Of my own, cranky, tired drum. This week actually included quite a bit of personal, quiet time. On one level, it was wonderful; on another, it was frustrating that I did not get more work done.
This week at school we had the Ca High School Exit Exam on Tuesday and Wednesday. We gave the test to our 10th graders in the morning, so from 8 to 11 both days I had my class room all to myself. It was beautiful. I did not clean my desk off as I had planned, but I did do a bunch of planning and other stuff. It was really nice.
Also, I drove to Sac state twice this week to work on my thesis, so I got lots of time in the car to listen to the news. It wasn't terribly productive, but I got to chat with people from my credential program. That was nice.
In general, I have been hiding out in my room a lot. It's really depressing at work, partly because of all the surprise pink slips. People are really bummed out and unhappy. Also, we found out this week that a former student was killed very close to our campus. I did not know the young man, but it is horrible anytime a young person's life is lost in such a tragic, senseless way. Furthermore, I have a feeling that the situation is not resolved. Lying low seems like a good idea.
In terms of my thesis, work is progressing. The next couple weeks will be very intense, but I am moving along nicely. I hope to get some work done this weekend because we are actually staying in town for the first time in six weeks. This work week involves some time consuming things, like Open House and a union meeting, but it should be pretty straight forward. Then I have Spring break.
I can't believe that March is more than half over; it feels like we just started the month. But I am happy with how productive I've been despite how tired I am. Yes, I wish I was eating better. Yes, I wish I remember what it felt like to exercise. But I am comforted to know that this "march" will soon be over.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Marching One By One...
Hurrah! Hurrah!
This week I did feel like a little ant. Every accomplishment was a HUGE mountain to climb. I felt ready to be overwhelmed by a giant flood or avalanche at any minute. And it was one long march.
Last Saturday, my dad came over and made pizzas with Em. Justin and I went to see Alice In Wonderland in 3-D, which made me feel old and silly. Nothing like putting 3-D glasses over your own glasses to make you feel like a dork. But it was a good movie.
On Sunday, we drove to Williams to drop Em off with her grandparents. Our daycare provider was on vacation last week, so Em got to spend a week with her cousins and my sister-in-law. While I hated being without her, I am so glad that she was able to have a great time.
I worked on Advocacy lessons on the laptop all the way up to Williams and all the way back. Then, I worked for another 3 hours or so at home while Justin slept off a nasty cold he's had for weeks. But I was able to finish my last Advocacy lessons for the year.
We went out to dinner at a cheap Chinese place (not so good, btw), and that started three days of poor culinary choices. We went out to dinner both Monday and Tuesday nights, but luckily we were able to go to restaurants that we like but that Emerson does not--sushi and a Mexican bistro with skeleton paintings on the walls. By Wednesday, I was sure I had gained five pounds and not written a lick of my thesis.
Wednesday and Thursday Justin kept me focused on writing. It was very annoying (especially when he threatened to shut off the internet), but I was able to go from 22 pages to 33.
Friday started out well, but then I got a surprise. Even though I'm a tenured teacher in my district and the district is not eliminating Eng positions, I got a pink slip. I was expecting it a little, but I had really hoped it wouldn't come.
After the pink slip bombshell, I was ready to leave for Redding to see Em. We stayed the night at Justin's and then headed home. Lucky Justin had to chaperone a dance last night. While I was bummed for him, I was happy that for the first time in six weeks, I was at home on a Saturday night. Em and I had a girls' evening. We made pesto pasta and watched a Barbie Mermaid movie. It was a good deal.
Today I hope to get some work done on my thesis. Later today, Em and I have a birthday party at Build-A-Bear.
This little ant needs to march herself to the shower.
This week I did feel like a little ant. Every accomplishment was a HUGE mountain to climb. I felt ready to be overwhelmed by a giant flood or avalanche at any minute. And it was one long march.
Last Saturday, my dad came over and made pizzas with Em. Justin and I went to see Alice In Wonderland in 3-D, which made me feel old and silly. Nothing like putting 3-D glasses over your own glasses to make you feel like a dork. But it was a good movie.
On Sunday, we drove to Williams to drop Em off with her grandparents. Our daycare provider was on vacation last week, so Em got to spend a week with her cousins and my sister-in-law. While I hated being without her, I am so glad that she was able to have a great time.
I worked on Advocacy lessons on the laptop all the way up to Williams and all the way back. Then, I worked for another 3 hours or so at home while Justin slept off a nasty cold he's had for weeks. But I was able to finish my last Advocacy lessons for the year.
We went out to dinner at a cheap Chinese place (not so good, btw), and that started three days of poor culinary choices. We went out to dinner both Monday and Tuesday nights, but luckily we were able to go to restaurants that we like but that Emerson does not--sushi and a Mexican bistro with skeleton paintings on the walls. By Wednesday, I was sure I had gained five pounds and not written a lick of my thesis.
Wednesday and Thursday Justin kept me focused on writing. It was very annoying (especially when he threatened to shut off the internet), but I was able to go from 22 pages to 33.
Friday started out well, but then I got a surprise. Even though I'm a tenured teacher in my district and the district is not eliminating Eng positions, I got a pink slip. I was expecting it a little, but I had really hoped it wouldn't come.
After the pink slip bombshell, I was ready to leave for Redding to see Em. We stayed the night at Justin's and then headed home. Lucky Justin had to chaperone a dance last night. While I was bummed for him, I was happy that for the first time in six weeks, I was at home on a Saturday night. Em and I had a girls' evening. We made pesto pasta and watched a Barbie Mermaid movie. It was a good deal.
Today I hope to get some work done on my thesis. Later today, Em and I have a birthday party at Build-A-Bear.
This little ant needs to march herself to the shower.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March Forth
So I shared a really stupid joke with my kids the other day on March 4th. I told them it was the only day of the year that is a verbal phrase--March forth! Very lame.
However, it's a suitable battle cry for where I am now. February (also known as the month of No Calories Left Behind) is finally over. Yes, all the celebrations (Justin's b-day, my father-in-law's, my mom's, and our anniversary) are fun, but now they are over. March is finally here.
I'm not religious, but March does take on a rather Lent-ish feel. It's the month where I start to get my focus back. I march forth. Slowly, but surely I work my way to the end of the school year. I'm always pretty exhausted right now, so it's all about incremental accomplishments. Step by step.
Here are my upcoming steps:
1. Turn in my last set of Advocacy lessons for the year (Thank Gawd!)
2. Rescue my poor desk at work from its paper infection (Oh, yes, I totally want to each HONORS English--idiot.)
3. Finish my literature review for my thesis and put an end to research once and for all (I'm sure this is an untrue statement, but it feels good to lie to myself.)
Observant readers will notice no goals for diet or exercise. I will try to exercise (this week was a stunning failure...only an hour for the whole week), but I need to be honest with myself. My thesis is a HUGE time suck, and it's really easy to beat myself up over not exercising enough. That will just have to wait.
So, here we go. One step (however begrudgingly) at a time.
However, it's a suitable battle cry for where I am now. February (also known as the month of No Calories Left Behind) is finally over. Yes, all the celebrations (Justin's b-day, my father-in-law's, my mom's, and our anniversary) are fun, but now they are over. March is finally here.
I'm not religious, but March does take on a rather Lent-ish feel. It's the month where I start to get my focus back. I march forth. Slowly, but surely I work my way to the end of the school year. I'm always pretty exhausted right now, so it's all about incremental accomplishments. Step by step.
Here are my upcoming steps:
1. Turn in my last set of Advocacy lessons for the year (Thank Gawd!)
2. Rescue my poor desk at work from its paper infection (Oh, yes, I totally want to each HONORS English--idiot.)
3. Finish my literature review for my thesis and put an end to research once and for all (I'm sure this is an untrue statement, but it feels good to lie to myself.)
Observant readers will notice no goals for diet or exercise. I will try to exercise (this week was a stunning failure...only an hour for the whole week), but I need to be honest with myself. My thesis is a HUGE time suck, and it's really easy to beat myself up over not exercising enough. That will just have to wait.
So, here we go. One step (however begrudgingly) at a time.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Progress 3
This was my first five-day week in awhile. I wasn't thrilled about that, but I actually got some stuff done, which was good. Not everything I should have, of course.
Thesis: I did okay this week, but not great. In fact, I need to do some serious work this weekend. I tried to work on Sunday, but I felt wiped out, so mostly I just napped. Monday and Wednesday I did well. Thursday and Friday--not so much. Well, I'm planning on getting at least two hours done today and most of tomorrow afternoon. We'll see...
Work: I feel like all I did during my prep was grade and there is still a pile as big as Ripley on my desk. So sad. Also, I need to get my Advocacy lessons done; they're planned, just not printed out. Sigh. The one bright-ish spot is that I'm probably not getting laid off, but there is a distinct possibility that I could have to move schools. I am so fine with that. New=good.
Family: Thursday was our anniversary, but we didn't do much. We're celebrating it tonight. We did have dinner at BJ's, which started out well. The evening ended quickly, however, because Em FREAKED out over a necklace. Nice. My sister and brother in law are coming over later today to watch Em and Justin and I are staying tonight in Sac. He's planned everything, so it should be really nice.
Social Life: Text messaging your friends does not count as a social life.
Health/Exercise: Still didn't learn from the Thursday thing. Exercised Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. Totally not as much as I wanted to, but I re-lost the two pounds I gained last week. March should be better...
See ya next week!
Thesis: I did okay this week, but not great. In fact, I need to do some serious work this weekend. I tried to work on Sunday, but I felt wiped out, so mostly I just napped. Monday and Wednesday I did well. Thursday and Friday--not so much. Well, I'm planning on getting at least two hours done today and most of tomorrow afternoon. We'll see...
Work: I feel like all I did during my prep was grade and there is still a pile as big as Ripley on my desk. So sad. Also, I need to get my Advocacy lessons done; they're planned, just not printed out. Sigh. The one bright-ish spot is that I'm probably not getting laid off, but there is a distinct possibility that I could have to move schools. I am so fine with that. New=good.
Family: Thursday was our anniversary, but we didn't do much. We're celebrating it tonight. We did have dinner at BJ's, which started out well. The evening ended quickly, however, because Em FREAKED out over a necklace. Nice. My sister and brother in law are coming over later today to watch Em and Justin and I are staying tonight in Sac. He's planned everything, so it should be really nice.
Social Life: Text messaging your friends does not count as a social life.
Health/Exercise: Still didn't learn from the Thursday thing. Exercised Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. Totally not as much as I wanted to, but I re-lost the two pounds I gained last week. March should be better...
See ya next week!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Progress 2
Another week has passed, and I am that much closer to my thesis deadline.
Thesis: Actually got a lot done over the weekend. Organized my research and wrote five pages, bringing my total to 20 pages for chapter two. Met with my professor, who said I'm doing a good job. Have done "nothing" else since.
Work: I am seriously considering taking my class room phone off the hook. The dang thing rings every period and there is always a difficult question to answer on the other line. I really don't know how I have become the answer to people's problems. But there I am. Ugh. Had an important meeting on Friday that could potentially lead to an admin job, so of course my weird skin thing popped up again. AWESOME.
Family: Heading to Concord today for my mom's birthday. Our anniversary is this week. Still no plans. The idea of booking a hotel room simply for napping seems intriguing.
Social Life: I did get to go out with a friend from work for dinner before our basketball duty last night. Does that count?
Health/Exercise: Started out strong on the exercise this week, but then peetered out. Don't think leaving exercise til Thursday is a wise idea. Gained two pounds. I blame the fon-don't from Valentine's. In fact, I blame my face for that too. It's a good scapegoat.
Alright, I need to get going. See ya next week.
Thesis: Actually got a lot done over the weekend. Organized my research and wrote five pages, bringing my total to 20 pages for chapter two. Met with my professor, who said I'm doing a good job. Have done "nothing" else since.
Work: I am seriously considering taking my class room phone off the hook. The dang thing rings every period and there is always a difficult question to answer on the other line. I really don't know how I have become the answer to people's problems. But there I am. Ugh. Had an important meeting on Friday that could potentially lead to an admin job, so of course my weird skin thing popped up again. AWESOME.
Family: Heading to Concord today for my mom's birthday. Our anniversary is this week. Still no plans. The idea of booking a hotel room simply for napping seems intriguing.
Social Life: I did get to go out with a friend from work for dinner before our basketball duty last night. Does that count?
Health/Exercise: Started out strong on the exercise this week, but then peetered out. Don't think leaving exercise til Thursday is a wise idea. Gained two pounds. I blame the fon-don't from Valentine's. In fact, I blame my face for that too. It's a good scapegoat.
Alright, I need to get going. See ya next week.
Monday, February 15, 2010
A Valentines' Haiku
When fondue becomes a fon-don't:
Fondue tonight, yes?
Clumpy, stinky mess, alas
Must take a shower
Fondue tonight, yes?
Clumpy, stinky mess, alas
Must take a shower
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Progress
Since I am now working on my master's thesis (SIGH), I think the blogging will have to be more short and sweet, to the point. (Again, SIGH).
So here's my progress this week:
Thesis: Since Sunday, worked almost 7 hours on it. Wrote a super rough draft of chapter 1 (haven't heard back from advisor...ugh.) Still researching for chapter 2 and have much more to do on that front. The research is actually the fun part.
Work: My student teacher got a sub job at my school. Awesome for her. A bummer for her slacker master teacher. Now I get my freshman back. Fantastic. I have a ton of crap to do at work (grading, Advocacy lessons, etc.) None of it is enjoyable. I am a big baby.
Family: Emerson and Justin are both in full recovery from their illness, and things at home are back to normal. Normal=crazy busy. February is a wacko month with Justin's b-day, his dad's b-day, my mom's b-day, and our anniversary. By the time we finish it, we are fatter and poor.
Social Life: Ha! Check with me in March.
Health/Exercise: I didn't do so awesome on the exercise front this week, but I did lose two pounds. And then I had a chocolate covered strawberry for breakfast. Whoops.
Thanks for listening. See you in a week.
So here's my progress this week:
Thesis: Since Sunday, worked almost 7 hours on it. Wrote a super rough draft of chapter 1 (haven't heard back from advisor...ugh.) Still researching for chapter 2 and have much more to do on that front. The research is actually the fun part.
Work: My student teacher got a sub job at my school. Awesome for her. A bummer for her slacker master teacher. Now I get my freshman back. Fantastic. I have a ton of crap to do at work (grading, Advocacy lessons, etc.) None of it is enjoyable. I am a big baby.
Family: Emerson and Justin are both in full recovery from their illness, and things at home are back to normal. Normal=crazy busy. February is a wacko month with Justin's b-day, his dad's b-day, my mom's b-day, and our anniversary. By the time we finish it, we are fatter and poor.
Social Life: Ha! Check with me in March.
Health/Exercise: I didn't do so awesome on the exercise front this week, but I did lose two pounds. And then I had a chocolate covered strawberry for breakfast. Whoops.
Thanks for listening. See you in a week.
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