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.