Yet another

I think this is no. 7.
I anticipated, bringing some work home- grading, lessons to reorganize (once again).
My 3rd observation planned for tomorrow. Not too worried.

Nothing much else.

Las realidades

What is real, what is not- I mean, how much of our lives are only what we choose to see? I seem to be wandering with blinders on lately; my life made of of disconnected segments- oblivious to the other until confronted with it.

I get up- one mind-set.
I drive- another.
At school- another (sometimes per class).
Drive home- another.
At home- another.
In bed- another.
At TBG- another.
Weekends- another.

Dr. Dudgeon said I had disassociation issues- dividing my life into areas of peace and discord; protecting self from one or the other.

Lots of things going on- some good, some bad.
Nothing horrible, just not where I want/need to be or be doing.

Too much on my plate; too much to do.
And I find myself doing nothing or something else as I have a pile of grading to do in front of me, a carton of journals to grade in the kitchen; update grades for the week; update lessons (observation next week); and various other work things to do. Planning Spain trip 2009 for students.
Not to mention things around the house.

My goals for the year have gone by the wayside:
Smoking, have not been to the gym in weeks; house unorganized.
Lots of procrastination- now past 1, up since 8.

On the positive- savings account.

Otherwise, nothing much.
Just going on day by day.

Another week

Not good; not bad, but leaning towards the latter.

Evaluation next week with Mr. Swords. Never received the feedback from my last with Mr. Wiley...... I should hear about contract renewal at the end of the month.
Already debating whether or not I will accept or not- considering some of the happenings thus far this year, who knows if I will be offered one. Many positives this year, but the negatives seem to shout the loudest. We shall see.
There are jobs posted for next year, but I am not anxious to start looking.

"Salsa" Fiesta went well on Thursday- turned into a sort of contest (winners announced during Friday morning announcements). It was a half-day, nice; exciting (although a bit of stress for me).

Also Thursday, Martha announced that she was going to take students to Spain next summer- considering her health, not such a good idea in my book.... If I am still there, I will need to take control of this.

PowerPoint presentation about going abroad on Friday- students are interested.

Couple of cigarettes on Friday (to and from work). Just too much on the edge.

Valentine's Day came and went with little mention. Quite sad really, but that is just the way it is.

What is Valentine's Day?
Now, it is an over-commercialized holiday. The traditions of cards and small gifts began in the early 19th century in England, spreading to the US sometime later. Such practices occur in numerous countries around the world, under a different name, and sometimes on a different date.
The history though, of what we believe to be St. Valentine's Day, points to a Greco-Roman fertility festival held in February. There is a St. Valentine (actually, perhaps, more than one), but ties of this saint to romance do not occur until the 14th century, based upon the stories (The Golden Legend) about a priest who performed wedding ceremonies against the wishes of the Roman Emperor Claudius II (among other things).

Tired and a bit lazy today.
Long list of things to do; weather is going to turn bad this evening.
Thank goodness for Monday off (President's Day).

Good Days- Bad Days

Just kind-of 'blah.'

Mix of good and bad this week. Nothing too terrible, nothing too great. Still, I wish I could have a decent, unaffected week.

Another student issue, this one is the child of the Board President. We shall see.

13 days of not smoking- moments of desire, quite intense actually, but they pass. Other pills help a bit, but mood still swings. Tolerance level low, but not going off the beam.

Gym this past week Sat-Wed. Too tired Thurs, Fri, and today. Plan to pick it up again tomorrow. Just aerobics.

Crack in conversation between David and I- once again about money and the house. It is the same conversation we've had before: he needs to decide what he wants to do with his life. If his life is going to be sitting on the sofa- he can do that anywhere. I am going to go where the job is (which lead to a bit of a spat over how this year has transpired thus far- will I be able to get recommendations) and he needs to decide where he wants to be..... "What is our relationship?", did not come up, but probably would have had we continued the conversation.

Earned $.01 on my savings account. Interesting.

I am thinking a return to Sevilla in June- just a week.

So things are moving a bit.
Slowly, but moving. I just need to keep the pace and lean in the direction I want to go in- which I am not quite sure.

I just need to pick a few things- three goals to focus on- and just ignore the rest.
I think it will be:
1. Job- need to prep for next year
Applications, recommendations, and portfolio update first on this list.
2. Gym- need to get into a dedicated schedule
A good fit into my schedule (not a forced fit) and get more sleep so not so tired in the afternoon.
3. Smoking- almost at second benchmark (2 weeks)
30 days is next benchmark.

And then, of course, just try to keep everything else at peace.

Snow day, no 5 or 6?

Another snow day- this one I do not mind so much. It seemed OK this morning, but has been heavy since 9 or so.

Up near the usual time; gym by 6:45.
Feel better going in the AM, but tired now.
Tiredness could be the nicotine- day 10 of not smoking.

I was proactive, assigning work in anticipation of another day off. Students not so happy, but yesterday was a "work day," so some students finished a bit of the work in class (I gave a "working" grade).
But now, again, I have to rearrange my lessons- twice now, this being number three. And I have to redo a couple of other things- study guide and quizzes.
I think I may have to cancel the "fiesta" on the 14th- we've just missed too many days.

So, I need to use the day..... and not go anywhere.
Will have to shovel again (did last night and this morning).
Plans and other lesson things.
Bulletin board- still nothing since we returned from break.
Spanish Club service forms.
Fiesta information sheet.
Start the job search for next year.

February

Month one of the New Year completed- not as I needed it to be, but things are in motion.

Mental: No real progress here, unless I count the word games.

Physical: Gym is a slow progress. Nearly nothing in January. Began again yesterday. Really, it is a timing issue. Not enough time to go in the morning, then tired when I get home. Perhaps it is also a desire issue.
Diet comes into play this week.
I quit smoking; now on the 7th day (Chantix kicked in).

Family: Nothing here; rather, things are the same.

Social: Spanish Club social meeting last night at Amigos- went very well. Students had a nice time; parents and I chatted. But nothing else.

Spiritual: Nothing here- unless I count Spanish Club.

Career: There are a few postings for jobs next year, so I need to get those applications finished, prepare packets, and update portfolio. District 145 will offer renewals at the end of the month- we will see.

Financial: Opened savings account.

Otherwise....
Third mid-quarter ends on the 8th.

heart art by Karen Gillis Taylor
(Looks a bit like one of my old pastels, "Heart So Blue"- makes me want to paint.)