After calling the school board every day for two weeks, I finally got an appointment. Apparently there is only one person who does fingerprinting and he is a heart patient who had complications and was out all that time. I filled out more paperwork, gave my prints, and was told to wait. It's actually pretty cool. I walked in expecting to find paper and an ink pad, but it's all digital. There's a glass screen you place your fingers on and a built-in camera snaps the shot. The images are then sent to the computer where they can be viewed in black and white.

While I was waiting for them to be uploaded, another applicant walked in to have her prints taken. She was a classy, well-groomed, good-looking black woman. The man who does fingerprinting is also black. He immediately started hitting on her. While playing with her fingers, he made note of her wedding ring and asked her if it was real. She told him it was and he said, "Well that's a shame. ...Yes, indeed." He then said something to the effect of, "At least I get to have control of you for a few minutes. Even if that's all it is, I'm glad for that." The flirting continued and I felt really uncomfortable.

Some small talk ensued. He said he hopes it freezes tomorrow so that he can take the day off. He proceeded to brag about how he gets paid regardless of whether the school board is open or not, and that he'd stay at home watching tv every day if he had his way. I asked, "Didn't you just have two whole weeks off?" He said yes, but it wasn't enough.

He was quite the character. I'm kind of appalled that someone like that is so "important" and "irreplaceable." There's a Spanish class that's been without a teacher for six weeks now. The principal wanted me there five weeks ago, but everything was held up because of lazy eternal vacation guy. Furthermore, his lack of gratitude is almost as shameful. He should be grateful that the complications have been resolved and that he is able to return to work. He should be grateful that--with all the economic crisis and budget cuts and unemployment rampant today--he still has a job. It's frustrating that people take what they have for granted. But, I guess I do it, too. I imagine we all do. Perhaps we can all learn a lesson from this. I'm going to make a short list of things that I usually overlook or fail to appreciate to the extent that I should.

1. A roof. Think of all the homeless people who have no shelter to protect them from the hot sun, harsh wind, rain, and unbearable cold. Even those who go to homeless shelters have little privacy and no place to call their own. They have to share everything with unclean, unemployed wanderers.

2. Good food. I'm happy to say that I've never experienced starvation. I've always had food, and at least once a week I will dine at a restaurant. When I go out, I buy expensive drinks. Other people order off the dollar menu every day or beg for money on the side of the road because they cannot afford such luxury.

3. A car. I cannot imagine having to walk everywhere. It would take me so much longer to do anything. I always complain about red lights and slow drivers, but really driving is an incredible convenience.

4. A job (or two). I'm so thankful to have income every week. Even though some days I dread going to work and I count down the hours until I get off, I am truly happy to be blessed with a paycheck.

5. Friends. I consider myself a fairly independent person, but my life is so much better because of my friends. They provide me with support, love, laughter, and overall happiness.

Now tell me, what are you thankful for? Some time today, stop what you are doing for five minutes and really think about the important things that have gone unappreciated in your life lately. Next, tell yourself that there are thousands of people out there who do not have those things. I think you'll come out of the experience with a renewed sense of gratitude for the small things. Perhaps you'll even feel inspired to give to a charity.