It's an odd thing. It's been 3 1/2 years since I've graduated with a teaching license and this is the first time I'm not going to be the new guy. Working in Mexico and Spring Lake Park I was the new guy, but those jobs only lasted one year. For the first time ever, there are people newer than I am at a school.
It seems like a really great group so far. They seem really diverse, friendly and full of energy. I really hope that keeps up and encourages everyone else.
In other news, my new house had its first break-in. Last night a mouse found a small hole in the outer door followed by a big slant in my inner door followed by my kitchen. I saw the whole thing and those who know me know that I am not exactly a manly man. I yelped a bit and avoided the kitchen. When I moved to my computer, I heard it banging around a little bit, then the sounds got closer. I swear, it charged at me. Well, I yelled, and it skreeked and ran out the hole. Right now the door is lined with fire wood, which will hopefully keep further intruders out.
In related news, I purchased my first handgun today. It was really a spur of the moment thing, with two of my coworkers and I talking about monkeys and mice. It turns out that our dearly departed (from India) former Hindi teacher used to chase mice under his refrigerator and shoot them dead with his BB gun. So, I trekked up with a co-worker from Chicago to the grocery store that also sells BB guns. The way up we were lamenting that where we come from, only the bad guys have guns. For him, gangsters and whatnot, for me Republicans and rednecks. We got a chance to test them out on some monkeys on the way back. It turns out the monkeys know what these guns are and what they do and took off running. If they ever get aggressive though, I only get one shot then that thing turns into a club...
I'll let y'all know how the year starts off after more than one day later!
