Where did Everyone Go?

I’m having one of those days where it feels like everyone else (inside) is missing. When I can’t hear or feel them, it makes it hard for me to feel anything. I feel like a shell walking around waiting for someone else to wake up so I can be someone. I feel this way because yesterday, I used most of my energy. I taught all day, and at the end of the day was offered a long term sub position in a subject I am not certified in.

I love the idea of having my own students and classroom. I told the principal I would think it over and let her know this morning. I looked at all the pros and cons, looked at the state core for the subject, but in the end felt that I would be letting the students down by not knowing the content. I called the principal this morning, expressed my worries, and turned the down the position. Now I feel guilty.

I wish I could be what the principal needed. I try to be all things for all people, but I can’t fake education that I don’t have (or even want to have). It would also be very hard to enter the grades for over 200 students for this week and end of quarter which is in two days. All the alters were stressed over this decision. We don’t like to fail. Some wanted us to do it – just for the challenge, but the sensible ones wanted us to use caution and just say, “no!” So today I am walking around with everyone resting and not really coming forward. Today I am not quite myself because my alters are silent. I made it through the day and I even made bread, brown rice, brussel sprouts, and lemon chicken for dinner. I over cooked the chicken just a bit because I didn't look at the recipe - just went from memory. It would have gotten me chopped if I was on Food Network's Chopped. Things turn out better when it isn’t just me (the host of all my parts) doing the work.

Lemon Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves - cut in thirds
1 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon sesame seeds – add to crushed corn flakes
2 cups crushed corn flakes
½ cup light olive oil

Put chicken breasts in bowl, add lemon juice and parsley - cover and refrigerate over night. Dip each piece of chicken in melted butter or olive oil and coat with corn flakes and sesame seeds. Reserve lemon juice mixture for sauce. Spray 11 X 15 baking dish with Pam. Arrange chicken in single layer in a baking dish and bake uncovered at 375 for 50 minutes.

Lemon Sauce:
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups water
reserved lemon juice from chicken
1/4 cup additional lemon juice

In sauce pan mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water and lemon juice. Heat and stir constantly until thickened. Serve over chicken.

I used the same bread recipe as the white bread from a couple of days ago except I substitued two cups of whole wheat flour for two cups of the white flour. It was just as yummy.