Las Vegas Winnings

I suppose I learned a few lessons while we were in Vegas this time around.

1.  Don't get greedy. When I was ahead by $100 on the "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine, I should have stopped. Really. Really. Because it would have been me saying to the universe, "Thanks, ah, for the extra funds," and left it at that.

2.  I can't live in a place where there's no real place to get away from the city or the suburbs. I need a bit of green plants that nature provides - Las Vegas isn't the place.

3.  Don't leave text messages on someone's home phone because home phones don't do that, just cell phones.

4.  Don't bring work to vacation. Just vacation.

5.  My ultimate vacation has nothing to do with shopping, sight-seeing, and gambling. It's just being with my family - relaxing - with no real agenda except to be together.

Forgiveness

I suppose this has been coming for a long time. Another teacher told me yesterday that she had a talk with her students to let them know that she accepts the fact that she can't save them all. Today, I have come to the same conclusion. I have also concluded that unless I want to feel resentful all my life regarding certain students' self-centered behavior, I need to learn to forgive them for not being raised well enough to know how to be better people. 

Oh, but here are my silver linings:

1.  A son who will make salad for the family without a murmur of complaint. Thank goodness, because I don't think I could really handle another teenager with a "me, me, me" attitude.

2. A bunch of students who WILL work tremendously hard, and know that their kindness and good attitude will make a difference in others.... They may not know that I am affected by their goodness, but I guess I have to let them know how grateful I am for their existence in my life.

3. The husband, who once again, reminds me to smile and laugh at myself.

There. I feel better. May those young men who haven't yet figured out how to be kind and respectful people find it in themselves before it's too late.

Sigh.