The Importance of Being Honest

For the past 5 or 6 years we have done a guy trip. This entails picking a game that we want to see and only and I do mean only guys are allowed to come. No women=no complaining. We have a great time and have no worries about anything. We have gone to Green bay to see a Monday Night game and froze our butts off the Monday after Thanksgiving. Ever since the U of U announced that Michigan was on the schedule we all knew where we would be going. The Big House, the largest football stadium in the US; 106,000 fans in blue and gold and just a few in red and white.

In preparation for the trip and ordering flights I realized the game coincided with the first week of school. I would need to take off at least Friday. This is frowned upon. If I was at Matheson it would be no trouble. I have done it a few times. Since I am at a new school I was unsure how this would be viewed. For a small moment I considered calling in sick, but I know all along I didn't like the idea, it was the coward's way out, and a last resort. I decided the direct approach would be best, I was giving over a month's notice for this event so that had to be in my favor.

I finally got my gusto and called my principal. We shot the bull for a minute and then I said that I had a matter I needed to discuss. She said go ahead. I then announced that I needed to take the first Friday off because the U was playing in Michigan. Before I could say more she said, "Let me stop you right there." For half a second I didn't know what to think. She continued, "You have no idea how funny this is. I am going to the game as well." My heart was lifted as I had found the ally I was searching for. She added, "I totally support you gong to the game." Before I called I was hoping to get an okay, I certainly wasn't expecting a full on I totally support you. It turned out much better than I had hoped and now I have a commonality with my new principal.

My final thought is what if I had wussed out and called in sick. I would have been worried about it for the next month. And then there is the chance, a good one I might add, that we had the same flight. We wouldn't have had the same conversation and my trip would be secondary to my guilt and worry. Telling the truth can be hard and cause mixed feelings depending on what you have done, but it is the best policy and says a lot about the individual's character, especially when they have to own up to something in which they messed up. Now I can gear up for the game and proudly wear my red and white.

Go Utes!