I've never been much for New Year's resolutions. I think the NYR hype is a huge commercial conspiracy on the part of the fitness industry to get us to feel super-guilty about ourselves...so that we purchase new shoes, workout clothes, diet food, gym memberships, etc...
Now that I've got that little bit of cynicism out of the way, let me also state that while I chafe at the idea of new year resolutions, change in general is a very good thing, and desirable.
On our recent drive through the Deep South, this theme of change was the very topic of conversation between my husband and I. We developed a couple of general goals for the month of January (as opposed to the whole of 2012).
1. Spend less.
2. Get in shape/Feel less tired/Lose Weight
3. Live with purpose
Perhaps you see the problem already with these resolutions: too vague, too general. If we stopped here, we're already set up for failure. After all, if Spending Less were as easy as just writing it down or saying it out loud, we'd all be doing it, wouldn't we?
So, now, let me include the specific steps for each goal.
1. Spend less
a. No grocery shopping at Walmart (we seem to always buy more than just food when we go here)
b. Use cash (withdrawn every month) for groceries and restaurants (this is our biggest downfall...we eat out a lot, and now, if we've only pulled out a certain amount of cash for that purpose, maybe we'll be wiser about choosing when to go)
2. Get in shape/Feel less tired/Lose Weight.
a. "One Plate Rule"
b. Plan easy and simple (I may think I want to fix some elaborate three-course meal, but with four kids, crazy schedules something flow smoother if the evening meal is spaghetti and marinara sauce).
c. Theme meal nights (i.e. pasta night, soup night, etc.)
d. Keep a visible record of daily exercise (will hopefully facilitate accountability)
3. Live with purpose.
a. No electronics (laptops, cell phones after 7 pm - to better facilitate people interaction)
b. More people time, more interactions
c. Constantly question (why am I on Facebook right now? What is need?)
d. Refrain from doing things because "we always do them)
Of course, this isn't failproof. Maybe it even isn't doable. But, we'll never know until we do it, will we?
02 January 2012
29 December 2011
The City of New Orleans
For the longest time, I considered Las Vegas my favorite travel destination...
Until now.
I have visited the city of New Orleans twice in the last seven years. So, I guess I'm kind of an expert now. Sort of.
Mostly, New Orleans is known for this:
The multiple-storied, wrought iron balconies. The debauchery of Bourbon Street. Vampire novel settings. Hurricane Katrina.
Yes, yes, yes. All that and more. History, culture, beignets, shopping, food, people-watching.
And really, that's only the tip of the travel iceberg in the Big Easy.
Until now.
I have visited the city of New Orleans twice in the last seven years. So, I guess I'm kind of an expert now. Sort of.
Mostly, New Orleans is known for this:
Yes, yes, yes. All that and more. History, culture, beignets, shopping, food, people-watching.
And really, that's only the tip of the travel iceberg in the Big Easy.
22 December 2011
Christmas Resolution
Okay, so I know it's tradition to make New Year's Resolutions. Well, I've never done that. I probably won't start now. I mean, honestly, a whole year? Sometimes it's hard for me to stick with things for a day, let alone a whole year.
But, I do feel it might be worth my energy to craft a few resolutions for this weekend. Tonight, I will be traveling to my in-laws - gods give me strength.
Resolution #1: I resolve not to overeat. And if I do, let me glut on carrot sticks and fruit, instead of cookies, candy, and Chex party mix.
Resolution #2: I resolve to keep my immediate family at the forefront of all doings this weekend, as opposed to the "the whole, entire family" mindset. If we get bored, we'll play a game, take a walk, go for a ride, etc....without anyone else, if need be. There's no reason why we should limit ourselves when all Grandpa wants to do is nap on the couch or the men want to go pheasant hunting.
Resolution #3: There were two scenarios last year in which I felt quite put out (both of them on my oldest child's behalf). I resolve this year to either A: get over it and move to Resolution #2 or B: take action, say something and be done with it. I won't swallow it, push it down, just to let it fester bitterly over a year's time.
There. That seems doable.
But, I do feel it might be worth my energy to craft a few resolutions for this weekend. Tonight, I will be traveling to my in-laws - gods give me strength.
Resolution #1: I resolve not to overeat. And if I do, let me glut on carrot sticks and fruit, instead of cookies, candy, and Chex party mix.
Resolution #2: I resolve to keep my immediate family at the forefront of all doings this weekend, as opposed to the "the whole, entire family" mindset. If we get bored, we'll play a game, take a walk, go for a ride, etc....without anyone else, if need be. There's no reason why we should limit ourselves when all Grandpa wants to do is nap on the couch or the men want to go pheasant hunting.
Resolution #3: There were two scenarios last year in which I felt quite put out (both of them on my oldest child's behalf). I resolve this year to either A: get over it and move to Resolution #2 or B: take action, say something and be done with it. I won't swallow it, push it down, just to let it fester bitterly over a year's time.
There. That seems doable.
09 December 2011
Cleaning, Completion, and a Complex Conundrum
Ooh. First post of December. Boy, have I been lax. Here are the three major things that have happened to me since my last post:
1. The cluttered, messy state of my office has been grating on me, and especially, this last week. I mean, the Feng Shui was just way, way off. So today, finally, I was able to declutter, vacuum, dust, and revitalize my workspace. Ahhhhhhhh....
2. The reason I was able to devote part of the afternoon to office-cleaning was that there was nothing for me to grade. I finished the last few papers earlier today, and with that...my semester is pretty much at an end. Okay, yes, final exams are next week...but I can manage that. All I know is...I have NO grading or lesson planning to do this weekend. Oooooohhhhhhh....
3. Two out of three ain't bad. Meatloaf's words have rung true today. I am trying to get a realistic grip on a situation here on the homefront. My oldest son is playing his first year of junior high basketball, and is on the "C" team. He is one of the better players on the C squad, and is really able to be a leader on that team. Plus, he's happy because he plays quite a bit.
However, he had a game last night and so, there was no practice today. But, after emailing a parent-friend of mine, turns out some of the kids (the "A" squad) did have practice this morning. What's going on here, right? My puzzlement soon led me to suspect that maybe my son's "C" squad had been "exempted" from practice on purpose. And that ensuing train of thought led me to thoughts of outrage and injustice.
I'm at that point right now of deciding whether I should take action or not. Talk to the coach or not. Let it go or not. As of now, my husband and I are waiting until the next called-off practice, at which point we will totally resort to juvenile behavior (a.k.a show up at practice to see if team is there). Our course of action stems from there.
Icky, right.
1. The cluttered, messy state of my office has been grating on me, and especially, this last week. I mean, the Feng Shui was just way, way off. So today, finally, I was able to declutter, vacuum, dust, and revitalize my workspace. Ahhhhhhhh....
2. The reason I was able to devote part of the afternoon to office-cleaning was that there was nothing for me to grade. I finished the last few papers earlier today, and with that...my semester is pretty much at an end. Okay, yes, final exams are next week...but I can manage that. All I know is...I have NO grading or lesson planning to do this weekend. Oooooohhhhhhh....
3. Two out of three ain't bad. Meatloaf's words have rung true today. I am trying to get a realistic grip on a situation here on the homefront. My oldest son is playing his first year of junior high basketball, and is on the "C" team. He is one of the better players on the C squad, and is really able to be a leader on that team. Plus, he's happy because he plays quite a bit.
However, he had a game last night and so, there was no practice today. But, after emailing a parent-friend of mine, turns out some of the kids (the "A" squad) did have practice this morning. What's going on here, right? My puzzlement soon led me to suspect that maybe my son's "C" squad had been "exempted" from practice on purpose. And that ensuing train of thought led me to thoughts of outrage and injustice.
I'm at that point right now of deciding whether I should take action or not. Talk to the coach or not. Let it go or not. As of now, my husband and I are waiting until the next called-off practice, at which point we will totally resort to juvenile behavior (a.k.a show up at practice to see if team is there). Our course of action stems from there.
Icky, right.
28 November 2011
The Caterpillar: A Metaphoric Parable
You all know how the caterpillar works. She inches along, plodding, just wanting to get through this day, the next day....and so on.
Then, one day (quite unexpectedly, I imagine) she begins that biological process of metamorphosis. Wrapping herself up in a cozy, little cocoon, she is cut off from the world for days. And, then that day comes when she breaks free and reemerges as a butterfly.
That's always where the story ends. This parable is told often to children who are entering that "awkward" stage of their lives...someday they too will metamorphose from a slow, chubby caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.
Except, nobody ever tells these kids that being a butterfly (or adult) can be just as awkward as being a caterpillar. Nobody ever mentions that being a butterfly is actually a bit more arduous and full of responsibility. Pollination? That's a pretty serious task. Sure hope they can handle it.
So...now that we're thoroughly depressed...let's bring it back around.
November is a month of metamorphosis for me. I usually withdraw into the tight little circle of my own home, disregarding much of what happens in the outside world. Part of this process is because of National Novel Writing Month, where many crazies like myself hole up to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. But, with the onset of colder weather and the holidays, it's just a natural time for me anyway to "cocoon" myself up, so to speak.
Now, here at the end of November, I'm preparing to emerge from back into world. Like the butterfly, though, there is work to do. Responsibilities, jobs, duties, chores all await
Nothing like a little Henry David Thoreau Transcendentalism to start your day off right!
Then, one day (quite unexpectedly, I imagine) she begins that biological process of metamorphosis. Wrapping herself up in a cozy, little cocoon, she is cut off from the world for days. And, then that day comes when she breaks free and reemerges as a butterfly.
That's always where the story ends. This parable is told often to children who are entering that "awkward" stage of their lives...someday they too will metamorphose from a slow, chubby caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.
Except, nobody ever tells these kids that being a butterfly (or adult) can be just as awkward as being a caterpillar. Nobody ever mentions that being a butterfly is actually a bit more arduous and full of responsibility. Pollination? That's a pretty serious task. Sure hope they can handle it.
So...now that we're thoroughly depressed...let's bring it back around.
November is a month of metamorphosis for me. I usually withdraw into the tight little circle of my own home, disregarding much of what happens in the outside world. Part of this process is because of National Novel Writing Month, where many crazies like myself hole up to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. But, with the onset of colder weather and the holidays, it's just a natural time for me anyway to "cocoon" myself up, so to speak.
Now, here at the end of November, I'm preparing to emerge from back into world. Like the butterfly, though, there is work to do. Responsibilities, jobs, duties, chores all await
Nothing like a little Henry David Thoreau Transcendentalism to start your day off right!
11 November 2011
Epiphany #56 - In Which I Figure Something Out, But It Probably Means My Life Will Change
You what's weird?
It's November 11, and I have not pulled out any Christmas decorations. I have not played any Christmas music. I have not had a hankering to bake things.
Yeah, that's weird.
Anyway, onto the sublime title of today's blog.
For a few years ago, discontent was starting to seep into my professional life. Teaching wasn't as inspiring as it used to be; I was losing my passion and merely "going through the motions". So, I took action. I taught at the high school level only part-time, and I started adjunct teaching at the college. I told myself that maybe I needed a change of scenery, not to mention a change of clientele. But still, some unrest lingered...
Last May, I resigned my high school position for good, and remained an adjunct. So now I'm only working three, maybe four hours a day. Life should be good, right?
But, no, I'm still not feeling it. Many days come with some kind of mental pep talk to get myself into that classroom (once I'm there, I'm fine).
Concurrent with this timeline of events is that of me and my journeys with food. Food and nutrition are fascinating to me, and I feel sometimes as if I've entered into a lifelong love affair with the things. And this feeling has grown since a few years ago. Consequently, here became the dilemma slash paradox I needed to figure out:
Why am I deliriously happy to spend a Sunday morning and afternoon in my kitchen, cooking, simmering, marination, and baking - and yet I can hardly get my game face on for two, maybe three, hours of classroom teaching a day?
Here's the answer that came to me about a week ago: the difference is product.
When I'm in the kitchen, baking cookies, sauteing vegetables, or baking bread, there is an end product. My family, who then consumes it, provides immediate feedback. It's not always good feedback either. But, in the end, there is a tangible fruit of my labors. I usually know right away what worked and what didn't, and I can troubleshoot for next time (less water, more time in the oven, etc).
In the classroom, though? There's not such a product. Sure, there's student papers and assignments, but those products often have very little to do with me. Sometimes, they have very little to do with the students as well. And, when there is a problem, I might be able to troubleshoot it, but many times I cannot. There are often variables involved I can't contend with (abject lack of ability, lack of motivation).
And, well, knowing what I know now, that I thrive on seeing a finished product, be it poor or not, it's no wonder education has lost it appeal.
So, yep, that's where I am. I'm nearly 37 years old, and I think I am about to make a career change. And I don't mean a lateral change...
It's November 11, and I have not pulled out any Christmas decorations. I have not played any Christmas music. I have not had a hankering to bake things.
Yeah, that's weird.
Anyway, onto the sublime title of today's blog.
For a few years ago, discontent was starting to seep into my professional life. Teaching wasn't as inspiring as it used to be; I was losing my passion and merely "going through the motions". So, I took action. I taught at the high school level only part-time, and I started adjunct teaching at the college. I told myself that maybe I needed a change of scenery, not to mention a change of clientele. But still, some unrest lingered...
Last May, I resigned my high school position for good, and remained an adjunct. So now I'm only working three, maybe four hours a day. Life should be good, right?
But, no, I'm still not feeling it. Many days come with some kind of mental pep talk to get myself into that classroom (once I'm there, I'm fine).
Concurrent with this timeline of events is that of me and my journeys with food. Food and nutrition are fascinating to me, and I feel sometimes as if I've entered into a lifelong love affair with the things. And this feeling has grown since a few years ago. Consequently, here became the dilemma slash paradox I needed to figure out:
Why am I deliriously happy to spend a Sunday morning and afternoon in my kitchen, cooking, simmering, marination, and baking - and yet I can hardly get my game face on for two, maybe three, hours of classroom teaching a day?
Here's the answer that came to me about a week ago: the difference is product.
When I'm in the kitchen, baking cookies, sauteing vegetables, or baking bread, there is an end product. My family, who then consumes it, provides immediate feedback. It's not always good feedback either. But, in the end, there is a tangible fruit of my labors. I usually know right away what worked and what didn't, and I can troubleshoot for next time (less water, more time in the oven, etc).
In the classroom, though? There's not such a product. Sure, there's student papers and assignments, but those products often have very little to do with me. Sometimes, they have very little to do with the students as well. And, when there is a problem, I might be able to troubleshoot it, but many times I cannot. There are often variables involved I can't contend with (abject lack of ability, lack of motivation).
And, well, knowing what I know now, that I thrive on seeing a finished product, be it poor or not, it's no wonder education has lost it appeal.
So, yep, that's where I am. I'm nearly 37 years old, and I think I am about to make a career change. And I don't mean a lateral change...
10 November 2011
Current Events
I can't think of the last time I'd come across a bit of news that worked me up like I was last night. Originally, I woke up this morning, and planned on dedicating this entire post to the denigration of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State administration. See, they've been in the news lately and here's why:
Allegations have come light regarding Jerry Sandusky (Paterno's defensive coordinator from 1969-1999)...namely, that he sexually abused several youths over a 15 year period. Some of the alleged incidents occurred on the Penn State campus.
Just last night, Paterno (Penn's coach for the last 46 years) was fired by the Board of Trustees, along with the school's president and some other administration who had been informed of the incidents occurring on campus (at least one in 2002).
Here's my take on the whole thing. While I certainly don't condone Sandusky's alleged actions, I am more furious with Paterno and the Penn State administration. A grad assistant walked in on Sandusky assaulting a boy in the Penn State shower room. The assistant told Paterno, who informed the athletic director, who informed the president...who then proceeded to do nothing, but tell Sandusky he could not bring youths onto Penn State's campus.
Sandusky's going to get his due share. I truly believe that. I don't worry much about him. But I want the other guys to pay too. Because I can barely squelch that helpless feeling that no matter what great things I do for my kids, no matter how much I try to keep them safe - in the end, I can't do anything about the deviants out there. But even worse, I can't do ANYTHING about the other adults who want to protect the deviants.
There. End rant. I shall now let it go.
Allegations have come light regarding Jerry Sandusky (Paterno's defensive coordinator from 1969-1999)...namely, that he sexually abused several youths over a 15 year period. Some of the alleged incidents occurred on the Penn State campus.
Just last night, Paterno (Penn's coach for the last 46 years) was fired by the Board of Trustees, along with the school's president and some other administration who had been informed of the incidents occurring on campus (at least one in 2002).
Here's my take on the whole thing. While I certainly don't condone Sandusky's alleged actions, I am more furious with Paterno and the Penn State administration. A grad assistant walked in on Sandusky assaulting a boy in the Penn State shower room. The assistant told Paterno, who informed the athletic director, who informed the president...who then proceeded to do nothing, but tell Sandusky he could not bring youths onto Penn State's campus.
Sandusky's going to get his due share. I truly believe that. I don't worry much about him. But I want the other guys to pay too. Because I can barely squelch that helpless feeling that no matter what great things I do for my kids, no matter how much I try to keep them safe - in the end, I can't do anything about the deviants out there. But even worse, I can't do ANYTHING about the other adults who want to protect the deviants.
There. End rant. I shall now let it go.
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