My first D.C. public school visit

Today was my first day visiting 8th graders at a DC middle school. There was about 10 kids, 7 girls, 3 or 4 boys. We asked the kids to answer some questions on poverty. This was the first time that I've ever been in the DC public school setting, and let me tell you that I was anxious the whole time. Kids were slapping, hitting pushing, cursing, yelling, running, getting out of their seats, drumming on the desks, doodling, throwing balls at each other, locking each other out of the classroom, taking other people's things, ignoring adults, giving attitude, not listening to directions, and bullying others.
It was the most chaotic, stressful 1.5 hours I've had in a long time. I've never attended school with that kind of environment. I don't know if I could handle that everyday like those kids do.
At one point, I guess I had an upset look on my face, because a boy sitting next to me said, "You don't like the students." Then he got slapped in the back of the head by another boy for conversing with me and not doing the paperwork.
It's going to be so hard to get through to these kids. I actually do communication work, but I'm going to go to school at least once a week to make relationships with these kids. Maybe they'll eventually begin to trust and listen to me.

Faux Pas Number 1

So I was at Subway restaurant, waiting for my co-worker to get his coat from a nearby office. While waiting, I was justing looking around and the table next to me, there was a family with two children. They were eating meatball subs with melted cheese on it, and I was just staring at them while they tried to stretch off the cheese. Now mind you, I haven't eaten cheese in a long time, so it was disgusting and fascinating to watch this. I was staring at the kids for awhile when I hear the mom say, "How you doing?"
I looked over, realized I was caught staring at her children, then smiled and looked away. I awkwardly stood there, still waiting for my coworker to get his coat.
David tells me I often stare at people. I need to stop doing that.

I want to be a superstar

So, as usual, I was browsing YouTube when I came across Tricia Walsh Smith's new post. Don't know her? She's the crazy British woman who was ranting about her rich husband kicking her out and leaving with only a small fortune, as opposed to a large fortune. Well, now that she's had her 15 minutes of fame, she can't get enough: she's gone and done a music video. Watching it made me think, "If she can do that, I can do that. Problem is, I'll look just as stupid as she does." Check out her new video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meB6s_5Ed0M