So, I like to learn stuff. Even tonight I had a lesson in very-important-to-know-Super-Mario-techniques which resulted in the happy explanation from the 9yo. "This is the first time I have ever been allowed to tell an adult what to do."
I actually sort of started getting it, too, except for the kicking. I couldn't get the kicking. The 4yo sat on back of the couch telling me he was still cheering for me and when my kicks didn't kick, he patted me on the back.
Nothing like having someone watching your back for you.
So, I like to learn and I even liked school at least some of the time growing up, but I got to thinking the other day ... there were some things about school I really, truly didn't like.
1. Unfair teachers. I had some good teachers and I had some bad teachers and I had some in-the-middle-teachers that I can hardly remember. I also had some unfair teachers. I remember my sixth grade teacher had some evil gene trapped in his brain somewhere. If ANYONE goofed off in his class, ALL of us had to stay after school and copy entire pages out of our science books. Sitting in a warm classroom, listening to the sounds of the free-from-captivity kids screaming outside ... did not make me like molecules or magnetic poles all that much. I wasn't the one talking in class, why did I have to sit there doing the inane copying when I could be out playing kickball or riding my bike? Didn't get it. Still don't get it. But I doubt he'd be doing it today - whiney parents would sue him or something.
2. Creepy kids. I'm sorry. I do love everyone in the Lord. Truly I do. I just didn't like sitting next to some of them. Like the kid in first grade that ate his pencils. (Gives me the chills just thinking about it.) Or the kid in sixth grade who stuck his finger in someone else's throw-up. (Just consider the fact that I remember these things all these years later and I also can remember the exact words the finger-in-the-throw-up guy said, "Oh, you must've had orange juice for breakfast.") EWWWWWWWW ...
3. Mean kids. Kids that cruelly teased other kids. I usually stayed away from being the focus of the teasing, but I could see the hurt in the eyes of the kids who were. Like the girl with the funny name or the boy who smelled. Unfortunately, I think some times as kids we're immune to the hurt others are experiencing. We probably all could've been a little nicer.
I have others, too, but I'm tired right now.
Besides, I have to go over my Super Mario rules.
to be continued ...
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