Monday, June 27, 2011

Delta Dawn

For real ya'll: Sorry about my radio silence for the past week or so. Our days at Institute go a little something like this:


Sorry about the lens flare-I took this through the window of the bus

5:00 am: Alarm goes off

5:01: Weep quietly into pillow and mentally calculate how many more hours until you can get back into bed

5:30 am: Wait in line with 800 of your closest friends to get into the dining hall

5:31 am: Wonder if it's actually possible to be eaten alive by mosquitos/do they have West Nile virus down here?

5:31-5:39: Swat, swat, swat. 

5:40 am: Walk into mosquito-free haven of the dining hall

5:41 am: See the sign on the coffee machine that says "Out of Order". 

5:41 part 2: Weep silently. 

5:45: Elbow some skinny b out of the way so that you can get the last bowl of Raisin Bran. 

5:50 am: Hoover through a bowl of fruit and toast with peanut butter, taking your last bite as you put your dish in the dishwashing bin. 

5:55 am: Go through the lunch line, where the lunch ladies are watching you to make sure you only take one salad, bag of carrot sticks, and apple. (Do people actually want more than one bag of carrot sticks? I'd be happy to give them mine. Then I wouldn't have to feel bad for taking a bag of tricks. Good karma has no calories. Right? RIGHT?)

6:05 am: Board the bus headed for the elementary school you're teaching at for the summer. Get mocked about "finding the time" to read books for pleasure. Bat one back about how attractive it is to take a nap and drool on the bus seat. (Not. Attractive.)

And that's just the first HOUR. Woof. Ending the achievement gap ain't no easy task, ya'll!




9 comments:

Alyssa @ Life of bLyss said...

You're awesome, Ensley. I hope you're having so much fuuun!

Holly said...

Uh, go you?! I'm dreading the day that I graduate and have to wake up before 8am...

Leigh Powell Hines said...

What are you learning? I feel like you are in teacher bootcamp.

Anonymous said...

Yes, there are a few cases of West Nile here diagnosed here in Cleveland every year. Keep using that bug spray!

Anonymous said...

Are you for real? i live in the Mississippi Delta. In Cleveland in fact. I am a Delta State Student. You are ridiculous. I am struggling to get a degree in Music Education. I am not struggling because I am not smart enough or do not have the drive to do it, I struggle because I do not have transportation to observe and teach. i do however have a few vocal students. I am actually one of the brightest students here at DSU. I am also one of the best educators here, even though I am still trying to get my degree. I do not worry over what to eat or where to get it. I just walk to the farmers market or to the closest grocery story (most of which sell fresh Veggies and Fruits) and buy some food. I don't see how the cafe running out of certain foods or you having to ride on a school bus is such a problem, when my biggest problem keeping me from teaching these deprived students is my lack of transportation. You really really should not be teaching these students. You do not have a good sense of what matters. Try to focus a little more on those students that you can help. the ones who are just like me!

Anonymous said...

Our cafeteria employees certainly aren't crazy. Please treat them with respect and kindness, just as you'd want to be treated if the Lottery of Life had placed you in their hardworking, underpaid positions.

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