Learn Something New Every Day...

Today started out like most...hubby out of town, girls and I rushing like mad-women to get to school on time.  I knew I had a parent conference first thing, but I'd been at school the night before until 7 p.m. for an awards program (my sweet 10-year-old won FOUR art awards!!), then ran out the door to have dinner with my in-laws, leaving my room in a shambled mess, because of an impromptu parent conference yesterday afternoon, leading right up to the awards program.  Good Grief, Charlie Brown...long story short, I knew I needed to get to school early today to clean up, get prepared for my kiddos and my conference, and not have a chance to make copies, blah, blah.

Well, the sweetest mom came to talk (LOVE her daughter, and her!) and check on her little one.  We had a great conference, and she shared this little bit of love with me that made me actually cry, but I promised not to tell.  Let's just say that I've never felt more valued at work before, and it really got me.  We both left with that bucket-filled feeling - she'd filled mine, and of course her own, by filling mine, and I was kinda giddy!

The day went along pretty normally...good kids were good, busy kids were busy, hard workers worked hard, goofballs goofed off a little (myself included!), and then I noticed a new post from Miss Tori over at www.toristeachertips.blogspot.com in my inbox.  I L.O.V.E. Tori and her amazing tips, so I opened the e-mail during detention.  She had a great Presidents' Day freebie, which I've saved for next year, and then I remembered something about her posting about some color personality test thing her principal was "making" her faculty do.  I read on.  I downloaded the test.  I took the test.  I am a "blue".  No one else who responded or linked up is a blue.  I'm not sure what that means about my being a teacher.  They're all "gold".  What's up with that?  I'm okay with it, though, because I really am a blue.  Here's what it means:

Value HARMONY above all else.

Good at reading people, understanding human dynamics.

Sensitive to others.

Appreciate and know how others feel.

Emotionally based decision making.

Time is circular.

Perceptive, “people pleaser”, a real team player (not so sure about that one)

Use poetry, music, quotations to express affection in romance and friendships.

Sympathetic, empathetic, compassionate.

Think about the possibilities in people.

Centered on people, relationships, interaction.

I need to feel unique and authentic.

Enthusiastic…Sympathetic…Personal

I look for meaning and significance in life.

Warm…Communicative…Compassionate

I need to contribute, to encourage, and to care.

Idealistic…Spiritual…Sincere

I value integrity and unity in relationships.

Peaceful…Flexible…Imaginative

I am a natural romantic, a poet, a nurturer.

Yes, well, if you're reading this, and you actually know me, you might not have ever guessed these things to be true about me, but they are!  Through the sarcasm and smart-mouth, there is a girl in here who really cares about how other people feel and what they think of her, a girl who truly wants other people to reach their fullest potential, who really wants and needs to feel appreciated, a girl who, believe it or not, constantly worries about pleasing others, wishes with all her heart to be a team player, and totally and completely is filled with compassion, sympathy, and caring for others.

So my day was filled with learning and validation, from a wonderful mother, a beautiful daughter, a great blogger, a (maybe) hokey test, and a whole lot of self-reflection.  Thanks, Donna.  Thanks, Callie.  Thanks, Tori.  Thanks, test-making people.  You are all awesome!

Brooke