Sick as a dog

"Sick as a dog". I don't really understand what the expression means, or from where it originated; but whatever, I'm sick, and probably closely resemble a dog today. So, I'll go with the expression.

You ever have that feeling where you just kind of know you're about to get sick? Like, for instance, when you lay down for bed and you're more exhausted than normal, or, when the bottom of your throat is a little tingly, or, when the palm of your hands and brim of your forehead are oily and gross. You know what I'm talking about? Well, last night, laying in my cubicle of a room, before closing my eyes for sleep, I felt all three of these things knocking on my door. And, sure enough, this morning when I woke up, my throat was tied together in a knot (a good knot too, Boy Scout caliber), my eyes were sealed shut with gook, and my stomach had somehow mistaken itself for a giant cement mixer.

It's to bad too, because I was called out of slumber for the third day in a row, at 6:51, with a substitute job. Not just any substitute job either; nope, it was no less than for teaching PE at the middle school again. The very same school, and class for that matter, that I was in route to when I had my morning of doom (see "Mr. Gibson" if you don't know what I'm talking about). So, not wanted to push my luck while being "under the weather" (gotta save those days for when I'm feeling invincible and in need of some humble pie), I declined, and rolled back over for three more needed hours of sleep. A large bowl of oatmeal, cup of hot soup, and bike ride later; I am sitting here in the library, staring out the window at the snow fall and cars drive by, wondering why anyone would own a two-wheel drive vehicle up here. Oh well, there are greater mysteries in life to dwell on, I guess.

On Monday, I subbed for a PE teacher at the high school. I was pretty nervous going into the day; mainly because I'm what, two years older than some of the kids? I was just hoping I wouldn't get tied to the rafters of the gym or something by a group of bullies. I realized when I walked into the gym how big it was (as well as hearing in detail from the principle about how the gym was designed in such a way that it trapped all noise inside its thick walls beautifully; thanks for the heads up chief), and that there were many great spots where a substitute could be disposed of without anyone finding out. But, I guess I don't really think straight in the mornings, because the day ended up going very smoothly and I didn't have any trouble with one student, not one. Later that night, I discovered the delicacy of waffles and ice-cream; where, instead of using syrup as a topping for the waffles, we used strawberry ice-cream! It was wonderful.

Tuesday, I filled in at the elementary school below my house as a Para-Professional; which basically entailed hanging out with a little fella named Davey all day. It was a blast, as Davey and I sat through his classes together, both, equally, finding it difficult to pay attention to the teacher. During 1st recess we played freeze tag (where, for some strange reason, I always ended up being "it" - I think there was something fishy going on), during 2nd recess we played wall tag (by this time the rest of the kids in the town of Sitka caught on that "Mr. G" was "it", and decided to play too), and during afternoon break we played hang-man. Davey is a really cool kid. After dinner was Wyldlife (middle school's version of young life), where I got to meet a lot of kids, and learn the names of students I taught at the middle school. It was a good time held by all.

Anyways, not much else has been happening recently. Just the same ol', same ol'. Sitka's getting a lot of snow and is beautiful, but, mostly it's just in hibernation; awaitin' the fishing and tourist seasons to come back around. I hope everyone back home is doing well.

Peace