The End of Summer

I am now enjoying day one of my two week vacation from work.   (Technically it's not a full vacation as I still need to complete grading for both ISU and DMACC by the end of next week and turn in grades.)    ISU Summer Youth Fitness ended on Thursday.    It was a nice closure.    We didn't have any major illness or injury this year.   We did have some major behavioral issues but things got worked out whether the kid was dropped from the program or they shaped up and got better.

The Family Night event was OK.   Due to some major construction in the building, there was some navigation confusion with parents but everything worked out in the end.   (Side note--why don't people read signs?)   I had taken time to put up pretty simplistic and straightforward signs and parents seemed to ignore them.   My grad assistant has already asked to assist me again next year if it works with his contract.   That is a nice load off my shoulders because it's become more difficult to find a grad student that wants to work with kids and be present on a regular basis.   A lot of my undergrad employees are graduating in the next year so I'm going to have to hire a lot of new people for the 2017 session.    Bleh.

My summer DMACC class is ending next week.   Participation has been pitiful in the last two weeks.   It's online so it's not like I can see them face-to-face and tell them to do the work.    All I can do is send class announcements or direct emails.   They have a major assignment due on Monday.   I'm curious to see who turns it in.   My second independent study ends next week too for ISU.  I had a couple undergrads that needed to participate in health methods as they student teach in the fall.   It worked out well as they were able to practice teaching with the kids in Summer Youth Fitness.   They too need to turn in a major assignment next week on Wednesday.

I do plan on going in 1-2 times next week to clean my office.   It's a drag to do during vacation but it needs to be done.   I also have to attend a meeting for supervising student teachers on Thursday.   My next event of excitement will be seeing Jim Gaffigan on Sunday.   I bought tickets months ago and it's Dan's birthday present.   It will be my third time seeing the comedian.   Beyond that, seeing family for Alissa's graduation and going to Czech Days are the next big agenda items.  I'm trying to figure out if I can bop up to Waukon next week too.  Gavin having a car and being self-sufficient will help with my ability to leave.

After finishing "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", I haven't picked up another book.   I hope to read "The Bridges of Madison County" and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" in the next couple days as the books are both short.   I've only watched one Netflix movie too and it was "Girl with the Pearl Earring" featuring Scarlet Johanssen and Colin Firth.   It's fiction based on an actual painting by the artist depicted in the movie.   I can't remember his name.    I have "The Maze Runner" and "Waitress" waiting to be watched at the moment.   I've seen "Waitress" twice already.   An odd but good movie about a woman dealing with domestic violence.  

Dan and I have passed our year anniversary.   We didn't do anything too special because we are both rather broke right now.   He's trying to work a lot lately because he's not getting enough hours because of low census at the hospital.   If someone needs a day off, he typically takes the shift.   It wasn't a big deal when I was so busy with ISU but bums me out a bit that I may not see him much during my "vacation".   I am also not thrilled about how he's been treated lately by the 13-year old son.   His ex had her boyfriend move in and Taylor also got a new X-box and he's chosen not to stay with Dan on Dan's assigned days.   The younger one doesn't want to do as much either it seems.   I hate how much the kids are dependent on technology and only equate technology with fun.   End of rant.

I guess that's it for now.