Updates!

Greetings:

Even though I should be grading some quizzes at the moment, I've decided to stop working for the day (It is almost 11pm already) and do a blog update.   

Here we go in no particular order:

• I had a recent physical for general health, updating birth control, and getting clearance for gastric sleeve surgery.    At the appointment earlier in September, we decided to start whittling down the amount of medication I am taking.   I am now only taking birth control and fluoxetine (generic Prozac) at the lowest dosage.   She removed buproprion from my regimen and I adjusted well.   Ideally, I'd like to be off the fluoxetine too so that may happen in the next year too.  
• In regards to clearance for surgery, I'm making good headway.    At this point, all of my medical tests are done (x-rays, bloodwork, digestive checks, etc.).   I also have received my psychological clearance too.    I have one more meeting with a dietician on Wednesday and meet with the surgeon on Monday.   We'll see when things get officially scheduled.
• I had another major meeting last week related to diet and exercise.    I learned a lot of great information about picking protein products whether for shakes or when picking out bars.   I've been incorporating a lot more protein in my diet and it's helped curb my hunger.   I keep pre-made shakes in my office fridge as well as Qwest protein bars.   I've been stocking up on yogurt too.  
• Gavin had the game of his life last Thursday.   He was basically running the offense the whole JV game and scored all the touchdowns.   Very nice to see him playing so well.  
• Work has been pretty overwhelming.   At first I was able to work ahead as the semester started but now that I have grading and other things popping up, yikes.   I'm already behind with grading especially with my Team Sports class.   I do admit things would be easier if I didn't have the extra, in-person DMACC class.   
• Furthermore, Swim & Gym has been difficult.   I had to rehire ALL positions this semester and it is a mess when everyone is brand new.    I only had one PE major step up and apply too so most employees are not in the PE program but have experience with kids in some capacity.   It still makes me uncomfortable to step away from things.   I also had a handful of life guards quit right before we started on September 13 so that threw off things in the pool.   Sigh.   
• We needed to take Dan's necklace in last week because the clasp kept opening.   He's almost lost it more than once and I bought a protection plan for it.   They replaced it for free.   While we were there, I re-pierced my second holes in my ears.   They actually only needed to re-pierce one because the other was still open so that made it cheaper.   I doubt I'm going to re-open my third set of holes or any of my cartilage piercings but I wanted to redo the second ones for awhile now.
• Our new crop of teaching assistants/grad students are so needy!!  Another reason I am often behind with my own work is because I'm constantly helping grad students with their classes.   If some of them would just READ emails I send out, they'd be fine.   There is so much hand-holding with the development of their classes and the policies they need to follow.   
• I was able to go see Bridget Jones' Baby with some pals on Friday.   One of my past students lives in Ankeny and we've been doing things together.   She was non-traditional.  She's actually older than me and from England.    She lives very close to me too.  It was nice to see that movie (it's good) and do something with ladies.   The previews for upcoming movies looked quite good too.    
• I also got good news today as my pal Nicole and her husband want to come down this way at the end of October for a visit.   Being it would be right before Halloween, I'm hoping we can hit up some haunted houses or mazes.    They just got back from their European honeymoon.    

I guess that's enough of an update for now!   Enjoy this hilarious video.    I didn't realize that playing your recorder while waiting for traffic was the "in" thing to do.