Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Writing

Getting ready to attempt a day of writing. This is what I told myself I'd do this summer, but I am so scared! Can I really do this? Do I really have enough to write about and will it be interesting or creative? Could there be the smallest chance that I could get published? I guess I'll really never know unless I try. And at least if I try and fail I will know I tried. I think I would always think lower of myself if I didn't find out.

This feeling of thinking I will not succeed is very familiar to me. I felt that way about teaching. For the first two years, my stomach was nervous pretty much every day. I so felt that way about being a mom. Those first two years-don't get me started. But I think I do fairly well in those two areas now. It seems like the areas where I thought I'd do great are where I haven't done so well (2 failed marriages!). So, maybe it will be all right. But my teeth are on edge.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sex Ed Talk

It is spring, and that means that every teacher seems to be required to talk about sex with students. I know the Science teacher across the hall has a unit, and it can be hilarious, what the kids say and ask. Well, I guess the talks start in 4th grade, because my kids got the sex movie this year. My daughter seemed pretty neutral. We've been talking about this stuff for awhile. My son seemed a little disconcerted. We sat down to talk about it, and do you know what he was most concerned about? That he was going to get hair on his feet! Of all the things! I told the Science teacher across the hall and she speculated that he thought he was going to be like the Hobbit. And by gollly, I bet she's right. The kids' dad showed them all of The Lord of the Rings, and it had a profound effect on him, and not really in a good way. I thought he was going to have a heart attack of Gollum. My poor son thinks he's going to turn into the Hobbit!

Another funny sex quip: My son said that a classmate of his told another guy that he like to play with his balls. My son asked me if he was talking about the balls of feet, and how could this happen? I had to explain to him what of course this meant. To see his face go from quizzical to a dawning of realization was priceless. Oh, such innocence!

The End is Near!

No, I am not talking about May 21st, the supposed Apocalypse (I'm sorry but I do have to shake my head at these people. They obviously don't read the Bible, which say that no man knows what day Christ is coming back. He comes like a thief in the night. That means you don't expect him.). I'm talking about the last day of school! Hooray! You know, I really do love teaching, but this year has been a booger. It was not as bad as last year. But I had two of the same group of kids from last year, as 8th graders. I am counting down the days until they walk out of my door and out of my life. They tested every single thing every single day, and I will not shed any tears when they leave. I am supposed to teach 8th grade next year. I have always been a 7th grade teacher in my heart, but I have to say I'm kind of excited. I like the curriculum better, and I'll get to bond with the 8th graders that are now my 7th graders. I think I held off bonding with them because the 8th graders had such an effect on me. That's sad, isn't it? We'll see what next year's like.
Also, I'm wondering if there will be a library job open at my school. I don't know. I'm in a good place, because I feel happy whatever life brings. That's such a good place and unusual place for me to be. I think I'll stay here for awhile.