Another Semester Has Started

One week down at ISU and about the same time completed for DMACC.    I feel the first week went relatively well.   I am still behind with prep work though but that's the norm.    I'll make good headway and immediately have more tasks to work on so it's a constant game of catch-up.   I need to accept that I guess.     My elementary-based health class and elementary-based PE classes are going well.   I am struggling with my secondary-based health class.   I've had many of the students in past classes and it's difficult to get the motivated about the content.   Most are seniors too so I'm not sure if they are in "just get me through these last classes" mode.  

I am only teaching one class for DMACC and right before the semester starts my boss hands me a new edition of the book.    I have to go through my guiding questions for every chapter and make updates.   Would have liked the book in maybe June (when she first got it) so I had time to work on those tasks early.   And of course I have a handful of students not participating in the course yet which is normal.   I get to kick out students this week though if they aren't active.

The orientation I run prior to the semester at ISU went fairly well.   Most of our new TAs are proactive and absorbed the information well.   I have a couple that are struggling.   One is new to the country so I understand he is getting acclimated to how things function on an American college campus.   The other should be able to handle everything but she just seems horribly disorganized and all over the place.   She's older than me and it seems odd that I need to give her strategies for organizing herself better.

Things are going pretty well with Dan.   It's honestly nice to have fun again with life and be social.   When I think about the start of the semester last fall, it's a complete 180.   I remember really struggling last year because my motivation was at zero.   I was unhappy at home and it seeped into my work life too.    It's nice to have a new energy.    It's nice that I know I get to see someone periodically that wants to hang out with me and looks forward to it.   As more time passes, I feel more and more stupid with staying with the ex for so long.   So many red flags that I ignored or just accepted.    It is true...there is someone out there that truly jives with your personality and outlook on life.   No one should sell themselves short.  

Gavin and I were in movie marathon this weekend:

"Chef"--a chef out in LA freaks out and loses his job.    He returns to Miami where the food truck business reinvigorates his love for cooking and food.  It also involves his relationship with his ex and his son.   Jon Favereau is the main actor in it...I can't remember why I added it to Netflix but it was decent.

"The Fault in Our Stars"--oh my God, what a good movie.   I did not expect to like it so much.    I do still plan to read the book.   Very sad story but told with appropriate emotion.   Great casting.

"Rudy"--an old school movie from the early 90's that I've been meaning to see since...the early 90's.   It's actually based on a true story.    Kid from a low socioeconomic status wants to go to Notre Dame badly and play football.   Doesn't go to college immediately after high school.   Ends up at a community college close to Notre Dame and transfers to the school of his dreams.   Gets to play in one game.   Great motivational movie.

"Godzilla"--I wish I had seen this in the theaters.    It didn't get great reviews but I did really like it.    It was an interesting update to such an old movie premise.   The special effects were pretty decent too.   As I watched the movie, I kept thinking the main female character looked so familiar.   It was Mary Kate and Ashley Olson's little sister that is also into acting.   She really does resemble them.

"Neighbors"--stupid, stupid, movie.   Don't get me wrong, I like my crass comedies but this one tried too hard to be funny.   I guess I'm not impressed by movies that center on marijuana comedy too.   (Other than Dazed and Confused)   Sadly I think Seth Rogan is going down the same path as Kevin James and will make crappy movies for a period of time.  

Just a mention to "The Sixth Sense" as I caught most of it on TV last night.   I had not seen that movie since it first came out.   I forgot how good it is.  

I also watched "The Crow" today too since I was reminded I owned it last night.    I forgot how much I liked that movie too.    I am tempted to buy the soundtrack on Itunes.   I used to own it on, umm cassette, and honestly think I listened to it so much that it broke.  

The month of September will be relatively low key.    My paychecks in August sucked and that's an understatement.   I don't have any fun money or extra money so we'll have to appreciate the simple things until the end of September.  I am grateful my car payment has dropped a bit each month since I paid extra in previous years.

That's enough of an update for now!

Vacation Time!!! Ha Ha Ya Right.

I'm technically on vacation this week and next week.   Yet, I just finished an online training for the Red Cross.   And I taught a babysitting course for them yesterday.   Time off, ya right.   I have a training with them tomorrow too in the frick'n evening that I'm not happy about.   I had much better plans for the evening that have to be postponed now.   Strike 100 for the Red Cross.   I cannot wait to resign from that organization.  


I am impressed that LeAnn continues to read.  I need to get back on a schedule with reading since I have several books sitting around in my bedroom.   I'll give some feedback about some movies though since Gavin and I are trying to be diligent with Netflix.   I also saw "Trainwreck" in the theater and was pretty pleased.    I don't think it was as good as "Bridesmaids" but I did like the serious parts of the movie and her humor jives with mine nicely.   It was nice to go to a movie while on a date too.    I couldn't have seen that movie with Gavin anyway...super awkward.  


Movies from Netflix:


"Salt"---Angelina Jolie movie about Russian spies and shenanigans.   The plot twist was pretty good.    We both liked it.  


"Anchorman 2"---not sure if I've written about this one, sorry if it's a repeat.    But that being said, maybe we all need another reminder about how blah the movie was.   It was not a good sequel.  


"Blue Jasmine"--honestly added this to my list because it won awards so I figured it would be OK.   It was very boring.   The main character is struggling because she's lost her lavish lifestyle after he husband is imprisoned and she is single.   It's supposed to be one of those stories where she learns a lesson about selfishness I guess but really doesn't.


"Transcendence"---I really liked this Johnny Depp movie.   The evolution of technology and the loss of control makes the story a little scary.   It was done very well though.  


"Noah"--I had held off on seeing this for years because of the mixed reviews.    I can see why some religious groups were not happy with the story.   I do feel it was accurately depicted though in terms of Noah having survivor's remorse and struggling with his mission from God.   It was rather long but I liked it in general.


"Pearl Jam Twenty"--I first saw this by accident on VH1 one night and for some reason really liked it.  I wasn't even a Pearl Jam fan back in the day but after learning about the backstory and history of the band, the group has grown on me.    I could honestly watch this documentary every month.    Weird I know.


"The Railway Man"--This movie was added because Colin Firth is a nice actor to look at and I like his other movies.   It was actually based on a true story.   The main character was actually a POW in World War II and he's struggling with PTSD.    He goes back to his prisoner camp to get revenge but ends up forgiven one of the main men that tortured him.   Some parts are very difficult to watch considering what was done during torture but a very good story in general.


"Maleficent"---Yes another Angelina Jolie movie but I was curious to see how the "Sleeping Beauty" story was depicted from the villain's point of view.    The ending was done very well, I don't want to give it away if others want to see the movie.    Of course Maleficent's anger stems from a man being a jerk.   Go figure.  


We are pretty excited to see family this weekend.   It will be fun to celebrate Mike's wedding.   I doubt anything will get too wild.    I'm also looking forward to the upcoming Czech Days activities too.   Always nice to see so much family prior to a new semester starting.  


I am still seeing the new gentleman that was mentioned in a previous blog entry.   His name is Daniel but goes by Danno.    I find myself calling him Danny or Dan though.    Still trying to figure out what to address him by.   He actually came up to ISU with me today so I could do a few things in the office.    I've really never had coworkers meet boyfriends.    I think Jon went to one Christmas thing for work and many people commented they didn't remember what he looked like.   It's nice to be seeing someone that is genuinely interested in what I do for work and wants to attend future social activities with me.    It will feel odd not trying to "sell" or talk him into going with me.   He works at the Lutheran hospital in Des Moines and helps kids/teens with behavior and mental concerns.    Very commendable work considering how stressful and trying that type of sociology work can be.    I'm sure the more I continue to see him, the more I'll reveal in this blog.   Baby steps.  


Ok, this is officially long enough now.   Time to find a funny phrase or picture.