If I'm accurately interpreting the astrological omens, the coming months will be a soulful feast in which every day will bring you a shimmering revelation about the nature of your soul's code and how best to activate it. Reasons for grateful amazement will flow so freely that you may come to feel that miracles are routine and naturally-occurring phenomena. And get this: In your dreams, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty will get married, win the lottery, and devote their fortune to fostering your spiritual education until you are irrevocably enlightened. (I confess there's a slight chance I'm misinterpreting the signs, and everything I described will be true for only a week or so, not months.)
courtesy of www.freewillastrology.com
I just want to take some time to say "I love my job". I feel like in today's economy so few can say that, and I am thankful everyday that I do what I love.
I say this because I remember what it was like to work a shitty job. In college I worked as a tour guide, appliance salesman, smoothie artist, and barista.
The tour guide gig I actually enjoyed, I met people from all over the world who were interested in what I had to say. I worked at a non-profit in Alaska, "The Musk Ox Farm". I think part of what made this job so wonderful were my awesome co-workers.
When I worked at Sears as an appliance salesman, I thanked my lucky stars on days when no one entered my department. I sold big ticket items (I sold kitchen and laundry appliances, which I knew nothing about). Now, I want to take the time to apologize if I sold someone something crappy, but keep in mind, I was working on commission... a girls gotta make a living.
I also worked at "Jamba Juice". Although I've never enjoyed serving people, I learned how to make a mean smoothie, and I also once served Jessica Biel. Believe it. I had awesome bosses, and it put me through two years of college. I also met dear friends.
When I moved back to Alaska, I worked for an awesome local coffee joint "Kaladi Coffee". I learned a lot about coffee, and I consider myself to be a coffee snob to this day. With that being said, people prior to their caffeine in the morning can be bitches and assholes. It's true. I only state facts. People need to learn to be a little more pleasant to their baristas. You best believe I decaffeinated plenty of lattes and mochas in my day.
Most of all, I love being a teacher. Why? I'm glad you asked.
1. I get to watch kids grow up: I am fascinated everyday that I see all the boys who were in my first year class, who are now young men. The effervescent aromas have subsided, and I can now view these boys outside of the gas cloud I was once encompassed in. They are truly young men, with all their facial hair and hormones. My little boys now play football, like girls, and are making leaps and bounds in the classroom.
2. I always have good stories to tell: I have learned more about "Witch Cats" and whenhamstersattack.com than I could have ever imagined. I have been told that I was born in the "19's", and have witnessed a generation of students who think that the big event of 9/11 was the break-in of Miley Cyrus's house.
3. I get to learn everyday: I'm originally from Alaska, and recently had to teach a unit on "Arizona History". What do I know about Arizona? It's hot. That's about it. I have learned we have a state marsupial, a state amphibian, and countless other answers to trivia questions I may, or may not, have to answer in the future. That, my friends, is just an example. I learn everyday. I learn patience, kindness, and about many varietals of wine.
4. I work with amazing people. That, I think, is not in need of an explanation.
5. I have improved my memory: When I teach lessons, I often reflect upon my own childhood. I try my best to remember what it was like when I was a 5th or 6th grader. Damn, those were tough years (especially 6th grade). I try to think about lessons I learned the most from, and teachers who had the most influence in my life (Mr. Maher, Mrs. Spoth, Mr. Magner, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Merrill) I think shout-outs are appropriate.
6. I coach cheer leading: Cheer leading was at one point in my life, my only hobby, and at many times my saving grace. In high school I was shy, and in hindsight, very engulfed in my high school relationship. Cheer was "mine". It was MY thing. MY hobby. It gave me a talent, an immediate group of friends, and most of all- confidence. I have always been a relatively shy person. I may not have always been the most spirited of cheerleaders, but cheer gave me a 'life' in those formative years. It also took me to college, and paid much of my way. I now coach a group of girls who may not be competitive, but they have 'spirit'. They teach me the importance of being involved, and wanting to learn. This is a group of girls who may have never been selected by a "public school cheer squad", but who come to practice happy to be there, wanting to learn, and wanting to further themselves. I hope the greatest gift I can give them is the gift of confidence.
On another note I have learned the importance of a "screen freeze":
Scroll Shock: When casually browsing a web page and scrolling down you come across a picture that you had no intention or want to view. urbandictionary.com
The worst is when you are instructing a group of students, even on the most innocent of websites. Adds can be a bitch. Thank god for screen freeze (which I was unfortunate enough to have only found out about this year).
I hope you all have a great weekend, I'm headed north to Sedona!!!
And most of all, happy birthday to my Daddy! I wish I could spend the day with you geocaching! Thank you for everything! I love you.
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