OK Week

Things OK this week.... a bit of stress (as usual), but OK nevertheless.

End of the school year quickly approaching. The students feel it; I feel it. There is still much to do before the end of the year, but my desire wanders to be outdoors in the sun, working in the garden, and not adhering to schedule and protocols (although, I set plenty for myself).
It will come, I tell myself. It will come.

Plenty of job postings this year- not that I am still looking.
I believe the plan is to stay at FSD for two more years, mainly because I promised students to take them to Costa Rica (2010). In addition, consistent employment will look good on a resume, and, with the new textbooks, I will learn to practice 'Best Practices' in foreign language and TPRS (Blaine Ray's theory of Total Physical Response & Storytelling), both of which are noted as requirements in numerous job postings. So, to stay will work to my advantage.
I do not see why I would not stay (although some days I question), with the only real issue being fuel prices.

Fuel.... I believe I paid 3.75/gal on Thursday. I only put in $20, which I think is what I am going to do for a while. Prices are a bit berserk.

Some say we are in a recession, which we probably are- everything is more expensive (prices shot up quick). Some say fuel prices represent a 'political war' with the US and the Middle East (who control vast reserves) due to the Iraq conflict (5th year?).

I am very happy thus far with the Scion- 36 mpg this week. (How accurate is it? I really do not know.) I am quite sure it was a very good choice for me with the drive everyday. We've talked about getting rid of the Aztec and getting another smaller car- but David does not want another car payment (could we afford it anyway?), plus he does not really need replace his car right now.

Grocery bill near $200 last time. Going to try to cut down on a few things this time. I've been attempting for us to eat better- real foods (so we know what is what we eat), but prices are higher for such food items. We shall see.

Money is tight, but when is it not?
I am not robbing Peter to pay Paul, but it is tight.

Along with the food (which is not necessarily 'perfect'), gym everyday this past week. Although, a bit of procrastination today (I will go). It definitely makes a difference in the mornings- I am much more awake for 1st hour. David has been going as well; early mornings for 10-20 minutes. If anything, he looks better (skin color). I thought it may change his lifestyle issues, but not yet.
For me, I need a bit more. My 'middle-age tire' is not going anywhere. I know I need to do more, but I just can not get an afternoon workout in sync. Not that there are major conflicts (at least not every week), but there is a lifestyle issue (conflicts with David's schedule) which do not make things better.

There is this typical middle age, and then there is the other middle age- with the latter ignoring conventional thought (similar to women- "Desperate Housewives" is very much en vogue; what I used to call 'Tina-Turner syndrome'). Youth rules in American culture and some portray themselves as such when they are far beyond.

Case in point: Dolce & Gabbana (the actual designers at right). Very tres-gay, but a glance of what the new middle-aged male is/ is going to be. Not necessarily inappropriate for the age (if you have the frame and body), but not necessarily the current conventional, and definitely not the traditional.

So, for me: What?
I am far from any sort of 'prime.' I am reminded of age in the mirror. Some days it is easy to ignore, other days, not so much.
Feeling good and looking good are related in some aspects- too much, probably.
With 40 quickly approaching..... will most definitely need some sort of therapy for that!

Otherwise, like I said, pretty much OK. Not great, not bad.

They say Mona Lisa is 83% happy;
I am probably close to the same.

Pro- Crastinus

Procrastination is a type of behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.

For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of personal productivity, the creation of crisis and the disapproval of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

(from Widipedia)

Up Early (habit forming)

For the past couple of weekend, I've been up early (around 6). Not bad, and it does not bother me, but it does not mean that I am moving any faster on my list of things-to-do. Nearly three hours: folded a load of laundry and that's about it.

Laziness, really. Desire there, but not enough.

The blah weather is not doing much to help.

The Pope is in the US this week; watching mass at St. Patrick's in NYC. Not being a religious person, such displays of faith are still moving. I do not believe people like him as much as JPII, but perhaps it can happen. JPII had a particular way about him. One could see compassion in his eyes. I should have gone to Rome for Easter Mass when I was in Spain.

Speaking of, I received email from JC.
His life is complicated (when has it not been?). He has his music and a new job, and something about another lost love.
I replied, letting him know of trip in 2009.

Very sad realization that Candi will probably not live to see another year.... perhaps it will happen this summer. Health issues continue to materialize, with more-recent walking problem (degenerative myelopathy). David and I have discussed a wheel-chair cart for her, but now there are elimination issues (not going outside). We shall see. I only hope she passes in her sleep. I do not think I could handle it otherwise.... Tears already started.

......and counting

I feel a bit bad that I have a mental countdown to the end of the year. How can I expect my students to stay focused, when, at times, my mind is elsewhere.... garden, home projects, etc.

Week not bad, but really not all that good. I blame a lot of it on anticipation to the end of the school year. This anticipation leads to laziness, as my HS class attempted to squirrel their way out of a quiz (to no avail), and an increase in behavior issues for some of my problematic JrH students (how many times to I need to ask a student to sit down/ open textbook/ do the assignment?). But not too bad.

Spain trip a go. Paperwork processed through NETC- we are taking the catalog Spain & Andalucia with an extra day in Costa del Sol. Only nine, which is fine, but I would like at least 12 (so Hartford could go gratis). I am comfortable with nine. Will set up some sort of meeting for meet-and-greet, as I do not know any of the students. Those I have chatted with seem fine, and I have not found any (bad) behavioral issues in their files. I do wish some of my students were going. Perhaps the next trip (Costa Rica).

3rd hour students found out where I worked. Not such a big deal, although I told them not to come in until the end of the school year. They should know me as their teacher, not their waiter.

A bit of work in the garden accomplished this week.
Gym in the AMs; afternoons another story.
School work to do this weekend, but not as much as last.

So much rain.....

Weather very 'blah' this week, and it looks to continue for a few more days. The ground is wet, wet, wet- soggy when you walk through the yard. Can not work in the garden this weekend, have enough to do anyway, but I wanted to clean out a bed a weekend so not to be as overwhelmed as I was last summer (and the summer before).

I am sure the rain is good- it has been so dry the past few years. May be too much for the irises though.

This morning, it even snowed a bit (snow-rain mix).... Is it mid-April?

Last quarter at school- trying to tie everything up. Obvious that we do not have the time to get through the whole book (which was my goal), but the syllabus only goes through chpt 14 (Spanish I) and chpt 12 (I think, for Spanish II). Students getting on nerves a bit; I am looking forward to a little break as well. :) I think it is 8 weeks left; only 7 teaching.

Probably begin grad school- if I do not use the money this summer, I will lose it. So back to RKFD COL (called yesterday). Probably their summer camp for teachers. Will have to take the GRE eventually.

Otherwise, nothing much.

Spring and other stories

Been a while....

1. Spring is here and moving through the garden. Lots of damage to clean up from laziness of last year. Nothing too bad, really; actually, what I had expected.
Things need to be moved around/ rearranged. Of course, I have "big plans," of which little will be realized. (I'll just add it to my list- haha)
Crocus up (photo by Caldwell) and others just poking.

2. Joined a new gym- Snap Fitness. Actually, Mom bought the membership and paid for 3 months (ditto for David). Been going in the mornings before school- which makes me feel better, but not always does the day go better- but still have the afternoon issues. Went a few times after school, but had trouble sleeping (could not fall asleep). Still have Bally membership, which I will keep. Bally has more, but not the AM hours. Only doing aerobic machines in the mornings, need to configure PM weight training scheudle THAT WORKS!
David has been going in the very early AM. Whatever works is fine. Good to see him moving around.

3. Trip to Spain a "go" (at least I think so). I only have no, so no custom tour. We have until the end of the school year to get 15, but I do not think we will get it. Maybe 12, and then I can have a chaperon (Hartford) go free. In any event, we are going, and with nine, I go free- YEA! Just waiting to hear back from NETC for confirmation.
No word from Sevilla..... who knows.

4. After my trip was approved by the board, I figured my job for next year was safe. Still, the end-of-year summary was not what I expected. What did I expect, rather, what could I expect as I have not seen my last two observations? It truth, it is probably fine- typical first-year teacher. For me, it was less than expected (less than exemplary) and been nagging me for a while. I will write something in reply. Just do not know yet.
So the job is there.... but also others of interest ('burbs). Decided not to go for them, but will consider future.

5. Back to smoking- only 4 a day; needed something as a pressure valve. Pills were not cutting it anymore, nor were any substitutes. I know it is bad, but it could be worse. As long as I keep it "controlled" I believe it will be fine.

6. Eight weeks left of the school year. My last "teaching week" is the week of May 19 with student exams. The last student day is the week of Memorial Day, with graduation on the 3rd of June. My last day is June 9th.
Applied for summer school (social studies), but do not think I will get it. And, do I want it? Considering the cost of gas ($3.50/gal) it may not be worth it.

Summer plans up and down... not sure what to do.
Visits, ink, body, garden, house, art, and other projects.

Would like something relaxing, but too much to do.
I have plenty to keep myself occupied.

Need to make some extra $$ this summer.
Need to consider/ move towards MA program (teaching?).

And I'm sure another round of trying to figure out my life.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ciao!