We Should Wonder Why They Don't. . .

I admit it: I'm a Grey's Anatomy fan. But I am a fan for a reason other than the obvious McDreamy or McSteamy sightings, or for the medical drama (I know it's fake blood, but my mind doesn't always believe what my eyes are seeing). No, I'm a Grey's Anatomy fan for Meredith's introductions and conclusions (I'm sure there is a technical TV name for these, but I don't know it) on each show. I'm a fan because I think it's genius that all of the episode titles are song titles, and how each episode has a connection to the song title and hence Meredith's introductions and conclusions.

My favorite Meredith conclusion was from last season. She said something like : we shouldn't wonder why people go crazy in this world; we should wonder why they don't.

She was talking about all of the things that we have the risk of losing each day. And it's true--when we think about all that we could lose in a day (family members, sight, hearing, jobs, best friends, pets, our lives, etc) it is amazing that we all don't go crazy more often. So I like to remind myself that it's okay to worry a little or fret some because it's true--I do have a lot to lose in this life. But I also have a lot of reasons to celebrate and be joyful! And that is usually much more fun than worrying. . .

"You'll understand someday . . . "

Like any caring parents would, my mother and father always had (and still has) some key phrases. They'd usually say them when trying to make a point or teaching me a lesson. "Slow down", "It's not what you say; it's how you say it", "don't put all of your eggs in one basket" are among my favorites. And like any caring parents, they usually said, "You'll understand someday when you're a parent". Currently, I am not a parent. And I am not sure I will ever be, but I think I understand what they were saying: parenting is the hardest job a person can ever have. It's quite possibly the least and most rewarding job all wrap into one. Typically a person doesn't get paid to be a parent--he/she has to pay to do it--has to pay a lot. Not to mention that it comes with little to no training. I often tell my students that I have more training (two degrees and countless hours of practice) to be their teacher than their parents have to be parents. It doesn't matter if you have an older brother/sister, you are a different person and require a different set of parent skills than your siblings. Strategies, rewards, or punishments that worked with one child, often do not work with the other, so parents are left to go to their (limited) bag of tricks and keep trying until they find one that works--much like I do as a teacher of 150 students each year. I deeply believe I wouldn't be the teacher I am today without my parent's love, support and, of course, key phrases. I don't even cringe when I hear myself say them to my students. I just smile and say, "thanks, mom and dad".

Any Suggestions?

I often claim that I am trying to find a hobby. I'm not a real crafty-type person (as demonstrated by my recent attempt at a birthday card where I didn't even get a sympathy, "it's nice" from my best friends--just an "auh, no"). I clearly don't have the patience or the outdoor knowledge to fish like my very patient, smart, and dedicated husband. I like to read, but I'm currently reading The Great Gatsby for the 8th time while completing 10th grade for 5th time. In my line of work, reading is required and laborious. The concept of reading for fun during the school year doesn't exist for me. I couldn't imagine picking up a "fun book" when I know I have other books to prep for, lessons to think through, and papers to grade piling up on my desk.

In desperation once I flipped through the local parks and recreation brochure. There were the usual Jazzercize classes and knitting groups. And then there was an odd course description that caught my eye: Raising Chickens in the City. Now I laughed, promptly forwarded the information to my friends, and snickered everytime I thought of people actually attending a class that teaches a person how to raise chickens when all he/she has is an alley instead of an attached garage. But the truth of the matter is: I am jealous. I'm jealous of that person that gets passionate enough about something he/she wants to teach a class on it--ridiculous as it sounds to the rest of us. Now I'm not saying I don't have any passions. I have plenty of those--don't get me started on my passion for education. Yes, it's my job, but it's a passion that runs deep within my soul. But it's not my hobby. It's not something I do in my spare time. It is certainly the reason I typically don't have have any spare time, though. So perhaps my search isn't really for a hobby. Just more time. And when I find that spare time, it'd sure be nice to have a hobby to fill it with. Any suggestions?