Only Wednesday

Yes it is Wednesday but I have walked around all day assuming tomorrow will be Friday. Happens every week. My Friday teaching schedule is so amazing that I can't help anticipating it super early. (Teach from 8:45-11:45 and the entire afternoon is left free to my desires.) Well since there are still two days left in the week I guess I need to get back into teacher productive mode and consider what my students can accomplish.

Amazingly my seventh graders this year are super motivated, enthusiastic, and competitive. If I had my way I would make everything into a competition! My excitement is written all over my face and I can't help but smile at their achievements. Yes I know it's been less than a month since school started and I shouldn't get ahead of myself, but wow, what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time I was just trying to get my students to do something - anything, during our forty minute period, without breaking into a sweat, freaking out, or yelling about it. One year? One year, and I feel like a different person. Instead of walking in the classroom intimidated by the thought of what the kids might throw at me (literally) they know what is expected. I smile and I laugh, something that didn't enter my mind until way into February of last year.

giggle, giggle, laugh, laugh,
Yay for year two!

The Eve

Tonight marks the eve of Yom Kippur, if you are a Jew (or non) I'm sure you are aware that the next 25 hours will be as holy as it gets. No eating, no leather shoes, no showering, no personal relations, no personal grooming and lots, lots, lots, of praying for forgiveness. I guess it takes a whole year for us to recognize that maybe we do make mistakes. That maybe our selfish deeds hurt others and that yes we are judged for it all. Growing up in an observant Jewish household, Yom Kippur was never taken lightly. We always went to synagogue on time, prayed, and pounded our hearts to atone our actions and amend for the future. Year after year the same questions arise; how do we know if we are forgiven? How do we know if the year's judgement is truly complete? And why do I always feel exactly the same once this momentous day is over? I offer this one idea I have recently contemplated. Maybe it is not Gd who is judging us and clearing our souls of all evil thoughts and actions. Rather the possibility that we use this day as a time for our community to come together, acknowledge our imperfect doings and begin a new year together.

I will say though that as I contemplate my judgement, my fellow educators have the day off for themselves. Jealousy. To be a jew or not to be? Not an easy question to answer, but I guess for now I will go with what I know best. In just a few hours I'll put on my canvas shoes, walk to synagogue, and pray for this day to pass so that I can continue doing what I do. Teaching, eating, and practicing yoga!

For all of you who know how hard abstinence is: G'mar Tov :)