Barring

I think I'm starting to like my children.

I know, I know...it's a shocking turn of events. Take a deep breath, go over the freezer and pull out a box of ice cream. It's ok.

They're starting to make me happy, and they are starting to trump all of the other crap that goes down in that molehill of a school. Yesterday a kid peed his pants while he was giving his show and tell presentation. I had no idea it had even happened until I called the next kid up and she pointed out a strange puddle on the floor. No wonder the poor boy's big smile suddenly faded halfway through talking about the Lion King book he had almost completely memorized. I swooped into the best damage control I have ever put forth on my own and none of the other kids had any idea anything had happened. I spent break time with him in my lap outside the classroom and I think it was a turning point for me. Not that the kid peed on himself...but that I finally felt needed.

There's nothing much like being needed by a child. I can punish my kids all I have and at the end of the day they'll still smile, and wave if they see me outside the classroom, and fall over each other to tell me things. "Teacher, teacher! My tooth moves! Look! Look!"

In other news, the very fact that I've brought my laptop to Woodstock puts into question the level of alcoholism this country/job is pushing me too. Having said that, Woodstock is almost next door to us, while the coffee shop is a good five blocks away. If we want to get out of the house but don't have the energy this is pretty much it.

As I sit here typing Heather and Beka are doodling on the slips of paper they provide for song requests. We're the only ones in the bar, and we got a free coke with our beers because we're the most regular of regulars. We're trying to design a callsign for Beka's new alter ego, Lightning Tealeaf, and rating people (read: making shameless snap judgments about poeple's physical appearances) as they walk by. We haven't found anyone over a 4. Oh, Janghan-pyeong...