LifeInContrast.com

I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses
Things are going great, and they’re only getting better
I’m doing all right, getting good grades
The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades,
I gotta wear shades

(Timbuk 3)

Let me just say for a moment that I have the best job in the world. I spend my days surrounded by young people who are full of energy - both students and fellow teachers. Thankfully I have enough energy to match (and sometimes surpass) theirs.

Me with some of the other teachers

Me with a great class

Most of my classes are filled with raucous laughter, as my students are simultaneously exposed to my weirdness and to new ideas and new modes of thinking. We have a blast learning a new language while playing games and chatting about silly topics. In the teacher’s room it’s more of the same, albeit on a (slightly) more mature scale. I really like just about everyone I work with.

When I think back to my last job, and how frustrated and alone I felt, how unhappy I was, all I can think is “What took me so long?!”

These days I usually start work around 11am or noon, and finish around 7:30pm, occasionally later. At the end of the day, although I’m physically tired, I’m also full of a peculiar energy that comes from challenging my mind and the minds of my students all day.

I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

And, for the record, although I have experienced some “drama” with some folks here, the overwhelming majority of the people I know & hang out with are really cool people… good friends indeed.