Chasing Summer –

Happy Halloween. It’s my last day of teaching at WAT (World Academy of Tirana) and it’s also Halloween- How lucky am I? I love Halloween but as a teacher I need to appreciate it with a great deal of patience because the kids are always super hyped up.

I guess we’re lucky that the school decided that the kids could not bring in candy for Halloween parties this year- fruit only. I know, I’m a little dissapointed too. I had brought some treats back with me from Canada this summer, so I’ll hand those out at the end of the day. I mean what’re they gonna do to me? Fire me- It is my last day here.

That’s the funny thing about today. If the cruise goes off as planned, in three years I wonder if I’ll want another teaching position or if I’ll have found a new path while at sea. So today, could be my last day in the classroom, forever. I doubt it. I might go back overseas, substitute in Canada, or tutor still, but it plays in my mind. There is always a last time doing something and you usually don’t know when it happens.

To commerate my last day teaching, at least for now, I’m trying to be mindful of the experiences today. Each special moment, joke, hug, and even those loud crazy times. Every student who comes in for a quick cuddle, pat on the back or just wants to sit near me for a moment. Each question of why I could possibly want to leave, how old am I and will I come back here when the cruise is done? I’ll take mental snap shots of the smiling faces and teasing grins and profusely thank them for the stunning art work we just did that they want me to bring with me to remember them by. Nothing like some creepy eyeballs for my wall.

I’ll take everything and put it into a mental photo album just in case it does turn out to be my very last day, and tomorrow morning I’ll sleep in.