What a difference a year makes

For those of you who have patiently followed my ramblings for the past year + months, it is no secret or surprise that the first year of school was "challenging" I use that as a euphemism for MISERABLE. After an amazing summer of travels, friends, and a lack of stress I hit a serious depression wall when faced with the impending doom of September 15th.  Part of what I told myself I would do this year is stand up for myself. The atypical people pleaser, I knew that if I was going to stay in Bulgaria for another year I would have to find a way to make me happy. It ultimately came down to the choice of teaching 18 classes per week but teaching the 6th graders I taught last year again as 7th graders OR teaching 21 classes a week and working with a new batch of 6th graders. I had all of 30 seconds to make this decision so I went with the unknown. I know, it was tough, how was I to know if it would get any better?

I didn't. But it did.

For the first time I am at a loss of what to say. Usually I have tales of adversity, my struggles and what I've done to overcome them. Why my accomplishments, however small they may be, outweigh my setbacks, but after two days of school I have nothing to complain about. I hated, possibly envied, those volunteers here who loved their kids, loved their schools, talked about how great their lives were. We're all supposed to struggle through this together. It isn't supposed to be easy.

My first day of class I prepared for the worst. Fights. Name calling. Girls getting dragged out by their hair to fight in the bathroom. The normal things that happened during my first few weeks, if not days of school. Whereas I was hit with soda bottles, paper airplanes, and other various classroom weapons, this year I was shocked with their knowledge, enthusiasm, and good behavior. On my birthday, which today marks a lovely quarter century on this planet, I was presented with roses that a couple of girls picked for me. I've been told that I'm a good teacher. Last year it was all "I hate you" and "Kiss my penis".

If I even had one complaint about one of my 6th grade classes it is that one section is so ADD that they have trouble keeping on the task at hand. But they're kids! They are supposed to be inquisitive. Mind you the 8th graders are still as apathetic as ever. Learning is so not hot right now.

I know this is still only the beginning of the year but for the first time, in what feels like forever,  I am optimistic without it being a kind of blind optimism.

GAME ON.