Teacher Tales: Holidays on Ice and a Nightmare Come True

Listening to David Sedaris' Holidays on Ice is my Christmas gift to myself this year.  Sedaris is by far my favorite author.  Reading his writing cracks me up and lifts my spirits.  Listening to his writing puts a grin on my face and  makes time pass lickety split.

I listened to him this morning as I waited in the Starbuck's drive thru line.  It took quite a long time but I didn't really notice because I was enjoying myself so much.  When I got to the window a cheery girl said, "Here's your venti coffee with cream and three sugars, and it's on us.  Sorry for the wait.  Happy holidays!"

This day was destined to be fabulous.

Upon arrival at school, I went to the Multi Purpose Room to make sure it was all set up for our annual 2nd grade holiday program.  I took a sip of my coffee, and set it down on the stage.  I moved some risers and chairs, arranged some props, and proceeded to move the microphone to the correct side of the stage.  That's when it happened...the thing that I actually have recurring dreams nightmares about.  I knocked my venti coffee with cream and three sugars over with the cord, and sent it flying over the stage, all over the risers, and onto the floor.  I know a venti is a lot of coffee.  But when it gets flung, it looks like a gallon.

 I had only had one sip.  And the program would be starting in a few minutes.

Fortunately, our custodian was very quick and helpful with the clean up (which isn't always the case) and she even offered me some of the office coffee, which saved the day, although it wasn't that good, and well, it wasn't venti.  It was more like six ounces.

It is times like this that you begin to understand the extremity of your addiction, but I must say that thanks to  some Diet Coke, I was able to make it through the day without feeling cranky or biting any undeserving (or deserving) second grader's head off.

Our program, which includes many speaking parts and nine different holiday songs from around the world, was a success.  The kids knew their parts and the songs sounded better than ever.  

Back in the classroom, I sat back and watched my twenty three seven-year- olds as they constructed paper snowmen.  I had one of those moments where I just enjoyed those little personalities, even the ones who tend to be naughty, and well, it warmed my heart.  This year has been a rough one so far.  Boy did I need that moment.

Now winter vacation is upon us.  Time to curl up with my fuzzy blankie and listen to more Holidays on Ice!