Let's rewind a little - I'm sure you're a little lost.    As I'm walking up to class, my coworker Mrs. Duenas stops me and tells me to be calm.  Uh-oh...universal warning that I'm sure everyone can relate with.  People don't usually say that actually thinking that you will "stay calm."  It's more like a last-minute effort to distract or confuse you is what I think.  Anyway...her explanation was:  "Your room's been flooded.  There's two inches of water all over the floor."

  Someone is out there with a video camera laughing their es off while taping my every move and watching out for my reactions.  Punk'd, I tell you!!  That's what I'm always telling myself when the most incredibly ridiculous things happen to me.  Flooded?  We don't even have a  sink!!  How the heck can my classroom be flooded??!?! 

Anyway, I wasn't as upset as you  would expect me to be.  I think my words after Mrs. Duenas told me the news were "you're serious?"  When I walked to my class, I saw the damage.  Yes, there really was two inches of water on the floor which got deeper when you WADED towards the middle.  Of course, it didn't occur to me as I was wading that agaist the wall lay an electrical cord connected to my stereo, which I may or may not have switched off (I'm typing this after the fact, so obviously I didn't get ).

I don't know if it was my boy's comment that stopped the volcano from erupting (I tell the kids I'm like a teapot or a volcano: push the right buttons and my water will start boiling or my lava will erupt!), but when I heard little *****'s voice (which is tinged with a little Tagalog accent) say "Ms. Audije, can we swim?"  I swear, any anger or rage was diffused in that second.  Oh geez.  I tell you, my little babies help me keep my sanity with just a word or their little hugs.  What did I answer, you ask?  LOL - I said "Neyyyyyeeeww."  (It sounds better when you say it outloud). 

Actually, we USED to have a sink, but because new counters were installed that were absent of any accomodating hole, they threw out the sink we had.  What we didn't know was that they took the hose that was orginally attached to the sink and simply put it into the drainage pipe.   Kinda like the hooked-shaped hose from a laundry machine where the water is flushed that is just placed into a drainage pipe?  Yeah.  Like that.  I think the term I'm reaching for is....HALF-ASS!!

ALL of the first grade classrooms had the same situation with the new counters, but it was only MY classroom that suffered flooding.  I had wondered a few days ago if I should report to the office that I could hear the water running loudly, but I'll be honest:  in a day, there is no time to think until the kids are out of the classroom and headed home.  By then, I don't have many thoughts left in my head except SIT.  If I don't leave a reminder for myself for important things, I usually don't remember it until I'm already in trouble.  HOLY COW!!  I just remembered that I'm supposed to make copies of a book for a parent...since two weeks ago!!  AUGH!!   

Anyway, our class is okay.  The hard-working aides and custodians were swift in cleaning up the mess and getting the water out.  Don't ask me about the teacher edition books I had on a wire shelf.    Or the reading/math/science presentation booklets I had placed on the floor.    Or my PERSONAL library with over 100 books at the bottom of another WIRE shelf.    Or the rug in my reading corner. 

For what others might have viewed as a "bad day," I think back on it and just smile.  And I owe my attitude to our new assistant principal Senora George, who knows how to support an employee (not mentioning names or referring to our other principal, k??   .  I also owe it to my understanding and GREATEST co-worker Mina, who offered to take our 21 students into her room and team-teach for the day (THANK YOU MINA!!  I know it was really  and I really appreciate your consideration!!).  Lastly, I owe my calm mood and composure to my children, who helped me make it through the only way they knew how.    By trying their best to be well-behaved (it was so sweet to see their efforts!) and with their little hugs.  I am so honored to have these group of kids.  Their conscious efforts were so evident - I just couldn't believe they were being so good.  Ahhh..maybe it was that MILITARY-THREAT ... LOL!  Whatever it was, I think my love for them has grown even more. 

Anyhow, I think a major reason also was the fact that I was excited.  See, I had plans for Reggie that night - it was his birthday and I had schemes to surprise him as soon as he got off work.  LOL!!  I know - save it for another entry, right?