Study Hall is EXACTLY as I Remember it....

Oh- remember about the Co-Op school?
Well, I had to go and monitor study hall the other day for the first time. I had this awful scene in my head that included teenagers making out, and smoking joints, while I just sat there looking at my "In STYLE" mag and pretending not to see them.

I kept thinking to myself, "I mean SERIOUSLY...these are TEENS! How major of an infraction are these kids going to have to commit before *I* am going to call them on it???" I am just not into disciplining other peoples big kids, KWIM?

When I arrived, I found a lady who oozed TEACHER-ness. She was one of those ladies who was round-ish and her age was undeterminable ......somwhere between 35 and 50. ( You've seen people like that, right?) Her hair was brown-ish gray and cut in a no-fuss Peppermint Patty style, offset with black cat frame glasses.

I smiled and introduced myself. She replied, "Ohhhhhh......I see...she is DRESSED like a student....but she is a PARENT" Accompanied by a barely audible chuckle. SHe spoke these words as if there was someone else listening. But there wasn't.

(I was wearing jeans, a long, fitted "dressy tee" and flip flops.) wow. really pushin'the ole'envelope.

So, anyway, I am pretty sure that this was NOT meant as a compliment, but she doesn't know me vey well. Anytime anyone makes ANY reference to my appearing younger....? ......I take it as a HUGE compliment. I am seriously...BEAMING as I continue:

"Oh...! Well, THANK-YOU!!!!" I gushed, waving one hand over my heart. "You and I are just gonna be the BEST of friends, I know it!"

*blank stare*

Then it was just uncomfortable, so we got on with the study hall business.

As it turns out, there are these sofas and chairs in study hall, and there are classroom doors on each side, with classes going on behind them.

It was my job to keep everyone quiet.

I met some really nice moms and kids, and June Carter Cash was there, too.She was really sweet and much less serious after we broke the ice. I was chatting away, when one of the class doors opened and Mrs.Peppermint Patty stepped out and, in drill seargent fashion said, "O.K. you kids are talking TOO LOUD. I can hear you through this door!"
To which I had to look past all the unaware, ipod-wearing teens and sheepishly raise my hand and say, "Ohhhhhh...UM. That was actually ME talking. Not them. Yeah. that was me"
And then in a very small voice, "sorry."

"OH. It was you.", was the reply. And then she turned and dissapeared behind the classroom door.

I just gave a little silent shrug to the kids and then put my nose in the book that I brought.

So. Ya know. "Way to go, ME".

I will probably the first person "let go" from a volunteer position.

Oh well! Cheers!
Melissa