Friday, April 4, 2014

Housekeeping

I know, I know...I haven't written since Monday! But things are finally calming down here, and I'll be able to catch up on your blogs (and mine) soon!

I took some much-needed rest Sunday through Tuesday, and have done T25 Wednesday-Friday (double today, actually), but I haven't run. I have a 10k next weekend, but no plans to really push myself. I'm mentally needing a run soon though, so it's not like I'm quitting! ...Just taking a little break this week.

So, briefly, here's some things I've been up to:

I came back to school Monday to find my substitute had managed to crash one of my computers, taking me back to the turn of the century.
Oy. It was Dec. 31, 2000 when I first got to school.
Luckily, our IT department is prompt and knowledgeable, so everything is up and working now.

I've somehow managed to get tired of chocolate peanut butter and pretzels for my mid-morning snack. (I eat breakfast at 6:45am and my lunch is at 12:52pm, so some protein indulgence is necessary.) This sweet treat has been my go-to this week:
I don't know how "natural" it really is, but it sure is delicious!
I've been attempting to find joy in the little things this week. I've been so exhausted and stressed out leading up to my TPE (I'll get to that shortly), that I've just been a wreck. I was at work until 7pm the other night. Wondering where I was, Matt texted: 

"Do I have to figure out how to explain to Archie that his mommy doesn't love him anymore?"

The only appropriate reply being: "Tell him his nuttiness drove me away."

And then this happened:
This still cracks me up.
For those of you not familiar with the Dramatic Chipmunk (I forgot his name originally)...

 Watch it. You won't be sorry.

One reason this week has been so rough, besides the exhaustion from wedding fun and traveling, was that my final teacher performance evaluation was today. The TPE is a 45 minute observation during which you must exhibit a variety of skills and practices in the classroom. Some of my salary hinges on this. Along with the TPE, my DPP (deliberate practice plan, a year-long self-assessment of areas I want to improve in) is due. 

Literally the minute the lesson ended, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I had no clue how stressed I was until it was over. It's not that I don't do these great instructional strategies usually, but it's hard to show them all in one lesson alone. I'm looking forward to my post-TPE meeting to go over my DPP and see how it all turned out.
What a great note to come back to after the eval!
 Of course, I've been reminiscing about last weekend's wedding. I was talking to some friends at work about going in on throwing a "wedding-like" party. I think if you had enough people pitch in, you could have all the fun of a reception without having to force anyone into marriage against their will, for the sake of a party.

Maybe this summer!
Two of the tamer sets from the photobooth with Jeff and Cayla.
I've been so behind this week; I have something like 40 blog posts to read.
Tell me something I may have missed in blog-land!
What have you been up to?

ABK

14 comments:

  1. Congratulations on finishing your stressful week so positively! And for having that observation over with! You're a rockstar!

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    1. It's easy to be positive once all the tough stuff is over! :o)

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  2. Teacher Evaluations ARE stressful! I recently had mine so I get it. ;) Congrats on kicking linguistic butt!!! :D From they way I 'know' you via blogging, I can tell you are a phenomenal teacher.

    I've been taking many days off of running this week as well. It's sort of mentally driving me bonkers since it is supposed to be my 'peak week.' I am trying very hard to trust my training and strength that I've built. But I have to admit that I have my moments. :)

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    1. You've got such a solid foundation, I know your days off will only help to repair your body and make you stronger!

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  3. I hate being evaluated on my teaching! I get soooooo nervous. I am even nervous for an informal "pop in" by the principal. I understand how stressful it is, but so glad you got through it and that it went well! Talk about time to RELAX!

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    1. I feel really used to being observed, etc, but those final evals are definitely stressful. I guess it's all just part of the job!

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  4. So happy that your teach eval. went smoothly!!!!!!!!! I can't believe the end of the school year is almost here!!!! :)

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    1. I know, it's crazy that it's already April!

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  5. I had never seen the Dramatic Chipmunk before -- so funny! Archie did a great impersonation!

    I agree about the wedding-like party being a great idea! At this point Adam and I are facing are 10 year anniversary with no wedding in sight, so he said the other day "maybe we should just have a reception thing?" :)

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    1. You two should have a fun party just to celebrate...10 years is a big deal!!

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  6. I always have a fun time going to weddings...love that reception idea!

    Congrats on what appears to have been a successful TPE! It's crazy how you can realize how one thing can totally stress you out, but not until it's all over!

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    1. For real, I had no idea how stressed I was until it ended!

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  7. Man, I'm glad none of my salary hinges on my yearly evaluation! I'd be a nervous wreck! So glad you did a great job. :)

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    1. Yep, it's definitely a relief to know it went smoothly!

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