I've been observing in a junior high art class which has been the best part of most of my days. My desire to teach & hang out with junior high kids & decorate my classroom & have teacher friends & wear teacher clothes & lalalalalala grows every time I observe. This morning, however, was absolutely the worst. Typically if I wake up late for something my first go to thought is to skip whatever it is I am needing to attend (in high hopes I could just make it up at another time). This nasty morning didn't give me that option. I was teaching the lesson. It's not typical that I would be teaching at this point in my observation but my teacher is the absolute best & lets me do anything.
So, I wake up late, missed the makeup and shower ritual & went directly to my closet. I pulled on my black slacks and one of my blouses with a hint of pink- an ensemble that highlighted my tired eyes. Even my fake polished everyday diamond earrings refused to give me a little shine. The mirror had no problem confirming on the outward how tired I was on the inward. Perhaps a colored scarf would boost my desperate need for attraction. In two minutes I was out the door. I ran to my car, spent 15 minutes scraping the ice from my windshield and silently mocked every person that was able to get through the green lights before me. I am not a weak multi tasker. I was stuffing down the most important meal of the day, reciting what I was to teach on over and over, and ignoring the teachers who wear yelling at me throughout the halls (because "Oh, I'm so sorry I thought you were a student") All at the same time.
I wiped away the breakfast from my face, pulled my belt less pants to rest back on my hips and took a deep sigh of relief as I looked at the clock. RIGHT ON TIME. I opened the door and dropped my overload of books and sketches on my desk. Before I had the chance to look up, a strangers voice interrupted my thoughts. "Can I help you?"
There was a substitute who made clear that he "was not prepared for early morning visitors."
The kids were already coloring and set. Apparently, I was not mentioned in the subs notes.... so I sat there and watched the kids color a coloring sheet (which is something that my kids will never ever do).
The rush was entirely pointless. So, I went to the teachers lounge and got myself a cup of coffee, threw some makeup on my colorless face and went back to color effortless coloring sheets with the kids. I'm at the point were I can remember every ones names but that day... I got to hear a little bit about their lives.
The morning was not wasted.
