Ugh. The truth is...I do not know what to do! I know, I can be a wee bit indecisive at times (Ahem!Did I hear a snort from one of you?? Yeah. I thought so.) Anyway, I also happen to cringe at the thought of change. So...even though I'm not exactly happy where I am, the thought of change is like...WHOA! I've been at the same place for five years, and for someone who doesn't like change, I sure have done a lot of it in these five years. Yet...the crossroads is here, and I am looking to see which direction I should take. But at rough as it is now, I wouldn't trade the past five years for anything.
So I bring to you...The Top 5 Things About My Time at JA
1. The PEOPLE. I have met some of the most awesome people at this place. Some of those people I only knew a short time, others are relationships I will treasure forever. :-)
2. The street cred. Hell yeah it feels badass to be able to describe what I do for a living, and where I do it. Call it a Napoleon complex, but I like the toughness image it gives me. It's like Dangerous Minds but without Coolio. Or Weird Al Yankovic.
3. The experience with those damn Regents exams! Teaching Regents courses intimidated the hell out of me when I started, but I've actually developed a bit of a knack for it. Not bad.
4. The kids. Yes, some of them made me want to quit, pull my hair out, and join a nunnery all at once. But others were pretty awesome kids who will hopefully go on to become pretty awesome adults. Those are the ones I like to focus on.
and finally...
5. THE PEOPLE. I had to mention you guys again, because there were so many days that you made coming to work worthwhile. In the past five years I have laughed and cried and sang and danced and complained and hated and loved with you. We ate (okay I ate) and drank (okay, that was mostly you guys). Some relationships started, while others ended. New babies were born, and we had to say some tearful goodbyes. We visited each other's homes, met each other's families, became staples in each other's lives. If I stay at JA or not...and if you stay there or not...I am glad and proud to have spent this time with you and I hope the memories won't stay within the confines of the school building, but rather continue in our actual lives. Thanks for it all.
I miss you and love you dearly. Reading this brought tears to my eyes and wonderful memories to the surface. Change is scary, but can also be the BEST thing in the whole world! Moving to Texas was terrifying, but could not have been better! No matter what you do or where you go, those who love you will always be with you! I believe the song goes something like..."So close and yet so far away..."
ReplyDeleteI love you too! My years at JA have completely changed my life. I know like you I have the "street cred" but more importantly I know I have met people who have changed my life and I couldn't be happier! ;) As for change it sucks but some is worth the risk. Whatever happens or where ever we end up we will be in each others lives. :)
ReplyDeleteI truly hope so. This way we can keep it in the present...no need to become nostalgic. It won't ever be quite the same, but it can still be darn good, right?
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