No Wonder...

Everyone knows how much I like to type lists of things that I think and today is no exception:

#1 I substitute taught the same 1st grade class for two consecutive days this week. I am sorry, but after that experience, I am NEVER having children (or if I do, they will have to be put up for adoption when they turn six). While the kids are not "bad" kids, I have tried everything I know of (and I have always considered myself to be pretty good with kids) to get them to pay attention while I'm teaching math or reading. NONE of it worked. Finally, I had to make them put their heads down for 15 minutes while I seethed in the back of the classroom. Under different circumstances, I think that I could really enjoy these same kids. Perhaps if I was a PE teacher and I could take them outside so they could run and squeal all they want... Anyway, it is my opinion that elementary school teachers should be paid more than high school teachers, because MAN, it is hard.

#2 I'm thinking about becoming a janitor. Seriously. The other day when I had my first graders out in the hall for a potty break (which was also a mistake), I watched the janitors sit in the janitor's room and do crossword puzzels. They clean the school for two hours after the kids leave and BOOM, they are FINISHED. And guess what? ALL of them own ginormous pick-up trucks that are 2003 or newer. I don't have a truck. Perhaps in my snobbishness I have overlooked the right job for me.

#3 It's no wonder that American kids (and American adults) are fat. I ate school lunch for the past two days. While school lunch in Japan was always a guessing game (what the hell is THIS??), at least it was always good for you (amazing amounts of vitamins found in seaweed and tofu, you know). American school lunch is like a PARTY. The main courses for the two days were chicken nuggets and pizza respectively. Both days we also had dessert, two cartons of chocolate milk, and pork and beans. I mean, I'm not complaining as I enjoy pizza as much as the next person...I'm just sayin'...