By the time Thursday comes around in my week, I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. Tuesday and Wednesday wipe me out. Especially Wednesdays like yesterday.
Stevie likened it to a series of unfortunate events. It was rough.
Children's camp was chaos. My group was bouncing off the walls, wouldn't listen, were mean to each other. I wanted to scream. Stevie's group was the same. I'm glad that the tour Jimmy was giving came in the last twenty minutes after the ten minute lecture Stevie gave them about respect. They appeared well behaved when we played games. I just don't ever remember being that mean to other kids or disrespecting my teachers like that. Totally different baggage to deal with here.
Speaking of baggage, the youth camp was even more frustrating. I can't get anyone to do anything. Playing games with them is like pulling teeth. Getting them to strike a frozen image of sadness is like asking them to jump off a building. Asking them to stand up is like trying to move an elephant. And each group did mini snapshots of their work so far. All of the other groups are way farther than we are, and they were embarrassed. But if they don't want to do anything during our work sessions, they can't expect us to be much of a competition to the others. Maybe after seeing the cool stuff the other groups were doing a fire will be set under them.
I've never had to deal with this kind of stuff, and it is so hard. As soon as the kids walked out of the room, Stevie asked me how it went, and I just started bawling. Then I cried when I got home while my roommates were gone. Then Ranya, another intern who works with the youth every day and is helping the poetry group, only had to say, "I understand," and I was crying again. Is this what teaching is going to be like for me? Coming home every day crying? Lord, I hope not. It's exhausting.
My evening got better after that. Stevie called me and asked me to be on an 8 minute TV segment on "What's Up Central Texas," to promote We Ain't the Huxtables. We got lost getting there, his phone died, so we went to a gas station and he charged it enough to call them and get directions. The segment was just one take, so it's nice and embarrassing. I felt like I sat there and smiled the whole time. But it was fun.
Then we went to the mall, wandered around for a bit. I treated myself to a pair of earrings for $1.50. Retail therapy at its cheapest, which means its best. And then my roommates dyed my hair with cool-aid. After a terrible night's sleep with my head wrapped in saran wrap, I am strawberry blonde for the next couple of days. Black cherry didn't turn as dark as I expected, but it still looks pretty cool to me. And it still smells good.
This weekend is our recovery weekend off. Friday we have the day off and are planning on doing some shopping in all the funky little shops we can find here in Waco. Then Saturday we are going to Austin for the day. We are escaping, which we are all very excited about. Today is research, clothing store, rehearsal, and Harry Potter 3. Sounds much less stressful.
Until next time, hope in the Lord, He will restore your strength and mine.
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