School is getting to be a bit trying, I'm very much ready for the coming Christmas break. Thursday is Thanksgiving, which is a nice little break, but I'd rather have a longer Christmas break then a few days in the middle of it all. It's very frustrating. Kids are fine, just a lot of baggage coming from them and I am having a hard time 'trying' (get it, from above...) to manage. You would not believe how much drama can be in a middle school classroom!
With all my stress, plus the stress of managing some kiddos problemos, I feel I've been a pretty consistent sicko (meaning, I've been sick). I had this horrible mucus cough a couple of weeks ago that managed to clear up on its own. And now, not to get into too much detail, I've got a belly button infection! You may be asking yourself, 'that happens?' Yes, it does happen. I went to the nurse at school yesterday and explained; she knew exactly. She said that living in the tropics comes with a lot of those ailments. She said it would clear up with some Neosporin-like creme. She then said, "Welcome to Panama!"
We went on another Outreach orphanage trip this past Wednesday. I feel I've been having an inner battle with this. On one hand I feel that it's very important to be there (just be there) for those kids, they need interaction (which is very true) and it is pleasing to God. On the other hand, when I get there I can be jovial and lively, but I'd just rather not be. I like little kids, but I'm frustrated that I can't really speak to them and they understand, that when I push them (on a swing) or play with them I still don't feel happy and that, occasionally, they pee in their pants and we still have to play with them like that. I think a part of me feels so much pity and sadness for these kids that the other part of me has shut down. Needless to say, I don't really enjoy going. This past time I had picked up a little girl and had her sitting on my lap; she hardly moved at all, just sat there, leaning back on me. When it was time to go I had to set her down, but she wanted to be held. She cried, strained her arms and even attempted to climb me. She wrapped herself around my leg and just bawled. I kept saying "If we're supposed to leave, can we leave, please," but no one seemed to be in a rush.
The middle school teachers gave out a harsh punishment this past week, a student came into my room and permanent markered over my white board. She was able to get most of it off. After some consideration we have decided she will be cleaning toilets. Our measly lunch detentions, where nothing happens, is not deterring bad behavior. This should be interesting.
I am eager to be home and irritated when I look at the calendar and realize it's not as soon as I would like. I just need a break.
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| Here are the cutting ninjas/Despicable Me sidekicks |
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| Gotham...err, I mean Panama City from a mountain I hiked |
