Lately I have been going in about once a week or so and spending the day with Jenica and her kindergarten class. I am what is called the Parent Helper or affectionately Miss Kim. It is sort of like my little happy place. There are no dishes to wash, no laundry to do, no homework beckoning just magical world of carpet time, centers and hand sanitizer. The first time I volunteered it was Jenica's class Halloween party. Those that know me, know I rarely miss the opportunity to rock some kitty ears and watch a grown man dressed up like Batman make balloon animals. It was awesome. My table was letter sound Bingo and I don't mean to brag but, I had kids lining up to play at my table ;) Well, that is kind of bragging isn't it? Aw well, it was a pretty awesome game. Oh, anyway right, so we had a great day and Jenica's Kindergarten teacher told me that if I wanted I could come help out any time. Sweet! So, I waited for the chaos of school to wear off (still waiting) and then decided I would do it anyway. And, I did. It's great! I love it so much. Mrs Meengs asked me if I am in school for early childhood education. That didn't help my swollen head over the bingo table, let me tell you. But, alas, I am not in school for early childhood ed, truth be told, I don't think I could maintain that level of patience for that long of a period of time. No, scratch that, I know I couldn't. So, HIT it is....besides I do have a pretty unnatural love for Anatomy.
Thursday was my first official day as a Parent Helper, all the previous days I have just kind of dropped Jenica off and stuck around...no official title necessary, just any excuse not to do my homework really. Miss Miaya went to nap at Grandma and Papa's house and Jena and I headed off to school. Once I got there I noticed right away that there were a couple of things out of place. Little things but, to 5 year olds....Oh man. I took my seat, watched Jena meander over and put her back pack away and take her place on the carpet "criss cross applesauce" and waited for Gina to arrive. An athletic, petite blond woman approached the front of the class. She announced that she was Miss Neuman and that she would be their teacher today. All at once, twenty little arms shot up into the air, fingers outstretched to the sky.....anxiously craving confirmation that all would be back to normal in an acceptable amount of time....like tomorrow for a five year old if you have one. My hat goes off to that sub she held her ground, offered just the right amount of reassurance and then went straight into the typical daily routine. Well, at least her interpretation of it anyway. All she had to determine the sequence of events was a couple of pieces of notebook paper with a rough outline of the dailsy activities but, I assure you no one can handle a class room like Gina Meengs. This woman had some very large shoes to fill and these kids knew it. I quietly observed, and then I had a thought "I could sneak out of here and no one would ever be the wiser" A small panic attack engulfed me as I thought "What if this woman, recognizes that I have been in class before and thinks I know what to do?" Beads of sweat formed across my brow as a vision of me leading the Days of the Week song flashed in my mind. Gulp. I don't have to stay. I could even (insert large gasp here) take an afternoon nap. A luxury I had not known for a very very long time. Besides, those who know me well, know I also don't seek out leadership roles. I avoid them at all costs. Quietly I gathered my belongings and began backing toward the door. Miss Neuman was so busy maintaining the status quo she hadn't even seen me, no harm no foul, I always say. Out I crept, ever so silently out the door. Made it across the playground, down the hallway, out the main doors and to my truck before I was struck from behind with a bus that had a one way destination to Guiltville, no stops no ticket exchanges, no refunds.
Key outstretched poised at the lock, coat in hand, nap fantasy half way underway, I dropped my head and sighed. No nap today. Back I trudged toward my Karma Kindergarten destiny hoping that bus hadn't left tracks on my back that spelled out "Coward". As I walked in the door it was clear I made the right choice, two little faces turned toward my direction and mouthed through smiles "Aren't you Jena's Mommy, Miss Kim?" I nodded, smiled and motioned to turn the heads toward the front of the class where the sub was attempting to lead Alphabet Friends. Each letter is recited, along with a little hand gesture and the sound the letter makes, while a card with the letter and corresponding picture is held up for example : A; Apple; Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah, B; Bear; Buh-Buh-Buh-Buh.....A, B and C, went just fine. However, right after C, came M. Houston we have a problem. Five little hands shot up, "Teachoh, Teachoh, M isn't wight, it is sposed to be D!" I have to hand it to her, she handled it like a pro. "It's alright" she said, "It's better practice this way" Her explanation was acceptable to the masses and she carried on. The day went on much like that, little idiosyncrasies to the routine norm, a small pause of reassurance and then we carried on. Maybe she doesn't have the same shoe size as their regular teacher, but she had some pretty darn good insoles ;)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
One Woman's nervous breakdown is another students Karma Donation.
So, it is no secret that COCC, the community college where I am pursuing my degree has parking issues. At the start of every term you can see a happy little news anchor poised in front of the camera of the local broadcast network talking about the conundrum. It wouldn't be difficult for one to surmise that if parking is a problem getting classes is also. In fact, COCC actually ended enrollment for the Winter 2010 term almost three weeks early due to the fact that over 600 students were on wait listed classes. The inevitable truth is that the unemployment rate in Central Oregon alone is 10% and with so many seeking employment and not finding it the end result is a higher enrollment than the College has seen thus far.
Do you remember that scene in Finding Nemo near the end of the film? Marlin is searching for his son, Nemo and he happens across some crabs dining on an underwater pipe. When he asks them if he has seen his son the one offers some offhanded smarty comment and the next thing you see is Marlin's outstretched fin, partially out of the water and balanced ever so delicately atop it is, Mr Smarty Crab being offered up as bird bait if he doesn't start talking. A group of seagulls near by spot the crab and all state "Mine!" Well, that is parking at COCC. One lone parking spot ie; smarty crab is visible and all the hungry seagulls (hoards of cars in the parking lot) all lunge at the opportunity.
This term, I was determined to manage my stress. Not that balancing my Husband and my college schedules, our five year olds Kindergarten schedule, the thriving development of our two year old, homework, household chores and finances could be stressful. Just speaking hypothetically of course. So, hypothetically speaking if one was stressed one may enroll in a course which also happens to count toward one's general distribution requirement that is called, ironically enough "Stress Management" In such a class you might learn coping methods, relaxation techniques, how stress (again, if you have it) can contribute adversely to your health, etc. etc. Full time enrollment is considered 12 credit hours per term. Including my stress management class I would have been logging 19 hours. Which brings me to another point: Why is it as Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, Wives, Friends we always spread ourselves too thin? Is there just a constant urge to feel as though we are adequate enough, pretty enough, friendly enough, and so on and so on? Men, do you do this to yourselves? Is this a human thing or strictly a woman thing? Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, Stress Management.
I arrived to my Stress Management class 15 minutes late. In a later blog titled "Why you should always have an exact meeting place when your husband and yourself carpool and are on campus at the same time" I plan to explain the reason for my tardiness. Walking into class I immediately spot a "sitting room only" type of situation lining the wall of the class room and so I make eye contact with the professor, give her my name and assume the position on my sitter flat as a flitter prepared for the long hall. After taking role, the professor explains that there are only so many seats, enrollment is up, staffing is down, yaddah yaddah and excuses those on the waiting list allowing us "Wallflowers" to take actual seats in the class besides where the good lord split us. I am relieved to sit down. Odd how there is more padding back there than there has ever been yet I can't sit on it as long. I did however feel empathy for the waitlisters as I have been in their shoes many times before myself. I silently wish them luck as they slowly filter out of the door.
I really enjoyed the class and right away knew that had I had any stress this would definitely be the class for me. However, you may have noticed the verbiage up above which stated "would have been logging 19 credits. That's right, would have. Because it only took me about one session of trying to sit down and complete the assignments for all of those credits to know that this was not the best way to manage my stress. My mind flashed back to all of us sitting on the floor. Some of us just hoping to get in and I knew that my hypothetical stress management would have to be postponed until next term. I just hope it doesn't conflict with my nervous breakdown, I have already had to reschedule that twice ;)
Do you remember that scene in Finding Nemo near the end of the film? Marlin is searching for his son, Nemo and he happens across some crabs dining on an underwater pipe. When he asks them if he has seen his son the one offers some offhanded smarty comment and the next thing you see is Marlin's outstretched fin, partially out of the water and balanced ever so delicately atop it is, Mr Smarty Crab being offered up as bird bait if he doesn't start talking. A group of seagulls near by spot the crab and all state "Mine!" Well, that is parking at COCC. One lone parking spot ie; smarty crab is visible and all the hungry seagulls (hoards of cars in the parking lot) all lunge at the opportunity.
This term, I was determined to manage my stress. Not that balancing my Husband and my college schedules, our five year olds Kindergarten schedule, the thriving development of our two year old, homework, household chores and finances could be stressful. Just speaking hypothetically of course. So, hypothetically speaking if one was stressed one may enroll in a course which also happens to count toward one's general distribution requirement that is called, ironically enough "Stress Management" In such a class you might learn coping methods, relaxation techniques, how stress (again, if you have it) can contribute adversely to your health, etc. etc. Full time enrollment is considered 12 credit hours per term. Including my stress management class I would have been logging 19 hours. Which brings me to another point: Why is it as Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, Wives, Friends we always spread ourselves too thin? Is there just a constant urge to feel as though we are adequate enough, pretty enough, friendly enough, and so on and so on? Men, do you do this to yourselves? Is this a human thing or strictly a woman thing? Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, Stress Management.
I arrived to my Stress Management class 15 minutes late. In a later blog titled "Why you should always have an exact meeting place when your husband and yourself carpool and are on campus at the same time" I plan to explain the reason for my tardiness. Walking into class I immediately spot a "sitting room only" type of situation lining the wall of the class room and so I make eye contact with the professor, give her my name and assume the position on my sitter flat as a flitter prepared for the long hall. After taking role, the professor explains that there are only so many seats, enrollment is up, staffing is down, yaddah yaddah and excuses those on the waiting list allowing us "Wallflowers" to take actual seats in the class besides where the good lord split us. I am relieved to sit down. Odd how there is more padding back there than there has ever been yet I can't sit on it as long. I did however feel empathy for the waitlisters as I have been in their shoes many times before myself. I silently wish them luck as they slowly filter out of the door.
I really enjoyed the class and right away knew that had I had any stress this would definitely be the class for me. However, you may have noticed the verbiage up above which stated "would have been logging 19 credits. That's right, would have. Because it only took me about one session of trying to sit down and complete the assignments for all of those credits to know that this was not the best way to manage my stress. My mind flashed back to all of us sitting on the floor. Some of us just hoping to get in and I knew that my hypothetical stress management would have to be postponed until next term. I just hope it doesn't conflict with my nervous breakdown, I have already had to reschedule that twice ;)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Karma on a larger scale. Avoiding the public when you have the pig plague.
Well Karma lovers, it has been quite a long time. However, I assure you that in my absence karma donations on a global scale have been taking place. Allow me to elaborate.
Many of you may remember Darlene, the Salvation Army bell ringer whose place I took? Well, the day after I performed that particular donation I woke up even sicker than I was before. Now, one such karma critic insinuated that it may have infact been the cold air, allowed to get into my lungs that made me sicker. I beg to differ. Karma does not work that way and in fact, the more logical solution as it turns out is simply that I was suffering from the plague. Yes, the plague. A simple head cold/flu/misery on a stick on the surface but, as I have rounded the corner past my 31st (yes 3-1) day of this insane illness I lament, it must be......the plague. Okay, not the plague, maybe the pig plague (ha-ha)
Those of you who have had it know of the villanous virus I speak. Just when you think you are finally feeling 100% it makes camp in another area of your body, and trust me friends, it does not discriminate. A few days in the chest, a few more days in the sinuses, about a week or more in your head leaving you so congested you feel like taking a plunger (if it weren't for the job of said plunger) to your face. At one point I had a hacking cough that rivaled that of a pack a day smoker. Ewwwwwww. And, my personal favorite so tired and completely out of it I actually administered a home pregnancy test. Seriously. Negative by the way. Just so you don't wonder. So, back to the larger than life karma donation. Well, unlike the masses of holiday shoppers and out and abouters around, I took it upon my self to stay out of public as much as possible while I was sick. Only the most critical of errands and random tasks were performed......by me, that is. The world must keep turning as they say, and that is why they made.......spouses. That's right ladies, turns out for better or for worse is a binding contract. This may end up being a blessing in disguise as my husband, Aaron told me he actually didn't mind grocery shopping.....re-e-a-aaalllly? 1-2-3 Not it! Sweet!
And, since one has a difficult time donating karma from home (aside from the occasional sleepover conducted at my house to give my dear sister Esther a break) my karma project has in effect been on hold. But, not quite. You see, making this decision to return good fortune has actually affected me on even the most completely mundane tasks. I find myself sacrificing that extra close parking spot, returning a shoppers cart on my way into the store even when I have no intention of using one, being more generous with my four way stop allowances and letting others go in front of me......sure small things but, to that person running late, or needing an extra five minutes cut from their commute or in a hurry....perhaps something larger, yes?
So to recap, Lest us not forget that the largest karma donation of all was me simply not donating karma....who would have thunk it? Maybe by minimizing my public exposure and staying inside in my softest comfiest pajamas, toesocks, Nyquil in hand was the nicest thing I could do for the greater good of mankind.
It was also recently brought to my attention by someone near and dear to my heart that as excited as I was about this project (afterall I had just finished Julie/Julia) I may have been a little over ambitious with my "every day blog posting" expectation. So, maybe my other karma donation is more of a personal one. I am going to acknowledge that I sometimes do set myself up for failure (okay not failure, another word that is the opposite for success) by having these staggeringly large expectations of myself. Then, when I do end up with a less than positive result it is almost in a way, what I expected. Kind of a vicious cycle. So I am breaking that cycle. Maybe not everyday, but once a week there will be a karma update, unless I come down with the pig plague......then Aaron will post it, after he goes to the grocery store................
Many of you may remember Darlene, the Salvation Army bell ringer whose place I took? Well, the day after I performed that particular donation I woke up even sicker than I was before. Now, one such karma critic insinuated that it may have infact been the cold air, allowed to get into my lungs that made me sicker. I beg to differ. Karma does not work that way and in fact, the more logical solution as it turns out is simply that I was suffering from the plague. Yes, the plague. A simple head cold/flu/misery on a stick on the surface but, as I have rounded the corner past my 31st (yes 3-1) day of this insane illness I lament, it must be......the plague. Okay, not the plague, maybe the pig plague (ha-ha)
Those of you who have had it know of the villanous virus I speak. Just when you think you are finally feeling 100% it makes camp in another area of your body, and trust me friends, it does not discriminate. A few days in the chest, a few more days in the sinuses, about a week or more in your head leaving you so congested you feel like taking a plunger (if it weren't for the job of said plunger) to your face. At one point I had a hacking cough that rivaled that of a pack a day smoker. Ewwwwwww. And, my personal favorite so tired and completely out of it I actually administered a home pregnancy test. Seriously. Negative by the way. Just so you don't wonder. So, back to the larger than life karma donation. Well, unlike the masses of holiday shoppers and out and abouters around, I took it upon my self to stay out of public as much as possible while I was sick. Only the most critical of errands and random tasks were performed......by me, that is. The world must keep turning as they say, and that is why they made.......spouses. That's right ladies, turns out for better or for worse is a binding contract. This may end up being a blessing in disguise as my husband, Aaron told me he actually didn't mind grocery shopping.....re-e-a-aaalllly? 1-2-3 Not it! Sweet!
And, since one has a difficult time donating karma from home (aside from the occasional sleepover conducted at my house to give my dear sister Esther a break) my karma project has in effect been on hold. But, not quite. You see, making this decision to return good fortune has actually affected me on even the most completely mundane tasks. I find myself sacrificing that extra close parking spot, returning a shoppers cart on my way into the store even when I have no intention of using one, being more generous with my four way stop allowances and letting others go in front of me......sure small things but, to that person running late, or needing an extra five minutes cut from their commute or in a hurry....perhaps something larger, yes?
So to recap, Lest us not forget that the largest karma donation of all was me simply not donating karma....who would have thunk it? Maybe by minimizing my public exposure and staying inside in my softest comfiest pajamas, toesocks, Nyquil in hand was the nicest thing I could do for the greater good of mankind.
It was also recently brought to my attention by someone near and dear to my heart that as excited as I was about this project (afterall I had just finished Julie/Julia) I may have been a little over ambitious with my "every day blog posting" expectation. So, maybe my other karma donation is more of a personal one. I am going to acknowledge that I sometimes do set myself up for failure (okay not failure, another word that is the opposite for success) by having these staggeringly large expectations of myself. Then, when I do end up with a less than positive result it is almost in a way, what I expected. Kind of a vicious cycle. So I am breaking that cycle. Maybe not everyday, but once a week there will be a karma update, unless I come down with the pig plague......then Aaron will post it, after he goes to the grocery store................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)