Let me start out by saying that new teachers are prone to get sick because their immune systems have not yet built up to all the germs shared by the kids. Why, oh why, then, am I sick before the kids come? I have barely over one week before the students are here, and I am fighting a sore throat. Under the direction of a co-worker, I went and bought some Emergen-C to try to build my white blood cells up, and let me tell you that no matter what they say about flavoring on the box, regular vitamin pills are worth the investment. I'm up writing my blog now because I am procrastinating drinking the off-color drink that is sitting in front of me.
So, small world. Yes, it is. I just moved to Small Town, TX to work at Anonymous ISD, and I volunteered to work this morning at Family Fun Day. New teachers are told to volunteer for everything their first year, but it's so overrated. We don't have the time, the knowledge, the stamina to volunteer. When people ask us questions, we have to say, "I don't know." Not only do we sound like broken records, but our confidence level drops a few levels after a morning of not knowing anything.
Anyway, I met a woman today (please remember that I'm in Small Town, TX), and when she found out I'm a bilingual teacher, she told me her husband is from the Dominican Republic and subbing for the district. I said, "No way! That's where I grew up!" which naturally promoted a discussion about the Dominican Republic and the awesomeness of it. Granted, Small Town, TX has lots of Hispanics, but they are mostly Mexican. I expect Dominicans to be in Big Town, USA, like Miami and New York. Anyway, in order to create the relationship so that I might one day use this man as a convenient sub for my class, I accepted this woman's invitation to go bowling with them tonight.
Shortly thereafter, the Fun Day ended, I went home, took a small nap with my sore throat for company, and waited for my brother to call me. He and his wife were on their way down from Big City, TX to help me out in my new apartment and classroom. Much needed help, I might add. Eventually they called me, I forced myself to get up, and me and my sister-in-law went to my classroom. I need all the help I can get. :) I feel better about the classroom. It still needs a lot of work, but we got a lot more organized today, thanks to my awesome family. Now I get to focus on more important stuff, like rules and procedures and Open House and first day script and other teacher jargon words that I'm still trying to figure out.
The district, in their energy/money-saving efforts, decided to cut of air conditioning to our building today. If we wanted it, we'd have had to turn in a work order. Unfortunately, we weren't informed of this ahead of time, so school was hotter than butter in a frying pan on the stove. Survival was key, however, and we finally left, ate, and played with my brother's puppy before I went bowling. Small Town Bowling's air just happened to be broken. After all day of working in a sauna, I decide to go play in a boiler room. Two games. My, oh my, it was hot. But it was fun. That's what's important, right? It was interesting to revisit Dominican culture, since this woman's husband sister had arrived yesterday for a visit. It amazes me, the difference between Dominican culture and here, as well as the difference in classes within the DR. I can assure you, right now, that this girl and I were not at the same class level. I should have become a psychologist, but then I'd have to have way more problems before I became one, so I'm happy in my choice for teacher for a little while.
Highlight: My sister-in-law picked up this Spanish easy-reader book with snake characters and called it "cute". I proceeded to read a translated version for her. A snake calls itself bad. Fffffff. It goes downt he hill and tells his mother that. She says he's not bad, he's growing. They look down his tail has turned into a jingle bell. He goes back up the hill. His friends ask if he's sick. He says no, gut he's still growing. They all pull out their "jingle bell tails". Tttttt. Tttttt. Quite humorous, if you ask me. I've never read of snakes making those noises, even in Spanish. My highlight was also quoting Brian Reagan excerpts with my sister-in-law: a rather enjoyable pasttime of ours.
Now on to the ever-growing-worse Emergen-C!
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