suddenly the floor around me is covered with snips of white paper, and six second-graders are holding their folded pieces at me, begging me to "make the squiggle one" or to help them with their safety scissors. i made the "coolest" snowflake while giving an explanation of pattern and symmetry in nature, and suddenly i find that im the most popular girl in the world.
this is my second day helping with mrs. detomaso and her group of second graders. yes, it is tough getting up in the morning to get ready, but its totally worth it. ive read with them, read to them, helped them color, showed them my picture of the northern lights (thanks, harr!) and spent a recess with one girl sitting on the floor looking at the globe and finding states and oceans and pacific grove. i've managed to keep all those crazy boys in line. my throat is a little sore from talking, my hands are sticky from glue and marked up with crayolas, but i am so, so, so incredibly happy. and get this bonus: im going to have 20 penpals once i go back to school.
the best jobs really are the ones you do for free.  ¶ 18:31