First First First Day!!

I am feeling so many watermelon emotions right now. Mostly exhausted watermelon, because today's roller coaster of emotions has left me in a zombie-like state, minus the brain eating. Well, actually I didn't eat much all day and it make me really cranky but Anyway.
Not only was today simply a long ass day it was also my firstfirstfirst day!! 
I worked in the RWC for four hours, but it was pretty slow and the lights didn't work so it felt soft and sleepy. It was quiet and we did work on our own computers. Sometimes random conversations would murmur then swell, only to abruptly quiet. I came up with what I decided was a really clever though somewhat complex ice-breaker/get-to-know-you game.
I feel like I walked from one building to my basement office in the neighbor building all day. It is quite annoying. Back and forth. Why? I'm not sure. I like my office, even if it is in an office ghetto in the basement, and my office itself is simply a large desk and cubicle sort of thing. I think it has character. Plus there are lots of other crazy people down there and it's kind of a party. and a little scary when no one else is there.
I wrote down every single word I would say to my students for the introduction. If I could get through the introduction, I could segue into the really cool get to know you, then on to syllabus and then the course schedule! Awesome clever informative class accomplished. Actually, I wish I could remember what happened. I think I blacked out for most of it. I was so incredibly nervous, I was just like, "Claire Go!" and Claire Go took over my body. I think it went well. I said things. They said things. We laughed. I felt compelled to clap when they were leaving, but I thought maybe it would be weird. So after they left I stood in the empty classroom and clapped. That's even weirder.
Go, Claire, Go!


ps- I'm still really nervous about Thursday.

In the beginning

Have you ever heard someone say "sad panda?" As in, "that situation is so sad that it creates within me the feeling of a sad panda." Or some similar combination of words. I've heard people say it, and I'm not sure if I think it is clever and cute or lame. Mostly, it's one person I hear say it and I think he is a really cute sad panda so, anyway. My new take on Sad Panda is this: Sad Watermelon. It is clearly the saddest thing ever. Even more sad than pandas because watermelons are American. Just kidding. I love pandas. And watermelon. and America sometimes.
Anyway, all of this is to say I have been feeling very sad watermelon lately, which is why I made it the background on this blog. Tomorrow is my first day teaching composition 1101, which is why I made this blog. Will I survive this year? Will I survive tomorrow? Will my students revolt? Will I teach them anything? Can I possibly do this? Can I possibly do this?
I keep checking the roster, learning their names and faces, who has already dropped, who's new. Is that creepy? Yes. But it's also crazy. A little.  And completely innocent. My class doesn't begin until late tomorrow afternoon, and I am getting antsy. I do not like this feeling.
Can I possibly do this?
My friend April suggested I make this blog, and one of the reasons I love April is because she has good ideas. Other reasons include: her hippiness, queso, amaretto sours and her gelato scooping skills. Thanks for more great insight, A. Riv.
I have a feeling I'm not going to sleep well tonight. I hope this sad watermelon feeling lifts soon, no matter how cute it sounds.
Class tomorrow. Report soon.