Trash.  Seems like it's everywhere these days.  And by everywhere, I really mean on the floors of the cafeteria, in the desks of the classrooms and in the halls of the school. 

I don't know when things changed, but somehow it has become socially acceptable to just dump your trash anywhere.  And when you actually call people out on it, they look at you like you've done something wrong.

Example - I was on cafeteria duty today (on a side note, I think everyone who has ever said teachers have it easy should have to do a week of cafe duty) and I was once again floored by the amount of garbage I saw.  Garbage left behind on the tables by kids.  Garbage dumped on the floor under the tables by kids.  And my personal favourite, garbage on the floor next to the trashcan.  Who does that?  Seriously?

But it's not just the garbage that bothers me.  It's the reaction I get when I ask people to pick their garbage up.  Somehow they manage to turn a simple, reasonable request into a fight.  Rather than taking responsibility and admitting they were wrong, these kids will fight tooth and nail not to have to pick up their own trash.

"It's not mine!" - no, you just happened to be eating your lunch right in front of a big pile of garbage; oh and conveniently managed to not create any garbage of your own.

"It was there when I got here!" - So what, you saw a table full of garbage and you thought, "Hey, perfect spot to each lunch!"?

"My friend left it behind!" - Next time don't let your friend leave without throwing his garbage away.  Otherwise get some better friends.

"It's the custodian's job to clean that up." - This one I don't even have a smartass answer for because it pisses me off so much.  The custodians are busy enough trying to maintain the school, they are not there to pick up after you.  It's the police's job to arrest you, so does that mean it's okay to break the law?

I just don't understand where this attitude comes from, or how they really don't see what they are doing as wrong.  I just know that if I ever have children, they will learn really quickly that it is no one's job but their own to clean up after themselves.

|

Recently I went on a date with a guy and at the time I thought it went pretty well.  I found him incredibly easy to talk to and we seem to have a lot in common.  It also didn't hurt that he was quite attractive as well.  It seemed that he was interested in me as well so overall I would classify it as a successful date.

So here's the problem (and you knew there had to be one)...I don't know what I am supposed to do now.  Between all the failed relationships, screwed up dates, friendly advice and pop culture examples I've experienced I've pretty much realized that no matter what I do, it won't be the right thing.

The thing is, I'm 33 years old.  I'm tired of having to play games with people.  But as a woman if you're direct and to the point, guys think you're pushy, aggressive and clingy - generally not the most desirable qualities in a potential partner.

It's not that I think after one date you should jump into a committed relationship.  It's just that I wish I didn't have to feel like a tool admitting to the guy that I really enjoyed spending time with him and would really like to do so again soon.  Yet I did admit this, and now, not surprisingly, I feel like a tool.

See it's just that I can't seem to forget something I read once.  If a guy is really into you, he'll want to talk to you, he'll want to see you, and he'll make the effort to do so.  If not, well, he's just not that into you (guess where I read this!).  And as silly and trite the whole book was, there does seem to be some logic behind it.

Now I have to be fair; since this date I've heard from the guy in question multiple times including a nice phone conversation last night.  But I just can't shake the feeling that every time I initiate a conversation with him that I'm annoying him.  This is totally on me - he's never done or said anything of the sort.  I just can't shake the feeling that in expressing interest in him I'm doing something wrong.

It's been so long since I met someone who is exactly what I want in a partner, that I'm afraid I'm going to screw it up.

*Sigh*  Life would just be easier if Sidney Crosby would just realize he loves me.

|

It's funny how the shortest month of the year can feel like the longest.  We're just approaching the midway point of the month and yet it feels like it's been February forever already.

So, I thought that in honour of this dull, dreary month, I would do some research and for you and find out some fun facts about February!

Unfortunately, there are none.

I guess I can just add February to that long list of things that just have to be endured, right along with blisters, traffic and stupid people.

Thank god it's an Olympic year.

|

Yes it's that time of year, where love is in the air and the whole world is coloured red. The time of year when happy couples celebrate their love with hallmark cards and candy hearts and romances blossom as secret admirers reveal themselves through bunches of roses and stuffed animals wearing shirts that say things like "I love you 'beary' much!".

I know what your thinking - not another bitter rant from an angry single girl about how crass and commercial the holiday has become. Well fear not. I actually like Valentine's Day. Yes, even when I am single.

I know it's a little surprising, but I actually like quite a few things about the day. Since I'm such a fan of lists, I figured I give you my reason in said format. So here they are, in no particular order.

1) I'm a closet romantic - Yes it's true. Deep, deep down somewhere with in my cold, cynical heart is a small part of me that still hopes there's someone out there somewhere who plans to reveal that he is madly in love with me on this special day. Surprisingly this hasn't happened yet. I know, I'm as shocked as you are.

2) The day after Valentine's Day - I've got two words for you friend: cheap candy. Not quite as exciting as the day after Hallowe'en, but still pretty close. I love Cinnamon hearts.

3) Childhood memories - I still remember Valentine's Day parties at school, where you made your own mailbox and kids handout those funny little store-bought cut out valentines to everyone in the class. It did kind of get less fun when you got a bit older and it became a popularity contest. I always gave them to everyone. Can't say I always got that many in return.
And that leads me to the final reason...

4) One of the best Simpsons episodes ever! - "You Choo-choo-choose me?" This episode is completely Ralph centric and always makes me laugh. "The doctor says I wouldn't get so many nosebleeds if I kept my finger outta there!"

So yes, there are plenty of reasons to love Valentine's Day, even if you're single.  Sure, I'm usually disappointed by the end of the day that this wasn't the year some mysteriously romantic figure declared his undying love for me, but it's nothing a few pounds of half-priced candy can't handle!

Besides, last year I did have a boyfriend, and his romantic surprise for me was a Wii Fit.  No, I'm not making that up.  Might as well have come with a card that said "Happy Valentine's Day Fatty! Lose 20lbs and I'll love you again!"

The way I see it is this Valentine's Day has nowhere to go but up from there.

|

You may have noticed we've made some significant changes here at "The Language of Lisa". I decided that with the new semester I'd unveil a whole new look to the blog, not at all coincidentally called "Desk Mess".

Recently my father joined the world of facebook, and his new project has been unearthing old-school photos of my sister and I and unleashing them into cyberspace (Thanks dad...really...). Fortunately he's only got 12 friends and they're all relatives.

In amongst the pages of humiliating photos that he treasures was this little gem, that even I have to admit is pretty cute. In case there was ever any doubt, here's photographic evidence that I was meant to be a teacher. I don't know that my handwriting has improved much since these early years, but I had definitely mastered the art of maintaining eye-contact with my audience while writing notes.

I'd give myself a 3.5/5 for content, and 4/5 for presentation style.

It's unfortunate that I'm not nearly that cute anymore. On the plus side, now that I dress myself, I'm far more stylish.

|

Here it is, one of my favourite times of year - the beginning of second semester.

Why do I love second semester, you might ask? Well, even if you didn't, I'm going to tell you. Here are my reasons, in no particular order:

1) Everything old is new again - Okay so it's a bit of a cliche, but I love that I can just throw away everything I screwed up from last semester and get a chance to try again. Experience tells me I will undoubtedly make the same mistakes again this semester, despite my good intentions, but right now I can still bask in the warming glow of the hope that this will be the semester I succeed!

2) New friends, new people - Okay I loved the kiddos I taught last semester, but truthfully, spending 5 days a week with them grows tiresome after awhile. I would liken it to living with a friend...you can really, really like them, but sometimes you get sick of seeing their face everyday. So instead of waiting until you're not friends anymore, you evict them and get a new roommate. Well I am getting approximately 90!

3) Stress-less - For the next week, I won't feel buried beneath an unbearable mountain of marking. Sometimes even two weeks. So I can do fun stuff without this nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me "You know you should really be working right now!". I always ignore that voice, but still, it's annoying.

4) Change for the sake of change: Sometimes, a change is good, just because it's a change. Like sheets, or underwear.

And as I sit here in my workroom, writing this blog, I have come to the realization that courses may change, students may change and timetables may change, but in the midst of it all I remain the same.

But for the next couple of weeks I can hope that this is the semester that I will change!

Can't wait to see what June brings :)

|