There are so many things I want to say here, I think this might become an ongoing column of sorts. I have already thought of several post topics I would like to write about. Here are just a few:

• Why I Pulled Off of  I-10 In Arizona at a Truck Stop to Call Back to the Dean to Say I Want to Teach the Death and Dying Class
• Five Things to Never Say to Your Instructor
• Why I Love Teaching Psychology to You
• Memorable Students
• Why Is It That I Get Older But My Students Stay the Same Age?
• You Crack Me Up: Hilarious Excerpts From Your Reaction Papers
• Which Students Will be Taking Care of Me Someday in the Nursing Home?

These are just some of the things I think about when I am in front of you in the  classroom. You think I'm paying attention to the lecture topic, but my mind can wander just as well as yours can. And don't tell me it doesn't. Sometimes, I can just see your minds floating out the window... and mine wants to go, too!

Today, I passed a colleague in the hall and we said "hi" to each other. Then, I added, "I get to go teach now!" And I thought how fortunate I am that I love what I do.

Yesterday, a student stayed after the class to ask about his points. When we were finished, I couldn't help but ask, "Now, why were you smiling so much during the whole lecture today? You were practically laughing at times, but I didn't see you whispering or talking to anybody." I thought maybe he went off of his Haldol.  He grinned this huge toothy grin and said that he really got it today that he wants to be a therapist and help people some day. He said that so many things that I talked about (Theoretical Approaches to Doing Therapy was the topic) just resonated perfectly with who he thought he was and what he wants to do with his life. And he's only 19! How awesome is that? So I went on and on about how he might pursue his academic career and I think I made him late for his Anthropology class. Sorry 'bout that. God, I love teaching.