I have been kind of down all afternoon. I didn't know why I was in such a blah mood, until I finally realized that my body and my emotions were subconsciously reacting to an upcoming reality.
I only have a week left with my 6th graders.
And I may never see them again.
I just want them to know that they are the best kids in the world.
And I want the other teachers to know this. And their future teachers to know this. And their parents, if they don't already know this. And their future significant others, friends, enemies, employers, cowokers...
The best kids in the world.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Demonstration of Thing I'm Good At #9
My list of talents is pretty small*. And of this small list of talents, most of them are pretty strange. (Proof: During counselor talent shows at camp, I was always behind the scences. In the words of my boss, "Sorry George, I don't think you'll get much applause from pulling a kid on stage and emotionally connecting with him.")
However, I am good at writing. I aced countless essay tests not necessarily by knowing content but by having a way with words (commonly known as "BSing"). I'm good at formal writing. I'm good at informal writing. I'm good at knowing the linguistic background behind words and their meanings. And I'm freaking awesome at grammar.** The only B I've ever made on a college paper (or any paper, for that matter) was on a 5-page paper that I wrote in 2 hours, after pulling an all-nighter to write an 8-page paper for a different class. And quite frankly, I was embarassed that my paper wasn't as good as it could have been had I spent more than 2 hours on it.
Anyway, all this to say, using writing as your creative outlet has it's pros and cons.
Major Con: Writing requires you to have words. When an artist has no words for his feelings, he paints. When a musician is speechless, he composes. When a writer needs to express herself and pour out her heart, but has no words to do so, or rather has so many words she doesn't know where to begin, she is pretty much out of luck.
Maybe I'll take up cake decorating or interpretive dancing.
*Things I'm Good At:
1. Writing
2. Cleaning
3. Cutting worms
4.Encouraging
5. Making playlists/mixed cds
6. Handling money
7. Being bluntly honest
9. Using more words than necessary to make a point
and, according to my family,
10. Being mean to boys.
**If you are wondering why I have right to brag about myself, please refer to the above list.
However, I am good at writing. I aced countless essay tests not necessarily by knowing content but by having a way with words (commonly known as "BSing"). I'm good at formal writing. I'm good at informal writing. I'm good at knowing the linguistic background behind words and their meanings. And I'm freaking awesome at grammar.** The only B I've ever made on a college paper (or any paper, for that matter) was on a 5-page paper that I wrote in 2 hours, after pulling an all-nighter to write an 8-page paper for a different class. And quite frankly, I was embarassed that my paper wasn't as good as it could have been had I spent more than 2 hours on it.
Anyway, all this to say, using writing as your creative outlet has it's pros and cons.
Major Con: Writing requires you to have words. When an artist has no words for his feelings, he paints. When a musician is speechless, he composes. When a writer needs to express herself and pour out her heart, but has no words to do so, or rather has so many words she doesn't know where to begin, she is pretty much out of luck.
Maybe I'll take up cake decorating or interpretive dancing.
*Things I'm Good At:
1. Writing
2. Cleaning
3. Cutting worms
4.Encouraging
5. Making playlists/mixed cds
6. Handling money
7. Being bluntly honest
9. Using more words than necessary to make a point
and, according to my family,
10. Being mean to boys.
**If you are wondering why I have right to brag about myself, please refer to the above list.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Dancing with Chuck E.
When I was a little kid, I went to many birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese's. When you're four, Chuck E. Cheese's is the place to be. Pizza, games, cheap prizes, and people dressed in animal costumes...a dream come true, right? Well, to be honest, I never truly loved Chuck E. Cheese's. I liked it alright, but it was never my favorite. Which is probably why at one particular birthday party, when Chuck E. Cheese himself invited all the children to dance in a line around the room, I sat it out.
That's right, I was the kid who chose to sit in her chair while all my friends danced around the room with a giant mouse. I know exactly why I didn't dance. It wasn't because I was too cool. Surprisingly, it wasn't even because I was afraid of the creepy man in the rat costume. No, I chose to stay put because it was way out of my comfort zone. Despite the fact that the rest of my friends were doing it, I was afraid of how I would look. I was even afraid Chuck E. himself might talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.
I remember a parent trying to persuade me to join, but I still refused. I don't remember who this parent was, but I remember them asking, "Are you sure you don't want to dance? You'll regret it if you don't!"
Well, the mystery Momma was right. Immediately after the dance was over, I wished I would have joined. I never got another chance to dance with Chuck E. Cheese after that. And to this day, I don't know how it feels to dance with a giant creepy mouse.
Today, I am experiencing a similar regret at a passed-up opportunity. It was right in front of me, and I had even thought about it for a long time, picturing it in my head. And yet, when it came, the shy kid at Chuck E. Cheese's came back again. I was afraid. Afriad I might make a fool of myself. Afriad it would be awkward. Afriad someone would talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.
I chickened out and passed it by. And I regret it even more than I regret not dancing with Chuck E. I am praying the opportunity comes agian. But if it doesn't, I will never know what could have come from it.
From this day forth, I vow to swallow my pride and take opportunities head-on. I will never sit out another dance agian.
That's right, I was the kid who chose to sit in her chair while all my friends danced around the room with a giant mouse. I know exactly why I didn't dance. It wasn't because I was too cool. Surprisingly, it wasn't even because I was afraid of the creepy man in the rat costume. No, I chose to stay put because it was way out of my comfort zone. Despite the fact that the rest of my friends were doing it, I was afraid of how I would look. I was even afraid Chuck E. himself might talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.
I remember a parent trying to persuade me to join, but I still refused. I don't remember who this parent was, but I remember them asking, "Are you sure you don't want to dance? You'll regret it if you don't!"
Well, the mystery Momma was right. Immediately after the dance was over, I wished I would have joined. I never got another chance to dance with Chuck E. Cheese after that. And to this day, I don't know how it feels to dance with a giant creepy mouse.
Today, I am experiencing a similar regret at a passed-up opportunity. It was right in front of me, and I had even thought about it for a long time, picturing it in my head. And yet, when it came, the shy kid at Chuck E. Cheese's came back again. I was afraid. Afriad I might make a fool of myself. Afriad it would be awkward. Afriad someone would talk to me, and I would have no idea what to say.
I chickened out and passed it by. And I regret it even more than I regret not dancing with Chuck E. I am praying the opportunity comes agian. But if it doesn't, I will never know what could have come from it.
From this day forth, I vow to swallow my pride and take opportunities head-on. I will never sit out another dance agian.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Ridin' Solo, Part 2
Student: "Ms. Wyllia, did you have a Valentine this year?"
Me: "Nope."
Student: "Awwww. That's so sad!"
Ouch.
Me: "Nope."
Student: "Awwww. That's so sad!"
Ouch.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Ridin' Solo
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.
In the 22 years of my life, I've never had a Valentine.
I'd like to have a Valentine one of these days, but I'm not obnoxiously against February 14, like the rest of the single population always seems to be. In fact, sometimes my fellow singles annoy me more than what seems to be the majority of happily taken/engaged/married people.
It's not worth the trouble, being unhappily single.
It's ok to dream, but learn to be content with where you are.
I mean, live a little and get over yourself. Sheesh.
Anyway. There's my promised post. It is dedicated to my facebook friends, who have inspired this side of me.
In the 22 years of my life, I've never had a Valentine.
I'd like to have a Valentine one of these days, but I'm not obnoxiously against February 14, like the rest of the single population always seems to be. In fact, sometimes my fellow singles annoy me more than what seems to be the majority of happily taken/engaged/married people.
It's not worth the trouble, being unhappily single.
It's ok to dream, but learn to be content with where you are.
I mean, live a little and get over yourself. Sheesh.
Anyway. There's my promised post. It is dedicated to my facebook friends, who have inspired this side of me.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Snow Prayers
I'm bargaining with God for a Snow Day tomorrow. I know that's not how it works, but maybe God will get a kick out of it and bless my efforts just for the heck of it.
If it snows tomorrow, I will write a blog post.
I will also work more on my Exit Portfolio, spend more time on my lesson plans, and do the assignments for my online class BEFORE the last minute.
I will pray for each of my students.
I will Zumba and eat healthy.
I *might* even start on my Unit.
And, let's be realistic,
I will also sit on the couch and read the Hunger Games.
But still. Please?
If it snows tomorrow, I will write a blog post.
I will also work more on my Exit Portfolio, spend more time on my lesson plans, and do the assignments for my online class BEFORE the last minute.
I will pray for each of my students.
I will Zumba and eat healthy.
I *might* even start on my Unit.
And, let's be realistic,
I will also sit on the couch and read the Hunger Games.
But still. Please?
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