Seven things that are Awesome^2 (that’s an exponent not a footnote)
Ms.Cimini and her son Sebastian taking a selfie in the Botanical Gardens where they explored great images of life and nature. Sebastian is "Contemplating life the universe and everything" Ms.Cimini said as he looks off into the distance with a vision of success and accomplishment in his thoughtful face. Photo by Ms. Cimini.
by Mrs. Cimini-Samuels, Science Teacher
It has been said (often by me) that I am awesome. So, it stands to reason that anything that I find to be awesome must be awesome squared. It would be unfair of me to not share that much awesome. So, here it is. Seven things that are awesome squared:
(1) My son Sebastian and my husband Dr. Samuels. On July 8th I became a mom. It has been the hardest and most incredible thing that I have ever done. I never thought that something so tiny could bring me so much joy (and create so much poop). This morning I spent ten minutes laughing and clapping because he rolled over onto his tummy. Then he pooped, some of which got on my pants, and I didn’t even mind. It must be love. And my super incredible,crazy smart hubby made it all possible. Seriously, my kid is lucky to have us as parents.
(2) Being a teacher (and I’m not just saying that because this is being printed in the school paper). I love being a teacher. I really could not imagine doing anything else with my life (except for being an astronaut – hint, hint NASA). My students make me smile every day, even when there are shenanigans being perpetrated. Being able to help people understand the way the world works is one of the best things in life.
(3) My students. No, really. I really mean it. When I am having a down day, they always make me feel better. When I lost my mom, I was so moved by the caring and kind words from the students at WJPS. When I was pregnant, my students looked out for me (and even brought me chocolate). You guys really are the best (but don’t think that means you can get away with the shenanigans I mentioned in #2).
(4) Traveling. In my 20s and early 30s, I worked a lot. Sometimes I had four jobs at once. The reason I did this was so that I could see the world. I have been to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, Scotland, England, Argentina, Iceland, Uruguay, Chile, the Bahamas, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Alaska, all over the US, Canada, and France. There are so many incredible places to go and things to see. I want to see them all! Travel as much as you can, as often as you can. I can’t wait to share the world with my son.
(5) Dessert. Do I really need to elaborate on this one?
(6) Cell phones. Right now you are carrying in your pocket a computer that is more powerful and sophisticated than what was on the space shuttles. How crazy is that? There is so much information at your fingertips. You can Google anything at any time. You always have a camera (makes it much easier to carry around 10,000 pictures of my son and I will happily show them all to you), all of your music, games to play, books to read, directions to get anywhere, apps to help you with your homework, find constellations, figure out what song is playing on the radio. Our phones kind of make us superheroes. But you still can’t use them to text your friends during class.
(7) My son taking a nap so that I could write this article, take a shower, eat breakfast, make some phone calls, fold laundry, and knit a scarf (it was a long nap).