14 February 2009

Kiss Misadventures


Happy Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day everyone! And of course, Happy Valentines Day!

I'm having a pretty varied Valentine's Day today. I'm going to see He's Just Not That Into You with a girlfriend this afternoon. It's pretty topical because she's dealing with someone that is not really into her. I've been helping her deal with her situation and she's treating me to the movie as part of my birthday present.

Mr. JB and I celebrate Valentine's Day the same way every year. Since we went to Greece for our honeymoon we get Greek take out from our favourite place and eat it on our fancy china. We only eat on our fancy dishes once a year and it's always on Valentine's Day! We already exchanged our gifts this morning. He got me cute pyjamas and I got him a Z.ippo lighter (I know I shouldn't be indulging his cigar smoking habit, but he almost never asks for specific things and he really, really wanted one).

I was pretty worried that celebrating Valentine's Day with my class was going to be really stressful. We've been working on various activities for the past two weeks since they take FOREVER to do anything. As soon as they walked into the classroom the kids wanted to exchange their cards, but I had planned to decorate bags for their cards. I also knew that if we started our celebrations too early that they would've been so wired on treats that it would've been impossible to do any of the things that I planned.

The kiddies were most impressed when I showed them how to make hearts. I folded a sheet of red construction paper, drew half a heart and then cut it out. You would've thought that I made a bunny appear out of thin air! When I cut out the middle of the heart and showed them the results one of the kids said, "Wow Madame you're amazing!"

Teaching six year olds is really good for the ego!

We finally got the bags finished and the class gave out their cards and treats. I only let five kids bring in edible treats for our in-class parties because I don't want to be overrun with sweet treats. I also made them mini chocolate cupcakes that they devoured in seconds flat.

The afternoon was going really well until one of my more challenging students came up to me with tears in her eyes because her ear was hurting. She was absent earlier in the week with an earache, but yesterday the other ear was bothering her. Little A came up to me and hugged me so tightly and hugged her back then I gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

Then I panicked.

I have heard over and over again from my teachers' union that as teachers we have to maintain a professional distance. I'm not allowed to hug or have any physical contact with my students. It's been really hard to keep from touching the kids in my class. The kids regularly attack me with hugs and they are always touching me. Before the end of the day yesterday most of the class attacked me with a group hug! I think that it would bother them more if I told them to stop.

Little A didn't notice that I kissed the top of her head, either that or she didn't think it was strange. When her big sister came to pick her up at the end of the day she did the exact same thing: she hugged her and gave her a kiss on the top of the head.

I think that its pretty sad that I'm feeling guilty about my actions. It's sad that we live in a world where I have to feel conscious of my actions, regardless of their intent. It was definitely easier with the older students. When I taught the fifth and sixth grades the kids weren't interested in hugging their teachers.

If I were A's mom I wouldn't be bothered about my kid's teacher giving her a kiss on the top of the head. After all, it was A who hugged me first and it was breaking my heart to see her cry because she was in pain.

I really have to stop worrying. I'm sure that nothing is going to come of what happened. I just have to keep reminding myself to keep my professional distance.

Easier said than done.

In cycle news, I haven't seen any CM until yesterday. It's CD16 and before going on the evil C.lomid I would've already ovulated. I'm feeling a dull pain in my lower right side (the same place I had pain at the beginning of my cycle) . I ovulated on CD17 last month, so it looks like things are following the same pattern. I've been really bad at falling asleep on the couch so we haven't been trying very hard in the TTC department! Hopefully we can make up for it tonight!

I hope that all of you are having a great day and that your hubbies are spoiling you rotten!

9 comments:

  1. I think it would be hard to not show a kid any affection. If it were my kid, and the teacher gave him or her a hug or a kiss on the head, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

    We live in some screwed up times.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you were my kids teacher please kiss her head! :)

    Sounds like a sweet Valentines day! We actually had on our shoes to go to the ER last night! I was sick all day and I am not really sure what was happening? I thought my bowel would have calmed down!

    Go figure! I know this is gross but I think you can handle it! I had to "GO" urgently all day and unable to go yet I was still passing? So I wasn't stopped up. It was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever experienced! I was crying! Now today I am okay, I just feel sea sick.

    I don't know what happen to my angry bowels. They are so sensitive. Maybe this is normal?

    Sorry to talk about my #2 habits! hahahaha I just wonder if you ever experienced that before or am I looney?? :)

    So I spent V-Day on the couch! Though my hubby made grilled cheese sandwiches and they were the best! :)

    I did the same thing last month. I didn't have CM until VERY late in the month! Crazy, huh!?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I got the pill form of metamucil. I almost threw up the powder form. But only two sips of that nasty stuff a few weeks ago I started to regulate.

    That is so interesting. Do you take milk of magnesium every night before bed.

    I just don't want to feel this way again. I am not even sure if it's constipation, not sure it can be if I was passing?

    I could not sit indian style because it hurt. What the heck?

    I even called the doctor last night, he did indicate it could be from surgery or a virus.

    Ha! The thought of pregnancy did cross my mind because of the severe feeling of constipation! hahahaha! I am such a fool!;) It's only CD 21 & P3! Go figure!:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had no idea rules had become so strict for teachers. I think that is incredibly sad and such a wrong example for children. I'm glad you got a group hug in.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think your intuition--to comfort that poor kid--led you to do just what her family does. You felt how to help her feel better. If I were her mom, I'd be grateful to have such a caring teacher spending most of the day with my child.

    It's sad that a few fucked up people have ruined the possibility of physical affection for all the normal, caring people out there. Just sad.

    I remember learning that heart trick and I, too, was totally impressed! It is super cool, when you see that there are easy ways to do difficult-seeming tasks.

    Giving you a huge hug and an absolutely appropriate kiss on the head.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I understand your concern about the hug/kiss... and I agree that it's ridiculous that we even have to be concerned. And in this particular case, I really don't think anything will come of it, so don't worry.

    As for the O pain, that is good! A little late is better than never, just remember!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I wouldn't worry too much about it -- esp. since she ran to you looking for comfort. And I had to laugh hearing about your Valentines day at school. My 7-year olds were NUTS all day... when are we having a party? when can we exchange cards? How many hours until..? I hadn't even told them we'd have a party -- I just said we'd exchange cards, but some brought treats in anyway. Kids are so funny!

    How was the movie? I've been wanting to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello man! Incredible post however I extremely needed to simply drop a remark on your blog. Your blog has a super cool outline. Is this wordpress by possibility? Carpet Overlocking

    ReplyDelete