MY MIDDLE NAME

They say that pride comes before a fall. In my case, I just fall. There is no pride left it happens so often. Last summer I was running by the high school where over 200 students were gathered watching a soccer game. A woman running, much less a white woman, causes a stir and typically people stare. That day was no exception. I tripped on a rock and biffed it big time. Bloody arm, scabby knee, I popped up quickly and kept running like “yeah this is how American’s run.”
Today I laid myself out in front of a classroom full of male students in their mid twenties. I am one of three female teachers at the school, and ¾ of the students are male. Needless to say I had a captive audience. I bopped into the classroom quick-like to check for a plug adapter, seeing none I turned on my heel aiming to make a speedy exit because 50 pairs of eyes on me is uncomfortable enough. In my haste I failed to notice a bench leg blocking my path. My foot caught and I spread-eagle slam-dunked onto the tile. There was a gasp, a hush, then giggles, from 25 grown men. I popped up trying to hide the searing pain shooting through every joint that had slammed the unforgiving surface. I grinned, made a Wayne’s World reference “game on” and took a bow.
This could be many people’s most embarrassing moment. I add it to my list of foot-in-mouth moments, ungracefully falling in public places, and ridiculous dance moves. The older I become the more I realize that grace was never really in the cards for me. These absurd moments remind me that I’m going to embarrass myself regardless, so I am trying to embrace odd cross-cultural situations with gusto. I have begun to dance more on taxis, bopping along to horrible accordion music. I accepted an offer to do a photo shoot with the meat delivery man. I try to perform the traditional (and non-traditional) dances for my students when they beg me to try. Hopefully this new approach will remind me to take myself less seriously, if it doesn’t work, I’m sure I’ll do something inane again soon and be reminded that laughter is the best medicine.