Drenched

The last days of school are here and i'm experiencing complete and utter attachment to my kids! NOOOO!!! Don't leave me! I'm the first to acknowledge all the ups and downs over these past ten months, but still I can't let go.  Friday was the eighth grade's Moving Up ceremony and as I watched my first class graduate, I felt just as elated as they did.  Total parental moment.  When one of my students, an artsy, quirky, and often neglected kid, received an award to honor her achievements over the past three years in the after school program, little puddles dripped down my face.  Completely consumed with joy.

The seventh grade student and teachers went on 2,000 trips over the past two weeks.  Like many overcrowded schools in NYC, our school's space is limited.  While the high schoolers took their Regents exams, middle schoolers were gently forced out of the building.  In turn we went on every possible free trip you could bring eighty high pitched, dramatic adolescents to in Manhattan.  Exhaustion is an understatement.  Impossible for me to move my legs once home.  To tell the truth though, and if you know me you're aware, I'm still very much a kid. Basically I tired myself out.  Extremely hyper as I played along with them and encouraged team spirit and competitiveness.  It is true i've learned that I am a competitive person (unaware during my childhood).  As you can imagine all the bonding time spent together increases my attachment,  causing our end of days together to be even more traumatic.  Don't get me wrong- I cannot wait 'til I depart for Japan! (three days away ahhh)

The examples below exhibit the time my students thought it was a great idea for me to share their fun as they poured water on me and held me in the sprinklers at the park.  Ok in the moment it was awesome- but I was so drenched I had to cancel my after school appointment, go home, and wash myself off!

A kid with adult responsibilities :)