Detox and relaxation

It's Spring Break for me after all. We didn't do much today - just slept in and I took an amazing long shower (travel shoulders needed it!). We then went to brunch at a friend-of-a-friends amazing little cafe called "Taloolas"* where I had a great cup of organic free-trade coffee and a toasted panini proscuitto sandwich. My friend and I chatted about religion and life while the adorable little towhead next to us threw baby bottles at us.

We took the long route down along the Detroit River (Canadian side) and saw one of the smallest Great Lakes, St. Claire, and then went shopping at the mall. Perhaps it's not that great, but most of the choices are different from what we have in Atlanta so I managed to spend some money and start wondering how I will fit it all in my suitcase. I really did need those H&M black linen pants... I'd been looking for them for a long time...

We dropped by some friends of my hostess and I was delighted beyond words - both the parents in the house (4 kids) are artists of no small creative talent. Their little bungalow was crowded to the extremes with knick-knacks, art and paintings from around the world. The "man of the house" had a beard that reminded me of an ancient Viking combined with a lover of Star Wars (and yes much of his work had that theme :)). He took us outside to his fenced-in back yard where he does what he calls "mud work" - he takes mud and makes delightful fanciful wall hangings such as alligators, the god Pan, frogs, snakes, etc. He had his own pizza oven sitting on his eclectic marble-and-stone patio, and then started talking about not having taken a shower inside for a month. We walked around the corner and found a large hand-made shower! It was decorated with a sea-theme and tiles, and plenty of room. As we left I could only shake my head and wonder if the kids had a clue of how amazing their parents were.

We went back home (not without a delightful stop at Tim Horton's*) where I journaled and surfed travel buddies (so much more fun when you are actually traveling), while my poor hostess stressed over lesson plans. I'm on vacation! Somehow watching someone else stress out when I don't have to lets me detox even more.

Arrival in Detroit and Intro to Windsor

I arrived in Detroit’s tiny airport (I am so proud of Atlanta) and picked up my bags without any problem. My friend picked me up in her tiny Jetta and we drove through Detroit’s Mexican town and I watched the Lebonese. The Canadian Border Guard took my passport and asked how much my ticket cost?? J and suddenly we were in the quaint village of skateboarders. I soon discovered they are very modern and diverse, full of Lebonese, Poles, Italians, Serbs, French, Brits, not to mention Americans and the Canadians. The accent is fun – bump into someone and you’ll hear the adorable “sOrrry” that makes me realize I’m in the land of Anne of Green Gables.
We went to a great Asian place for dinner – “Chanosso’s” where I had their “Asian fajita wrap” with sautéed veggies, cheese, marinated chicken, in a grilled tortilla. We walked around searching for a pub where we didn’t have to wait in line (apparently since the Canadian drinking age is 19, all the American teens from Detroit come over here). It was a little chilly with the wind coming off the Detroit River, so I was glad when we ducked into the eclectic club “The Loop” for their famous (potent) “purple drink” and pool tables, lazers, disco ball, and dancing. It was generally a pretty young local crowd, but it was a fun experience. It started to fill up as we left at about midnight, but we were wiped out. I’ll try to take pictures on Monday when I take out on foot to explore…

My Day

5:00 - hit snooze, choosing sleep over shower (had one yesterday, anyway!)
5:15 - snooze button
5:30 - slowly made coffee and pulled half of my closet out onto the bed
6:21 - listened to angry girl music on the ride into down (huge grin)
7:00 - grabbed a coffee at Perk Place (another smiley face)
7:05 - Set up classroom, pretended to think about putting some grades in. Called downstairs to talk to a parent instead.
7:40 - 160 "precious" screaming children arrive to socialize around thier lockers
7:50 - the battle has begun.
3:55 - Escorted 160 "precious" screaming children outside with thier (PTA???) candy to run in screaming circles and ignore buses and parents.
4:15 - Parent Conference #1. Very glad I had my documentation, for this child does no wrong.
4:55 - Parent Conference #2. Smoother than #1, but still long.
5:30 - Began grades.
6:00 - Swallowed 2 Cherry Coke Zeros.
8:30 - Left the building, listening to my city mix (rap, rebellious guys, and trance)
9:15 - got home, warmed up some soup.
10:30 - theoretically (asleep).

Long day. :)

Copy room and late night allies

Into the throes of my first-year teaching, I have little time to write now. I easily spent over 60 hours at school last week – arriving no later than 7, and leaving no sooner than 5 (one night I stayed until 9!). No, I’m sure many first-year teachers leave sooner and are more organized – for me, however, I feel like a mom who has finally found quiet and time to finish project when her children are in bed. As I become more organized and develop more of a system, I hope to start leaving school at a normal time.

I’ve made some allies, however – the math teacher down the hall, Ms. D____, often stays as late or later than I do. I bumped into the new (also first-year teacher) 7th grade social studies teacher, Ms. A____, the other morning in the copy room. We laughed about how she always sees my van in the parking lot. “It’s good to know I’m not the only person who has to work so much!” As we rushed off to our rooms, I was once again comforted.

I’m not alone.
Others have been here.
I will survive.