Fun at the Drive Thru!

Have you ever discovered a fun nugget in something you normally consider boring routine? We've recently discovered this with the drive thru.

It all began at Burger King a few weeks ago. We threw caution to the wind, asked for crowns, and the guy working got REALLY excited that we asked. Maybe we were really excited too ... I don't know.
Okay, yeah. We were. It's crazy how fun it can be to put on a simple cardboard crown ...

Then we went to McDonald's a couple weeks ago for a quick dinner. It was "kind of cold" here that week (30-40s at night, 50-60s during the day), so I thought I'd get some hot chocolate with my quarter pounder. My hot chocolate comes and even though I'm really excited, I remember the coffee scandal with McDonald's years ago, so I don't rush - I wait until we get home to taste it ... then it's cooled off enough to not scald my tongue. I taste a little bit, and realize there's something different about this hot chocolate. What is it??

[The italics that follow are the inner workings of my mind]

It has kind of a funny smell, come to think of it ...

And there's a really bitter aftertaste ...

In fact, it doesn't taste much like hot chocolate at all ...

(Inspect the beverage again)

It's got to be hot chocolate ... what else could it BE?

"Oh my gosh, Joel - THIS IS COFFEE!!"

Turns out, it's gross and leaves a terrible aftertaste. I won't be trying it again voluntarily any time soon.

The last chapter comes with some sad news. The Dairy Queen in Brunswick has closed. I know, it's a tragedy, really. If anyone wants to buy it, we can guarantee that you'll definitely have some really steady customers in us. We come by at least once or twice a month. So imagine how sad it was for us to get the news. Saturday night we were on the island for dinner and remembered there's a Dairy Queen on the island! We race over, hoping that "island time" includes being open after 10:00 pm on a weekend. IT WAS! We pulled up to the drive thru, and I allowed my excitement to bubble over:

"WE'RE SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE OPEN!!" I gush.

"I'm sorry ... what??"

"WE'RE SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE OPEN!!!!" I still have a giddy grin on my face, and I said it a little slower just so I could make sure I was e-nun-cia-ting.

"Okay ... do you know what you'd like to order?"

"Um ... I don't ... Just a sec ... Um ..."

She totally laughed when we pulled up to the window to pay. She did not understand why we were so excited. But, at least I know that we made her shift a little more interesting.

That's what it's all about, folks. That's what it's all about.

Joel, You're a Star!

Each year the city of Brunswick recognizes one student from each of the 3 high schools who has the highest score on the SAT and is also in the top 10% of their class (you know, the super smart kids) and names them as the Star Student of the Year. The "Star Student" then names one teacher they've had (anytime K-12) whom they deem the most influential in their educational career. One of Joel's students was chosen this year, and she named Joel to be the Star Teacher of the Year for Frederica Academy!


In a family of accomplished academic scientists, this student said that Joel has opened her mind in a way that no other teacher has, and has helped shape her life by his discussion-based teaching methods and the way he encourages his students to internalize the literature they study. In a career that often makes for little recognition and appreciation, this was an unexpected surprise. In a quaint ceremony this morning, I had the privilege of standing next to my husband as he was lauded for his achievements as a great teacher!

Congratulations, Joel! I love you!