Hmmm...so tonight I feel kind of angsty/emotional. My doubts have doubts. My anxieties are anxious. My stubbornness feels stubborn.
Haha. :0)
Well, it is kind of the beginning of a new chapter as 3 lovely ladies (all good friends of my husband and me) moved downstairs in the duplex. I have never lived in a community house and so far I am enjoying it but I'm also seeing how it can be stressful and a little iffy on boundaries. We will have a meeting to talk about all such things but at this time they are still unpacking and we're busy people. All in all, it's really a blessing and I'm looking forward to all the good times to come which I believe will proportionally increase by the number of friends living "together" (we are still separated but the stairwell is open between us and we share a yard, etc, not too mention we're just all friends!).
So as a new chapter opens, another closes; that being my time as a preschool teacher at a preschool which shall remain nameless (to protect myself as well as those I was working with/for). Haha. Yes, I never wrote about it here but trust me that I have stories. I was tempted to blabber about some of the very terrible mishaps as well as just about the kids (who are always more charming than adults it seems). One more recent episode I shall have to recount: this lady who is quite possibly closing in on 80 and probably has a weak case of alzheimers (I am not joking) told me, after I was giving a suggestion on how to deal with a behavior problem, very loudly (yelling): "Mind your own bizwax!" Yes, bizwax. The children all thought this was the most hilarious word known to them from their birth to this point in their short lives and erupted into laughter. I was so thankful for that laughter because it completely diffused the tension and the little old lady firecracker who had spat it out. She walked away muttering, "What? You've really never heard that before?"
The children repeated it over and over again for the next half hour. It was actually quite comical. So glad for children and laughter.
On a much more positive spin I had my last day this week working there regularly. I may come back to substitute every now and then, we'll see how it goes. I am thankful that they valued me as an employee anyway. So, on my last day I gave the children all little white puzzles that they could draw on/color on and make into their own puzzle and a couple of darling stickers (one cartoonish owls and one realistic butterflies). I loved giving to them and they all seemed to love it too.
AND, I had favorites (those teachers who say they don't are complete and utter liars!). :0)
I will miss these children the most of all:
Anya: Little Trinidadian American girl, 6 and a half. She was tad on the chubby side but not too much. She really stood out to me because of her spirit and spunk. She was almost always one of the first ones to raise her hand to answer a question/volunteer. Also, I don't think she ever forgot to say please. That stands out. She was a bit overpowering to others, really, but such a fun girl. I know she will have to learn to control her loudness/temper (occasionally) but she will and then she will be so lovely (as she already is). Just a fun girl.
Lily Belle: A lot like Anya in some ways - very stubborn/assertive. She was five (golden age). She had light brown hair and blue eyes and was just a little beauty but in girl rugby player type way (I don't know if that makes sense, but, lol). She was feisty and sweet at the same time. I remember when she got dressed up to go with her grandma to see the play "Annie" -- at the time she just knew she was going somewhere special and it was some kind of party probably. I helped her get dressed (supervising) and she picked out the flounciest ballerina type orange skirt. Then I got to put a little jeweled bobby pin in her hair. Priceless. When she came back she said she was in the play. Silly girl.
Ashrith: The cutest little Indian American boy. Probably not more than three and a half. He had an older sister who is four and a half. The best thing about Ashrith is that a lot of days when I came in he would shout, "Kimberly!" in his adorable accent and then come give me a little hug half way on my leg. Ha. Once he got over his shyness, he was very eager to participate. It was pretty cool to see the transformation that occurred while I was there in regard to him being around his sister. His sister is much more reserved than he is but when I was first there he would follow his sister around like her shadow. He would practically cry if she left his side. We encouraged him to sit apart from his sister but it was very, very hard for him. However, by the time that I left (a couple of months really) he was fine playing with other kids (mainly the older boys) and doing everything apart from his sister. I was so glad for him!
