Just a day, just an ordinary day

• GLIMRs (Good, Lighthearted, Interesting, Meritable Reports) in my mailbox
  
• Conversations with experienced teachers and future teachers and wanna-be teachers
  
• Sheep hearts
• Sickle cell blood smears under the microscope
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oax3cUFsBSw
• GATTACA movie clip
  
• Seventh graders who ask me about porphyria
  
• Jazzercise
• Nail polish and face masks
  
• Eighth graders who want me to explain action potentials over dinner
• My manicured male students
• Twenty sets of eyes on me in various states of confusion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and understanding
• The phrase "I'm confused. Can you explain this part again?"
• The phrase "Ohhhh... I think I actually get it!"
• White boards covered in big words and diagrams in my handwriting
  
• $40 dinner coupons
• Hong Kong-style milk tea with breakfast and dinner
• Freedom from cell phones
• Staff pranks
• Staff hangouts in the health office
• Venting parties in the TA lounge
  
• Circuit analogies for cardiovascular physiology
• The beginnings of boy-girl interaction in a class of 13-year-olds
• Feeling drained but satisfied at bedtime