Best. Job. Ever.

On days like today, I realize that I am blessed to have the best job in the world.

I get actually get paid to make a difference. Sure, some days it's tough slogging, and some of the attitude that I have deal with, from both teenagers and adults, is utterly ridiculous, but that's just a needle in a haystack.

I get to put aside myself selfishness, and work hard for others. Sure, you could argue that at the end of the day I get a fair wage, benefits, and those two months in the end of the summer, but I do a freaking awful lot that I don't have to. You could argue that my extracurricular involvement isn't selfless at all because I get so much joy and meaning from it. But, at the end of the day, I put in countless extra hours and energy because I believe that student involvement in their school community will allow them to overcome obstacles and grow into great people. I am so thankful that this is my life.

Moreover, I do get to work with other people, many of whom have become my dear friends, who have the same beliefs and work just as hard, and harder, than I do. I enjoyed this day so much because so many of us worked together to pull off a fun meaningful day for our students.

After a month of ongoing planning, countless emails, late evenings working in the caf with student council, two trips out to the flag district, resolving quite a few conflicts, and fighting the mighty foe of teenage apathy, my school's multicultural day went off beautifully. As a packed cafetorium cheered on performers as they danced or sang their hearts out, and kids wandered around happily stuffing their faces with food from eighteen beautifully decorated pavilions, I realized how all of the preparations were yet again more than worth it. I loved how wired the kids were today, especially when one of the more negative people on staff complained about it. (Seriously, who complains about kids who are excited to be at school?) Mission accomplished. Apathy put aside for one day. It's nice knowing that I was involved in implementing one of those days that you know that the kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

I've earned my rest, and I look forward to a couple of days without planning. On Monday, student council begins planning our next big event, but I know we'll all enjoy our weekend.

Oh, and for my favourite multicultural day moment: a kid's mom came in to the school with a worried look on her face. She was concerned because her son told her she had to make Ethiopian food for four hundred people for Friday. (Who wouldn't be?) We explained that no, there would be four hundred people in attendance, but just small samples were required, and she would be reimbursed. I think she was relieved. Oh, and for the record, we had at least 525 students participate, well above our goal of 400. Go us! In the end there was plenty of African food for all.

Also, one of my former lovely grade 9s from last year made amazing Portuguese egg tarts. So good! Definitely memory worthy.

Oh, one last funny story, the Scottish pavilion served non-alcoholic beer mixed with ginger ale. Word got around that Scotland was serving beer, and their line-up soared astronomically. That explained why I heard some kids say "Scotland has the best pavilion!" as I was wandering about.