As part of my job, when a professor is sick or out for the day in my building, sometimes they ask me to cover their class. Believe me, it's not taxing whatsoever. This generally means handing out a worksheet, proctoring an exam, or simply putting in a video and hitting play. The other day, I was asked to do just that. I received very simple instructions: stick VHS into player, press play, wait around long enough to adjust the volume for the students. Simple.
But it wasn't.
I got to the classroom about 5 minutes before class started to get the movie ready. The VCR was inside a cabinet on the wooden podium at the front of the classroom (It opened down-ward...think of the usual book drops that are outside public libraries). I crouched down and pulled but it wouldn't open. I pulled really hard and it just would not come open. Being somewhat stubborn, I did not ask for help. To put this in perspective, I'm working at an all male school. I did not want to openly admit in a classroom full of 18-22 year-old males that I couldn't open a little cabinet door. So I sucked it up, put both hands on the handle and yanked and the thing slammed open.
Unfortunately in the process I bent the nails on both of my thumbs backward and it hurt. A lot. I looked down in shock and saw that both of my nails were completely purple. I shoved the VHS in, hit play and stood there willing myself not to tear-up. Taking deep breaths, I adjusted the volume appropriately and slipped out of the classroom door quietly. I think I should have learned a lesson from this experience to not act tougher or stronger than I actually am or physical pain may ensue...but I'm not sure it will stick. I think brief pain may be a preferable alternative to developing a reputation of being a helpless female hardly older than many of the students here...
9 comments:
ooh that sounds painful. but hey way to stick to it! do people call you "professor stratton"? cause that'd be sweet
way to be tough! hope your fingers are recovering!
Hah - definitely not, Jennie! It would be cool though..!
Wow - that's my girl! Nothing is too difficult for you!! Hope your fingers feel better... Did the cabinet survive?
Good for you Katie! Way to hang tough!
that's the woman i look up to! tougher than nails! although i look up to you- that doesn't mean i will necessarily ever live up to your awesomeness... being the crybaby that i am, i would start balling in an instant!
i'm proud of you for showing all those boys girls can hold their own!!! hope your fingers feel better soon :)
Where are the pictures of the bent nails?
I figured I would spare you the pictures.. it was gross!
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