Yellow...

September 9, 2010

Got to work this morning and Jo said she had a question for us, which, of course, related to the e-mail from Camp Adventure Head Quarters and basically did not change anything about our going into ratio today. 

After that uncomfortable conversation where Erin and I defended ourselves and what we actually said to headquarters, I was sent to the toddler room for another day. Got to do an art project of sponge painting with the kids and then spent the majority of the morning playing inside and outside with the kids. At lunch, I got to serve lunch and then rubbed backs until kids went to sleep and it was finally my turn to take a break. Erin and I, comparing the schedules we got that has me working with toddlers from 8-5 all next week, decided that we are going to talk to Jo about alternating our work schedule, so that Erin and I alternate who is in the toddler room from week to week. This was neither one of us will get burned out as quickly and hate our jobs as much. Ran to the post office to get our address, the atm to pull out both American and England currency, the Outdoor Recreation office and the coffee shop travel agency in order to start planning our trips. 

Returning to work, I got to do story time with the kids and feed them snack and then, since September 11th is this weekend, there was a service on base and a walk afterwards to remember those who died in the attack. We took all of the kids down to the chapel and then did the walk with everyone else, which got the kids really excited and made the afternoon go pretty smoothly.

Had one pretty funny story stem from our time out on the playground where my classroom kids (who we refer to as the "yellow room kids") are not allowed to go on one of the play structures because it's too high. Ironically, my one little Asian toddler was trying to climb up and I said something along the lines of, "No yellows allowed up here." Not realizing how it sounded, another teacher, Tasha, was like, "Girl, say what? That's racist." It was only at that moment that I realized it sounded so bad, but Tasha was just giving me crap. Guess I have to watch how I phrase some of my wording. Whoops!

FINALLY got off work and, with a mind-splitting headache, Erin and I headed to the library (the library is open until 8 on Thursdays!!!) where we spent about two hours on the internet in actual warmth. Came home, made rice and soy sauce for dinner, started to watch Hoodwinked, which we both fell asleep for and then decided it's bedtime. So, good night all. :)

Things I learned today:

1. Even when a child is in the yellow room, don't refer to them as "yellows." It could come across as racist.

2. "Flush it slow, it won't go. Flush it fast, it'll pass." - The rhyme we learned to teach us how to flush toilets over here. 

3. At the center, we have people working there from Russia, Poland, England, America, Cuba and Mexico/Puerto Rico. Quite a lot of diversity and languages spoken there!

4, Next Monday, Jaylun (one of my co-workers) will be turning 32 on Monday when, on Thursday, I will be turning the opposite, 23. Interesting. 

5. Toga party at the "club" on base tomorrow night! Whoop! Whoop!