The Earth shook on both coasts this past week: the quake in Napa and me walking into a
college classroom for the first time in 25 years. I didn’t cause damage to buildings or destroy barrels of expensive
wine. Although putting a dent in a
bottle of wine did cross my mind several times.
As I was leaving the office to attend my first class, my
co-workers jokingly asked if I had my peanut butter sandwich for recess and
hoped all the kiddies would play nice with the new kid. I have been terrified they would not.
Entering the classroom a little early and seeing a
semi-circle of desk set my heart racing.
You can’t hide very well in that type of set up. The instructor sees all faces. I knew ahead of time from the classroom
assignment that it was a small sized room; you can be slightly unseen if the
desk are in normal rows. I just didn’t
want to stand out any more than necessary.
It’s not my style.
As students began to fill the desk, the instructor scanned
the semicircle, back and forth. Her eyes
never resting on one particular person.
At one point I thought she did a double take when looking at me. Maybe it was just me being overly sensitive of
the fact that I am 30 plus years older than the average student. It’s completely obvious, if only to me. Again,
me feeling out of place and being that “girl”.
Introductions were made and the first assignment began,
students had to interview each other. Oh
geez! I don’t particularly care for this type of thing. It means we
will be doing a group work later. Thus
the point of getting to know each other up front. I don’t mind finding out information about
other people, I just don’t like giving it away in a face to face
situation. Blogging of course is
okay. You don’t see me; I don’t see your
reaction. (chuckle chuckle)
I heard their reaction when my interviewer introduced me:
stating the obvious: second degree, 5 children, with 30,000 extra because I
work at the University. It’s a true
statement. I do consider their successes
my own. I think many employees feel the
same: we are invested in their future.
This is a class of interesting young people with bright ideas, quick
minds. I found eyes bouncing around the
room trying to following each comment.
Then of course there was the homework. What?
Homework on the first day? It was piled on like a free all you can eat buffet. Thinking of getting a jump start on the
semester, I did the first assignment ahead of schedule and submitted it. I have other deadlines
in my other world. Wow! I thought I was so cool: This was going to be okay. I had a strategy.
I received a notice
the next morning saying I had completed the wrong assignment. Drat. Panic.
Double Drat. Double Panic. At the time I was in
my office and had no means of fixing the situation. At lunch I went home and began working on the
correct assignment, finishing it after work and making the rest of the family
late for a birthday party for my 6 year old grandson. Apparently the Giant Mouse in charge of the
party was busy eating cheese in a back room and didn’t mind that Nana was doing
her homework.
Except for the births of my children, I don’t think I have
ever been so tired and nervous at the same time. My social life has suffered a little, the
house is a wreck (perfect excuse right?), the dog is jealous of the space on
the couch that my textbooks now occupy and my 11 is complaining that she doesn’t
have access to my laptop.
All damage assessments have not been compiled at this
time. A full report will be issued
later. One can only hope that the
aftershocks will be minor, no more wine be wasted and everyone gets out safely,
sanity intact.
If you want to help Earthquake victims, Please donate to the
American Red Cross.
Peace.
NEPB
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