Words, slurs, and laughter

I'm really glad I have the ability to laugh at myself. Today I had an interaction with a student that wasn't a big deal but still brings a smile to my face. As I was carrying equipment into the auditorium, a student asked if we needed help. I wasn't going to pass that opportunity up, so I told him that if he didn't have class then we would appreciate it. As we were working together I asked him his name, grade, and other basic things. We went to go lift up our speakers, and as I told him that the larger one was kind of awkward and heavy, he responded by saying he was use to lifting heavy things. Out of curiosity, I asked him what he did where he had to lift heavy things. He said he was a muscian, but that was not what I heard. A little confused and unsure this fit with lifting heavy things, I responded by saying "Oh a magiciian?" Luckily he did hear me completely this time, and said "Yeah I play the drums and keyboard at church." While trying to hold in my laughter (at myself) I just contiued to pursue information about the instruments he played and what he liked best.  As much as it wasn't a big deal, it made me laugh.

Things like this happen all the time. Sometimes I blame it on the fact we have to get up early, but sometimes its just me being ridiculous. Last Friday was one of those days. We had a two-school day. At both schools I had the hardest time explaining directions and making complete sentences. Several times with both students and adults I just had to stop, laugh and say "I'm sorry I'm having trouble speaking today". Oh how completely accurate that statement was. Luckily due to time constraints we didn't have to do any intros and conclusions so I  never made a complete fool of myself in front of a large audience, although they may have enjoyed it.

I also remember one  morning when we had a group of students help us. I normally try to ask for their names (and try even harder to remember them- that plan normally fails), and I repeat them back to clarify what I heard. Some kids mumble so bad and some kids have such hard names to pronounce!! This specific morning there were 4 girls who told me their names, I totally messed up on all of them. And it wasn't that I was just a little bit off, I was completely off. I didn't try to correct myself. I just resorted to eye contact, pointing, and saying "Hey you". Very personal I know. Ha. But at least I tried. I blame sleep :)

There are occurences like this all the time. There have been times when I couldn't clearly explain how to do a job because me and a group of students were laughing so hard. When I mess up, I just made fun of myself even more and people continue to laugh. Good good times. Laughter is definitely one of my favorite things in life. I need some more of it!