A few weeks ago, I mentioned to someone an observation I had always made when I was in grade school, and today, it is no different:It always rains on the first day of school.
This has never failed, at least for me. As a kid, I always associated a rainy first day as the end to all of my summer fun. I always felt rainy days personified the mood: sad and gloomy. Out with the beach days, barbecues, and late nights, and in with 10 months of early starts, consuming homework, dreadful teachers, and gag-inducing lunch food.
However, I can't say that I share the same feelings about school as I did then. What I'd give to go back to high school; the things I'd do differently!
I would have particularly valued my student/teacher relationships a bit more. I was only really close with one teacher, and she was my art teacher for six years.
It's funny how as a child, one never really sees a teacher as a person, but rather, a robot. I remember having the image that they never left the school building and did nothing but teach, and when the students left the building, their batteries would shut down for recharging, to be prepared for the next day.
Leslie Barham was my art teacher. She is a wonderful woman. I briefly tried my hand at teaching art, and it's not as easy as it looks. I appreciate the fact that this woman can look past the fact that many of her students are only in there for an "easy A." She can look at each student as engaging and brilliant, and take the chance to take what she enjoys, turn it around and expand their knowledge and show
them something they would have otherwise not found worthwhile. I think her seeing them as engaging and brilliant is a most effective and powerful way to create success in the classroom while providing a positive contribution to the general population growth.How information gets through to a human is one thing, and how they interpret that information is another. Teachers not only have a responsibility to make their material sound interesting, they also have to make learning interesting. Teachers have to hold the attention of twenty plus kids/teenagers for hours and hours almost everyday, for most of an entire year, year after year.
It's certainly an occupation worth admiring.
And just when you thought robot teachers was a far-fetched childish idea, think again. Those crazy Japanese are always two steps ahead. :)
~/~
If I can leave with anything new to learn from this rampaged random page of randomness, it's to pay attention to coincidences, I guess? Go with the flow.It's 12:14 in the afternoon, and I'm still sitting in my underwear. Dark gray underwear, in case you were curious.
Numb.
That's what I feel like right now. People say I look tired or bored [or mad] whenever they catch me off guard. I think it's because my street self is way more subdued than my me-self that it throws them off and makes them think I'm sad or something.
I’m rarely DEEPLY sad. Anymore, at least.
There's no reason to expend energy on glum. I'm tired of feeling that way. Instead, when I need some time away from everything, I get numb. It's my way of putting information on hold until I get comfortable with where I am and why I am. It’s not a negative numb. It is a way of coping with the hype and the hope from everyone involved with me. Going numb for a while allows you to look around inside you to find out whether or not you believe in everything they're telling you, and everything you're telling yourself.
I just want to make safe and practical decisions and be honest throughout the process of life. I want to let everyone in on the ride.
No secrets.
No scams.
No cheating.
No deceiving.
I just want there to be good old-fashioned blogs posted whenever I choose about whatever I choose. Even if the blog is about the blog itself, following the boring, “This is what I did today” section. I think numb happens from caring too much about others until your body says slow down and care for yourself.
Regardless of what I choose to write about, or not choose to write about, life will always continue to be gorgeous. And even though the sun isn't out and my view of the trees and houses outside my window has been something I've looked at for years and years, I'm quite pleased with the still life of my imagination. Everything is always on schedule and the minutes never cease to blow my mind.
Yesterday, I had one of those, “I can't believe it's September" moments and looked blindly back across the months before this one. So much has happened. As much as not much has happened.
I read something just recently. It's inspirational, and after these last few months, I feel that's the only way to be. I think.
It said, “Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...holy expletive...what a ride!"
And I guess that about sums it up. I should learn to enjoy the sideways skid, correcting the position at the last possible minute to make whatever, happen, as it should. The overall outlook should forever remain carefree and spontaneous so that these rainy days sneak up on us and feel like pleasant rewards.
I'm sure the view from wherever you are is as gorgeous as mine, whether sideways or in line. Just turn your head the opposite if you can't see it. Even for only a second.
Have your fun and bring others along if you get the chance. It's a simple philosophy and I figured it best to share it and let you elaborate on it and make it better than mine. You take what you want from it, whether you hurried to get here or not. We are where we are and it's gorgeous no matter what.
No matter the color of our underwear.
No matter the weather conditions.
No matter the make and model of our teachers.
You have to admit: life is wonderful.
Even on sad, gloomy, rainy days, I think we can all find a reason to smile.
Numb.
That's what I feel like right now. People say I look tired or bored [or mad] whenever they catch me off guard. I think it's because my street self is way more subdued than my me-self that it throws them off and makes them think I'm sad or something.
I’m rarely DEEPLY sad. Anymore, at least.
There's no reason to expend energy on glum. I'm tired of feeling that way. Instead, when I need some time away from everything, I get numb. It's my way of putting information on hold until I get comfortable with where I am and why I am. It’s not a negative numb. It is a way of coping with the hype and the hope from everyone involved with me. Going numb for a while allows you to look around inside you to find out whether or not you believe in everything they're telling you, and everything you're telling yourself.
I just want to make safe and practical decisions and be honest throughout the process of life. I want to let everyone in on the ride.
No secrets.
No scams.
No cheating.
No deceiving.
I just want there to be good old-fashioned blogs posted whenever I choose about whatever I choose. Even if the blog is about the blog itself, following the boring, “This is what I did today” section. I think numb happens from caring too much about others until your body says slow down and care for yourself.
Regardless of what I choose to write about, or not choose to write about, life will always continue to be gorgeous. And even though the sun isn't out and my view of the trees and houses outside my window has been something I've looked at for years and years, I'm quite pleased with the still life of my imagination. Everything is always on schedule and the minutes never cease to blow my mind.
Yesterday, I had one of those, “I can't believe it's September" moments and looked blindly back across the months before this one. So much has happened. As much as not much has happened.
I read something just recently. It's inspirational, and after these last few months, I feel that's the only way to be. I think.
It said, “Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...holy expletive...what a ride!"
And I guess that about sums it up. I should learn to enjoy the sideways skid, correcting the position at the last possible minute to make whatever, happen, as it should. The overall outlook should forever remain carefree and spontaneous so that these rainy days sneak up on us and feel like pleasant rewards.
I'm sure the view from wherever you are is as gorgeous as mine, whether sideways or in line. Just turn your head the opposite if you can't see it. Even for only a second.
Have your fun and bring others along if you get the chance. It's a simple philosophy and I figured it best to share it and let you elaborate on it and make it better than mine. You take what you want from it, whether you hurried to get here or not. We are where we are and it's gorgeous no matter what.
No matter the color of our underwear.
No matter the weather conditions.
No matter the make and model of our teachers.
You have to admit: life is wonderful.
Even on sad, gloomy, rainy days, I think we can all find a reason to smile.
Let it happen. Let people in. Take a chance.
People who appear in our lives for the simplest of reasons usually offer us unexpected pleasures, and the best clues on what to do with our lives, whether they be teachers, friends, or intriguing new acquaintances. Those connections make up the music and art of today, remind us of our youth, and keep us believing that happiness may be just a sideways skid around the next corner.
love. peace.
Have you smiled today? If not, this has yet to fail me:
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