Fadedwords

In August I was helping our school secretary deliver boxes of classroom supplies to the teachers’ rooms. While lifting one of the heavier boxes, I wrenched my back. At the time I thought I had just pulled a muscle, and went about my business. It hurt for about 5 days and then the pain subsided, except for at night when laying on my back caused serious pain. I also continued to have a very uncomfortable pain/burning sensation in my right knee.

Ever since then the pain has returned monthly, and sometimes more often. For awhile, due to the pain it was causing in my sides, we suspected it was endometriosis. This was especially concerning, because Jake and I want to have children someday and we were worried that if I did have endo it would make it extremely difficult… or impossible. Tests came back negative for endo though, and so I just figured I was being silly.

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My weekend was preceded by arriving at work Friday morning and receiving a note from my boss that gave very clear instructions in response to my Workman’s Comp paperwork filed about my wrist:

In the future, do not break up fights.

Next fight I see? I’m going to get a bag of chips and stand back to root for my favorite student. And when a parent demands to know why I did nothing to intervene, I will show them the note and tell them to ask my supervisor.

I should’ve known that starting out my Friday that way was a sure sign that the rest of the weekend would be crap. I would’ve been right to assume it, because so far it has been.

No hits on jobs yet; at this point I am resigned to the fact that I’m going to be stuck here for another year. To be honest, I don’t know if I can do this for another year.

On Monday I was in the Dean of Students’ office, helping him handle a situation with two girls that has been an on going problem for several weeks. All of a sudden we heard a commotion down the hall, and then we heard a teacher yelling for help. I was the closest to the door, so I ran out. The DoS wasn’t too far behind me. I saw two students fighting, and I knew both of them. By the time I reached where they were, one of them was being held back by a friend. I said the other one’s name and told him to come with me. I put my hand on his shoulder, he glanced at me, and started to back away and come? Then the other boy said something and my student became out of control again. He was cursing and lunging. I said his name again and told him to come with me, tightening my hold on him. He spun around, shoved me, and said, “Get the f*ck off of me.” Then he raised his fist to hit me. That’s when the DoS caught up and tackled him.

My wrist was hurt in this altercation. The principal knows. The student received 5 days home for this event. By “this event” I mean, the fight, for shoving me, and for cursing at the principal profusely for about fifteen minutes. Now, fighting is supposedly an “automatic 10-day suspension.” Then blatant verbal disrespect of a staff memeber (i.e.- cursing) is supposed to be 5 days the first time and then 10 the second. And a student putting their hands on a staff member violently is supposed to be an automatic 10-day suspension. The student got five days suspension.

Today the superintendant was at the school asking about this event. He asked the principal to speak to anyone who saw it. The principal had one teacher talk with him. I’m assuming that the super was not informed that I was shoved or that I was injured. I’m guessing that he wasn’t even told that I witnessed the fight and helped break it up.

And they wonder why they can’t keep a counselor or any first year teachers at this school.

On the bright side of things, I finally got brave and went to H & R Block to have my taxes done. I had W-2s from New York and from North Carolina, so I wasn’t really sure where to begin. I was very afraid that I would end up owing money, but as it turns out I am getting a substantial return. It is going to help a great deal.

My tattoo is healing nicely. I’m in the kinda’ gross phase of its evolution.? It’s starting to get dry and peel, which is normal but it feels disgusting. Only a few more days and it’ll be perfect.

After the wonderful tattoo experience, Jake and I went home and put on an episode of Miami Ink. It only seemed fitting since we had each just gotten inked up ourselves, and it was an episode I hadn’t seen yet that included a beautiful full-back piece that was a dragon. While we watched I started dinner. It was about 6pm, so we knew we’d be eating late.

At around 7 or so, we decided to have a beer. That turned into three or four more each, and from there we had an extremely fun evening. Dinner got done at about 10pm. The corned beef was amazing, and the vegetables were just right. We also enjoyed a fabulous St. Patty’s Day cake, that I will admit that I bought. This is unusual for me… but they didn’t have any St. Pat’s cake decorations. After cake and some more laughs we each passed out.

Sunday we went to the park and enjoyed the sunshine. Merlin was along for the ride, and he loved his walk. We took quite a few pictures, all of which will be in my gallery later tonight. For now this one will suffice:

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(you can click on this picture to make it larger).

We did some laundry, went to Panera Bread for lunch, made a quick stop to Target where I found the Easter Special Edition Ponies and purchased them, and then went home to watch a movie. He’d gotten ‘Stranger than Fiction’, and it was quite good. Very different idea, and very well done. After the movie it was time for me to head back home.

I had a wonderful weekend. I got my first tattoo, an experience I shared with the man I love. I celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. I made my first corned beef and cabbage dinner. It was fantastic.

Today I earned 10 cool points, according to my boyfriend…

In the process of getting my first tattoo

The final piece… it means eternity in Japanese, and we decided on it because a j and k make up the symbol.

Me and my tattoo artist Steve after the work is done

Jake and his brand new tattoo (it’s the one that looks just like mine, only bigger).

A closeup of my Tattoo

Our Tattoos
I have to say, it barely hurt. My tattoo artist was awesome; he kept my mind on other things. After it was all done he complimented me on how well I’d sat for the work. We went to a place called Warlocks in Cary, and I highly encourage anyone in the area to go. They shop is clean and well maintained. The staff is professional. It was just a nice place. If/when I get another tattoo, it will be done there.