My Alien Abduction?!?

I made it!  Two days back at work.  My youngest students were happy to see me and didn’t even blink at the fact that I had been gone for a month.  The same was not true of my older students who were also excited to see me - but wanted to know where I had been.  So I came up with a great stock answer: “I was abducted by aliens, but they thought I was so strange they brought me back.”  Got laughter and giggles and a few kids believed me!  Then I just told them that I had to take time off to take care of something, and the alien story is much more interesting and fun than where I actually was.  That seemed to placate most of them.  I have decided that this works for me! And makes my room have a silly atmosphere.  The best moment with kids the past few days have been my hugs from sweaty boys who are behavior problems in my classroom, but missed me!  I have missed them too!  Never thought I’d say that I liked hugs from 9 and 10 year old boys who have been out at recess in May.

My colleagues and the parents I have seen have been extremely supportive.  Those that don’t know what has been going on with me, just welcomed me back and told me how much I was missed. Those who have been there for me - greeted me with hugs and exclamations about how much better I looked then I have the past few months.  People have stopped by… a lot.  And that makes me feel loved!

Partially finished office!

Rearranged my office - at least most of the way - this is the room where I spent so much time crying and isolating.   This was a suggestion that I thought was a great one.  I covered a bulletin board with fabric, rearranged the artwork, painted part of the wall with chalkboard paint and hung a funky sculpture from the ceiling. I even rang a bell (ok I was embarrassed to ask the music teacher for a bell so I downloaded a bell ringing app on my phone and yes they do make bell ringing apps) as was recommended by Dr. K to get out all the old vibes.  Not only has this been therapeutic - it also feels great to have a revamp of the room and start getting excited for the next school year which I know will be much better than this one! Planning to do more to it tomorrow… but for now - bath and then bed. This working 5 days a week is as tiring as I remember.