Good Afternoon, Baltimore

The Baltimore Orioles played their first home game of the season today. There were many years that I made the journey from my residence in the DC area for the opening day game. Even though I have lived in the DC area for almost 40 years, I'm always a Baltimore girl at heart.

I drove right past Camden Yards this afternoon after taking my mom to a doctor's appointment. Even if I couldn't make it to the game, it was nice to be in the area. Everywhere I turned Oriole pride was on full display. The nursing staff all had their orange on today, as did my sister and niece when they headed to their respective schools for a day of teaching.

I listened to the game on the radio as I drove back to DC this afternoon. I turned it on when I got home as well, but I made sure to put on my new Orioles shirt, too.

Today's score? Orioles- 8, Red Sox- 5

Memories

 

Finding my way to my own classroom in Arlington wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.  For some reason, I was good enough to student-teach in Arlington.  I was good enough to work as a long-term substitute in Arlington.  Arlington Public Schools even thought I was good enough to teach summer school.  But over and over, I wasn’t good enough to get the classroom job I wanted.

 

Finally, in August of 1993, someone said yes.

 

Yes, came over the phone after I nervously called from the lobby of a hotel in Scranton, PA.  A week before, my best friend’s father had died.  In that week, I had sat by the side of a grieving friend and, apparently, finally said the right thing in an interview.  Talk about some highs and lows.

Thirty-two years later, I’m thankful for my persistence.

 

I’m thankful that my introverted self kept trying to land that job all while facing numerous speed bumps along the way.

 

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease, Mary.”

 

That’s what my extroverted friend, Betsy, told me.   So, squeak I did.  I stopped waiting for personnel to call me with jobs to interview for.  I broke the stated rules and started calling schools myself.

 

Whaddya know- it worked.  After being told over and over that I didn’t have enough experience teaching a diverse population, I landed a job teaching 27 challenging 5th graders in a very undiverse elementary school. (Along with their distrust of a first-year teacher and involved parents.)

I made it through year one with a few bumps, tears, and puke stains on my shoes, but I survived.  And I grew as a teacher.  I learned quickly that the classroom I was managing was in no way like the classroom I had sat in as a student.  All those youthful pretend games of school didn’t prepare me for the real thing.  My degree only prepared me for the curriculum.  I'd have to figure out how to manage students, parents, and colleagues on my own.

 

Fortunately, I wasn’t completely on my own.  I was gifted with the best co-teacher and educational mentor one could ask for.  Catherine Reising-Jones listened to my ideas, worked with me through my frustrations, and taught me more about working with 5th graders than I’d ever learn in a classroom.  We weren’t quite equals when we started out together- her years of experience in the classroom and mentoring spirit were the lift I needed during year one.  Catherine taught me to appreciate a great working relationship among colleagues.  Kids come and go, but the work the adults of the school do together is what creates a safe learning environment.

 

Oh, and the kids.  Yeah, I’ve learned a helluva lot from them as well.

I’ve learned...

 

1. If a kid says he’s going to throw up, believe him and get out of the way, quickly.

2. Raising my volume does not lower the volume of the class.

3. Boys are more likely to cry in school than girls.

4. The best-planned lessons don’t always work out like they should- abandon them as needed. (Quickly!)

5. Kids who do ridiculous things and then tell you they don’t know why they did it aren’t kidding.  They really don’t know.

6. Kids and parents say unkind things.  Try your best not to take it personally.  (Sometimes that’s hard.)

...and so much more.

All in all, the last thirty-two years have been fun.  Some days are more fun than others, but fortunately, when I look back, the first memories that come to my mind involve smiles, laughter, and fun.

It’s hard to ask for more out of something called work.

 

 

Damn This Traffic Jam

I ran out for a quick errand earlier this afternoon. Everywhere I turned, I ran into traffic, much more traffic than I'm used to on a Saturday.

Heading home, I considered taking a local commuter highway to speed up the return trip. I bailed when I saw what looked like a parking lot of cars on 66.

I meandered through the back streets of Arlington, which I know so well, and was treated to the pinks, reds, and yellows of spring in full bloom.

Eventually, I merged onto 395 South toward the Shirlington exit that takes me home. Cars in the northbound lane into DC were practically stopped, just like they were on 66 East before.  

It's such a beautiful day, where in the heck is everyone going, I thought.      

And then I remembered. 

The Cherry Blossoms are in peak bloom. 

I can't even imagine where all the cars that seem to be heading into DC will park. However, I'm sure it will be a fantastic sight for those who have the patience and the luck of finding a place to park.

Ghost in the Machine

It was about six months after I had a new ceiling fan installed that the problems began. 

I woke up on a Saturday morning earlier than needed because the light was on over my bed. I fumbled around for the remote and turned it off, all while wondering how it got turned on.

My sister stayed with me that weekend, so when I went downstairs, I asked, "Did you turn on my light to wake me up?"    

I didn't think that was the case, and it wasn't.

Months went by, and I often switched off a fan or light that I had never turned on.

Eventually, I realized someone else in my condo complex must have the same fan with a remote set on the same radio frequency (RF) setting.

I asked my neighbors, "Did you have a new fan installed recently?"

Everyone said no.

Then, one Friday evening, I was out front talking with my new neighbor, Beth. She was telling me all about the strange behavior of the overhead fan in her bedroom.

"It just turns on," she said, "I don't understand it."

I smiled, "I know exactly what the problem is!"

I schooled her on the subject of radio frequencies and factory settings. The fix would be easy- just change the RF setting on the fan and the remote.

Actually, that part isn't that easy. It involves dropping the fan, pulling out the RF box, and making the adjustment. I mean it's easy for an electrician, not as easy for me.

Today, I had an electrician install a new AC unit. Brian is a friendly guy, who shows up when he says he will and cleans up any mess he makes.

He's so friendly that he dropped the fan and changed the RF for free.

Did you know there's actually a National Brian Day?

Officially, it's on March 6, but it seems like today is a great day to celebrate too.

Some Sort of Itis

The medical assistant led me into exam room 1 and said, "I'm just going to get some information from you before the doctor comes in."

I knew the drill. I've been a frequent flyer at the orthopedic office for many years. 

"So, it's your wrist? What do you think it is?"

I let out a little laugh, "Well, I'm going to say it's some kind of 'itis'- tendonitis or arthritis."

My favorite doctor came in a little later and moved my hand and wrist in all kinds of directions. He then sent me off to the x-ray room to get "some film."

The results came back quickly and the doctor returned to go over the X-rays with me.

"Yup, it looks like Arthur got you. As you predicted, it's arthritis."

Apparently, arthritis runs in my family because it seems like ever since I turned 50 that diagnosis comes up often.

Doctor M. prescribed some anti-inflammatories, injected some cortisone in the joint to calm it down, and sent me on my way.

"As always, thank you," I smiled,  "Hopefully, you won't see me again too soon."

Waiting

March carries on, and all I can think is, How long until Spring Break?

I remember looking at the calendar in the fall. My eyes glazed over when I saw that Spring Break wouldn't start until Saturday, April 12. Certainly, this has to be one of the latest dates for Spring Break in my 32 years of teaching.

One thing I've learned is how crazy the next few weeks will be. It's unclear if my students even know when our break will begin. Just today, I remarked that we have a 4-day week next week. Hands shot up, and a chorus of "Wait, what?" followed.

Yes, if they are surprised to find out that Monday is a holiday for Eid, imagine how surprised they'll be a mere 9 school days later when they find out it is finally time for Spring Break.

The Sound of Silence

One thing I love about my house is the quietness. Even now, as I sit here I can close my eyes and pinpoint each sound I hear.

I hear Alice behind me, scratching on the scratching post, and then the soft touch of her paws as she jumps down and strolls up the stairs to see what's happening out front. Edgar is by my side, sitting meatloaf style on the arm of the sofa. We disagree on this, but he prefers to use the arm for his scratching post. I hear the weight of his body resettling into position as he turns around on the couch.

By turning around, he gets a better look out the window so he can investigate the other thing we all hear- so many different kinds of birds chirping outside. A ruffle of activity in the hedge outside the back window has all heads turning. Is it the wind or a sparrow?

Listening is a wonderful meditative activity. It allows me to leave the noise and chaos of middle school behind and focus on the smaller, quieter world in my house and backyard.