Ending on a good note

To be frank, it's been a hell of a week. Things have been so terrible at work that Teaching Pal Jackie has started a one-woman-crusade to prevent me from leaving the teaching profession. I think it was the research papers that put me over the edge, and it's possible that some sort of seasonal affective thing is going on, but God. I thought for sure I would lose it when the mouse reappeared in my classroom and was scurrying around near my feet. I just don't get paid enough to deal with rodents on a daily basis. I'm not entirely convinced that I get paid enough to deal with sophomores on a daily basis, either, but at least they walk upright.

I'm happy the day, the week, and the semester are over.

I stayed late at school today (breaking Jackie's rule number 1 for Teaching Survival which is leaving the building when the sun is still out) to try to get a handle on semester grades. Here's the good thing that came out of that:

In the middle of a bunch of late work handed in from the pubic speakers, I found a rough draft of a speech from a girl in my first hour class. She moved to the United States from Kenya five years ago after her father died, and she is one of those genuinely sweet ESL students who you can't help but love and root for. The pubic speakers have to give a tribute speech as their final exam. Rest assured, none of the speakers delivered their tribute in honor of me, but Amina did write this:

"Because of these people I am able to love others, myself and believe in myself, push myself to do things that I don't want to do. I want to recognize them for all they have done for me and how they have helped me. The wonderful persons that I am talking about are my teachers. They made me believe that I have the ability to attain whatever I seek and I am truly humbled and blessed to have them in my life. God bless them all."

So sweet, right? So I started to think that maybe I didn't hate my job all THAT much, when I was interrupted by a kid barging into my classroom saying,

"Ms. Tholen, can a teacher call me a retard?"

"Yes. Who called you a retard?"

And that, friends, is how teaching goes. Just when you think you're getting somewhere, you come crashing back down to your rodent-infested reality.

Next week will be better.

Today I made Grandma T.'s Famous Chili

And it was great. Really great. It was enjoyed by all.

However, all afternoon and evening, the chili is having a different effect. As Cyndy put it in an email she sent to me: "Your chili is really leaving a lasting impression."

I'm imagining my friends across the metro with terrible after-effects from my chili.

Sorry.

The Not-So-Persuasive Speeches

It's been a tough year for the pubic speakers and persuasive speeches. Here's a sampling of speeches we've heard so far: "Abortion and Why It's Murder," "Christianity: The ONLY Way," and today, "Why the Conceal and Carry Law Benefits Us All."

Next semester, I think I'll be assigning speech topics. Clearly.

There may be something biological preventing me from grading research papers.

I've exhausted all other possibilities.

I know you're on strike, but perhaps you could consider this.

Dear Writers,

I'm tired of the way you're shaping lead female roles on television. It's what made me nearly stop watching Sex and the City (even on DVD) and what irritated me most about the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy. I need a woman on TV to be strong enough to go through hell and not be too emotionally wounded to have a happy, healthy, strong relationship. I'm tired of Carrie Bradshaws and Meredith Greys who are too scarred, weak, and scared to actually love the Mr. Bigs and McDreamys in their lives.

I need more Dr. Baileys on TV. And I need the Dr. Baileys on TV to not suffer failing marriages because of their successful careers.

Okay? Okay.

Rach
xoxo

Inspirational Quotes

Tonight was our first choir rehearsal back after a three week long hiatus for the holidays. Every rehearsal, the woman who skydives and sings in the tenor section writes "inspirational quotes" on the white board. Tonight's quote from Pablo Picasso was this:

"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."

I think the "inspirational" element of this quote is particularly debatable (what with the mention of certain death) but it did remind me of the stack of papers that needs correcting growing bigger and bigger by the day. I can't say I'm not willing to die having left that correcting undone.

And perhaps this is a new low.

Misery Loves Company

This morning KC and I did our best to ward off the dread of returning to school with a day of pedicures, lunch with our friend Tim, and shopping for bedding. It worked pretty well until we ran into two other teachers at the mall who were also feeling The Dread. Somehow, it helps to know that I'm not the only one who considers quitting her job every time I return to it after a break.

Winter break is officially down to two days. I've taken to staying up late to draw out the days as much as I can.

The Resolutions

I've never been good at New Year's resolutions.

Last year I resolved to pick up my cell phone all the time since I have a screening problem. That apparently didn't last very long seeing as I announced at New Year's dinner that I'd resolve to do that this year, and had to be reminded by a friend that I'd already tried that one last year. I'd completely forgotten.

I've also flirted with the idea of being more proactive in making plans with friends I haven't seen in awhile. I've considered making a more concerted effort to see my parents. I've even thought about giving up Young and the Restless viewing, but that just seems silly. Jim would be thrilled if I'd resolve to swear less, but that seems unlikely.

So, here's the call for your new year's resolutions. Feel free to leave a comment with your resolutions--maybe you'll inspire me. (And don't feel like just because you're publishing them on the internet for all eternity that these are etched in stone...I mean, God knows I won't be holding you to them.)