i've gotta be me

I have an open bag of sour gummy worms on my desk and an absolute refusal to grade these essays until it’s empty. Consider this an open invitation to come distract me, or at least come steal some candy so I’m forced to actually do my job.

Damn, sorry, I don't think I can help you. Now, if you said you had a bag of Sour Patch Kids, that'd be a super different story and I'd almost have to come over and nab some from you. But, hey, at least your candy's safe!

Wrinkles are a sign of a life well lived, as far as I'm concerned. And embracing your wrinkles means I get to share in that just a little bit.

Yes to both! I can definitely do that, at least! Maybe be, like... your score keeper if that's something you need? I should be able to do tallies and stuff and not mess that up too badly. Okay, okay, I won't get too down on myself about it then. Now I just gotta find something else to focus on to make me forget a little bit. Maybe a pride month surprise for you in return? I mean, you do work so hard at this time of year. I think you'd deserve it. You didn't hear that from me, though. Totally just a thought.

Oh my gosh, I totally get what you mean about the time and how it's changed from being a kid where breaks fly by and the school year drags on. As a teacher it's like entirely the opposite! And for me, sending off my kindergarten classes each year to move on up to first grade is always so bittersweet, so that makes the end of the school year rushing on all that much more of something I dread. As for vacations, I love the beach and I know there's a few really nice ones not too far away! Perks of living only like within a few hours of the east coast, right? Otherwise my usual top answer for vacations is any of the Disney parks, which I realize aren't always feasible to everyone.

Aw, man, yeah, I can totally see how hard it must be to see your kids head off on their way. I already get close enough with my glee kids that it really sucks when they graduate, so honestly kinda glad I'm just covering PE other than that. Not that it's impossible to get attached to the kids in PE, but it feels a little more rare since I usually keep 'em pretty busy playing sports or running laps or whatever. Oh, yeah, for sure! A trip to the beach is totally in order for this summer and I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't get something that easy done. Disney sounds fun, too! Though... yeah, like you said, easier said than done. If it's any consolation, taking my kids there in the future is definitely on the bucket list. Like, my actual kids, not my glee kids, for the record.

I love traveling, but I don't think I've gone on a proper vacation ever, honestly. As for suggestions, I feel like it depends on how far you're willing to go, y'know?

I've been on a few, but hardly any in my, like, adult life which kinda makes me sad. And, hey, sky's the limit! I've never really gone super far, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be down for it, you know?

You're going to get laugh lines around your eyes first, and those are the best wrinkles to have. I can't wait to see it.

Hey, at least that makes one of us! I think I must have lucked out getting a boyfriend that's already ready to embrace my wrinkles.

I wish time would slow down sometimes. Life goes by so fast and I don’t want it too! I’m excited for summer though, I miss the sun and heat! Hey if you ever want a suggestion on a trip idea then I have plenty of suggestions. I spent the last 10 years wandering the country after all.

Right? Tell me about it! Especially when I consider how back when I was younger, my mom would always say she wished I would stop growing up so fast. Now? I totally get it. Definitely love the sunshine though, so I'm right there with ya. And hey, lay 'em on me, Q! Who am I not to take your expert advise?

I stand by my belief that on no planet do you ever qualify as old, Finn Hudson. Young. At. Heart.

Hey, I mean, I'll take that! My mom pretty much has always said the same thing. At least I have that if I start getting all wrinkly on the outside, huh?

Since we're near the end of the year and don't have much left, I decided to do a Star Wars Week with my class — showing movies on the 4th, 5th, and the 6th. Episode IV: wonder and excitement Episode V: lightsaber duels at recess Episode VI: officially lost control of my classroom I started this just thinking it would be a fun, low-key thing for the end of the school year. Instead, I now have a room full of tiny Jedi, one very passionate Sith Lord, and at least six kids making “woosh woosh” noises at all times. I regret nothing.

Dude! That's so awesome! Consider the kid version of me super jealous. It would have been so damn cool to have one of my teachers do a whole Star Wars week for my class, so I hope all those tiny Jedi are firmly calling you their favorite teacher now. I definitely would be.

I know, dude! It shook me to my core. But yeah, I guess when you put it that way, it doesn't seem so bad. Actually I saw this meme the other day about being from the late 1900s and if we grew up when dinosaurs ruled the earth and then it had photos of the dino shows and movies we watched as kids and ended with basically saying like yeah we did. I mean, we kind of were the generation that brought the dino popularity about when you think about it.

Holy cow, you're actually so right, man. I never really think about that, but it's so true. And honestly? That kinda makes me even more bummed. Like I still think dinosaurs are awesome to this day, but I hardly ever hear the kids talk about them these days. Have there just been no really solid dino stuff for the kids in the last however many years?

Guys, you know what really hurts me in my soul right now? GameStop has officially declared the PS3, Wii, and X-Box 360 all retro consoles. And don't get me wrong, as someone who quite literally owns and runs a vintage shop, I know that when an item hits the 20 year mark, it's officially considered vintage but... my dudes, I was like a senior in high school when these consoles first came out. I gotta say it, I really feel like a dinosaur right now.

Whoa, okay, for starters, definitely wasn't ready for that information to be dropped on me today. That is... actually insane. But hey! At least dinosaurs are considered to be universally awesome, right? We can totally spin this into a positive for us. At least, I think so. I mean, I always thought dinosaurs were awesome when I was younger.

Honestly, if a mysterious pile of chocolate ever just appeared on my desk, I would choose not to ask any questions. And to be fair, I try not to judge them too hard either, but sometimes the things they say just hit me like a jump scare. Yesterday one kid asked if boiling water “makes it healthier,” and I had to take a full five seconds before answering because my brain just… left my body.

Okay, okay... I get what you're saying. So, in that case, you probably shouldn't be surprised to find one on your desk soon-ish. Wink wink nudge nudge. Totally not me, though. Probably just a fellow teacher helping you out with some stress chocolate. And... oof. Yeah, I can't really defend that one.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started Anne with an E, but that first episode really pulled me in. Anne’s personality is infectious. Has anyone else watched it?

Man... I cannot even lie to you, it's been forever since I feel like I've kept up with any shows. Life just feels way too busy these days to do it. I feel like the most I have attention for is movies. But hey, awesome that you found something new to be into!

I think I’ve officially reached the "don’t look at the floor" stage of the semester. Between the 8th graders learning to sauté and a junior asking if sugar and salt are "basically the same thing," I’m pretty sure I'm one kitchen fire away from a total meltdown. Teenagers are a lot. If you see me at the market staring blankly at the baking aisle at any point this week, please just hand me a chocolate bar and tell me everything is going to be okay.

Yup, that sounds about right. To me, I've pretty much accepted it's their job to just be... a lot. I shouldn't judge too hard, though, because especially back then? Yeah, I'd totally be that junior asking if salt and sugar are the same thing. Now that V-Day's over, would it help if I tracked down some cheap chocolate and unloaded it on your desk?