a good true story

So this week at this job (which I love) I was what we like to call SR...Scholar Relations. I am in a team of 3 people...2 are on during the day, one is on at night...we are basically the guidance counselers of the conference. We deal with homesick issues, roommates issues, stalker parents, lost items, etc... Basically, we deal with the scholars who are having issues...problem children, if you will. They are fairly easily to know well as they have issues 3 hours after their parents leave and continually call us every 2 hours until the conference is over. This week...there was a particular scholar who was a bit of a hypochondriac. When we went to Harper's Ferry (it's a place, not a boat) they were discussing in depth what happened to people during the mid 1800's. It was mentioned that some people died of tuberculosis...they also went in to a fairly graphic description of what happens to you when you get TB because most 12 year olds find graphic details pretty awesome. However...this scholar did not think it was cool. I get a call and the conversation goes as follows...

SB: (crying) Katie, I just heard this story about a guy who got tuberculosis and died, and now, I think that I might have tuberculosis!
Katie: You do not have tuberculosis.
SB: But my throat hurts, and my lungs hurt...I'm going to get tuberculosis and die!
Katie: You do not have tuberculosis
SB: Are you sure?
Katie: Yes
SB: (still crying through all of this) I'm going to have to go to the hospital and I hate doctors and nurses and I'm going to die of tuberculosis!

This conversation lasts another 5 minutes when I finally convince her that TB has been erradicated from the whole world (it was easier to lie...she would freak out more if she knew it still existed) and we got her back into class. When we got back to the conference site...I got a call to come see her again and the whole conversation started over. It was difficult not to laugh...because she was so serious about it all. I basically told her that she was being ridiculous and sent her on her way after calming her down. Her concern about having TB resurfaced at least 6 times after that...and the last time I saw her it was TB AND malaria. I have to say...she was my favorite scholar...I laughed so hard after out conversations were over...she totally made my week.

Another favorite moment from this week...Colin and me dealing with a scholar who called another scholar a prostitute..."Doesn't that mean someone who goes against the government?" Umm....no. Fun times here in Chevy Chase MD!