Second Day Blues

These kids love to draw.

The number 1 stress that I carry with me as a green teacher (or, greacher) is the "what if we run out of things to do?" Cold, midnight sweats burst out of this question. As in, a 3am bathroom runs becomes a 3 hour toss-and-turn marathon. Maybe that's just the jetlag. I hope so.

But today the first secret of Cherry Class uncoiled its petals and smiled at me. Someone finishes their test too early? Hand them a sheet of paper and let their imaginations go wild. The result: clam-happy kiddies.

I knew their names on the first day. Particularly proud of that one. I think I've identified the two poles in the class as well: The impossibly adorable little girl who's just a walking ball of love and shyness, and the loud and distractable boy who seems unable to ever sit straight in his chair and who likes to scream answers to all of my questions. Who knows how the others will turn out? It's far too early to tell.

Today I learned that I had been unintentionally snubbing people by handing them money (at stores and such) with only one hand. I'm supposed to clutch the offered hand around the wrist with the other hand. Just one more thing to try and not forget. Like recycling everything. Or turning the hot water on and off before and after each shower. Or constantly looking both ways when walking anywhere because there are no sidewalks and the cars pretty much do anything they want on those streets.

It's only the second day. It's only the second day. It's only the second day.