resignation

I keep staring at the paperwork that, handed in, means I won't be a teacher anymore.

PETA has officially gone...more insane than they were before. Did you know that fish are also known as "sea kittens"?

The good thing about kids is that they're so demanding that they take your mind off of other stuff.

I'm clumsy?

It was my first day home, and I was making my way down Julie's steep, windy, wooden staircase when I somehow lost footing and crash-landed on my ass. I sort of slid/bounced down the rest of the flight, which, luckily, I had already managed to mostly navigate, and ended up on the floor. Really, it's amazing that this was the first time I've slipped on her stairs, because Julie's lived there for 2.5 years, and that sort of staircase is normally the type that has my name written on it, with a big red bow, in a box labeled "Death Wish."

That was only the beginning of the day. Later that night I drove out to Lancaster with my brother and his friends, and unfortunately, about a half inch of pure ice had accumulated on the ground. I knew it was going to be bad when I got out of the car, but managed to make it inside ok. The crash came when we went back outside and I slipped on the last step to the driveway. This time I managed to hit my back on the very steps I had tripped on-they were made of brick, if I remember right-and ended up on the ground again. Then, just to top it all off, I fell going from the curb to the car.

The bruise on my butt is enormous, and Julie says it looks like Kentucky. I don't know about that, but I do know that it hurts to sit and that my whole body was sore for 48 hours, including every muscle in my arms and back. I guess I must have tensed up each time it happened, and by the third time my body was just done. And probably really confused.

What really frustrates me is that I have a history of doing this. I have fallen in way too many major US cities: Philadelphia, DC, Seattle, Vegas, New York (twice in Manhattan-both were pretty spectacular), and Boston, and even an international one. Most of these falls have occurred while I was just walking. Some have involved a flight of stairs, but the majority just take place when I'm going about my daily business, usually while I'm with someone who has no idea about my balance-impairment and who doesn't know whether to laugh or be concerned. I can't blame people for laughing because let's face it, watching people fall is funny. However, I am genuinely worried that one of these days I am going to seriously hurt myself.

I guess, though, that when it comes down to it, I can't spend my life avoiding stairs and curbs. Any little pothole could be lurking, and I've got two good legs that I'm grateful to be able to use. Just know, though, that the next time you see someone bite the dust in front of you, it's nice to offer a solicitous gesture of some type-a help up, an "Are you ok?"- and try not to laugh too hard.

The beginning of the snow

From the Clark County School District Website:

No school Thursday due to bad weather

Wednesday December 17, 2008 - General

Due to weather conditions and for the safety of students, all Clark County School District schools will be closed tomorrow (Thursday). Students should not report to campus. All administrators, 12-month employees, and office staff should report to work as usual. Teachers and other classroom employees are not expected to report to work since a makeup day may be scheduled later in the year.

If you haven't read

stuffwhitepeoplelike.com, you definitely should. I love the voice the authors use, the scientist-examining-white-people-as-some-exotic-species perspective. I can definitely relate to #108, Appearing to Enjoy Classical Music.

I tried the easy set of practice math problems or the GRE, and it made me fear for my survival on Saturday. At least counselors generally don't have to use algebra.