So BUMMED!

It's been ten years since I graduated from high school. I really can't believe it's already been such a long time; there are some things that I can remember from high school that feel like they happened just yesterday. I remember my unhinged Spanish teacher who was so difficult to please, pushing through the crowded hallways in between classes, study hall doing homework in the library, eating lunch in the small cafeteria while watching Days of Our Lives, my history teacher whose entire class period consisted of us asking him questions while he lounged in his leather desk chair in the front of the room, and taking too long in the mornings to have to run to the bus, only to miss it a handful of times and have to ask my dad to drive me to school. High school wasn't a terrible experience for me. I definitely wasn't popular, but I wasn't overly nerdy; I was average enough that I sort of blended into the background and quietly did my own thing. Knowing what I know now and the person that I have evolved into, I think I would definitely jump at the chance to do high school all over again. I think it would be a lot more fun and rewarding a second time around. (Now college, on the other hand? I would definitely never do over. Too much work and stress.)

Since it's been ten years, I have been anxiously awaiting news of a reunion. I probably wouldn't talk to very many people if I did attend a reunion, but it would be interesting to see how all of the jocks and slackers and band geeks all turned out, and to reconnect with people that I've sadly lost touch with. Information was finally posted late last week and included a date: August 18th. Unfortunately, the first day of school will be on August 16th, with the teachers reporting back to work a week earlier. There is no way that I will be able to miss the first days of school, which means that I can't attend my reunion that I've been looking forward to. I'm so crushed right now!

Surprise of the Day

Near the end of every school year, all of the faculty at the school where I teach come together and choose a teacher and staff member of the year. Last week teachers were asked to give nominations for these two categories, and the ballots were put in everybody's mailbox early this morning.

To my surprise, my name is included as a choice for staff member of the year. I was so incredibly shocked to see this that you could have knocked me over with a feather. I very much enjoy the school that I work at, and feel that I work very hard at my job (considering I don't earn NEAR the amount of money that I should be earning considering I am contracted as an aide but in actuality doing the work of a teacher), but I was beginning to think that no one else noticed that. It is so nice to be recognized! It's a complete cliché, but it really is an honor to just be nominated.