Weeks 8 & 9?: I don't know, I'm losing count...

It's been two weeks since my last post and for that I apologize. The late October/early November lazy blues got a hold of me and haven't let go.

These past several days have been good. I hate to say it, but I feel like I'm starting to wear down. I hate to say it because real teachers do this from August to May, and I've only been in here a couple of months. I'm weak. Surely, I'll build up the necessary stamina to teach year round. Right? Anyway, for those of you who think teaching is a "soft" profession because we get summers off, YOU, ARE, WRONG. (I recognize that improper use of commas.) Teachers EARN those three months. And even then, they're still attending seminars, conferences, training, etc. Plus, try corralling a room full of seven year-olds 6+ hours a day. This is tough stuff.

Graduation is so close, I can smell it. It smells like tassels and hope. I hope they don't play "Raiders of the Lost Ark" again. And I hope that people throw their hats and do other traditional graduation stuff. Hey people, I'm throwing my cap. Join the party.

I was observed again today. I always think I do horribly, but then find out, "Hey, I didn't do so bad." Thanks Mrs. Bridges.

As I was leaving the education job fair at SAGU on Wednesday, I jokingly mentioned that I want a job in Hawaii to Beverly Robinson, the Career Services director. Without missing a beat, she said, "I have a contact in Maui. I'll send you the information." Teaching in Maui? Hmmm...

Anecdotal Records

I've had so many hilarious things happen in the past two weeks, that I don't have room to share it all. I've also told and retold a few of these, so if you've heard them, sorry.

- Highlight/Lowlight of the week: So, I've more or less started playing kickball with the second graders. I love kickball, and I love feeling good at something. So, I play kickball with seven year-olds. Anyway, one day last week this kid kicks the ball into the outfield. It was a low-liner, so I didn't really have a shot at catching it, but I caught it on a couple of bounces. I knew this kid was headed home, so I whirl around and HEAVE this ball towards home plate, hoping to get him out. It was a perfect throw. I don't know if I have ever thrown a more perfect kickball in my life. It was perfectly online with the plate and I KNEW this kid was toast. Then, this innocent little girl walked between home plate and the path that kickball was hastily making toward home. She didn't even see it coming. I caught her square in the back of the head with the hardest throw I could manage. At first, I was worried that I hurt her. Then, I got mad that she walked in front of my throw. I mean, C'MON! That was a once in a lifetime throw and she blocked with her head! Anyway, I checked to make sure she was okay. She was, except I bruised her dignity a little. But, man, that was a great throw...

- One more kickball story. Earlier this week, a kid was kicking and lined a shot right into the face of this other kid standing about 10 feet away on the foul line. The first thing out of the kicker's mouth was, "So, is that foul....or what?" I cracked up.

- Early Tuesday morning, Student J comes up to me and says, "Mr. Puffer, I love your hair. Like, no really, I really like your hair." Strange, I don't usually get hair compliments. Later in the day, while standing in line, he said,"I just can't get over your hair!" Funniest kid in the class. Makes me laugh on a daily basis.

That's it for this week. There will only be a few more entries since the semester is winding down.

Disclaimer: I didn't proofread this. It's late.