The peaceful happy moments roll

At the beginning of the school year, I was somehow roped into being on the social and sunshine committee, despite the fact that I never socialize and lack sunshine in my soul. (I kid, I kid.)

As part of that committee, another teacher and I are in charge of getting cards and gifts for staff members inflicted with various illnesses and ailments. Apparently this also extends to spouses, which is cool, I guess.

I made it a good 16 weeks or so doing absolutely nothing on this committee, but I received my first assignment today: obtain a card and a plant for a staff member whose husband has recently had surgery.

Armed with a budget of $40 and the school's debit card, I headed to the local grocery store in search of the perfect gift.

I failed to remember that I am the worst at picking out greeting cards. I agonized in the Hallmark section (so they knows we care) for a good fifteen minutes, trying to find a card that wasn't overly sappy or specific. When I finally found a sufficiently sweet yet generic card, I moved on to the floral section.

There I spent another ten minutes perusing the plants. Should I get a poinsettia? I'm pretty sure those are poisonous. And they're monstrous. It would take up so much space! What about this orchid? It's pretty, but a little more fragile looking. What if I destroy it in transit?

In the end, I decided on the most expensive plant in the store (I had to use up that budget somehow!). As I checked out, the cashier mentioned, "Oh, those plants are so pretty, but I never get them because I'm afraid I'm going to kill them."

Now I'm nervous. Remember that time I have Harsh Brown Thumbs of Death? I hope I don't kill the plant overnight. Wish me luck.

Ro Sham Bo

One of my students, bless his heart, is a little socially inept. He prefers talking to adults rather than other students his age, and he often tries to engage me in conversation at inopportune moments. I try to be patient with him, but usually once a day or more I have to tell him he can't talk to me right now. Today during our snack time, he asked for a slice of my apple. Um, no. That's my food, sonny!

Moving on. Today we had an assembly so the junior choir could perform their Christmas concert for the school. As we were waiting for it to begin, some of my students began to play rock, paper, scissors (or, if you're from California, Ro-Sham-Bo). This student asked if I would play with him, and I declined, telling him to play with somebody else in the class. He furrowed his brow, pouted a little, and then proceeded to play rock, paper, scissors -- against himself. For about 20 minutes. Once the assembly started I had to keep telling him to keep his hands still.

Well, then. He gets points for resourcefulness, I guess?