Day 1 - My First Day at Central

I survived! I'm exhausted.
It was a wonderful day, but I'm tired. I think I found my way around the school pretty well. I didn't get too lost. It was funny though: the school is so huge, there were others that didn't know their way around too - and they work there!
Everyone made me feel super welcome. We started the morning greeting the kids. The counselors (and others) welcomed the kids in the main entrance with big smiles, hugs and a pleasant "buenos dias!"
I hadn't really thought about my expectations of the kids; I think I was more concerned with getting lost! I was so surprised to watch the boys and girls parade into the school decked to the nine in coats and gloves and scarves. They were precious. ( I say parade because literally, they are welcomed with such enthusiasm that it reminded me of a parade!)
I'm still trying to find the right words, but the children came in so incredibly respectful. Maybe that's the right word. They didn't seem frazzled or hurried. Their hair was perfectly braided, donned with bows, gelled into the most perfect faux hawk or maybe just combed meticulously. Regardless, these children could have been walking into church on Christmas and looked appropriate. I was so impressed. Breakfast was served by the kindest, sweetest ladies. They wheeled breakfast door to door, room to room and served the boys and girls with love and smiles. I was awed. I couldn't understand their exact words, but I could understand the love and affection clearly.
I found the intermediate cafeteria, along with half of the school, and enjoyed a program - Nana Puddin'. It was great, and the children loved it! They really would've laughed if they had seen me fall out of my chair! I did! I had the walkie talkie, my iPad, my phone, multiple copies of the map, and no telling what else in my arms and well, just missed the chair. Gosh, I was horrified.
I was fine. I tweeted it, and somehow, that made it all better.
Lunch was another funny time. I ate with two 1st grade classes, and they watched every bite I took. I enjoyed a corn dog, tater tots, green beans and a whole banana! Apparently, I didn't open my grape juice correctly, but they coached me up. The food is always a big topic of discussion during the Ambassador Exchange. I have to say, the food was very good. I'm curious about the cafeteria grant that Central was awarded a few years ago. I think I'll test the food again tomorrow!
The day was really great. Dismissal was exciting. They are incredibly organized and the Central staff and students are wonderful.
I'm excited to get into the classes more tomorrow and get to know more of the kids and staff. There's so much to process, so much disillusionment and so many similarities AND differences. What a day!