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Thursday, September 29, 2011

melting down

Last week was a little rough.  I was getting sick, not sleeping well and feeling like I was going around in circles.  I did manage to get to the gym with Ang both days, even though I felt like I just wanted to sink onto the couch.  It was at the end of a very long day, when I'd had enough.

I had errands to do, place a complaint at the post office, pick up laminating, pick up a parcel and then get home in time to make dinner so I could get to the gym.  Everything was going on schedule until I came out of Staples.  I had parked beside a truck and an empty spot, but as I was pulling away a truck honked, flagging me down.  I stopped (even though I didn't recognize the driver) and rolled down my window part way.  He handed me a paper while explaining that while he was watching a van opened their door onto my passenger door, leaving a big mark and slight dent.  He took down all the information.  What  a good samaritan!  I was shocked and disgusted when I got a look at my car.  That pushed me over the edge.  I thanked the man, got in my car and drove home taking deep breaths the whole way.  I waited until I got inside my house before I lost it.  Stressed much?

I still managed to get to the gym, and felt better for it, but what a week!  I think I need to manage my time a little more.  I'm just not sure how.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

duties

Job action is frustrating.  While I know that it is my duty as a member of the union, it goes against many things that I believe in.  We are supposed to have limited contact with our AO, dividing our staff and making it difficult to do our jobs.  We are also supposed to limit our contact with parents, not doing any formal reporting or meeting outside of school time.  This is making it difficult to build relationships with our parents.  I like talking with parents about their kids and I like getting to know them.  Don't get me wrong, I don't love doing report cards and I think the October interim report is ridiculous, but it's the conversations and the face to face interactions that I miss. I wish there was a way that we could have an effective job action but still build the community and support for teachers that is needed.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Already?

Well it happened, I'm sick.  I knew it would happen, but I thought I'd be able to hold out until the end of the month.  I think it was a combination of being really busy, starting up school with germy little people, and sleeping poorly.  I was holding my own until 3 consecutive nights of bad sleep.  I'm taking the weekend to get better and treat myself well.

That being said, I have the heat on (sorry husband), and am enjoying my cup of tea. I think I need a nap...

Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Reading

I've been trying to read a bit more lately.  I was devouring books at the start of the summer, but working full-time slowed that down quite a bit.  Currently, I have a couple of books on the go.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
It's a book of fiction based on the life of Laura Bush.  It's pretty interesting, and I've checked out some of the information in the book.  When it came out originally, the Bush family was not impressed.  I understand why.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
This is a very disturbing but riveting book about a real estate agent who is abducted and held captive for a long period of time.  As much as my skin crawls when I'm reading the heroine's story, I can't seem to put it down for long.  I do remember that real estate agents were being targeted for crimes a while back, but the author found inspiration while she herself was an agent. 

A couple of books have been returned without being finished, they just didn't capture my attention enough;
The Happiness Project (boring), and One Day (I'll just see the moving instead)

What have you been reading lately?

Sunday, September 18, 2011

This week was a busy one for sure.  We had the first full week with our classes, I worked 2 nights, went to the gym with Ang 2 times, and went to a ball party.  Whew! 

I had forgotten what it was like at the beginning of the year, when you have to teach all the routines in your classroom to a new bunch of kids.  I had been spoiled during the first week because my students from last year remembered the way things go and moved through the class naturally.  My new students are getting there quickly though. 

I made the decision to go to the gym this week, over doing anything else.  It was strange because I've never put any kind of physical activity over the rest of my life.  I was sore for the rest of the week, but I'll do it again this Monday and Wednesday.

The working 3 shifts a week is okay.  Mostly I'm feeling like I'm short on time, but I'm not stressing about it.  Other things will get done when they get done.  I have been spending much less time on the couch, (therefore less blogging for sure) and trying to find that balance between things I want to do (like read a novel) and things I need to do (cooking dinner, cleaning the bathroom).  The one good side effect is that my insomnia is at bay right now and I have been falling asleep quickly and staying that way.

Trying to be social in this crazy schedule is a challenge, but I'm still managing to do that.  I saw the moving "The Help" on Friday night with Heather.  It was a good movie.  I would watch it again.  The book was better, but the movie was good. 

Today is Sunday and I have a long list of things that I am supposed to get done on this one day off of mine.  I have to be honest and say that not all of them will get done.  I have a couple of hours before the football game is over and we go do errands.  I really want to escape into my room and get crafty.  In fact, I can hear my room calling my name....

Sunday, September 11, 2011

36 is here

Yikes I'm 36 this year!  When did that happen?  I had a wonderful weekend (although I did have to work on Saturday) involving good food, wine and friends.  It's a really good combination.

Monday is right around the corner, and have I finished all the things I was supposed to for the classroom?  Nope, not even close.  I do think I get a prep tomorrow, so I should be able to get something done then.
I have a straight grade 2 class again this year, which is really exciting for me.  I had them on Friday for the first time, and they were so excited to finally be in my classroom, it was hard to keep their attention.  This week will be for setting up routines and groups and getting them used to collaborating with each other. 

Summer is finally here, with hot, sunny days and we are inside for all of them!  I was very fortunate to have a nice day for my birthday this year.  I could actually enjoy some time out on the deck with a nice Portugese wine.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

So I was sitting at my desk this morning, feeling a little out of sorts, when I get the most unexpected surprise. A parent came in with these for me and absolutely made my day!  As I drank my tea and waited for the day to begin, I looked at these beautiful flowers and couldn't help but smile.

We spent the day pushing our new school motto with various activities and finished up with a fun day outside in the beautiful sunshine.  Not a bad way to get to know the kids and build community, while we wait for classroom numbers to shake down.
 
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