Eyeliner For 4-Year-Olds

Workday - 8:15am-3:00pm

Today I was away on a field trip. The choirs went to perform at two of our local K-6 schools. It's always fun to see the real little kiddies when you're used to grade 9s being so tiny and cute.

Then you see some 2-and-a-half foot thing toddle into the gymnasium, and I nudge our choir members as they're "awww"ing to say "...and those are just 3rd graders!".

Then the junior kindergarteners make their way in, and they can practically fit in the palm of your hand!

At the second school where we sang, one of these tiny tots in the front row was sporting some eye liner. You always knew kids were growing up too fast, but that's a bit extreme!

Ok, ok. So she wasn't some trampy pre-schooler, she was wearing it according to traditional Indian fashion. Still. She's no more than 4 years old. That's extreme to me, too.

I Know My Students Like Me (pt. 2)

Workday - 8:15am-6:00pm

...because they bang on the second-floor window to wave to me as I'm downstairs on my way up to teach them first thing in the morning.

And these are kids in my math class! No joke.

Any Teacher's WORST Nightmare

Workday - 8:30am-3:00pm

It didn't happen to me, I'll make that clear right from the beginning. The rest of the story I'll give in extreme short form.

• Explosive diarrhea
• In the classroom
• Later, cleaning out underwear and pants in staff bathroom toilet
• Made huge mess

Good lord. I feel so bad for that teacher and his new reputation (which wasn't great in the first place). I also felt terrible for the custodian(s?) who cleaned it all up.

However, I also feel... laughter. Non-stop. All day.

Things That Are Happening

Workday - 8:30am-5:00pm

Yes, I'm still alive. I had to take a small hiatus because I was moving (and that's stressful enough without a full-time job on top of it!). Now there are only two weeks left of school before the break, and life has barely slowed down. However, I thought I'd make a short list of what's happened that you've missed.

• If I didn't mention it before, I started a jazz choir at my school. Now that the winter concert is over, I can add that they are a successful group. Lots of people complimented their performance (I'm so proud).
• As expected every second year, we'll be putting on a musical come spring. The auditions for roles will start this week. I'm both excited and pre-stressed, anticipating what's coming by about April. FYI, the musical is Seussical.
• Moving is insanity, as everyone knows. This isn't really school-related, but I just thought I'd mention my new apartment's great (and gradually becoming a real home). My days basically consist of two full-time jobs back to back. I finish my day at school whenever it may be, then come home to unpacking and cleaning and arranging (and, on Friday, painting).
• I'm now one of the coaches of the School Reach (i.e., trivia) team. That's been fun, but now it's time to buckle down and select a final team to start playing against other schools. The 'away' games are going to cut into my schedule and things will get even more hectic.
• Engrish in rm. 231 is still coming. I've written down some excerpts, but haven't remembered to bring the sheet of paper in from my bag in the car.
• Happy Hanukkah!