applespice: it is a sparkly fairy ([reading] nose in a book)
How About Them Apples? ([personal profile] applespice) wrote2010-11-02 10:36 pm
Entry tags:

LJ Idol - Week 1 - Winding Up

Is that the alarm? Already? Shit. Can't hit the snooze button more than once or I'll have to skip breakfast, and my belly is quicker to wake up than my brain. Just sit up - it's not so bad after the initial head rush.

What day is it today?

---

A little more toothpaste, there we go. Feeling more awake now - maybe it's the peppermint suds in my mouth. So what day is it? Ah, yeah, Tuesday. One more week until the end of the grading period. Wonder how that's going to go. Better yet, wonder what excuses I'll be hearing when it comes down to the wire.

Maybe I'll take the day. I haven't been sick once yet; a personal record. There are definitely some faces that I'd rather not see today. I'd rather go back to sleep, then spend the day with some old friends. Kara, Bill, and Saul maybe. Or Tim and Dawn - those kids are always good for a laugh.

---

What should I have for breakfast? Those bananas are going, guess I should get my money's worth. Once they get too mushy I just don't want 'em anymore. Maybe some oatmeal. It's that kind of day. I wish I was a coffee drinker, but the taste turns my tongue inside out. At least the cat hasn't pulled my clothes off the ironing board. Small blessings.

I won't take the day. There's too much to do. Besides, if I make it to 1:30 I'll see my favorite class. Maybe one of my kids from last year will come by and say hello. I always get a kick out of that, especially when they talk me up to the new crowd.

---

Shoes, phone, keys. Is that it? Sorry, kitty, can't stay and play. Grab the trash on the way out the door. Down the steps, drop the Hefty, into the car. It's starting to get cool out now, isn't it? And it's so dark! Sometimes I wish I kept a normal schedule. Start things up and let's get rollin'.

Don't think about things too much for now. Turn on the radio, crank up the noise. Merge onto the freeway. Let off some steam swearing at the other half-asleep commuters. Make to-do lists out loud - that's not weird, is it?

---

Already here; how's that possible? 25 minutes really ought to be longer. Kids are starting to pull in, but I've beat the rush. Good news for my stress level. Ever tried driving through a high school parking lot? Tragicomedy at its finest.

Have I got my classroom keys? Wonder if my buds are in the English office yet or if I'll get stuck talking to Ms. Motormouth again. Let's go.

"Hey, Mama!"
"Good morning, Miss!"
"Cute shoes, Ms. F!"

How did I get here again? And how is it I'm smiling?

Eight hours to go.

[identity profile] fourzoas-reads.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Nice take on the topic; morning routines are so personal, and I get a sense of energy building as I read yours. Good job!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! Once I get to the school I'm pretty much on a roll - it's just those first few crucial minutes :)

[identity profile] creature-girl08.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
I imagine teaching is quite a job in today's world. I liked your entry.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
It's quite... something, that's for sure! I'm still figuring out just what.

Thank you!

[identity profile] vaguelyclear.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
Your first section describes me every single morning. Nicely written, Allison :D

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
That first part is the worst bit! Oh man, that alarm is saddest sound ever.

Thanks!

[identity profile] wyliekat.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I really like this take on the theme. It ain't always easy to write as a montage, but you did a really nice job of it, IMO. It gives it kind of a dreamscape feel.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I wasn't sure how it turned out, but I'm glad you liked it!

[identity profile] beautyofgrey.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The beginning of my day is always a stressful winding rush.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't you dream of a day when you can wake up at utter peace with the world? I wonder what such a thing would feel like...

[identity profile] n-maranda-coy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Maing to-do lists out loud is never weird.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a relief! It's one of my few skills!

[identity profile] nialyind.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
There is something so bizarre about the beginning of the day. I know I'm always tempted to skip my first class. And no, making to-do lists out loud is not weird. :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
That's just something so appealing about saying, "Fuck it," and going back to bed.

I'm glad to hear that! I know I'd hate to be weird ;)

[identity profile] antianhedonia.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
That was really well-written and enjoyable. I liked being taken through the steps of the day, especially your decision to go to work.

:)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] courtney-ke.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
A pleasant read, thank you :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] majesticarky.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not surprised you'd be smiling. I also can't believe your kids greet you with "Hey, mama!" HAHA. That would make me smile too.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
The "Mama" business started last year... I was the youngest teacher at my school at the time, and the kids loved ragging me about it!

[identity profile] imafarmgirl.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
this sounds so familliar!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad to hear I'm not alone!

[identity profile] reixetvobi.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
I have never experienced the tragicomedy of a high-school parking lot. I suspect this is a good thing.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
A VERY good thing! Sometimes I wonder how I manage to get out alive every day!

[identity profile] m-malcontent.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I am from a multi-generational family of teachers. Much respect for you, enjoyed the entry.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :)

[identity profile] the-vernacular.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
This was a really good take on the subject. I can't believe you have kids who call you Mama!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

The "Mama" thing actually started last year - I was the youngest teacher at my school at the time and the kids loved ragging me about it. One of my pre-AP students, from Ethiopia (I am chalk white), decided that he was my secret son from an elementary-school tryst.

[identity profile] myrna-bird.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I enjoyed this glimpse of your day.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] nyxocity.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I love the stream of consciousness feel to this. It feels very real, and just like a lot of my mornings feel :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] myrna-bird.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I could feel your mind going a mile a minute. Good job!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I always feel so scatterbrained in the morning.

[identity profile] lostin-thestars.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely! I really enjoyed this.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] roina-arwen.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
Interesting take on the topic. So what do you teach?

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Junior English :)

[identity profile] onda-bianca.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I feel this one. Especially the first three line. :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
The toughest time of the day, no doubt.

[identity profile] gaea-rising.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh, this sounds so much like my own internal dialogue in the mornings. Good work!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] so-small.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
That first paragraph sounds so familiar (actually, I think most people can relate to it!).

I don't think I want to experience the tragicomedy of a high school parking lot!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
You definitely don't! It is a scary, scary thing.

[identity profile] attheonesix.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It's great when your day exceeds your expectations, even early on. Well done.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-06 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, it is! And thank you!

[identity profile] faerie-spark.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Marvelously done. I was with you all the way.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] abstruse-fangrl.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Reading someone elses inner struggle about the snooze button makes me feel a little better about my morning routine. :)

I felt like I was right there with you in this entry the whole way.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

Does a person exist that doesn't struggle with that snooze button?? I'd like to meet them so I can steal their secrets!

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