, mean, rude and stupid for putting up a front with my pride.
One of the lessons of the day: be humble and loving to those who have hatred in their hearts. Because obviously, their hearts need more love than hate! And you never know, you could change someone that way.
No comments:
Post a Comment