Teacher in Paradise, Part I
8/11/05 I write this on the Thursday of the first week as the new 9th grade language arts teacher at Key West High School. Each morning and each afternoon, the cheery voice on the PA reminds us "It's another great day in paradise!"
For the moment, my sarcastic reply to that statement is a resounding "HAH!" Since, it's after 8, I've not had dinner, and I'm tired as hell.
Yet, There is so much to love here: the amazing views, the blazing sunsets, the friendly souls, the cosmopolitan small-town atmosphere (yes that is possible on a 4x6 mile island) balanced by the petty inconviences: the blazing hot sun that threatens to fry me on the walk from my classroom to the office, the endless mosquito bites that line my legs and arms and the constant feeling that I've left something behind. Yin and yang, with part of my life so far away and part of my life so blaziningly close, there are moments that I feel like my feng shui is playing a joke on me.
8/12/05 The days go by so quickly here in the tropics. I load my car at 6 AM and step into the roller coaster: the gym, prep for my 6 classes, work till I'm done or it gets too hot or lonely there, home, bed, and I do it again.
8/13/05 The end of my first week finds me in need of a chiropractor and back to planning lessons in the shower, with a boat load of papers to grade, and wondering what my students are doing this weekend. I realize, driving thru the streets here that there are a lot more have-nots than haves here: haves come for vacation, locals fight to keep balance.
Monday I start teaching my darlings literature. Wow.
For the moment, my sarcastic reply to that statement is a resounding "HAH!" Since, it's after 8, I've not had dinner, and I'm tired as hell.
Yet, There is so much to love here: the amazing views, the blazing sunsets, the friendly souls, the cosmopolitan small-town atmosphere (yes that is possible on a 4x6 mile island) balanced by the petty inconviences: the blazing hot sun that threatens to fry me on the walk from my classroom to the office, the endless mosquito bites that line my legs and arms and the constant feeling that I've left something behind. Yin and yang, with part of my life so far away and part of my life so blaziningly close, there are moments that I feel like my feng shui is playing a joke on me.
8/12/05 The days go by so quickly here in the tropics. I load my car at 6 AM and step into the roller coaster: the gym, prep for my 6 classes, work till I'm done or it gets too hot or lonely there, home, bed, and I do it again.
8/13/05 The end of my first week finds me in need of a chiropractor and back to planning lessons in the shower, with a boat load of papers to grade, and wondering what my students are doing this weekend. I realize, driving thru the streets here that there are a lot more have-nots than haves here: haves come for vacation, locals fight to keep balance.
Monday I start teaching my darlings literature. Wow.