My two week stint as a Junior High teacher ended on Friday. Its commencement was celebrated with a nap as by 10 am that morning it had become clear that those little bastards gave me more than just their well-wishes to remember them by – they lavished me with all their grimy middle school germs.
They’ve broken my streak. I had been virtually germ-free for more than a year. Now, in three days my excessive tissue use has probably depleted a small forest. I’m pounding back Hot Toddies (virgin until the one I have right before bed) like it is my job and the constant blowing (of my nose) has made it so sensitive and raw that I have been fantasying about ripping it off my face. I have spent the better part of the morning anticipating sneezes that never materialize - possibly the most irritating feeling ever.
My weeks with those little bastards were pretty good – challenging and exhausting, but well worth it. What I have surmised from my very limited and totally un-random sample of the middle school population is that 12 year olds, by and large, are bright but incurably lazy, sensitive but hateful, enthusiastic but unmotivated, and decidedly hormonal. People literally gag when I say I plan to teach middle school, but screw them, I like a challenge.
Now I’m back to the 9 – 5 swing of things, I feel entirely out of place, which I suppose is a good sign. Guess I just need to develop an iron-clad immune system and I'll be good to go.
3 comments:
Hot Toddies? What are those?
I recommend putting chap stick on your nose, wrong as it may seem. And some eucalyptus oil is always a nice touch. One of those things that makes you feel momentarily better, but probably isn't REALLY doing anything.
And you go get those middle schoolers! Someone's gotta do it!
Hot Toddy - Hot water, honey, wedge of lemon, cinnamon, and 1 or 2 shots of whiskey.
My dad calls them his "treatments" and swears by their all-mighty power to fend off illness.
Getsa bedda Mawra, and keep dreenking thems Hot Toddies- Keith Richahdz iz nevah sick!
Post a Comment