I have always been the person that can do by theirselves. I do myself was probably my first phrase. So, today that fundamental part of my being has been undermined by medical professionals who are looking out for my physical well being. In looking out for my best physical well being, they have neglected my psychological well being. Slightly melodramatic I know, but after they brought in the third neurologist today, I think I'm entitled (at least for today)!
What has me out of sorts? First, a severe allergic reaction to my abortive migraine med means no more trusted abortive migraine med. Of course I could have another severe allergic reaction to the new med because its in the same family and this time I might not be as lucky as the last allergic reaction! Second, the medical professionals are trying to rule out epilepsy. Yeah, more tests that I can't afford for a condition that can severely limit my "do for myself" tendencies! Lastly, I have been put in seizure confinement! Seriously that's what it feels like! I'm 38 and feel I'm too old for a babysitter! I do by myself and have since I was eleven! The new rules are no showering without supervision, no climbing heights above three feet, no cooking over hot flames, and no driving! My family is also considering adding no running BY MYSELF!
Now we're going to far! I'm independent by nature and fully intend to stay that way, seizures or no seizures! Too much babysitting, too much confinement, is just too much! So while I'll try to follow most of my new rules I'll be running (or walking) by myself! Friends and family are welcome to come run with me in order to enjoy my company, but not to babysit. Any other reason won't let me do what I can do by myself!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
WebMD, My Doctor and Me
Tomorrow marks a big day in my migraine treatment. I have to tell the doctor that I've been having numbing, swelling and breathing difficulties when I take my Imitrex. I know severe allergic reactions are nothing to play with, but Imitrex and I are old friends and it frightens me to suffer from chronic migraine without my trusty savior Imitrex! I also have to tell the doctor that I'm having uncontrollable twitching with my eyes and arms, as well as some moments of unfocused time (I'm not sure how to describe such moments other than the lights are on, I'm home, but can't really do much)!
Web MD, that wonderful tool where you can diagnose yourself and have several life ending illness at the same time, seems to think I have simple seizures. That's perplexing because I take a seizure med for a preventative for migraine. Obviously the seizure med does not feel it has to do double duty if I do indeed have seizures. Epilepsy is Elijah's claim to fame, and at my age I really don't want to step on his toes and share that diagnosis. How about I'll just be a coach and cheerleader for people with epilepsy? Seems like a good deal to me!
I could make all the deals I wanted, but everyone knows I'll pay $45 tomorrow to know less than I do today. The doctor will caution me against self diagnosis, but encourage me to manage/adjust my medication as needed. I do have a doctorate degree (okay it's a phd in education but for $45 we could say close enough, right?) so, I should be educated enough to not jump to conclusions after a brief consultation with Web MD! Expensive test maybe ordered, more questions asked, and I may still be left with the same issues/diagnosis I made before WebMd or the doctor....my brain works when it wants to, kinda like the rest if the people in the world!
Web MD, that wonderful tool where you can diagnose yourself and have several life ending illness at the same time, seems to think I have simple seizures. That's perplexing because I take a seizure med for a preventative for migraine. Obviously the seizure med does not feel it has to do double duty if I do indeed have seizures. Epilepsy is Elijah's claim to fame, and at my age I really don't want to step on his toes and share that diagnosis. How about I'll just be a coach and cheerleader for people with epilepsy? Seems like a good deal to me!
I could make all the deals I wanted, but everyone knows I'll pay $45 tomorrow to know less than I do today. The doctor will caution me against self diagnosis, but encourage me to manage/adjust my medication as needed. I do have a doctorate degree (okay it's a phd in education but for $45 we could say close enough, right?) so, I should be educated enough to not jump to conclusions after a brief consultation with Web MD! Expensive test maybe ordered, more questions asked, and I may still be left with the same issues/diagnosis I made before WebMd or the doctor....my brain works when it wants to, kinda like the rest if the people in the world!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Family Walk
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| Part of the path |
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| Even nature gave us an A! |
My poor husband had worked the previous night before. The weather was perfect for a fall hike, and the little kids were eager to explore a new state park. The kids packed sandwiches and snacks for the hike and plenty of water was packed for a long walk through the woods. I think I should get an A for being the mom who has convinced not only her kids that hiking is a great way to spend a day off, but also convincing a husband who has worked all night that he wants to go on hike with his wife and three active kids!
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| Almost to the top of Panola |
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| Educational Moment |
We took a break, ate some lunch and visited the Nature Center. The kids were underwhelmed with the animals, but were fascinated with the replica of the outhouse. Who would of thought that animal fecal matter and outhouses would be the educational moments of the day? After the nature center we found some more trails and an exhausted husband said he was game for another hike.
I have obviously had some influence on my children because when the ranger told my husband that the Path trail was 11 miles one way to the mall, and 11 miles back, Elijah responded that the distance was not too far. In fact, the kid with the biggest walking stick and the worst arthritis, does not think 22 miles is that far to walk in a day! Yeah Me! Of course the closest Elijah has come to a 22 mile hike is the 10 miles he rode on a bike when I did my last ten mile run to train for a half marathon. My husband did not share Elijah's enthusiasm for such an undertaking so, we agreed that we'd do a 40 minute hike on the path. I was able to get a two mile hill walk in. My kids were able to run off some energy they had stored up all week. My husband was able to stay upright and keep up with me after being up for 25 hours straight. As a reward for such a great day, ice cream was had by all!
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| Josie and Elijah waiting to start the hike |
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| The view from the top of Panola Mountain |
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| Every family needs a "rock"star |
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| Almost there! |
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| Holding up a very tired husband after a very long day with his loving family! |
Friday, October 19, 2012
Showing the Love
I read a blog post recently from a man who listed the 26 reasons he loved his wife. He gave a reason for each letter of the alphabet and they were a little tongue and cheek. I liked the idea, but I'm not creative enough to match reasons with letters of the alphabet. Besides, I'm not sure my husband has qualities that match letters of the alphabet. The idea has been calling me (okay, I can't resist a challenge) since I read the blog post. So, in my infinite wisdom, I'm going to try to make a wordy, shout out of love for a fantastic man, my husband! Here are the ten reasons I love my husband, because more than ten would give him a big head!
10. We have known each other for a very long time! This saves a lot of time because he already knows about my past.
9. He's always at every finish line with a smile and a coke! I should probably be more impressed that he drives me home without a word about how bad I smell, but the coke tastes really good after 13.1 miles!
8. He refrains from commenting on how bad I sing, or how loudly I sing. I do both frequently!
7. He remembers to put the toilet seat down and taught all of our boys to do the same! Pretty cool considering they're only two girls in the house!
6. He really doesn't care what other people think. He is who he is, like him or not. He doesn't need other people's approval, but he is quick to brag about our family! Ask all the other doctoral students at my graduation ;)
5. He asks me how I'm feeling, knowing its a fifty, fifty shot that I'll be having a good day. He's willing to carry me in from the car, but not before I ask. He's achieved a balance of assisting me when I'm ill and letting me live as normally as I can with my health conditions! This has to be pretty difficult because I'm pretty difficult!
4. He thinks I'm beautiful and tells me so everyday! He's also smart enough to tell me I'm not fat when I question if eating double stuff Oreos, chased with a coke will make me fat!
3. He's my right hand man (even if he is left handed)! He's always willing to help me with my endeavors from coaching to painting my nails!
2. He helped me make two beautiful boys inside and out!
1. He's my best friend in the whole wide world, and like any best friend he loves me despite my all my flaws!
I hope his head doesn't topple over after reading this, but I just wanted to show a little love for the man who walks (and carries) with me on my journey!
10. We have known each other for a very long time! This saves a lot of time because he already knows about my past.
9. He's always at every finish line with a smile and a coke! I should probably be more impressed that he drives me home without a word about how bad I smell, but the coke tastes really good after 13.1 miles!
8. He refrains from commenting on how bad I sing, or how loudly I sing. I do both frequently!
7. He remembers to put the toilet seat down and taught all of our boys to do the same! Pretty cool considering they're only two girls in the house!
6. He really doesn't care what other people think. He is who he is, like him or not. He doesn't need other people's approval, but he is quick to brag about our family! Ask all the other doctoral students at my graduation ;)
5. He asks me how I'm feeling, knowing its a fifty, fifty shot that I'll be having a good day. He's willing to carry me in from the car, but not before I ask. He's achieved a balance of assisting me when I'm ill and letting me live as normally as I can with my health conditions! This has to be pretty difficult because I'm pretty difficult!
4. He thinks I'm beautiful and tells me so everyday! He's also smart enough to tell me I'm not fat when I question if eating double stuff Oreos, chased with a coke will make me fat!
3. He's my right hand man (even if he is left handed)! He's always willing to help me with my endeavors from coaching to painting my nails!
2. He helped me make two beautiful boys inside and out!
1. He's my best friend in the whole wide world, and like any best friend he loves me despite my all my flaws!
I hope his head doesn't topple over after reading this, but I just wanted to show a little love for the man who walks (and carries) with me on my journey!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Things To Do
Today, I went for a run! Trust me it was a big accomplishment! You see I have a problem with getting things done on my to do list, a really BIG problem. A couple weeks ago one of my students pointed out that a to do list with 25 items a day was too much, especially when none of the items are fun. He also pointed out that they were all work related things to do and I had to have things to do in my non work life. When a teenager looks at you and says all work and no play makes for tired, unhappy teacher then it's probably time to do something about the to do list. So, I added some of my non teacher to do's on my to do list.
My student gave me a F! An epic failure when he saw my to do list today. There were 20 items and three were non teacher items. Hey, I was making improvements and I thought that I should at least get a D! My student must have a great teacher because he gave prescriptive feedback on my work. My lovely student added item 21 to the to do list in big capital letters that took up the rest of the page. He made sure there was no way I could add anything else to the list. Smart boy! I know he has a good teacher now! What did he write?
RUN!!! Today I was a good student! I did my homework and ran 2.8 miles! I hope my teacher gives me an A!
My student gave me a F! An epic failure when he saw my to do list today. There were 20 items and three were non teacher items. Hey, I was making improvements and I thought that I should at least get a D! My student must have a great teacher because he gave prescriptive feedback on my work. My lovely student added item 21 to the to do list in big capital letters that took up the rest of the page. He made sure there was no way I could add anything else to the list. Smart boy! I know he has a good teacher now! What did he write?
RUN!!! Today I was a good student! I did my homework and ran 2.8 miles! I hope my teacher gives me an A!
Monday, October 15, 2012
What's Your Problem
A student asked me today what my problem was. The first response that comes into my head is not the most professional one because it automatically is, "YOU!" You is simple. You does not require a great deal of thought to pronounce. You shifts the focus off of me, and back onto the person who asked the question! You ends the conversation, unless the YOU is me.
When I don't have a migraine, my brain tends to take in information quickly and wishes to process it as quickly. It's almost like my brain knows that a headache will be back at any time, so my brain has decided to force contemplation (even if it's for the simple question of "What's your problem?"). My brain knows at the next headache it will not be able to contemplate my existence, but it's going to force such contemplation when it does not hurt. Before changing my major to education, I was a philosophy major (the heavy let's contemplate man's existence in the world type philosophy major). I think my brain is still a little pissed that I got pregnant and changed my major in order to feed a child. In it's younger days, my brain was very altruistic, but as we have aged it's beginning to understand the more practical side of life (even if it doesn't like to be forced there on occasion). Screaming baby needs to eat, and intelligent mother needs to pick a career with health insurance and stable money so said screaming baby can eat! That folks is how a teacher with a brain like mine is made- NECESSITY! Sorry for not having a better reason on why I was "called" to education, but it does give my brain an adequate source for contemplation.
SO, what is my problem today? That's a loaded question for my brain and as I was driving home my brain contemplated what my problem was. The rest of me just wanted to listen to the radio and get home to eat the chicken and potatoes I put in the crock pot this morning! Pratical was not winning out today. Since I really want my brain to hold off on serious contemplation tonight because there's some trashy television I want to watch, I'm appeasing it by writing what my current problems are, so here goes the list:
1. Atlanta traffic- Do we all really need to be at work at the same time?
2. Driving in the rain in Atlanta traffic- Did everyone forget how to drive because there is wet stuff coming from the sky?
3. Checking and signing in- Couldn't the school work if I was a little late or absent? Don't we have a program that tells you I'm out and don't I always call when I'm stuck in Atlanta traffic? The answer to all those questions is yes, but the process is still the same and today my brain isn't really feeling the process!
4. Kids and food- Why don't kids pack their own lunches? Didn't you know that you were coming to school and that your lunch time is three hours away? Aren't you capable of getting a pop tart? I'm eating my donut that I manged to get on my way to work, so stop begging for me to give you a piece, or part of my lunch! I'm not the grocery store or a chef!
5. Why the hell can't kids today have paper, pen or a pencil?- Really, if you can bring every electronic device that you own to school, you'd think a student could manage some paper and a writing utensil!
6. Common sense is not common- Why do they call it common sense when it isn't very common? Why do I have to deal with large quantities of people who lack common sense when I have a lot to do?
7. Planning- Not sure why I plan to do anything during a day because something always gets in the way of completing my to do list. Okay, I usually get in the way of completing my to do list because I can't.... problem number eight
8. Say No, it'll have to wait, I'm busy right now- Could this inability to utter these words be a direct result of being a mom of five kids? If it is, I want a refund. Other people who have mastered these words seem to be getting a lot more done then I do in a day! Maybe they don't have kids or interactions with the public?
9. My daily Coca-Cola intake- With all my medical issues you really think the most pressing issue is that I drink three to four cokes a day? What about those cups of coffee you drink (there's more caffeine in them then there is in my coke)? My kidney's haven't shut down yet and I'm much more concerned about the bladder five kids kicked around and it's inability to not see a rest room every two hours. If I'm going to die from drinking three to four cokes a day, it's going to be a lot better than the stroke, brain aneurysm or heart attack that are statistically more realistic to kill me!
10. I need/want to run, but something always gets in the way- Thanks to the rain, the fatigue, and swelling in my joints have sapped my energy for a run tonight. The torrential down poor this morning wasn't particularly motivating either! I'm guessing that Josie and Elijah threw up most of the night didn't help my running cause much. Also, my attempt at training for a marathon says I don't have to start until tomorrow and my practical side says "If you paid for an app to train with then you need to follow the plan!"
So, these were what my problem was today. Mild irritations considering the real daily problems I deal with. My contemplating brain wants you to know that there were more serious things I dealt with today and it's not thrilled with my attempt at appeasement. Major problems today were assisting a 14 year old dealing with being a new father, bolstering the self-esteem of a student with CP in her first chorus concert, and trying to convince a student not to have a brawl. These were serious problems! I acknowledge them contemplating brain! Happy? I'd really like to go back to the television, where my hardest problem is going to be what trashy show I want to watch tonight!
When I don't have a migraine, my brain tends to take in information quickly and wishes to process it as quickly. It's almost like my brain knows that a headache will be back at any time, so my brain has decided to force contemplation (even if it's for the simple question of "What's your problem?"). My brain knows at the next headache it will not be able to contemplate my existence, but it's going to force such contemplation when it does not hurt. Before changing my major to education, I was a philosophy major (the heavy let's contemplate man's existence in the world type philosophy major). I think my brain is still a little pissed that I got pregnant and changed my major in order to feed a child. In it's younger days, my brain was very altruistic, but as we have aged it's beginning to understand the more practical side of life (even if it doesn't like to be forced there on occasion). Screaming baby needs to eat, and intelligent mother needs to pick a career with health insurance and stable money so said screaming baby can eat! That folks is how a teacher with a brain like mine is made- NECESSITY! Sorry for not having a better reason on why I was "called" to education, but it does give my brain an adequate source for contemplation.
SO, what is my problem today? That's a loaded question for my brain and as I was driving home my brain contemplated what my problem was. The rest of me just wanted to listen to the radio and get home to eat the chicken and potatoes I put in the crock pot this morning! Pratical was not winning out today. Since I really want my brain to hold off on serious contemplation tonight because there's some trashy television I want to watch, I'm appeasing it by writing what my current problems are, so here goes the list:
1. Atlanta traffic- Do we all really need to be at work at the same time?
2. Driving in the rain in Atlanta traffic- Did everyone forget how to drive because there is wet stuff coming from the sky?
3. Checking and signing in- Couldn't the school work if I was a little late or absent? Don't we have a program that tells you I'm out and don't I always call when I'm stuck in Atlanta traffic? The answer to all those questions is yes, but the process is still the same and today my brain isn't really feeling the process!
4. Kids and food- Why don't kids pack their own lunches? Didn't you know that you were coming to school and that your lunch time is three hours away? Aren't you capable of getting a pop tart? I'm eating my donut that I manged to get on my way to work, so stop begging for me to give you a piece, or part of my lunch! I'm not the grocery store or a chef!
5. Why the hell can't kids today have paper, pen or a pencil?- Really, if you can bring every electronic device that you own to school, you'd think a student could manage some paper and a writing utensil!
6. Common sense is not common- Why do they call it common sense when it isn't very common? Why do I have to deal with large quantities of people who lack common sense when I have a lot to do?
7. Planning- Not sure why I plan to do anything during a day because something always gets in the way of completing my to do list. Okay, I usually get in the way of completing my to do list because I can't.... problem number eight
8. Say No, it'll have to wait, I'm busy right now- Could this inability to utter these words be a direct result of being a mom of five kids? If it is, I want a refund. Other people who have mastered these words seem to be getting a lot more done then I do in a day! Maybe they don't have kids or interactions with the public?
9. My daily Coca-Cola intake- With all my medical issues you really think the most pressing issue is that I drink three to four cokes a day? What about those cups of coffee you drink (there's more caffeine in them then there is in my coke)? My kidney's haven't shut down yet and I'm much more concerned about the bladder five kids kicked around and it's inability to not see a rest room every two hours. If I'm going to die from drinking three to four cokes a day, it's going to be a lot better than the stroke, brain aneurysm or heart attack that are statistically more realistic to kill me!
10. I need/want to run, but something always gets in the way- Thanks to the rain, the fatigue, and swelling in my joints have sapped my energy for a run tonight. The torrential down poor this morning wasn't particularly motivating either! I'm guessing that Josie and Elijah threw up most of the night didn't help my running cause much. Also, my attempt at training for a marathon says I don't have to start until tomorrow and my practical side says "If you paid for an app to train with then you need to follow the plan!"
So, these were what my problem was today. Mild irritations considering the real daily problems I deal with. My contemplating brain wants you to know that there were more serious things I dealt with today and it's not thrilled with my attempt at appeasement. Major problems today were assisting a 14 year old dealing with being a new father, bolstering the self-esteem of a student with CP in her first chorus concert, and trying to convince a student not to have a brawl. These were serious problems! I acknowledge them contemplating brain! Happy? I'd really like to go back to the television, where my hardest problem is going to be what trashy show I want to watch tonight!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Surprise
I turned 38 on Monday to no fan fare. Stephen did leave me a note on my desk stating that 38 was the new 70, and that folks was the highlight of my day. It was a little awkward trying to explain to my co workers, and especially my students, that there were no plans, or presents that day, not even a cup cake! My husband did order pizza for dinner that night, and my mom called to say happy birthday and then talk about work. Not much of a celebration of my life after 38 years. This was the thanks I got for dutifully planning and executing every birthday in my house? I figured that my family could at least put something together to show their love and appreciation that I was born. Epic fail! Since it was my family, I should have know better!
The next couple days were awkward as people asked me what type of birthday I had. My response, "Lots of people told me happy birthday on Facebook, I didn't have to cook supper and the kids cleaned the house so, pretty good." Most of the people who asked couldn't hide their confusion and I couldn't help unconfuse them. The rest of the week went pretty well, work, volleyball, home and sleep. Since my birthday had passed I wasn't expecting anything else. When we got a $1500 utility bill I figured that it was a sign from God that this year was not a birthday to be celebrated.
Saturday, I was up early to coach my team at the Area Playoffs. Josie had an audition for an All State Chorus and I knew that most of the day was shot with all that going on. Of course, the volleyball that hit the back of my head wasn't doing much for my migraine either. After losing our second game, and spending two hours in a cafeteria listening to sopranos warm up scales, the best I was hoping for Saturday was some Imetrix and a nap (hell I would of been happy to take my Imetrix and go to sleep for the rest of the night). I guess Stephen's assessment that 38 was the new 70 wasn't too far from the truth, and like any other 70 year old I didn't care. Age grants you the privilege of taking naps at random times of the day so, 70 doesn't seem that bad. I got home around 3:30 and went straight to bed. Stephen came in at some point to ask me if I wanted pizza or chicken for supper. Since I was a little groggy with my migraine hangover, I wasn't sure I was really hearing my mother's voice, but when Brian came in to the bedroom and told me that there was a surprise, well I was surprised.
My husband, kids and mother coordinated a wonderful surprise birthday party (and I've wanted one of those since I was a little kid)! There was pizza, cake and presents. The kids were excited. My husband was excited and I was super EXCITED! My head even cooperated and the migraine that was killing me at Josie's audition disappeared for the rest of the evening. Brian took the little boys shopping, and much to his surprise they are both fashion fiends! After 38 years, I finally have an orange wool coat! Colin got me a green sweater that actually looks very good on me! I have a lovely new dress from my husband and the rest of the kids, and my mom got me a fancy, dancy pair of running headphones. SURPRISE!!
The next couple days were awkward as people asked me what type of birthday I had. My response, "Lots of people told me happy birthday on Facebook, I didn't have to cook supper and the kids cleaned the house so, pretty good." Most of the people who asked couldn't hide their confusion and I couldn't help unconfuse them. The rest of the week went pretty well, work, volleyball, home and sleep. Since my birthday had passed I wasn't expecting anything else. When we got a $1500 utility bill I figured that it was a sign from God that this year was not a birthday to be celebrated.
Saturday, I was up early to coach my team at the Area Playoffs. Josie had an audition for an All State Chorus and I knew that most of the day was shot with all that going on. Of course, the volleyball that hit the back of my head wasn't doing much for my migraine either. After losing our second game, and spending two hours in a cafeteria listening to sopranos warm up scales, the best I was hoping for Saturday was some Imetrix and a nap (hell I would of been happy to take my Imetrix and go to sleep for the rest of the night). I guess Stephen's assessment that 38 was the new 70 wasn't too far from the truth, and like any other 70 year old I didn't care. Age grants you the privilege of taking naps at random times of the day so, 70 doesn't seem that bad. I got home around 3:30 and went straight to bed. Stephen came in at some point to ask me if I wanted pizza or chicken for supper. Since I was a little groggy with my migraine hangover, I wasn't sure I was really hearing my mother's voice, but when Brian came in to the bedroom and told me that there was a surprise, well I was surprised.
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| Surprise! |
My husband, kids and mother coordinated a wonderful surprise birthday party (and I've wanted one of those since I was a little kid)! There was pizza, cake and presents. The kids were excited. My husband was excited and I was super EXCITED! My head even cooperated and the migraine that was killing me at Josie's audition disappeared for the rest of the evening. Brian took the little boys shopping, and much to his surprise they are both fashion fiends! After 38 years, I finally have an orange wool coat! Colin got me a green sweater that actually looks very good on me! I have a lovely new dress from my husband and the rest of the kids, and my mom got me a fancy, dancy pair of running headphones. SURPRISE!!
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| Showing off my new orange coat! |
Friday, October 12, 2012
Coaching With Headache
Someone asked me today if coaching wasn't a big headache I could do without. Probably. My husband would tell you yes, my kids would tell you maybe and I would tell you I coach with a big headache, many, many, many times with a really BIG, BIG, BIG, HEADACHE! I've coached inside with a headache and outside with a headache. I have travelled to and from games/meets with a headache. I have arrived and left with a headache! If I've coached it, I've coached it with a headache! I've had headaches so bad that opposing teams ask if I'm okay! I've had headaches so bad that the trainer thought I had a stroke! Headache, coaching, and I go way back.
Headache has been my assistant coach for the last sixteen years! Like any partnership we are use to each other. Headache steps in if I run too hard, if I yell too much or if the games moving too slow! I know if its raining, if its hot, or if the gym lights flicker because Headache will be right by side telling me to sit my ass down and watch the game (usually quietly because my yelling gives Headache a headache)!
So, the official answer to "isn't coaching a headache you can live without?" is yes, but he's been my assistant coach for this long it would be sad to see such a coaching team retire!
Headache has been my assistant coach for the last sixteen years! Like any partnership we are use to each other. Headache steps in if I run too hard, if I yell too much or if the games moving too slow! I know if its raining, if its hot, or if the gym lights flicker because Headache will be right by side telling me to sit my ass down and watch the game (usually quietly because my yelling gives Headache a headache)!
So, the official answer to "isn't coaching a headache you can live without?" is yes, but he's been my assistant coach for this long it would be sad to see such a coaching team retire!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
When I Grow Up!
When I grow up I want to be my son Colin! Really, I do! At the tender age of 8 he's figured the world out and seems pretty happy in it 99% of the time! The world also seems happy with him 99% of the time! This must be a pretty cool way to travel through life. His mother, which would be me, does not enjoy the same percentages of world happiness as her son does! I'm more a 50/50 girl, and on most days I run 70/30 towards the not so happy. Interesting that I was able to produce a kid that attracts such happy circumstances!
There is that cute factor Colin struts around. He's cute, and sweet, and knows how to work a crowd with the exact amounts of shyness and bravado required to get large groups of people to do what you want. His ability to work a crowd means he gets to choose participating in activities he likes and gets someone else do what he doesn't like. He smiles and gives a hug, then you watch the crowd beg to appease his wants and needs, all for a hug! I,on the other hand, passed the cute stage at about four. I'm silent, or loud, and not much in between. My smile is not something that most people desire to see (in part because my front teeth are stained brown and in part because I no longer have chunky cheeks).
Unlike his mother, Colin doesn't care if you think he's smart (and he is) or competent (and he is). He enjoys who and what goes on around him, and if he isn't enjoying it then he creates his own little world until the circumstances or people change. He welcomes new people like they're family, where the rest of his family stands back to see if the new person makes the cut.
As soon as my car pulls in the drive, or as soon as he sees me there's a goofy, toothless grin and a big hug to greet me! If I'm having a bad day he has a coke ready and snuggles on standby! When I grow up, I want to still have the energy, the flexibility and the confidence to approach life like Colin. I'm 38 now and I haven't mastered Colin's skills on my journey, but on the bright side I have a great guide (even if he's only 8)!
There is that cute factor Colin struts around. He's cute, and sweet, and knows how to work a crowd with the exact amounts of shyness and bravado required to get large groups of people to do what you want. His ability to work a crowd means he gets to choose participating in activities he likes and gets someone else do what he doesn't like. He smiles and gives a hug, then you watch the crowd beg to appease his wants and needs, all for a hug! I,on the other hand, passed the cute stage at about four. I'm silent, or loud, and not much in between. My smile is not something that most people desire to see (in part because my front teeth are stained brown and in part because I no longer have chunky cheeks).
Unlike his mother, Colin doesn't care if you think he's smart (and he is) or competent (and he is). He enjoys who and what goes on around him, and if he isn't enjoying it then he creates his own little world until the circumstances or people change. He welcomes new people like they're family, where the rest of his family stands back to see if the new person makes the cut.
As soon as my car pulls in the drive, or as soon as he sees me there's a goofy, toothless grin and a big hug to greet me! If I'm having a bad day he has a coke ready and snuggles on standby! When I grow up, I want to still have the energy, the flexibility and the confidence to approach life like Colin. I'm 38 now and I haven't mastered Colin's skills on my journey, but on the bright side I have a great guide (even if he's only 8)!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Teaching Batman
Most days I have a wonderful job, and some days it's a little rough. I teach interesting kids, which makes for interesting days. I like interesting and I like to laugh and have a good time. I hope that my students like coming to my class and find it as interesting as I find teaching them. Yesterday was one of those days.
I have a student who is one of the highlights of my day every day that he enters the classroom. He works hard, but he doesn't always get grade level material. He requires a great deal of attention when he is in the class, but he gives me a great deal of joy for the fifty-five minutes that I see him. This week has been homecoming and Friday was toga day for the seniors. I knew when I finished helping one of the seniors with her pink leopard toga that my student was going to do something creative with the left over material when he came into class. He did not disappoint.
I went to school yesterday sick. I really wasn't in the mood to do much but hold down the fort and get caught up on paper work. The day didn't work out like that because what days ever work out how you plan? I was questioning why I went to work feeling so bad, when... enter Batman. As soon as my student saw the left over fabric he went into full character mode and the results were great for everyone's mood and enjoyment of learning the physical geography of Latin America. The scraps of fabric became a cape, arm cuffs and a head piece. Add a batman mask that I used as a pass last year and let the food times role.
The lesson became information needed for Batman to beat the bad guys in Latin America. The student kept the class in stitches and they all seemed more engaged in the material as they were helping Batman get ready for his mission. Pictures were taken and I couldn't help but leave my bad mood behind. In fact, I haven't laughed that hard in a classroom in a long time. Despite feeling poorly, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching Batman and the other students enjoyed helping Batman. I like to think that I foster a sense of acceptance in my classroom and that learning can be fun. Did "batman" really think he was Batman for 55 minutes? Possibly? Will every student in that class remember what we learned about Latin America? Definitely!
I think sometimes teachers are so focused on test results that they forget that teaching is making connections between knowledge and people. Yesterday was one of those special moments in my class where that happened. It wasn't conventional, and it was a little rowdy. The teacher couldn't stop smiling and laughing and the students got to act like the teacher at times. I'm sure if I was to be evaluated by the current standards, I wouldn't rate very high, but I know that the students in that class will never forget how entertaining and fun a lesson can be. All with a superhero in their midst (okay a tall, goofy freshman in a sheet and a mask, but whose to say he's not a superhero) So, I say long live BATMAN! I know I enjoyed teaching him yesterday!
I have a student who is one of the highlights of my day every day that he enters the classroom. He works hard, but he doesn't always get grade level material. He requires a great deal of attention when he is in the class, but he gives me a great deal of joy for the fifty-five minutes that I see him. This week has been homecoming and Friday was toga day for the seniors. I knew when I finished helping one of the seniors with her pink leopard toga that my student was going to do something creative with the left over material when he came into class. He did not disappoint.
I went to school yesterday sick. I really wasn't in the mood to do much but hold down the fort and get caught up on paper work. The day didn't work out like that because what days ever work out how you plan? I was questioning why I went to work feeling so bad, when... enter Batman. As soon as my student saw the left over fabric he went into full character mode and the results were great for everyone's mood and enjoyment of learning the physical geography of Latin America. The scraps of fabric became a cape, arm cuffs and a head piece. Add a batman mask that I used as a pass last year and let the food times role.
The lesson became information needed for Batman to beat the bad guys in Latin America. The student kept the class in stitches and they all seemed more engaged in the material as they were helping Batman get ready for his mission. Pictures were taken and I couldn't help but leave my bad mood behind. In fact, I haven't laughed that hard in a classroom in a long time. Despite feeling poorly, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching Batman and the other students enjoyed helping Batman. I like to think that I foster a sense of acceptance in my classroom and that learning can be fun. Did "batman" really think he was Batman for 55 minutes? Possibly? Will every student in that class remember what we learned about Latin America? Definitely!
I think sometimes teachers are so focused on test results that they forget that teaching is making connections between knowledge and people. Yesterday was one of those special moments in my class where that happened. It wasn't conventional, and it was a little rowdy. The teacher couldn't stop smiling and laughing and the students got to act like the teacher at times. I'm sure if I was to be evaluated by the current standards, I wouldn't rate very high, but I know that the students in that class will never forget how entertaining and fun a lesson can be. All with a superhero in their midst (okay a tall, goofy freshman in a sheet and a mask, but whose to say he's not a superhero) So, I say long live BATMAN! I know I enjoyed teaching him yesterday!
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