Summer's Over :(

The last few week of August were spent as a combination of truly enjoying summer, and feeling guilty about how much work I'm not doing. A road trip to Swift Current to see one of my friends in her new job, apartment, etc., really drove that point home. All the wonderfully smart, on-task ladies in the car were discussing their planning and prep, and that nervous panic sets in my stomach as I listen to how far behind I'm getting. The internet will be the death of me.

Anyways, the new teacher orientation for all new staff in my division was on Wednesday. I drive 3 hours to get to the Narrows. And the sun was glistening off the water in a way that you can almost forget it's really dark, gross, green-brown water you're actually looking at and not the clear blue that you think you're seeing. It was, truly beautiful.

Determined to make a good impression and not alienate myself, I turn on the chatty, enthusiastic charm and meet the board members etc. Later at tables we were playing a get-to-know-you-game. Everyone else's questions were "If you could be in the Olympics, what sport would you choose?" and "What do you do with a book you are reading but don't like?" Simple, easy. My questions? Not so.

"Share an embarrassing moment." Of course I can't think of anything. But I launch into a firmly padded, fabricated story about my first kiss which was in rehearsal for a musical. Why did I choose that terrible, inappropriate moment? I wish I had an answer. Maybe I have a death wish. The board members at my table were not impressed and the other new teacher I bonded with looked at me strangely before saving the moment by moving on.

"Who is your favourite politician of all time? Why?" Seriously? What kind of question is this on an icebreaker game? I of course don't know anything about politics, and the new teacher beside me suggests I take another card. But I think I can redeem myself with this one, so I say with a laugh "I don't know anything about politics besides what's on Saturday Night Live; can I pass?" Blank stares. Either they don't know what it is (unlikely), or highly disprove of my watching the show (possibly), or can't believe that such a wingnut got hired to teach their kids (most likely).

From there I just shut my mouth, and I think everyone seemed to prefer it that way. I have all year to redeem myself. If anything I was glad I was such an idiot; it made an unremarkable night sort of worth it.