A Christmas Story
Well, I haven't really gotten into the Christmas spirit until recently. I have patiently waited for my student teaching gig to wrap up, even though I will miss my kids and my mentor teacher very much. I am tired and there is so much I want to do. However, I shall be patient and wait for all the things I must wait for...
So, the story... I was at Wal-Mart late one night last week, just browsing for possible gifts, and some guy pulled my buggy into the aisle and would not make eye contact with me. After a "wtf?" moment, I looked up and I recognized him. Mr. Will.
Mr. Will Higgins and I worked together at Mike Anderson's. He was a dishwasher/fry cook, and I was a cashier/line cook. We shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and I asked if he had left MAS yet. He said he finally was able to leave. We traded stories about what dicks most of our big bosses were (namely Big Mike and Little Mike), and how we were happier in our roles. He was impressed that I was student teaching at McKinley, and then he told me what he was doing...
He was hired by his landlord to work as a maintenance attendant on all of his rental properties. With three kids, it was a sweet deal: He is now making $18/hour, and pays no rent or utilities. He is able to work full time, and at Mike Anderson's, nobody was scheduled over 35 hours a week (if you were lucky), and they didn't pay their kitchen staff shit. He said, "You know, last year at this time, my kids were starving. I got three kids! But now, I'm here, and I gave them a hundred bucks a piece to go shopping for Christmas. You think I was able to do that last year? I wasn't making jack shit at Mike's, even with my Christmas bonus. I wasn't able to buy my kids anything. And now, my kids have this buggy full of stuff." I looked at the buggy he pointed at. Mr. Will then said, "All this stuff is paid for already. We're going back for more. It feels so good to make sure my kids are okay."
To see him so much happier and infinitely more rejuvenated...wow. It made me so happy to see someone actually come out of this year in a better way. It made me feel good about a few things, namely that someone overcame some serious odds and was able to maintain the welfare for himself and his family.
Before I walked away, he said to me, "You keep doing good things for those kids at McKinley. I'm gonna pray for you. We need good teachers, and I know you can do it." I felt humbled by a man who prays for his kids to have food and clothing to pray for my welfare.
I walked away with lighter feet and a less-heavy heart. Perhaps it's time to don the Santa hat and kick it into high gear.
Peace and much love to you all...
and a survey for you, Emma Jean (can I call you Emma Jean?)
Body: ~January~
1. did you have a new year's resolution this year?
to begin and stay in grad school, and to survive my first semester of student teaching (one down, one to follow on Friday)!
2.Who kissed you at midnight?
Not a soul...I was my mother's date for a party with a bunch of her former coworkers of the African-American persuasion (and they were impressed that I could line dance).
3. Does it snow where you live?
no, it flutters.
4.Do you like hot chocolate?
in very small doses. I'd rather a candy bar.
5. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?
No...but I went to see where it happened, and I'd love to be at that party one day.
~February~
1. Who was your Valentine in 2005?
didn't so much have one.
2. What did your valentine get you?
well, I didn't really get anything...but my dad did send me a card (awwww)
3. When you were little, did you buy Valentine's for your whole class?
Not really. I was the shy, dorky kid back then (as opposed to the loud, dorky adult I am now...)
~March~
1. Are you Irish?
I got some in me, about a sixteenth, and I totally claim it.
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day?
fuckin' right I did!
3.What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2005?
Went to the parade, had lunch with Bryan and Zephy, and went home to study mcstuderton.
~April~
1. Do you like the rain?
yes. especially when I can sit outside under an awning and watch the rain. That is calming.
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year?
eh, not really. My dad and my best friend each played one on me, though.
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?
Well, I request that they don't, but I always get the Cadbury eggs.
~May~
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?
orchids
2. Do you like the spring?
Depends. I like cool spring. Hot, humid spring annoys me.
3. Finish the phrase: April showers bring May flowers, what did May flowers bring in 2005?
The end of my first graduate semester, acceptance into Holmes, and a very nice vacation between semesters.
4. What would you think of as a spring color?
pale blue.
~June~
1. What year did you graduate from school?
It was May 2001.
2. Did you go on a Vacation?
Yes; instead of going to the Redneck Riviera, I went to Walt Disney World with the fam and had a blast.
~July~
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?
probably got drunk and bbq'd at the Jones house. Yeah, that's exactly what we did.
2. Do you go on any vacations during this month?
Probably made a trip or two to Houston.
~August~
1. Did you do anything special to end your summer?
Said so long to Sarah (she moved to Houston) and to my social life (I began student teaching).
2. what was your favorite summer memory of '05?
One was the night at Chelsea's with some of the Holmes crew and Nick was thrown out. Another was the last week Sarah was home. We spent a lot of time together that week...it was nice.
3. do you go swimming a lot in the summer?
I do try...depends on where I last left my swimsuit.
4. do you go to the beach a lot?
Not since the Gulf of Mexico became this icky dumping ground.
~September~
1. Did you attend school/college in '05?
uh huh.
2. who is/was your favorite teacher?
Of course it was Katy Powell. But I have nothing but love for Dr. Henninger, Dr. Asher, Dr. Pinar, and Dr. Kirshner. And, of course, my mentor teacher rocks my face off.
3. do you like fall better than summer?
I feel the same about spring as I do fall...I like cool fall. I hate hot, humid fall.
~October~
1. what was your favorite halloween costume ever?
I usually don't dress. When I was a senior in high school, I was a football player.
2. what is your favorite candy?
god, where do I start? (You miss it when you're not supposed to eat it.) I guess my favorite indulgence is fine quality dark chocolate. But, I love sour stuff. And watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
3. what did you dress up like this year?
nada, I had to teach.
~November~
1. Whose house do you usually go to for Thanksgiving?
First my dad's, then my Aunt Kara's
2. Do you like stuffing?
I'm indifferent. I'd really rather mashed potatoes (especially if they're homemade).
3. what are you thankful for?
So much...so much...there isn't enough room on this screen...
~December~
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
I do, but I have had a hard time getting into the spirit of it all
2. have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
only on someone's cheek.
3. what do you want this year for Christmas?
answers to a few questions about my future. To somehow be at two houses at once. For Sarah to come back home.
4. what's the best present you ever got for Christmas?
When I was in the fifth grade, I got a go-kart. That was the shit! But, my parents are generally cool with Christmas.
5. do you like cold weather?
I do. I love cold weather. Refer to one of my last entries.
So, the story... I was at Wal-Mart late one night last week, just browsing for possible gifts, and some guy pulled my buggy into the aisle and would not make eye contact with me. After a "wtf?" moment, I looked up and I recognized him. Mr. Will.
Mr. Will Higgins and I worked together at Mike Anderson's. He was a dishwasher/fry cook, and I was a cashier/line cook. We shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and I asked if he had left MAS yet. He said he finally was able to leave. We traded stories about what dicks most of our big bosses were (namely Big Mike and Little Mike), and how we were happier in our roles. He was impressed that I was student teaching at McKinley, and then he told me what he was doing...
He was hired by his landlord to work as a maintenance attendant on all of his rental properties. With three kids, it was a sweet deal: He is now making $18/hour, and pays no rent or utilities. He is able to work full time, and at Mike Anderson's, nobody was scheduled over 35 hours a week (if you were lucky), and they didn't pay their kitchen staff shit. He said, "You know, last year at this time, my kids were starving. I got three kids! But now, I'm here, and I gave them a hundred bucks a piece to go shopping for Christmas. You think I was able to do that last year? I wasn't making jack shit at Mike's, even with my Christmas bonus. I wasn't able to buy my kids anything. And now, my kids have this buggy full of stuff." I looked at the buggy he pointed at. Mr. Will then said, "All this stuff is paid for already. We're going back for more. It feels so good to make sure my kids are okay."
To see him so much happier and infinitely more rejuvenated...wow. It made me so happy to see someone actually come out of this year in a better way. It made me feel good about a few things, namely that someone overcame some serious odds and was able to maintain the welfare for himself and his family.
Before I walked away, he said to me, "You keep doing good things for those kids at McKinley. I'm gonna pray for you. We need good teachers, and I know you can do it." I felt humbled by a man who prays for his kids to have food and clothing to pray for my welfare.
I walked away with lighter feet and a less-heavy heart. Perhaps it's time to don the Santa hat and kick it into high gear.
Peace and much love to you all...
and a survey for you, Emma Jean (can I call you Emma Jean?)
Body: ~January~
1. did you have a new year's resolution this year?
to begin and stay in grad school, and to survive my first semester of student teaching (one down, one to follow on Friday)!
2.Who kissed you at midnight?
Not a soul...I was my mother's date for a party with a bunch of her former coworkers of the African-American persuasion (and they were impressed that I could line dance).
3. Does it snow where you live?
no, it flutters.
4.Do you like hot chocolate?
in very small doses. I'd rather a candy bar.
5. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?
No...but I went to see where it happened, and I'd love to be at that party one day.
~February~
1. Who was your Valentine in 2005?
didn't so much have one.
2. What did your valentine get you?
well, I didn't really get anything...but my dad did send me a card (awwww)
3. When you were little, did you buy Valentine's for your whole class?
Not really. I was the shy, dorky kid back then (as opposed to the loud, dorky adult I am now...)
~March~
1. Are you Irish?
I got some in me, about a sixteenth, and I totally claim it.
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day?
fuckin' right I did!
3.What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2005?
Went to the parade, had lunch with Bryan and Zephy, and went home to study mcstuderton.
~April~
1. Do you like the rain?
yes. especially when I can sit outside under an awning and watch the rain. That is calming.
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year?
eh, not really. My dad and my best friend each played one on me, though.
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?
Well, I request that they don't, but I always get the Cadbury eggs.
~May~
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?
orchids
2. Do you like the spring?
Depends. I like cool spring. Hot, humid spring annoys me.
3. Finish the phrase: April showers bring May flowers, what did May flowers bring in 2005?
The end of my first graduate semester, acceptance into Holmes, and a very nice vacation between semesters.
4. What would you think of as a spring color?
pale blue.
~June~
1. What year did you graduate from school?
It was May 2001.
2. Did you go on a Vacation?
Yes; instead of going to the Redneck Riviera, I went to Walt Disney World with the fam and had a blast.
~July~
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?
probably got drunk and bbq'd at the Jones house. Yeah, that's exactly what we did.
2. Do you go on any vacations during this month?
Probably made a trip or two to Houston.
~August~
1. Did you do anything special to end your summer?
Said so long to Sarah (she moved to Houston) and to my social life (I began student teaching).
2. what was your favorite summer memory of '05?
One was the night at Chelsea's with some of the Holmes crew and Nick was thrown out. Another was the last week Sarah was home. We spent a lot of time together that week...it was nice.
3. do you go swimming a lot in the summer?
I do try...depends on where I last left my swimsuit.
4. do you go to the beach a lot?
Not since the Gulf of Mexico became this icky dumping ground.
~September~
1. Did you attend school/college in '05?
uh huh.
2. who is/was your favorite teacher?
Of course it was Katy Powell. But I have nothing but love for Dr. Henninger, Dr. Asher, Dr. Pinar, and Dr. Kirshner. And, of course, my mentor teacher rocks my face off.
3. do you like fall better than summer?
I feel the same about spring as I do fall...I like cool fall. I hate hot, humid fall.
~October~
1. what was your favorite halloween costume ever?
I usually don't dress. When I was a senior in high school, I was a football player.
2. what is your favorite candy?
god, where do I start? (You miss it when you're not supposed to eat it.) I guess my favorite indulgence is fine quality dark chocolate. But, I love sour stuff. And watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
3. what did you dress up like this year?
nada, I had to teach.
~November~
1. Whose house do you usually go to for Thanksgiving?
First my dad's, then my Aunt Kara's
2. Do you like stuffing?
I'm indifferent. I'd really rather mashed potatoes (especially if they're homemade).
3. what are you thankful for?
So much...so much...there isn't enough room on this screen...
~December~
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
I do, but I have had a hard time getting into the spirit of it all
2. have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
only on someone's cheek.
3. what do you want this year for Christmas?
answers to a few questions about my future. To somehow be at two houses at once. For Sarah to come back home.
4. what's the best present you ever got for Christmas?
When I was in the fifth grade, I got a go-kart. That was the shit! But, my parents are generally cool with Christmas.
5. do you like cold weather?
I do. I love cold weather. Refer to one of my last entries.