No, I didn't play for the Stanford volleyball team

I had to admit that to my students today. It's funny how the value system is different here... it's all about what school I went to. I've been outted and touted by (Taiwanese) staff members conversationally and at a parent association meeting, and a week into school I was already contacted by a mother of one of my drama students, who was like, it's great that there's a Stanford grad teaching drama. (Does Stanford have a good drama department? God knows I wasn't a big part of it.) I'm not even sure how well known the school is here; mom insists that Cal is better known. (CAL SUCKS.) But I mean, if it helps the school sell me, or me sell myself, well then. Then. SOLD to the highest bidder. Anyway, as soon as one kid found out here, it was _all over_ the senior class (since I'm their senior seminar teacher, ie. please god let them get into a college, any college, or it's on my head). And of course, they naturally assumed since I'm the volleyball coach, that I played for the Stanford volleyball team. You know, the one that Kerry Walsh played for. ha. Maybe I should've just said, yeah, I did. But at least I haven't yet told them that I only played frosh / soph in high school. hahahahahaha. joke's on me, kids.

In other news, coaching volleyball is going just fine, despite my recoiling when the activities director asked me to do it. ("Uh, I have to be very very honest with you, Jo., I'm really a mediocre volleyball player. Serious." "It's okay, I'll print out drills and stuff for you to do during the practices. Great, be on the courts on Monday.") At least I play better than the kids do. Bit dicey there for a moment. *sigh* I thought that the school just had JV and JV B team, but our first practice the activities director came to us, and said, "Good news, girls! We have enough for a Varsity and JV team this year!" A bunch of the girls, all seniors, came to me after practice and were like, "Uh, we're really not varsity level players." But only one senior is allowed on the court at a time during JV games. So even though ultimately I gave them the choice, I "persuaded" them that even if we get crushed, they will play better and badder. Which they will. And they will also get squished, if varsity here is anything at all like the states. I think we better go out for ice cream or something after the first game. Something like crack.