180 days as a teacher

Today was my day at home to prepare for the upcoming week. I did pretty good, even got some planning done, got the upcoming biology test ready for the Xerox machine, and lined up some work for the technology classes tomorrow.

But most importantly, I took a WHOLE HOUR to myself and went to visit the new Curves gym that opened last week. It's very very close by (walkable from my place) and has interesting features:

- the work-out is 30 minutes and consists of interval training
- no men, no mirrors, no fancy/sexy outfits allowed
- also includes a food plan (I'll be getting the book on Thursday, my official first day)

They asked me cool questions like "Are you here to lose weight, gain weight or just firm up?". Just the fact that she was nice enough to offer up the "gain weight" option won me over. They measured and weighed me, determined my body fat pecentage and set some realistic goals.

As I filled out the form, I hesitated when it came time to write what my title at work was. First of all, I don't see the relevance of what I do for a living in these forms.

Regardless of my past titles, I've always referred to myself simply as "Engineer" - it sounds obscure enough to discourage questions.

No one, not even another engineer has any idea what another engineer does unless a few questions are asked and answered... Some engineers have no idea what they themselves are supposed to be doing, but that could be the topic of another post in another blog I suppose...

So I debated for a couple of seconds, and then wrote down "teacher" - I left out the words "fake" or "for 180 days only" because I live in a small community and I don't want to attract any attention, especially with this new hairdo...

After she gave me her whole spiel about policies, monthly fees and methods of payment, I told her she didn't have to work so hard on me because she had me at "Hello, are you here to gain weight?"

I was joining for sure - the body fat calculation would scare most women I think to sign with their first born's blood if that were required.

She then put on a big smile, and said that Curves especially likes teachers:the initiation fee will therefore be waived.

For about 1/10 of a second, I debated whether to tell her that I was only teaching for one year and then I'd see, that I had no idea where or what this teaching business would lead to, that perhaps I was not cut from the same cloth as all the REAL teachers out there, that I am somewhat of a lunatic, that I have the kids work in teams and be responsible for the outcome of the team, that I'm having them work on scientific posters and videos instead of donning their lab coats and mix chemicals...

And then I just smiled and said "Thank you - that's great!"

I immediately thought that between the money saved on the intiation fee and that saved on hairdressing for the next 3-4 months, perhaps I can afford another visit at the spa...