I survived my very first school visit.
I know! It was a shock to me too. Here I am, obscenely shy me, getting talked into chatting with 60+ children at one time. But when a sweet little face says, please mommy, you can do it. What can you really say? No? I'm too scared?
I know! It was a shock to me too. Here I am, obscenely shy me, getting talked into chatting with 60+ children at one time. But when a sweet little face says, please mommy, you can do it. What can you really say? No? I'm too scared?
Then there are the people that say, but it’s only children….yeah and? You never know what’s going to pop up when dealing with kids. What they will ask, or say, or do.
So there I was waiting my turn out in the hallway. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree in a thunderstorm. I was sweating (big time). I was wondering if I had remembered deodorant, when I was told, “You're up”.
I took a deep breath, picked up my bag, and walked in. My daughter was standing out in front saying, "My mom is here to talk about writing stories."
Okay.....smile....and then I was off. I had some of my magazines with me, a few of my anthologies, and my book. I also brought my dictionary, my thesaurus, my market books, and a current work in progress. I told stories about writing (they laughed), I asked for questions (hands shot up by the tons), and before I knew it, my half hour was up. I asked if anyone wanted a free bookmark and I was mobbed. It was lovely. Then they didn't want to leave (which was even lovelier). Finally they were herded out and my daughter was all that was left. I asked how I did, and my sweet girl said I did just fine.
I had to stop at home on my way back to work to put on more deodorant, but otherwise, I'm good to go. It was actually, if I am honest and look way down past the fear, fun. Surprisingly so.
Will I be doing that again anytime soon? Nope. Oh I’m certain, that I will HAVE to do them in the future, but not anytime soon, hopefully.
So there I was waiting my turn out in the hallway. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree in a thunderstorm. I was sweating (big time). I was wondering if I had remembered deodorant, when I was told, “You're up”.
I took a deep breath, picked up my bag, and walked in. My daughter was standing out in front saying, "My mom is here to talk about writing stories."
Okay.....smile....and then I was off. I had some of my magazines with me, a few of my anthologies, and my book. I also brought my dictionary, my thesaurus, my market books, and a current work in progress. I told stories about writing (they laughed), I asked for questions (hands shot up by the tons), and before I knew it, my half hour was up. I asked if anyone wanted a free bookmark and I was mobbed. It was lovely. Then they didn't want to leave (which was even lovelier). Finally they were herded out and my daughter was all that was left. I asked how I did, and my sweet girl said I did just fine.
I had to stop at home on my way back to work to put on more deodorant, but otherwise, I'm good to go. It was actually, if I am honest and look way down past the fear, fun. Surprisingly so.
Will I be doing that again anytime soon? Nope. Oh I’m certain, that I will HAVE to do them in the future, but not anytime soon, hopefully.
I find children so energizing and entertaining to read to. For one thing they are very open in a cute way about how they feel what is being read to them or what they're reading about. And if they like you, they are so quick to be accepting and loving. With children you can see in their faces and hear in their voices the excitement of learning when someone is reading to them or sharing an interest.
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful! What a great experience for you and for them. Just think...you may have inspired a few of those children to be writers.
ReplyDeleteI knew you could do it!! And you didn't even die in the process. Sounds like you were quite a big hit. But mostly, it sounds like you made your daughter proud. Way to go!! Now... say a little prayer for me when my time comes in June!! Yikes.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Way to go!! I don't think I could have done it. My girls ask me to come read to their class all the time and I say "No way!". In my college speech class, I got so nervous, that I fainted AND took the podium down with me.
ReplyDeleteTalia
http://taliajager.blogspot.com
Talia... bless... that would be me! You are so cute, Courtney. I am well impressed and know that Seren is too. As well as her classmates. Makes it all worthwhile. That is the dream as far as I am concerned. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteOh, Courtney, it sounds like you did really well! Why don't you want to do it again? I'd think you'd be on cloud nine right now.
ReplyDelete