If I could be paid to be a student, I would do it in a heartbeat. I love to learn. I love books. I love that the world is filled with infinite knowledge and the knowledge we gain in school is merely a drop in the ocean. Being that I am a teacher, it is my job and calling to impart as much knowledge and skills into the next generation as is possible - 10 months at a time. But I am fully aware that students can only cram so many facts about photosynthesis, mathematical algorithms, and punctuation into their brains. So as I evolve as a teacher, I am realizing more and more that the most important thing that I can impart to my students is a love of learning. That implicit feeling that they will carry throughout their lives urging them to learn as much as they can about the world around them.

Every moment in our lives is a learning opportunity. No matter how small or insignificant little every day events may seem, there is something to be gained in all of it. We just have to open our eyes and minds to it. I experimented (is that a word?) this little theory of mine today as I went out today to a doctor's appointment. I wanted to see how much I could learn in this 2 hour time frame. Here is what I learned:

1. Always trust your own instincts and observations - I got dressed today without looking or stepping outside to check the weather. I simply trusted the weather forecast I saw last night that said it would be hot, humid, and sunny today. So I donned a tank top and capri pants and went on my merry way. Lo and behold, it was a cool, cloudy day. When I got to the doctor's office and parked my car, I looked at the abysmally gray sky and wondered if I should get my umbrella. Knowing that I would probably look like an idiot carrying an umbrella on what weather forecasters predicted would be a sunny day, I ignored their advice and grabbed my umbrella. When I got to the doctor's office, the T.V. in the corner of the waiting room was on the local news station and it STILL said that it was sunny outside. Well, good thing I brought the umbrella, because it was raining after my appointment.

2. Moms are our first teacher - As I was riding a crowded elevator, a woman with her baby in a stroller and her toddler son were among the elevator riders. As we rode up to the fifth floor, she took advantage of the moment to teach her son about his numbers. As the boy marvelled at the lit up 3, 4, and 5, on the elevator panel, the mom asked him: "What number is between 3 and 5? What comes after 4? What comes before 4?" Women are true multi-taskers and we should always be grateful to our moms for teaching us even when we weren't aware of it.

3. Don't be afraid of the rain - I learned this from the cows resting in the fields in the middle of a rain shower. As I drove by them in my car, I marvelled at how relaxed they were lounging there in the rain. They weren't running for cover and struggling to open umbrellas like humans would do. What's wrong with getting wet? It's only water and we will dry off.

4. Teenagers have valid feelings too - Teenagers and their seemingly wild and self-centered ways have always been a big pet peeve of mine. I can't stand their attitude and their disrespect for authority. Well, after reading the book 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson I have changed my attitude (somewhat). The outward behaviour of teenagers can be a reflection of a real internal problem. A problem that we shouldn't be so quick to judge as superfluous. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend reading this book.

5. A thin needle inserted into the top of your head really hurts - Well, I guess this one is pretty self-explanatory. Everyone can imagine this would hurt, but actually experiencing it really drives home the point.

6. Western medicine's cures is not the be-all and end-all - Watching groovy yellow patterns swirl on the ceiling during my acupuncture treatment really taught me that there really must be something to energy pathways and other Chinese medicine beliefs.

So in 2 hours I learned some meaningful things. These sorts of ordinary events (save for the needle in the head) happen to many of us and so much is to be learned from them. The world really becomes an interesting place when we look at it this way.

So what have you learned today?