My classes at EFY this year were sparsely attended, at best. What did this situation teach me? Sometimes I'm really not as great as I think I am.
For my class this morning, I was patiently waiting for someone (anyone!) to arrive--powerpoint queued up, lesson reviewed, ready to go. One kind young woman approached me with the class schedule in hand, shyly asked if I should be teaching the lesson on the sheet. What did I learn from this exchange? I need to read things a little more carefully to avoid embarrassment and lack of preparation.
Few kids seemed to appreciate the wisdom I had to impart these last two days. What did I glean from this disinterest? Sometimes you rock, sometimes you suck, even with the same material.
I wore the greatest shoes the last two days. What did my feet tell me tonight? Comfort outweighs style while trotting around a university campus.
Rarely when I come to Utah am I able to stop at the stores I want to explore without a hundred kids in tow. What does my bulging, sixty-one pound suitcase say? Only shop home decor stores when your luggage is limitless.
At least I looked good, even if the day kinda sucked.
Really sucked. I can't wait to see Arizona--sometime after midnight.
Linking up to Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.
Ouch, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to tell what's going to really grab the youth's attention. I'm sorry it was a hard few days. Here's hoping you are just suffering from the same doubts that always plague me when I teach, and really you touched hearts and reached some, even though it doesn't feel like it right now.
ReplyDeleteAnd, at least you were dressed fabulously! And got to see Tucker. And got in some great shopping!
Looking fabulous outweighs so much! Sorry your days stunk! Made for a great post though - you know the orange lining??/
ReplyDeleteThose kids don't know what they missed. I KNOW that your talks were fabulous.
ReplyDeleteOh shoot! Well if it makes you feel any better, those of us faithful followers of your blog, LOVE your insight and wisdom. Share, share, and share some more!
ReplyDeleteGreat orange post! Sorry you flight was delayed. :(
ReplyDeleteSometimes the love you and sometimes you can't move the crowd at all - just take it for what it was and don't let it get you down.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you did some shopping therapy afterwards!
It seems like your day was wasted to some extent except you got some frequent flyer miles. At least you were delayed IN the airport and not on the flight ( I hope )...and can take a look in the airport shops!
ReplyDeleteAt 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
It IS a great orange top! A bit of a bummer day that can only be better in the morning!
ReplyDeleteWhat's "EFY" btw?
Comfortable shoes are totally worth it. Sorry about the class.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Bummer! I hate the feelings that go on inside on a day like that!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy home...put your sore feet up and prepare your next "class" for those of us in blogland. We love to hear what you have to say!
good luck next time,
ReplyDeletefun post.
lessons learned in a cute orange shirt.....at least you looked fab and learned something too....
ReplyDeleteif i was EFY age i'd have been in your class EVERY OPPORTUNITY!!!! hope you'recomfy & at home....and putting those home decor finds to work! =)
ReplyDeleteAh nuts... sometimes teaching is like that, even with adults. Attention span is a flighty thing. But I'm betting that more took home your pearls of wisdom than you think. And you gave it your best effort, which is what really counts in the big picture. Never give up, and never give up those cute orange shirts!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been one of those kids because I would have been all ears.
ReplyDeleteYou never know what will draw the EFY crowd. A gimicky title sometimes works, but even that is no guarantee. (I'm sure you already know this full well.)
Chalk it up, Jen. Another day you might have been rockin' it...with the same material.
There's no explaining teenagers.
=)
Teenagers are a rough crowd (I've learned that the hard way of late). So I doubt you sucked- or that you could ever really suck.
ReplyDeleteThat storm was pretty great to watch, but sorry it delayed your flight.
I'm sorry it sucked, but that is a great orange top!
ReplyDeleteHope you got home ok...and soaked those feet. You rock btw... :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had a rough time, but the orange top looks great!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have it and sometimes, when we don't it is painfully evident. They just didn't know what they missed out on... too bad for them!
ReplyDeletePS Your son is such a nice one. It has been fun to see him here :)
A lot of people have posted about not wearing orange - you've proved it's OK! Hope you had a safe journey home!
ReplyDeletesometimes days do just kinda suck. our attitudes about them help us press on!
ReplyDeletei'm so sorry you had such a bad day, yikes ... i hope by now that you're safe and sound at home, and your bad day is nothing more than a distant memory - WE always like what you have to say!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great orange top, but I must ask...where did you get that beautiful necklace??
ReplyDeleteHow did you get the invitation to speak at EFY? Not that I'm a candidate, but I've always wondered how the speakers are chosen?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sorry it didn't go as you'd hoped...maybe with a few days' rest, you'll see it differently.
I find it funny I learn the same lesson on shoes...after the fact. And swear I will: Put.Comfort.First! on my next business trip. All of this sworn to no success in packing. Shoes must be pretty!
ReplyDeleteSorry some of your time was a stinker. Glad you made it home safely!
Jen! You are so stylin' in that top and great necklace.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your flight was delayed. At least you were cute eye candy to other travelers at the airport!
Thanks for the fun link!
I really enjoyed your take on the color Orange for Alphabe-Thursday's Rainbow Summer School.