One of the thousand reasons that I love my job is that every single day is an adventure. Sure, like most teachers I have lesson plans, but just like in life, things don’t always go according to plan…
THE STORY
…One seemingly insignificant comment, question or action can lead to an impromptu mini-lesson on the minutiae of life that we often take for granted, but that my kids are absolutely clueless about.
Take last Friday for example. The opportunity presented itself not once, but twice. The first involved all things bodily function related. One of the kids let one rip. And I’m talking the silent, but deadly variety. We were all gassed to the edge of unconsciousness. Which led to a talk about farting, burping and by extension, pooping and peeing. Of course much giggling commenced, but I explained that while it can be somewhat amusing, these are all things that every living human does. I always keep it real with my students, just like I do everyone else so we talked in terminology they all would understand. I explained that while these are all things that we all do, there are also manners involved and that from that point on there was absolutely no shame in asking to be excused if they felt a big ol’ fart coming on.
The second, but this time more delicate discussion happened after we finished watching The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. All three of those movies are on my list of Christmas favorites and since we have three weeks until break I figured we would watch one every Friday. I always have at least a few who still believe, but I didn’t realize that this year a) out of a class of 14 kids, 11 still believe, and b) I mean they really believe. As in Santa is The Man. This particular group of kids are also still filled with a very child-like innocence and they take just about everything on a very literal basis.
So I suppose I should have seen this coming. After the movie ended, I was bombarded with questions about whether or not Santa really died. You see, that is the premise of the movie…not that Santa died per se, but it explains how Santa seemingly lives forever. When Tim Allen startles Santa and he falls off the roof into a snowdrift and vanishes seemingly meeting his demise, Tim Allen then becomes Santa since he puts on the suit left behind.
Talk about having to think on your feet! Fortunately, after much questioning and explanation I was able to satisfy their curiosity and concern. They actually ended up pretty pleased to know that no matter what, because of mysterious North Pole magic, there will always be a Santa Claus. I love having a job that when I’m asked, “What did you do at work today?” I can say things like, “Oh, I talked about the appropriate protocol for farting and burping as well as how North Pole magic works so that Santa Claus lives forever.” Seriously, how is that not the best job ever?
THE OUTFIT
There are few outfits more basic than a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt. But when the white button down is a ruffle hem high low shirt, the whole look becomes anything but basic. The burgundy version of this ruffle hem high low shirt is what first caught my eye, but when I saw that it was also available in white I knew the styling options would be endless.
Since I hadn’t yet taken my navy blue otk boots out for a spin, I wanted to include them too. The final piece was the skinny jeans which kept it all firmly grounded in the realm of casual. With all of the ruffles on the shirt paired with the over the knee boots I was feeling sort of pirate-y; which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you feel like a pirate you tend to walk with some pirate swagger…and who couldn’t use a little pirate swagger in their life?
THE TIP
There are a few basics that are a good idea to have in your wardrobe arsenal: a versatile pair of jeans, tees in white, gray and black, the perfect black pumps, a denim jacket and a white button down shirt to name a few. It never hurts though, to have a basic with a special stand out detail, like this ruffle hem high low shirt. It’s a basic, but the special details make it a strong stand alone piece and a total outfit maker.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Shirt: JCPenney (Similar); Boots: Charming Charlie; Jeans: JCPenney (Similar); Chokers: Ettika
