Hardly Working

It's Friday.  A time where one typically rejoices about the week coming to a close and a place to begin celebrating the weekend ahead.  As for this week, I don't have that luxury.  Now, I know most of you are thinking "you're a teacher, you've had the whole summer off!"  While you may be correct you may not know that I've spent the last week in a graduate Statistics III class dis-aggregating data and researching for my dissertation due in April.  Everyday.  All week.  8 to 4,  I've done all of this while fighting off some kind of sickness and preparing for a triathlon this weekend.  AND, I have the pleasure of spending all of next week in Calculus class.  Everyday.  8 to 4. With hours of homework.  Allow me to wallow in self pity for a brief moment...

A Masters Degree is no joke, especially a Masters Degree in Mathematics.  But at the same time I need to be completely honest and say don't let me fool you.  I've spent a great deal of time slacking off this week.  And an immense amount of time eating.  But that part shouldn't be a huge surprise.

I've spent the majority of my week in the University of Vermont library sifting through articles and journals about the relationship between math vocabulary and achievement scores.   However, I have also been listening to the Crossfit Games currently taking place in Carson, California.  Like I could focus at a time like this!  If you've never checked out the Crossfit games, head over to games.crossfit.com or ESPN3 and catch a peak at what these athletes are doing!  Saying my attention has been slightly skewed would be an understatement. And as I sit in the library right now blogging away, I am again reminded that I am still not on task. I'm working for sure, but hardly.  Hardly working.  It's Friday.  I'm burnt out and stressed out.  And if I have to look at one more regression model, scatter plot, residual, or p-value I might lose it.  Or I'll claw my eyes out for simply sounding like the math nerd I've been forced to become.

Stay tuned for results from the triathlon and what I expect to be more agonizing tales of Calculus.

Back by Popular Demand

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life"

- Socrates

It's been a long hiatus away from blogging or any sort of writing for that matter which is rather unlike me.  Whenever I go a long time without posting on the blog it feels like I should have something really important to say when I get back, but I don't really.  I lost my blogging mojo, slipped away and got caught up in reality.  Life is busy, I'm busy, and I slacked.  I've been asked by several supporters to bring it back and I have to be honest I'm honored that 1.) People even remember the blog in the first place 2.) Actually enjoyed reading my posts and 3.) Want more!  You're all wonderful!

Just as a warning though, the purpose of a blog is to post what I want to...if you don't like it or you don't care, then please avert your eyes.  Blogs can manifest in many different ways; informational, entertainment, opinionated, brag-ish.  It is what I damn well make it!  So, one can expect a whole lot of school, crossfit, and Sydney stories, each one as entertaining as the rest!  Or, if you want me post about something in particular- let me know!  I'd love to hear!

So, it is with true intention that I do a better job to keep up with all of this even when my complicated, chaotic, and delightful life gets in the way.

The Customer Isn't Always Right

"A man who goes into a restaurant and blatantly disrespects the server shows a strong discontent with his own being.  Deep down he knows that restaurant service is the closest thing he will ever experience to being served like a king."

- Criss Jami

Like most jobs, unless you've personally experienced it and logged the man hours, you truly don't know what it's like.  We all think our jobs are the worst, the hardest, and the most under appreciated.  Being a teacher, that thought crosses my mind occasionally, and when I started waitressing, I found myself thinking it even more.

If you've never been a server before, you might think that earning tips on top of an hourly wage is more than enough compensation for your work.  Might you think differently if you knew that in the state of Vermont, the minimum wage for tip collectors is $4.23 an hour?  Basically, the only money a server makes, is in tips and tip share.

I started serving as a way to fill the time of having summers off.  I prefer to be busy and the extra money 

certainly wasn't going to hurt me.  Last summer I waitressed quite a bit, every week, Thursday-Sunday and I had plenty of extra spending money.  However, had I not still been earning bi-weekly wages from my job as a teacher, struggling financially would have been a huge understatement.  I'm unsure of how those who's sole job is to wait tables, is able to make ends meet, afford rent and a vehicle, and all of life's other expenses.  If you're a server, I know you can relate.

In case you have never served, yet you enjoy going out to eat, take some notes.  What you hear might surprise you.  But seriously, it's mostly just common sense.

#1: The customer is not always right.  

This bullish rule drives me nuts.  Where did it even come from?  And I'm pretty sure if you're the customer, you know the least about what my job entails and how the company I work for operates. So shut your mouth and eat your food.  

When ordering food at any establishment, be explicit.  Yes, our job is to ask you how you want it cooked, what you want on it, etc.  But if we don't ask you, tell us!  I don't know that you have Celiac's Disease or a gluten allergy unless you tell me!  Sorry about your anaphylactic shock but my job isn't to ask you about your medical history before I take your drink order.  If you don't like pickles and you order a burger, tell me!  The most common cause of orders arriving to guests not how they ordered, is because that's NOT how you ordered it.  Be explicit with your server and if you're unsure, please ask.

Example:
Customer: I'll have the 6oz sirloin with garlic mashed potatoes and a garden salad with ranch dressing."
..order comes..
Customer: "My meal was supposed to come with shrimp, I ordered the sirloin and shrimp!"
Actually, you didn't.
Some servers like to upsell and offer add-ons but if you tell me you want a sirloin, I'm not going to ask you if you want shrimp. 

#2:  You're not the only customer.

The average sever is in charge of 3-5 table at a time (depending on the restaurant of course and the time of day).  Remember that severs travel back and forth between the kitchen and all tables, we're not just here to serve your table.  Any well trained and polite server does their best to be timely and punctual.  At the restaurant where I work, we ALL run food for ALL tables.  When something is ready to go we take it out.  So if you see me carrying food, don't assume it's yours.  Realize that we all help each other to ensure that everyone get's their food as soon as it's ready.  If you haven't seen your server in a few minutes and you need soemthing, entertain the idea that they're probably working in the kitchen to hurry your order along before you jump to such bold conclusions about our whereabouts.  It's not easy to greet, deliver drinks, refills drinks, take payment, deliver food, or run food for 4 different tables simultaneously.  

#3:  Bad service happens everywhere, be careful of who you place the blame on.

In restaurants the only faces you see are hosts and hostesses and servers.  You don't see line cooks, dishwashers, and manangers very often, and for good reason.  They're too busy busting hump in the kitchen!  That being so, servers often take the brunt of the customers frustration when the meat comes under or over cooked or the plate is missing something.  Trust that these are just oversights that can easily be fixed, but also think about what's going on in the kitchen.  On a busy Friday or Saturday night, when most people tend to dine out, most restaurants easily seat between 80-100 people at a time.  Can you imagine keeping up with and cooking that much food?  It's hard enough for 6 people to keep up with that kind of work.  Trust that with time, usually comes quality.  If you dine in a decent restaurant where most of the food is kept fresh, and not frozen, expect to wait a few extra minutes and know that it will be worth it to not have a burger that was pulled out of the freezer 5 minutes ago.
Line cooks make mistakes, things sometimes get dropped or forgotten and sometimes we run out of things.  You can't tell me you don't make mistakes at your job and forget things from time to time or run late.  But I'm sure you don't get paid less because of it.  And if you're unhappy with your food, let your server known and we'll do our best to take care of it.  Don't blame us or take it out on us, we didn't prepare it.  Maybe your taste buds are out of whack.

#4: It pays to be nice.
I'm referring to the customer here.  If you come into where I work and you act like a shithead, don't expect me to bend over backwards for you and be as pleasant.  You might say "Well if you want the tip, you'll put on a smile." Wrong.  Yes, I want the tip, but not because I let you talk down to me and boss me around.  Be pleasant at all times, even if something has gone horribly wrong.  Keeping your cool will ensure that both parties stay positive and you get the best service you can.  And don't jump so quick as to place blame on anyone who works their.  Yes, our job is to make sure you have a decent dining experience, but acting like a jerk won't get you that.

#5: Don't make assumptions.
For most servers, serving is a part time position in addition to a full time career or other part time jobs.  Don't assume that because we work in a restaurant that we're low life individuals who didn't get far in life.  When customers find out I'm and elementary school teacher, they seem surprised that I have another job.  The same goes for other servers who tell their customers, "I'm a student," or "I work at the bank."  At our restaurant, we have an attorney and an accountant who both happen to enjoy serving (and the extra money) and are still successful at other careers.

Dining out should be fun, worry free, and enjoyable.  When you're footing the bill, it's understandable that you expect a certain level of service and you deserve to have your meal exactly how you ordered.  Just remember that you're own actions too will help define the kind of service you receive at any establishment.  Be polite, understanding, and patient.

As if my life wasn't busy enough, serving adds just a little but more chaos into an otherwise delightful occupation.

I ran into an old friend yesterday who I grew up with.  He asked me how I was and jumped right to telling me he loved my blog and enjoyed reading it, so much in fact, that he forces his boyfriend to also read it.  He too works in food service and was part of the reason I chose this topic.  Thomas, I hope you're reading this! And I'm sure your smartypants-self agrees with most of it!

If people only knew what I listened to while running

"Everyday is a good day when you run."

-Kevin Nelson

If people actually knew what I listened to when I was running they would think I was crazy.  I listen to my music blasting loud, the loudest setting available without deafening myself.  I need music that has a fast beat, a lot of bass, and from time to time a few curse words.  I should invent in App where runners can share their playlists- except then everyone around me would be appalled.  

I don't think there was an exact date or time when I started running competitively.  I was an active child, god bless my parents for carting me around to various practices, typically two different sports per night all throughout middle and high school.  Looking back now, I'm not sure how they did it and still managed to have a life of their own.  My mom never missed a single game or event I ever participated in until college when I was too far.  Oh, except that one basketball game where I finally scored my first ever basket.  I've forgiven her for that, I was treated with a lobster dinner :) Thanks mom and dad!

I started playing soccer at the age of 5 which was the first organized sport I ever participated in.  There was a lot of running, or if you're familiar with 5 year old's playing soccer, there is a lot of chasing.  I'm sure I ran around like a goon with the rest of the kids; I distinctly remember the time they made me play goalie, I was so bored I was doing cartwheels.  I'm a busy body, what can I say.  As I got older I learned how fast a runner I was.  I could out-sprint any of the girls on my team.  And my endurance was surprising to even myself.  Running sprints, running a mile, running up and down the field I was fast and I was proud.  I hated basketball, one because I was short and two because there wasn't enough room to run.  The court was too short and I didn't have the best ball handling skills.  

It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I began running competitively.  I had suffered too many concussions and injuries to be cleared to play any "contact" sports and because I loved running and needed something to do with my time, I chose to join the track team.  I excelled fairly quickly.  Within the first 4months my 4x800 running team qualified for the New England Invitational and I placed top 10 in the state of Vermont for 50 yard dash.  And although I was short, I did pretty well at high jump too, clearing 5'10" while I only stood at 5'2".  

I ran my first marathon when I was a senior in high school.  When I got to college I was recruited to play lacrosse and because my past medical records weren't required to be released to the university, I played.  Unfortunately during spring training in Florida my freshmen year, I fractured my pelvis and was forced to take some time off.  Once recovered I joined the rugby team where my speed was my weapon.  You couldn't get passed me.  My senior year of college I fractured my face in 3 places.  Maybe you're beginning to sense a trend with my injuries, hence why running turned out to be the best activity for me. 

It turned out that running was a strength of mine.  It never really required much effort, just loud, obnoxious music to fuel the mileage.  Running became an outlet- a delightful activity with a chaotic mix of loud sounds.  If you only knew what I listened to while I was running.

Selebrating Milk

"I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Today was Monday.  A new week, same routines, same students, but a new outlook for many of my 3rd graders.

I had a student barge into my room this morning with more enthusiasm than usual on a typically day.  

"Today is milk day!" he exclaimed. 

"Today is what?" I asked chuckling.

"It's milk day!"

"What is milk day?" I asked

"You know, where we celebrate white milk AND chocolate milk!"

So, either this student misinterpreted the abbreviation MLK Day and thought it to be something completely different than it is?  Or he was making a clever connection between Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for black and white equality thus assuming milk was involved.  For the sake of my teaching reputation, I'll assume he meant the latter comment.

We continued our conversation as I probed for more information about his interpretation of this momentous day and it's celebration.  It turns out, to my surprise (not really), that he had misheard his parents discussing MLK day while also believing that milk was spelled "mlk".  Phonetically correct if you're an average 9 year old child that pronounces milk "melk".  I guess I have some teaching to do.

We begin each morning in my classroom with morning meeting once all of my students arrive.  We recite the pledge, we read the school announcements, we take attendance, we read the morning message and we share.  Sometimes we read, play a game, or greet one another.  Today I changed things up a bit, wanting to focus on educating and reteaching students the importance and significance of today.

It started with a generic conversation about who Martin Luther King Jr. is, what he did, and why it was important.  Most students already had enough background knowledge and a brief understanding to participate in the discussion, excluding the child who had his hands down his pants (much more important, I presume).  Next, I asked my students if they knew why Dr.King dedicated his life and advocated and worked so hard for black and white equality and my students weren't quite sure how to answer.  Instead of telling them, I began showing the movie "Remember the Titans".  It happens to be one of my favorite films (memorized line by line, of course) and a perfect example of life at this time.  If you're not familiar with the movie it can be summarized as follows...

*Spolier Alert*

In a racially segregated town in suburban Virginia, an all-white and an all-black school were combined to create a new high school.  A black man was hired to be head coach of the all black school, but when the schools integrated he is given the head coaching position over the former, highly qualified, white head coach. The movie depicts how both adults and students, both black and white, treated one another during this time. The movie is based on true events of 1971.  This small town football team becomes the unifying symbol for the community as the boys and adults learn to coexist, accept and respect one another, and work together as a true team.

There are parts of the movie I purposely intended to pass over because they were unnecessary to the story line and not particularly appropriate for 3rd graders.  Nothing major, just silly locked rooms scenes.  What I really wanted to illustrate for my students was how white and blacks treated one another and spoke to one another.  This movie is a perfect, real life, age appropriate example of how life was for these high school students who's job was to receive and education and how difficult it was because of the color of their skin. There was a great deal of dialogue that my students exchanged with other another during the film.  We stopped often to discuss quotes and scenes. They were surprised by how the characters spoke to one another and how mistreated so many African Americans were, especially the young, innocent students.  While we didn't finish the movie today we will continue to view it in small doses so that my class can really grasp the important concept of accepting anyone regardless of race, sex, religion, beliefs, etc.

Even my most troubled students, students who are often reprimanded for their actions and unkind words (bullying, if you will), were some of my more vocal students during conversation.  Many of my 3rd graders were surprised to learn how white parents and students treated those of a different race. It was beautiful (to say the least) to see how they were able to make connections and voice their opinions on right and wrong actions.  Hopefully this type of exposure and these real life examples will help my students to better understand the meaning of equality, fairness, and freedom for all.

So tonight, let's all raise a glass of milk and toast to Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. for teaching us that white and black are simply two different colors just like white milk and chocolate milk are merely two different flavors that all deserve celebrating.

Another delightfully chaotic day in the books.  One down, four more to go!

Having my Cupcake and Eating it Too

"Careful with that light at the end of the tunnel, it might be another train coming."

-Anonymous

Did I say cupcake?  Because I really meant 6.

ALL SIX

It was one of those days; a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I went to bed and woke up feeling crumby.  Sore throat, post nasal drip, hot and cold flashes, achy and tired.  It comes with the territory of teaching I guess, so many germs constantly circulating.  I can't pick up a pencil without touching, at least, 3 boogers.  Why can't kids keep their fingers out of there noses?  Or flush the toilet.  Or not pee on the toilet seat.  Or keep their hands out of their pants.  Kids are gross.

To add to my feeling low, I started my period.  So add bloated and crampy to the list.  And of course, I didn't have any tampons at school or in my purse.  UGH.  For someone who is typically always prepared, I was just down and out of luck.  And then I got a run in my tights!! And with no hesitation I repaired it with scotch tape.  Yep, I'm a resourceful teacher.  I had a student get sick, one who crawled on the floor all class, and one who thought that saying Moby Dick instead of the actual swear word wouldn't get him into trouble.  Nice disguise, kid. Another boy who peed his pants, one who tried flushing a diaper down the toilet, and one who spit in a another students ear.  I swear I work in an insane asylum.  Bunch of wild animals.  And this was nowhere near my worst day! 

Last year, I had a student bring an electric powered sawzall to school in his backpack.  This was also the same student who colored allover a teachers Dansko clogs , called 9-1-1 during a dance party, threw a students hearing aids in the trash, hid my smartboard markers in multiple places around the room, and colored with permanent marker on my whiteboard. I've told you before, you can't make this stuff up!!

Let's not forget to chalk up a win for my most difficult student who, on more than several occasions, has threatened to kill me.  I'll save his latest story for another day.

So now as I'm home and reflecting on my day, half laughing at this nonsense yet still feeling like crap, I plan to indulge in the jumbo cupcakes I purchased at Costco on my way home from school.  So please excuse me while I develop an eating disorder for the next hour and eat dis order of cupcakes.

Another chaotic day in the books, but boy do these cupcakes look delightful!

Ps.  Sydney just peed on Ryan in her sleep.  She "leaks" in her sleep from time to time.  I'll take it as a sign that tomorrow will be better; my luck is already turning around, she didn't pee on me :)

What's In A Name?

Giving Credit Where Credit is due

I do have to give credit where credit is due.  The most difficult part of beginning a blog was coming up with a catchy, edgy title that wasn't too cliche, already taken, or just lame.  I let it stew for a while, contemplated some different, mostly dull, titles that just didn't fit.  It wasn't until I was bored and cleaning old pictures from my phone that I came across the quote below.  I regularly find myself taking screen shots of inspirational and motivational quotes and photo's for some mid-day (or in my line of work, mid-morning) pick-me-ups.

Now, before you accuse me of being self centered please don't take the above quote as gloating or implying that loving me is the greatest thing you'll ever experience (HA).  Remove the 3rd person references and simply regard the adjectives delightful, beautiful, mess, splendid, chaotic- all considerable words to explain how I view my life. I do however, like to think that the mess-of-a-girl I typically am could be somewhat in someway be considered as beautiful?  Don't try to convince me that sweatpants and pony tails aren't striking.  What could be more raw or beautiful than a sweaty, exhausted, girl stuffing her face? Because when you don't see me existing in the real world with pants on, I'm in pajama's and sweats and I'm most likely eating.  And it's probably candy.  Don't be fooled.

The term "delightfully chaotic" is like an oxymoron.  Delightful, by definition means "greatly pleasing," beautiful, and charming.  All things that I consider my life to be;  beautiful, charming, pleasing, a true blessing- absolutely delightful.  Some of you who know my life, in particular my illnesses and injuries and just bad luck, might wonder how I can speak positively about such events.  Remember that delightful doesn't mean perfect, or ideal, or even great or amazing because, let's be real, life doesn't always treat us so politely.  I'm not the type of girl who falls into mud and comes out clean (curse those people who do).  But life is delightful; its surprises, anomalies, triumphs, and failures and pains.  There is something delightful about what we learn, accomplish, and experience on a day-to-day basis.  My job isn't always easy, my runs aren't always fast, my mood isn't always cheery, and my meals aren't always healthy.  I'm human.   But there is something to be said about how life's disasters and successes withhold a certain beauty.  Think about it; a beautiful mess.

There is no doubt that life is chaotic.  It's busy, it's fast paced, and not many can honestly and seriously say they have found the perfect balance between sleep, family, jobs, second jobs, degree's, working out and everything else life throws at us on a daily basis without loosing their cool every once in a while.  Life is chaotic, my life is certainly chaotic.  But life is still, nonetheless, delightfully chaotic, a beautiful mess, and a splendid adventure.  It's your choice to decide how to view it, live it, how to perceive it, and how to embrace each and every mess you find yourself in.  Somehow, make it delightfully chaotic.