Resolutions

As I said in my last post, December was a crazy-hectic month for me. I'm finally back home after a whirlwind of travel, and I'm able to start updating with photos from craft projects. Maybe this weekend. So keep an eye out.

Thanksgiving week had some curve balls thrown into our family life, but if you know me, you already know this, and that I'm done talking about it. What it did do was give me a lot to think about, especially in light of my future. Since it's the time of year (and the time of our lives) where people think about weddings more often, it's been in my thoughts for some time. This is relevant, mainly, as it ties into my resolutions, but also because it's the most prevalent topic of conversation, lately.

Here are two very interesting articles to read.
This one is about how happily ever afters don't exist.
The second is written in a very flippant, but poignant, way and gives us some things to think about and add to our "Things to Accomplish before 30" list. Which is apparently a thing. I'm game.

 Also, the amount of articles that have been popping up relating to our generation gives me hope. It means we're not alone in feeling lost in limbo. So let's cherish that feeling, and cherish this time.

Which brings us to resolutions. We need to make the most of now, which is why my resolution this year is to focus on me.

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Interesting Article

I've been crazy busy with work lately, and haven't really had time to update my blog. I have a lot of craft things happening, but since most are Christmas presents, you'll have to wait for January to see those. But this article is spot on for the idea and purpose of my blog. So if you're reading this, read this.

Since I doubt I'll be able to blog again prior to January - Happy Holidays and have a fantastic New Years. I'd be interested to hear resolutions.

[Addendum: I posted this in the hopes to inspire, and one of my friends read it, shared it, and wrote about it. HolyCrapLiz had a different reaction than the majority of people I shared this with, and I thought I'd share her perspective. Also, I wanted to point out that I was made aware of this article by Timmy. ]

When Inspiration Strikes...

When inspiration strikes....

...you go with it.

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Small Wins

Thank God for Small Wins.

That seems to be the theme of this year.

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Lost, but Here

It's one in the morning on a Sunday night and I'm still awake binging on episodes of Glee and the adult version of KoolAid, Crystal Light. Luckily for me, our district decided to give us a 3-day weekend (which means we have tomorrow off). My district is good like that. This year we have at least one 3-day weekend every month. It's pretty nice.

They're pretty awesome, overall, my district. I mean, they support their teachers in every way imaginable. We have a paper budget, a scope and sequence, and trainings in everything they expect us to utilize in the classroom. We have minimum days built into our schedule so that we have time for professional development without having to miss class. We have late-start days built in for PLC time. We have a superintendent who bought a program called MyAccess and is working on getting the district over 5,000 Chromebooks.

So why I am awake at 1 am? It's not just because I have a day off tomorrow.

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What am I doing right?

I took on a new prep this year. I teach a class called CR3 as well as my ELA 8 Mainstream. CR stands for Core Replacement, and it's a Language Learner (ELL) class at the highest level for middle school. It's also two periods long.

Taking on this prep actually added on about 3 more meetings per biweekly basis. There are also more trainings involved. Joining the AVID team, a new computer AI grading program, and BTSA on top of all that, and I feel like I'm barely staying afloat.

Trainings mean taking time out and having a sub. Subs mean having sub plans, prepping your students in all procedures, as well as prepping them mentally, and dealing with the aftermath when the sub ultimately fails (with at least one student) no matter how hard you prepped. Oh, and the guilt of leaving your brand new babies the second week of school.

So that's why I haven't been posting.

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Sometimes You Fail

Sometimes you fail. And it hurts. Oh, how it hurts. Ultimately, you get over it and move on. Ideally, you learn from the mistake. Hopefully, it doesn't affect the rest of the world too badly. But, yes... we fail.

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