Day Seven: Most Embarrassing Moment

Before I get to today's blog post, let me first say how happy I am with the comments and responses I got from my blog post yesterday.  It was so nice to be able to share my blog with some of the teachers and people that have influenced and inspired me throughout my life...and hear how much they appreciated the praise.  It brought a tear to my eye to read the comments written by my two high school algebra teachers.  Mrs. Dobogai hit the nail on the head when she mentioned that many teachers never know the impact they have on their students' lives.

But, enough with all the blubbery sensitive stuff.

Today, my pre-made blog topic list says that I'm supposed to explain my most embarrassing moment.

There's just one problem with that.... I don't have one.  Not kidding, I really don't.  That's not to say that I haven't had some pretty embarrassing things happen to me throughout my life - but it's REALLY hard to embarrass me...and I am quite able to laugh at myself just as much as someone else would laugh at me.

In fact, if I really sit here and try and think about it... the last time I remember doing something that was somewhat embarrassing was at my college graduation.  I was wearing crazy, high heels and as I walked off the stage and around the walkway to get back to my seat, I slipped.  I didn't fall.. but it was enough of a slip to make the people in the audience right where it happened giggle.  Of course, instead of chalking it up and letting it go I just had to get back to my seat and tell everyone around me what had happened so we could all have a good laugh about it.  I didn't know the people that saw me slip - and I could have let it go without ever mentioning it again... but why on earth would I miss out on sharing a doozy like that over my post-graduation dinner?

And there was the talent show I did in 7th grade.  It was the first time I ever performed in front of a crowd...and my nerves got the best of me.  I sang the entire song in one key and the sound coming out of my mouth resembled a person trying to sing that has the worst cold in history.  I was very embarrassed, but not enough from keeping me from doing it again the next year and the year after.  Thankfully, my first year was the only year I sounded so terrible.  I learned my lesson to practice from then on out...and it paid off.  But, that doesn't mean I didn't laugh at myself and my performance for years after.  Even to this day, in fact.  Every time I hear the song "Save the Best for Last" by Vanessa Williams, I do a pretty good impression of myself from that talent show.

But, that's about it.  I've slipped and fallen.  I've got my skirt caught in my underwear.  I've accidently exposed myself while swimming (thankfully only around family).  I've said embarrassing stuff to the wrong people.  Yet, I don't and can't recall any time that has forever been written in my brain as "My Most Embarrassing Moment".

I guess it goes with my nature.  I am comfortable laughing at myself.  I am comfortable with making a fool of myself and having a good time and laughing at my own mistakes and misfortunes.  I figure if I can't laugh at myself for doing embarrassing things, I have absolutely no right to laugh at someone else.  And everyone knows I'm laughing when I see someone do something embarrassing.  I don't know many people that don't... regardless of whether they admit it or not.

It's a horrible truth to reveal, but I am THAT person that laughs my behind off when someone falls or I see a guy with his fly unzipped or if a lady gets her skirt caught in her panty hose.  It's just in my nature...and probably one of the main reasons that I laugh at myself for doing the same things.

It's funny, but Peanut tells me that I'm embarrassing more than anything else she ever says to me.  You can guarantee that I'm going to hear "Mom, you're so embarrassing" about five times a day simply because of the things I say or the way I laugh or because I will sporadically and spontaneously do silly dances.  It's just who I am.

I also think it's why she's pretty comfortable with me being around her and her friends joining them for a game of dodgeball or driving them home after practice or any other situation that requires me to spend any time with them.  I know that for the most part they are laughing at me instead of with me... but that's kinda the point.  They know I don't mind, and I earn the title of being a "pretty cool" mom.

Same goes for my students.  I'm sarcastic, I'm loud, I make jokes.  I laugh at my kids, I laugh with my kids.  They laugh at me and they laugh with me.  It's all good.

So, after telling you all of this, I have to admit that I'm pretty proud of not having THAT most embarrassing moment.  I'm OK with having gone through my life doing silly things and probably making a total fool of myself and it not bothering me a bit.

I'm sure as the years continue to pass, I'll continue to rack up some embarrassing moments... except I'll probably be oblivious to them or they'll fade from my memory just about as fast as they get there.  Not because I have a terrible memory, but just because being embarrassing or doing embarrassing stuff is a part of who I am. And I am A-OK with that!