The First Day of School

For the past twenty-four years, I have attended a first day of school. (I am twenty-six, and began going to nursery school at age two, thus equaling twenty-four years). And, because my memory is built upon useless facts, 90210 trivia and pure nostalgia, I remember almost all of my first days of school each year.

In the fall of 1989, I began my first day of kindergarten. For a reason that I'll never fully understand, my mom (Little Mimi Girl) dressed myself, my older brother, (who was in 4th grade at the time), and my younger sister who had just turned one, (and who was not going to school that day), in head to toe tye-dye for our annual first day of school photos.

In the fall of 1995, I began my debut at Mt. Pleasant Middle School. This was a big event, not only because I was starting at a new school with older, cooler kids, but also, because this was the first time that I was coming to school with shaved legs and a bra. Did my negative A boobs need to be supported in a bra? Absolutely not. But, did I feel like a real-life woman walking down those halls in my little white bra? You betcha.

In the fall of 2001, I began my senior year of high school (and what could have easily been the greatest year of my life). I never felt cooler, and more womanly than I did driving to school, on the first day of senior year in my blue jeep. This was the first time that I had a driver's license for the first day of school, (and would not have to be dropped off by my mom).

In the fall of 2002, I attended my first day of college. I was in Sociology101. There were 500 other freshman in that class, I had my journal with me, and I actually penned the words..."I'm really a college girl now." (Proving that even being able to drive myself to school, I'm still a big loser).

In the fall of 2006, I had my first day of school...on the other side. I began my job as a teacher at the school that I still teach at now. I was nervous that September morning; probably more nervous than the kids. But, all of my nerves aside, nothing could have prepared me for what was about to occur. Amidst me explaining our classroom job chart to my class, Kim (one of my students), projectile vomited onto another student, Rebecca. At the sight/smell and touch of Kim's vomit, Rebecca vomited, immediately. I herded my class outside the classroom, while pounds of vomit sat on the floor...well, not quite what I had envisioned for my first day as a real life teacher.

And today, on September 8th, 2010, I began my twenty-fourth first day of school. (My fifth one as a teacher). Thus far, (day one), my students are just adorable; they really are. Highlights include: Andrew taking a small pill out of his lunch, and explaining to me that his mom packs this pill on days that he brings beans for lunch, since well, he farts a lot.

Miles (who is half-Asian, half-African-American, and half-Jewish, with a huge fro, and wrists covered in silly bandz) told me that his favorite song of the summer is Hot in Here, by Nelly. I hope that someone reading this post finds the humor in that. And, oh yes. Chris (one of my students from last year), came tearing into my classroom, nearly barreling me over, to give me an all enveloping hug hello. I hugged Chris, and just as I was about to tell him how nice it was to see him, (as I had not seen him since June), he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said, "Wait, what's your name again?"

Day One wiped me the fuck out. On my bus ride home to Livingston (to celebrate the Jewish holiday), I passed out cold. I woke up, and realized that I had drooled a little...(on the person sitting next to me). Oh, for the love of God; you really can't take me anywhere.