Good Things This Week

[Guest guest]

Another week from HELL! Five weeks on strike, going into week six. This

is such a stressful time for us right now. We feel like all of a sudden

everyone hates us and we haven't done anything to deserve it. Oh well.

Life goes on!

So here are the GOOD things that happened this week!

10. I was sitting at a table outside Costco enjoying a fat-free frozen

yogurt (4 points) when I overheard the lady at the table next to me rant

about " throwing all those greedy teachers in jail. " Instead of ignoring

her, or making a snide comment, I turned to her calmly and said " We are

two of those teachers you would like to see in jail. Would you like to

hear our side? " We explained to her all of the things left out of the

media coverage (which is very district-biased) and explained that as

individuals, we have no power to end the strike. In the end the entire

family was thanking us and wishing us good luck. It felt good to stand

up to it.

9. The next day we were in a restaurant ($3.95 lunch specials...what a

treat) and overheard someone going on about how teachers were offered a

10% raise and refused it. This is, of course, completely untrue. I

wanted to put my head down and cry. The person sitting with this woman

corrected her, explained what was REALLY happening. Yay! We wanted to

pay for her lunch because she was so supportive, but can't afford it

right now.

8. There is a house that I drive by every day that puts a pro-teacher

sentiment on a large chalkboard. It always makes me feel a little better

about a horrible situation.

7. Roy and I needed to get away this weekend so we packed the dogs in

the car and went to his parents' cabin. We played games, read books,

took long hikes, and watched DVDs.

6. I work with a wonderfully supportive staff. When I was having a

horrible day on Thursday they rallied around me with care. The next day

I was able to return the favor for some other people.

5. I have faith that this will be the last week of the strike.

4. Friday night was Oktoberfest (big football game where the clubs all

have booths selling things). My FBLA officers planned a fundraiser with

their parents (since we are not allowed to do anything with our kids at

all right now). I was able to attend and hang out with my kids. I felt

almost giddy as I sat and laughed and talked with them. NONE of my

students are negative about this situation. ALL of them have been caring

and supportive. A few drop by two or three times a week to visit us.

What would I do without these kids? I have been thinking more than ever

about seriously leaving teaching, but after Friday night I remember why

I am a teacher.

3. A former classmate followed me into the restroom Friday night and we

caught up, had a long talk. She had been dealing with a weight issue

herself and she said that her and her daughters (I had had one of them

in my class a few years ago) had read through my website and they found

it very inspiring. I had one of her daughters, Roy had the other. I was

able to tell her how much meant to Roy (she stepped in to take a

role in the school play when another girl dropped out and did a

wonderful job, this was all during the time when I was really sick). I

also was able to tell her how much I had enjoyed Chelsea. (She was

afraid she'd been a problem for me. She hadn't. She was a wonderful

kid.)

2. I went on a 2 1/2 hour hike this morning and wasn't even tired when I

returned. The exercise felt great, it was a beautiful, misty fall day.

We sat by the lake for awhile and listened to the frogs and birds. It

was just so peaceful and amazing.

1. I saw an AWESOME movie last night with my honey. We watched " Frida "

on DVD. Very very good. We also watched " A Mighty Wind " for the third

time this morning, listening to the commentary. I love sharing movies

with a wonderful, intelligent man. We cuddled together, ate popcorn, and

then had a long talk about the movie when it was over. It was a good

weekend.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'

Tory Klementsen, MCP A+

Career and Technology Educator

www.teechur.com

www.msteechur.com

-The successful person will do the things that the unsuccessful person

will not.