Monday, August 17, 2015

There's Something About Going Back to School...

...that makes you feel like you're finally enjoying vacation.

Last week I officially went back to work. Well, kind of. Thursday was our first day back and the majority of the day was housekeeping/welcoming stuff. Friday I spent some time getting my room organized. Over the summer we got Smartboards, so I had to try a new setup for my desks because of where my whiteboards now hang. That's okay; change is good.
Year seven is underway! My classroom is by no means finished in this photo.
This weekend, Matt and I drove to Manasota Key, where Kristin had rented a house for her birthday weekend. We had a great time with her friends and family. We even fit in a nice morning run.
We spent the weekend pretty much just relaxing on the beach...it was just what I needed.
I need to pause here to extol one of Kristin's more singular virtues. Because her whole family eats gluten free, she often gives me foods they've tried and enjoyed, like teriyaki sauce or donuts. This week, we've been really excited to have finally found gluten free Cheerios. When I successfully discovered the honey nut flavor, I bought her a box. When she found the regular, she got me one.
I found them in Publix and literally texted this picture to Kristin and my sister while I was still standing in the cereal aisle. I ate a bowl as soon as I got home.
Monday, Kristin surprised me with this:
We have both been sifting through EVERY box on the shelf to see if any GF ones are hidden in the back. (I left my pillow at the beach house, so she was going to drop it in my car in the morning.)
Our obsession makes a lot of sense if you've ever been forced to abstain from eating foods that carry some emotional or cultural connotation. Matt says I'm an easy friend because I can be wooed by a box of cereal, but I'm not the only one. Kristin's husband joked that he was nearly moved to tears because the Cheerios brought back memories of his childhood.

One of the highlights of last week was receiving a special surprise from an old student I keep in touch with. While out of town for art camp, she came across a book in a used bookstore that reminded her of me, and she got it and dropped it off at work for me.
So thoughtful!
The oddest thing is that I literally put What I Talk About When I Talk About Running on my wish list not five days before she gave it to me! How did she know?! I can't wait to dive into this one; I've heard great things.

This week begins marathon training for real. I'll be battling the exhaustion that comes with suddenly being thrown into a super early, day-long work schedule after time off, but I'm determined to start training on the right foot.
You've gotta love a fitness enthusiast teacher who will text you in the morning to make sure you're awake to work out!
Is there a particular food you could eat non-stop and never get sick of it?
What's the most random act of kindness a friend has done for you?

ABK

7 comments:

  1. Right now I'm stuck on raisin English muffins with peanut butter....Morning, noon, and night I could eat them!

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  2. What a sweet gift from your student. :) I love the big windows in your classroom! I am getting housekeeping stuff ready today... so much work! But my room is pretty much set up. I am lucky I don't have to/choose to take much down at the end of the year!

    I could eat pizza every day. Why does pizza never get old???

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  3. Aww what a sweet gift from your former student! Murakami is one heck of a runner, too. That book is on my to-read list as well.

    It's so weird to me that teachers are already going back to school. I don't know why, but it just is. I feel like we went on vacation the first week of August but somehow two weeks actually passed while we were gone because everything is going by so fast now. Not complaining though; so ready for fall and cooler weather. It must be really hard to go back after an entire summer off - I know it would be for me!

    Happy first day of training!

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  4. I love that book, I'm glad you have it! And yes, what a lovely thing to do for you (both your friend and your student!).

    Apparently peanuts in the shell are a food I could eat forever and never get sick of. I've had some almost every night before bed for months now.

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  5. That book is on my reading list too! Let us know what you think. :) I eat peanut butter as much as I can and with such a variety of foods (I like it on toast, bagels, in oatmeal, on ice cream, etc). I hope I never get sick of it!

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  6. Ohhhh man, those 4am days start for me next week when I go back to school!! I hope your school year is off to a great start. Glad you got to have a nice weekend away before the real chaos hits. Your classroom looks great!

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  7. I am so impressed that you get up in the 4am hour to go running. I haven't done that since last summer. I set my alarm this morning for 4:45 but didn't make it out of bed until 9:45 ;) Now I have to go run on the treadmill!

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