a dash of this and a pinch of that

makes life grand i think.

it's been a long day. started off all crazy because i'm normally all chipper and bouncy in the mornings but this morning was mighty different. i could barely drag my tail out of the bed...lazy. and so my day has been kinda off without my morning at the gym. and i love chest day dammit. so i had a lazy morning, a cozy breakfast, and made it to school earlier than usual. that is one thing i do miss about my life before i started working out. i used to get to school around 6-6:30 and get myself together for the day. now i feel like i'm playing catch up all the time. i still, after almost 2 years, have not adjusted that. but hey, if that's my biggest problem in life (and it really kinda is...) then i'm all good! hehe.

kids were not in mood for school today. everyone edgy and lazy (or was that just me...hmmm). i have 13 million practicum students and i have to spend much time getting them going...ok ok ok, i have only 9 but 13 million is just a fun number. so i have a few duds i'm afraid, and i have a few who i think already show me potential. one thing i have discovered about myself since i have been working with preservice teachers is that i am quite impressed by initiative and intrinsic motivation. maybe because that's such a rarity these days. a few of these practicums have jumped right in, rolled up their sleeves, and launched themselves pell mell into my classroom, learning kids' names (another way to score with me) and being very inquisitive and helpful. a few other practicums have been most lumpy...as in lumps on logs. sigh. much to my chagrin, they're shy and hang back or they're bored and not interested in being bothered with my kiddos, leaving me wondering why the hell they're here. am endeavoring to be patient, but umm, do look alive peeps...THIS IS YOUR CAREER! teaching is not a job. it's just not, and if you go into it with that attitude, i'm thinking you're in the wrong place. don't darken my door because i'm more than likely gonna call you out on that.

anyhooo, i'm going to be out tomorrow. i used to feel positively ill at the thought of missing days. i still do not relish having subs in my classroom because i always wind up going back over the stuff. waste of instructional time, it is. but tomorrow my kids will be in the library lab doing MY READING WEB and i'm unable to assist them in that, so it's all good. what am i going to do? well, for starters, i'm going to drag my tail to the gym and get in a good lifting session (we'll see about squeezing in some cardio- ugh) and then after running a few errands, i'm going to dive into some writing. i certified for national boards in 2000 and i'm up for renewal. yes, my work is due in april and not the first word have i put to paper (or cyberspace for that matter). am planning to meet my dear one for lunch at our spot and then write the rest of the afternoon as well. i figure if i can really focus for a few solid hours, i can crank out a good chunk of component one. that's the goal anyways.

i'm really looking forward to the change of pace. have a meeting wednesday to share what i've written with two colleagues who are also going through the recert process. then a couple drinks with a friend to wind down the evening so i can rest. back to work on wednesday!

if you are unable to tell due to the slightly bitchy tone of this, i really do love my life. i love where i'm going. i like steering, and i find that when i steer strong and steady, it's ok to coast here and there and enjoy the scenery. and despite the despair looming over our district, i so love teaching and learning and seeing my kids grow every day.

if you hate your job, get off your ass and find something that you love. you owe it to yourself. all ya need to be happy is a dash of determination and a pinch of good humor. DO IT.