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!
I have to chuckle because of your pic at the end . . . I'm having a glass of wine tonight, because today kicked my ass. I know Mondays are rough, but this was super rough. It was a hot, humid day. Instead of slowing the students down, it seemed to energize them.
ReplyDeleteInteresting movie choices. I'm not familiar with most of them. "The Fault in Our Stars" is a good one though (book and movie). I saw it twice in the theater, and I cried both times. Now I own it, so I can cry in the privacy of my own home. I've always liked "The Crow" too.
I'm pretty sure a good teacher never feels caught up. There are always things thrown in or at us and we have to adapt and be flexible. Motivating students is so draining too. Good luck with your seniors. I'm struggling to get 7th and 8th graders motivated to read and write. Luckily, some of them are self-motivated.
Yay for Dan and poo to Jon. In a way (this is not a "I told you so"), I did try to get you out of your Jon relationship earlier than you did. I'm a smart boyfriend radar. If and when I get to Ankeny, hopefully before the end of October or November, I do want to meet him. Of course, it's ultimately your decision, but I'm just giving you advance notice of my intentions.
I'm anxious for this weekend. Should be fun. Good luck with your classes, students, responsibilities. :) P.S. I haven't really looked at Gavin's football schedule, but I hope to make a game. Really hard to say, especially since they're on Thursday nights.