I feel like teaching is an extremely stressful career. I have so many things to worry about every single day.
-Did I unknowingly leave someone out at recess/at the bathroom/etc.?
-Did all of my students get on the correct bus when going home?
-Did my students actually give me all of the very important notes that their parents sent in from home or am I going to let Johnny get on the wrong bus because he turned his mom's note into a paper airplane?
-Are the directions on the homework that I sent home clear or are parents going to send me angry emails because their child doesn't know what to do (even though we have been doing the EXACT same problems in class for a week)?
-Was it inappropriate when I said, "Stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off!"
-Was I too hard on a student when he started to cry after I discussed with him why it was not appropriate for him to run screaming down the hallway (so loudly that ALL of the other teachers shut their doors).
-Does that homemade birthday treat have peanuts in them even though I can't actually see or smell any peanuts, and is my allergic kid going to swell up like a blow-fish?
-What if one of the students that I would not let get an emotional icepack from the nurse was really injured? (Really though, if I sent down every kid that asked to go to the nurse, child services would be in here investigating. One asked to get an icepack today for a non bleeding paper-cut.)
These are just a few examples of the worries that are running through my mind every single second of every single day when I'm teaching. When you're a teacher you are responsible for LIVES--but not rational adult lives. Teachers are responsible for:
-Children who escape from the playground during recess and try to walk home because, "I missed my mommy."
-Children who try to put an entire hamburger in their mouths at once because, "I wanted to see if I could."
-Children who pull the fire alarm because, "I wanted to see what would happen."
-Children who get lost between the classroom and the lunch room and have emotional breakdowns in the hallway.
Teachers are also held responsible by parents--for everything. Kids tell there parents EVERYTHING. This means that every word that comes out of my mouth and every move I make must be appropriate, professional, and rationale.
If I would lose my patience (and my mind) just once and tell a kid to sit his ass down, I would be finding myself a new career. Do you know how many times a day I want to say, "Sit your ass down!"? or "Get away from me!" It's a lot. Let me assure you of that. But instead, I say, "Sweetie, I need for you to sit on your pockets, immediately. Thank you." and "I need you to be a patient waiter and give me two giant steps of personal space."
How terrifying is that my career is in the hands of seven year-olds who eat their boogers?
What about you?? What's the most stressful part of your job?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Never-Ending Tattletales
When I was in college, I thought I wanted to teach preschoolers or primary children. However, the gods of teaching had other plans for me. Most of my teaching experience has been in the upper grades, 4th and 5th specifically, and I've loved it. At that age, kids are still cute and sweet but also independent. Plus most of them haven't started to smell yet. You also don't have to worry about them getting lost on the way from the bathroom to your classroom .. two doors down the hall (usually. There are always special cases.)
Now that I am in the younger grades, I find that there are both challenges and benefits to working with second and third graders. The benefits are that they usually have an extremely positive outlook on everything. They still have the exuberance that comes from being young and carefree. School is still fun and exciting for them.
However, the most annoying challenge, by far, is tattling.
"Sarah flicked me."
"Evan took my pencil."
"Julia wrote on my paper."
"Jake looked at me funny."
"Susie called me ugly."
"Liz said she didn't care that it's my dog's birthday today."
And on and on and on and on and on and on and on...ALL FREAKING DAY LONG! I just want say, "If you are not bleeding, going to throw up, or on fire, I don't want to hear it!"
But, of course, I never say that because I am afraid I would get an email from some kid's mom that said, "Trenton said that you..." Hmm. Wonder where they get it from?
Now that I am in the younger grades, I find that there are both challenges and benefits to working with second and third graders. The benefits are that they usually have an extremely positive outlook on everything. They still have the exuberance that comes from being young and carefree. School is still fun and exciting for them.
However, the most annoying challenge, by far, is tattling.
"Sarah flicked me."
"Evan took my pencil."
"Julia wrote on my paper."
"Jake looked at me funny."
"Susie called me ugly."
"Liz said she didn't care that it's my dog's birthday today."
And on and on and on and on and on and on and on...ALL FREAKING DAY LONG! I just want say, "If you are not bleeding, going to throw up, or on fire, I don't want to hear it!"
But, of course, I never say that because I am afraid I would get an email from some kid's mom that said, "Trenton said that you..." Hmm. Wonder where they get it from?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Attention Shoppers
In addition to my semi permanent, full time teaching job, I work weekends at a huge retail store. I didn't quit, even after starting my full time teaching job because the people are nice, it appeals my OCD tendencies of folding and refolding clothes, and well the discount is ridiculous. I love me some shopping.
I also have met and helped a lot of really nice customers. One woman in particular seeks me and only me out when she needs help because, "I'm easy to deal with". No one has ever said this about me before, and I think she may be delusional, but I thought it was nice of her regardless.
As it is common in every job, there are a few coworkers that try to make my life miserable. I just want say, "Chill out, stop bossing me around, and realize that you are working retail. We're not saving lives here." These are the people that start having a meltdown when the dressing rooms are exploding with clothes and we're short staffed. Please. Spend a few days teaching seven year olds, then we'll talk stress.
The only thing that significantly ruffles my feathers is when a customer tries on a shitload of clothes, hangs nothing up, and leaves them scattered around the dressing room floor. Now, I get that this occasionally happens when you have one of those "NOTHING FITS" freak outs and run out the door to the McDonald's across the street for a large order of fries. Oh wait, that's just me?
You would be shocked to see how many adult women do this--at least half of all female customers. How can you do this and not be a little embarrassed of yourself. I get that it's not your job to put them away, and I certainly don't expect you to. I get paid the big bucks to do that. Ha. But really, who do you think you are that you can't hang them on the rack provided right outside the fitting room?
What about you? What's your biggest job related pet peeve??
I also have met and helped a lot of really nice customers. One woman in particular seeks me and only me out when she needs help because, "I'm easy to deal with". No one has ever said this about me before, and I think she may be delusional, but I thought it was nice of her regardless.
As it is common in every job, there are a few coworkers that try to make my life miserable. I just want say, "Chill out, stop bossing me around, and realize that you are working retail. We're not saving lives here." These are the people that start having a meltdown when the dressing rooms are exploding with clothes and we're short staffed. Please. Spend a few days teaching seven year olds, then we'll talk stress.
The only thing that significantly ruffles my feathers is when a customer tries on a shitload of clothes, hangs nothing up, and leaves them scattered around the dressing room floor. Now, I get that this occasionally happens when you have one of those "NOTHING FITS" freak outs and run out the door to the McDonald's across the street for a large order of fries. Oh wait, that's just me?
You would be shocked to see how many adult women do this--at least half of all female customers. How can you do this and not be a little embarrassed of yourself. I get that it's not your job to put them away, and I certainly don't expect you to. I get paid the big bucks to do that. Ha. But really, who do you think you are that you can't hang them on the rack provided right outside the fitting room?
What about you? What's your biggest job related pet peeve??
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Line in the Sand...
My sister came in my room tonight and asked if we had any food she could take to her boyfriend's. He doesn't cook. Surprise, surprise. I directed her to the chicken in the fridge and the pasta in the cabinet.
She said, "I don't want to make anything."
Meaning that she wanted to take something I'd already made. I reluctantly told her she could take the organic homemade veggie pizza I made yesterday. Then, I asked her how she'd like the chicken I was planning on making tomorrow.
She said, "I'd like you to make it with some spice or something because lately your chicken has been tasting kind of chickeny."
She emphasized the word "chickeny" with the most disgusted face I've ever seen. And then I lost my mind. Because she does this all the time. I never get a thank you for anything that I do, but she's always quick to criticize. I told her if she doesn't like the chicken I make her, then perhaps she should make her own, because I certainly don't see her cooking a damn thing around here. Then she gave me some under her breath lip, because that's what she does, she can't have an argument because she's an avoider. She runs away and mumbles things under her breath. I yelled after her that she'd be buying her own groceries from now on, too, because I'm done.
I don't ask for a lot. Seriously, I don't. As I've mentioned before, I do everything around here. The only thing I don't do on a regular basis is her laundry, and that's because my parents usually come pick it up, take it home, wash, dry and fold it, then return it a couple days later. She's going to be 21 soon. It's ridiculous.
I texted my mom to let her know that she should no longer put my sister's grocery money in my account, because she will be doing her own shopping and cooking as I can no longer put up with her lack of appreciation for everything I do.
The solution? My mom is planning on making all of my sister's meals for the week and bringing them over on the weekend for her. She's 21 years old. And of course, I am the problem. Apparently, "this is not how I was raised" and I'm "selfish and not generous".
Really. Because I think that I'm smart to give her some responsibility, to force her to take care of herself. I've tried to explain to my mom, wouldn't you want to feel confident that if anything ever happened to you, you would know that your children could take care of themselves?
Nope, apparently not. Apparently, my parents plan to do her laundry and make her food, and pay her bills, and pick up her prescriptions for as long as they're alive. Because God forbid we stress her out by making her be responsible for herself. And there's no way she has enough time to do all those things. After all, she's a college student with a part time job who has spent the last 3 hours hanging out at her boyfriend's apartment. I have three jobs, by the way.
Priorities and responsibility...And obviously therapy is needed if having to cook your own meals and shop for your own groceries leaves you incapacitated by stress.
She said, "I don't want to make anything."
Meaning that she wanted to take something I'd already made. I reluctantly told her she could take the organic homemade veggie pizza I made yesterday. Then, I asked her how she'd like the chicken I was planning on making tomorrow.
She said, "I'd like you to make it with some spice or something because lately your chicken has been tasting kind of chickeny."
She emphasized the word "chickeny" with the most disgusted face I've ever seen. And then I lost my mind. Because she does this all the time. I never get a thank you for anything that I do, but she's always quick to criticize. I told her if she doesn't like the chicken I make her, then perhaps she should make her own, because I certainly don't see her cooking a damn thing around here. Then she gave me some under her breath lip, because that's what she does, she can't have an argument because she's an avoider. She runs away and mumbles things under her breath. I yelled after her that she'd be buying her own groceries from now on, too, because I'm done.
I don't ask for a lot. Seriously, I don't. As I've mentioned before, I do everything around here. The only thing I don't do on a regular basis is her laundry, and that's because my parents usually come pick it up, take it home, wash, dry and fold it, then return it a couple days later. She's going to be 21 soon. It's ridiculous.
I texted my mom to let her know that she should no longer put my sister's grocery money in my account, because she will be doing her own shopping and cooking as I can no longer put up with her lack of appreciation for everything I do.
The solution? My mom is planning on making all of my sister's meals for the week and bringing them over on the weekend for her. She's 21 years old. And of course, I am the problem. Apparently, "this is not how I was raised" and I'm "selfish and not generous".
Really. Because I think that I'm smart to give her some responsibility, to force her to take care of herself. I've tried to explain to my mom, wouldn't you want to feel confident that if anything ever happened to you, you would know that your children could take care of themselves?
Nope, apparently not. Apparently, my parents plan to do her laundry and make her food, and pay her bills, and pick up her prescriptions for as long as they're alive. Because God forbid we stress her out by making her be responsible for herself. And there's no way she has enough time to do all those things. After all, she's a college student with a part time job who has spent the last 3 hours hanging out at her boyfriend's apartment. I have three jobs, by the way.
Priorities and responsibility...And obviously therapy is needed if having to cook your own meals and shop for your own groceries leaves you incapacitated by stress.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
You're vegan? What do you eat?
In the past year or so, I've redefined myself in terms of health, nutrition, and what I believe about food. My passion for clean living began after watching Sophie Uliano on the Oprah show. She talked a bit about organic food, recycling, and composting, but I was most interested in what she had to say about the poisons in our everyday beauty products. Coincidentally, I had a gift card to Barnes and Noble, and picked up her book, Gorgeously Green, the next day. I have to say, if you're a woman who is at all interested in the dangerous chemicals in your cosmetics and cleaning supplies, this book is for you. Sophie scares the shit out of you in and easy to understand step-by-step guide. You will throw out your scented Avon bubble bath, your pricey Lancome mascara, and ALL of your perfume without feeling any guilt. She's that good.
After reading her book, I've switched over entirely to truly natural cosmetics and body products. I also only clean with two products, vinegar and baking soda. If you think I must be living in disgusting germ infested filth, you'll be surprised to know that not only do my friends think my apartment is annoyingly clean, but I have also not been sick in over a year. Of course, now that I've said that, I'll probably get H1N1, but I'll attribute that to the kids that sneeze in my face everyday and not my vinegar and baking soda cleaning regimen.
Gorgeously Green also included a lot of great info on eating a diet rich in nutrient rich, organic, unprocessed whole foods. I made some preliminary changes, but continued eating a lot of things included in a typical SAD.
In the past 6 months or so I have become obsessed with learning about holistic nutrition. I've spent my time reading several books, an obscene amount of blogs, as well as a lot of other super cool websites. Whoever said that knowledge is power was right. It's official. I've had the Cheetos scared out of me.
In all seriousness, what I have learned and the changes I have made have made me feel empowered and on my way to optimum health. I recently mentioned that I have adopted a vegan lifestyle. This fairly recent development has resulted in a lot of questions from friends and family (as well as a few eye rolls). I've gotten better in explaining why I choose to eat like I do. When my best friend's family first asked if I am willing to eat food out of pans that have been used to prepare meat or if that is against my beliefs, I replied, "Oh yeah. I'm not like that. I'm not vegan because I care about animals."
I thought I would answer lots of questions with a few fun facts about how/what I eat.
-Yes. I care about animals, but what I choose to eat and what I choose not to eat is a direct result of knowledge I have gained about optimum nutrition. The animal friendly lifestyle is a bonus.
-I do not eat any dairy or animal flesh. I also don't eat eggs. I don't miss either of these things at all. I don't crave them either. The most difficult part is making sure that foods don't unknowingly have diary in their list of ingredients. Lots of surprising things contain dairy like chips/crackers, organic dressings, soups and stews, etc.
-I do still occasionally eat fish and seafood. I am diligent to choose only types that have low levels of mercury contamination. I only eat about 1 or 2 servings a week.
-I don't substitute the absence of meet in my diet with an onslaught of soy. While organic soy in small quantities is fine. Soy mimics estrogen hormones in your body. If you eat products with conventionally grown soy, you are basically ingesting a pesticide/chemical cocktail.
-I drink very very very little alcohol. Eventually, I plan to eliminate it from my diet completely.
-I'm super preachy and annoying about my lifestyle but usually only to family and extremely close friends. The general public is spared from my "You might as well just pour the animal fat down your throat." and "You're slowly killing yourself!" comments.
- I eat a ton of veggies and fruits. And no, they are not all organic. I cannot afford that. I try to make the best choices that I can. I love sweet potatoes, kale, carrots, green, yellow, and red peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, berries, apples, bananas, grapes, red cabbage, onions, peaches, green beans, all lettuces, etc.
- I didn't eat a lot of veggies before I became vegan, and now I actually crave them. Amazing, isn't it??
-I eat an extremely limited amount of processed foods. The processed foods I do eat are vegan and usually organic.
-Cooking vegan has helped me to discover the power of herbs, spices, and my one true love...garlic.
- I try to avoid white potatoes, white bread, and other things made with white flour at all costs. They spike your blood sugar like crazy and have little to no nutrients. Not all vegetables are made equal. Sometimes, I fail. However, I have managed to avoid french fries for a couple months. That in itself is a miracle for me.
-It is my ultimate goal to eventually be gluten free, as well. Gluten, the protein found in several common grains, mainly wheat, is difficult for the body to digest. While I do not suffer from celiac disease, there are many health benefits gained from a gluten free diet.
-My main weakness, in terms of health and nutrition, is candy. I don't eat that much, but I'm pretty sure that I am still addicted to processed sugar. Considering I do not eat white sugar or high fructose corn syrup in any other foods, my new goal is to eliminate this worthless food as well as the belly fat that goes along with it.
Feel free to ask me any questions. I really will not be offended or taken aback. I understand that this way of eating is weird to a lot of people. Really. I grew up eating Easy Mac weekly and meat at every meal. Plus I work with kids. They eat some really gross stuff. I've also been watching a Man vs. Food marathon all afternoon. Ha!
After reading her book, I've switched over entirely to truly natural cosmetics and body products. I also only clean with two products, vinegar and baking soda. If you think I must be living in disgusting germ infested filth, you'll be surprised to know that not only do my friends think my apartment is annoyingly clean, but I have also not been sick in over a year. Of course, now that I've said that, I'll probably get H1N1, but I'll attribute that to the kids that sneeze in my face everyday and not my vinegar and baking soda cleaning regimen.
Gorgeously Green also included a lot of great info on eating a diet rich in nutrient rich, organic, unprocessed whole foods. I made some preliminary changes, but continued eating a lot of things included in a typical SAD.
In the past 6 months or so I have become obsessed with learning about holistic nutrition. I've spent my time reading several books, an obscene amount of blogs, as well as a lot of other super cool websites. Whoever said that knowledge is power was right. It's official. I've had the Cheetos scared out of me.
In all seriousness, what I have learned and the changes I have made have made me feel empowered and on my way to optimum health. I recently mentioned that I have adopted a vegan lifestyle. This fairly recent development has resulted in a lot of questions from friends and family (as well as a few eye rolls). I've gotten better in explaining why I choose to eat like I do. When my best friend's family first asked if I am willing to eat food out of pans that have been used to prepare meat or if that is against my beliefs, I replied, "Oh yeah. I'm not like that. I'm not vegan because I care about animals."
I thought I would answer lots of questions with a few fun facts about how/what I eat.
-Yes. I care about animals, but what I choose to eat and what I choose not to eat is a direct result of knowledge I have gained about optimum nutrition. The animal friendly lifestyle is a bonus.
-I do not eat any dairy or animal flesh. I also don't eat eggs. I don't miss either of these things at all. I don't crave them either. The most difficult part is making sure that foods don't unknowingly have diary in their list of ingredients. Lots of surprising things contain dairy like chips/crackers, organic dressings, soups and stews, etc.
-I do still occasionally eat fish and seafood. I am diligent to choose only types that have low levels of mercury contamination. I only eat about 1 or 2 servings a week.
-I don't substitute the absence of meet in my diet with an onslaught of soy. While organic soy in small quantities is fine. Soy mimics estrogen hormones in your body. If you eat products with conventionally grown soy, you are basically ingesting a pesticide/chemical cocktail.
-I drink very very very little alcohol. Eventually, I plan to eliminate it from my diet completely.
-I'm super preachy and annoying about my lifestyle but usually only to family and extremely close friends. The general public is spared from my "You might as well just pour the animal fat down your throat." and "You're slowly killing yourself!" comments.
- I eat a ton of veggies and fruits. And no, they are not all organic. I cannot afford that. I try to make the best choices that I can. I love sweet potatoes, kale, carrots, green, yellow, and red peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, berries, apples, bananas, grapes, red cabbage, onions, peaches, green beans, all lettuces, etc.
- I didn't eat a lot of veggies before I became vegan, and now I actually crave them. Amazing, isn't it??
-I eat an extremely limited amount of processed foods. The processed foods I do eat are vegan and usually organic.
-Cooking vegan has helped me to discover the power of herbs, spices, and my one true love...garlic.
- I try to avoid white potatoes, white bread, and other things made with white flour at all costs. They spike your blood sugar like crazy and have little to no nutrients. Not all vegetables are made equal. Sometimes, I fail. However, I have managed to avoid french fries for a couple months. That in itself is a miracle for me.
-It is my ultimate goal to eventually be gluten free, as well. Gluten, the protein found in several common grains, mainly wheat, is difficult for the body to digest. While I do not suffer from celiac disease, there are many health benefits gained from a gluten free diet.
-My main weakness, in terms of health and nutrition, is candy. I don't eat that much, but I'm pretty sure that I am still addicted to processed sugar. Considering I do not eat white sugar or high fructose corn syrup in any other foods, my new goal is to eliminate this worthless food as well as the belly fat that goes along with it.
Feel free to ask me any questions. I really will not be offended or taken aback. I understand that this way of eating is weird to a lot of people. Really. I grew up eating Easy Mac weekly and meat at every meal. Plus I work with kids. They eat some really gross stuff. I've also been watching a Man vs. Food marathon all afternoon. Ha!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I will not let you bring me down, Evil Facebook ..
I learned today via Facebook that my ex (and I use that term loosely) proposed to his now fiance at the big college football game. There was a banner ... and at least 50 people from my high school. Did I mention it was raining?
Yes Evil Facebook, you have bitch slapped me yet again, but I REFUSE to let you bring me down. After all, I had a great day. I worked out and made soup and vegan banana ice cream. So yes, you, Mr. Facebook can suck it.
I'm a little surprised with how I feel. I feel pretty rationale, pretty fine with it. I know that I would never want to be with the ex, and I'm sure he's much happier with his fiance, too. I know that I am a completely different person now than I was two years ago. Two years ago I was a mess. I had no idea who I was or what I wanted out of life. I'm still eccentric and a full of crazy charm, but I'm so much happier. Here's why:
-Despite the fact that I'm not fully employed, I love what I do and I'm good at it and I know that I will eventually be in the position for which I'm waiting and it will be so worth it.
- I'm independent and I love it. I'm not afraid of being alone, because I know it would be a far worse fate to end up with someone who isn't right for me.
- In the past couple of months, I taken control of my health and everything I believe about achieving health through becoming vegan. (More on that to come!)
-I'm working towards being a more positive, happy, glass half full person.
-In two years, I've made better friends than I have ever had before.
If you would have told the Debbie Downer that I was two years ago that I would be happy for the ex, be vegan, have a positive outlook on life, and have friends that I actually like, I would have laughed in your face. I probably would have also told you I love cheese. It just goes to show that anything is possible, and if you believe in something, you can change.
P.S. If the future love of my life is reading this, please don't propose to me at a sporting event, and feel free not to invite anyone with whom I went to high school. Also, I really don't need a banner--I mean, unless it's made using recycled paper, printed with soy ink, and compostable. Oh, and I don't need a blood diamond either, maybe something antique or made by a local craftsman. Actually maybe we should have a commitment ceremony, because we all know how I feel about the fact that marriage isn't a right for all people. I'm also planning on wearing red to the ceremony, because white washes me out, and that traditional crap isn't really me. And how would you feel about being a stay at home dad for a few years??
And yes, I'm sure there are bets being made by my family for if and when I will ever get married. Now you know why. :)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Swine Flu Watch '09
My mom called today to let me know my sister is feeling a little better. I forgot to mention yesterday that she was given the rapid test and tested negative. HOWEVER, the rapid test is only 40%-69% accurate when testing for H1N1. Therefore, any reputable doctor/nurse/etc. recommends treating based on symptoms. Of course, because she has all the symptoms, her doctor was smart and recommended she heed all precautions for swine flu (because she has it, oink oink). My message here is if you think you have H1N1 and you have the symptoms, you probably do.
As for me, I'm still being very careful to monitor anything that might be a symptom, considering that I work with kids and people who have compromised immunity. I had a headache this afternoon, but after a precautionary 2 hour nap, it's gone! After my evening routine of watching back to back reruns of Medium and doing yoga, I'll be enjoying an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salts draw toxins and stress from the body. Plus, it's just relaxing. I'm also looking into dry brushing for improved circulation and detoxification.
I know. It's tough being a semi-jobless hippie, but somebodies gotta do it.
As for me, I'm still being very careful to monitor anything that might be a symptom, considering that I work with kids and people who have compromised immunity. I had a headache this afternoon, but after a precautionary 2 hour nap, it's gone! After my evening routine of watching back to back reruns of Medium and doing yoga, I'll be enjoying an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salts draw toxins and stress from the body. Plus, it's just relaxing. I'm also looking into dry brushing for improved circulation and detoxification.
I know. It's tough being a semi-jobless hippie, but somebodies gotta do it.
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