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.  

I'm Ready for August

Yes, I'm ready for August and I know that's blasphemy because it means more summer passing by but I'm ready for the ISU summer program to be done.   We've had major issues with getting approval for our t-shirts.   It is ridiculous to not have the t-shirts at this point of the program.   Some rules changed with use of the phrase 'Iowa State University' as well as the use of ISU colors.   Factor in the issue that the director of marketing has been traveling and not checking approvals and appeals.   When I called the office last week and to check on progress they were irritated I was calling but they were sitting on a decision for two weeks.  I also found issues with our accounting, primarily the amount paid for benefits for my employees.    Someone had coded some employees incorrectly in our system and they weren't listed as current students.   It makes a huge difference with the amount of benefits they receive...sigh.   I'm not sure who made the error because it's someone above me on the totem pole.   I am hoping for answers early this week as well as t-shirts being ready.

I wasn't 100% satisfied with the trip to Dubuque last weekend.   It could have been worse, and it could have been better.   I just don't feel equipped to deal with Dan's kids.   I am still toeing the line between what I can and cannot do with his kids.   I almost did lose my temper when on vacation but it didn't happen.   I'm just uneasy about things if we ever decide to progress and move in together.  I feel bad for Dan right now because he found out his ex had a man move in (unemployed) so he feels she's using his child support to support an adult.   I admit that passed through my mind too as that's another person eating food, using water, using electricity, etc.

I finished my Memoirs of a Geisha book and it was quite good.   I'm glad I randomly pulled it off my bookshelf and gave it a go.  I decided to try The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo one last time and I did progress further into the book.   I got past some of the more boring parts and now I'm into the main mystery.   I understand why the beginning is structured so blah-like as they need to set up three different story lines.   I'm just happy to finally get into the series as I've held off from seeing the movie.

It was nice to have LeAnn visit yesterday.   We went to the farmer's market in Des Moines (first time this year).   I was happy to get some cucumbers.   Yes, they have already been eaten.   We got some kohlrabi for Gavin too.   My ability to cut up kohlrabi sucks though as I cut myself trying to peel it and slice it for him.   I'm sure we'll go at least one more time this summer.   I was happy to see one Corgi too.   It was nice to play some tennis too.   I'm not happy with how sunburned I am despite wearing sunscreen.  

Movie-wise, we haven't watched much of our Netflix.   The following movies are from the past weeks:

"Focus"--it features Will Smith.   He's a con man.  He trains someone to help him (female) but ends up parting ways with her.    They find each other again in the future and it messes up another con he's working on.    It was decent.

"The Pianist"--it features Adrian Brody.   I'm actually shocked I haven't seen this movie before as it's similar to "Schindler's List".   It follows a man and his family.    He's a musician (hence the title of the movie).   It's a true story too so they tried to follow the man's story closely when making the movie.   Tough to watch, just like "Schindler's List".  It will likely be added to my Christmas list as it's a movie I'd like to own.    I told Gavin it solidified the fact we need to take a trip to Europe at some point and learn more about the war and Holocaust.

"The Reader"--features Kate Winslet.   A young woman seduces a younger boy/man but then suddenly disappears and suddenly ends the relationship.    He finds her years later when he's in law school as she's on trial for war crimes in WWII due to her involvement with the Nazi party.   She was a guard for a concentration camp.   The movie shows how they reconnect after her sentence.    I do want to read the book too.

"The Edge of Tomorrow"---features Tom Cruise.  It's a futuristic movie about an alien invasion.  I'm not usually a Tom Cruise fan but he did OK in this movie.   Due to exposure to a certain kind of alien, Tom Cruise cannot die but when is killed, he restarts his life again at the same spot.   After redoing the same time frame over and over again, he does figure out how the aliens can be beaten so he works toward that goal.   He finds someone else that has experienced the same non-dying issue too and she helps him.  

I guess that's enough of a update for now!

Downhill Slide

Now that we've entered July, it is the downhill slide for SYF.   The program ends on July 28th.   It's been decent so far but has it's usual behavioral issues pop up.   We are having issues with ordering our t-shirts too due to some rule changes with ISU colors.   I need to start organizing the Family Night event on July 27.   I want to change the schedule for the evening so things flow better but I'm not sure much can be adjusted. 

I spent most of the morning finalizing my schedule for the graduate student orientation I hold from August 15-19.   I need a couple people to confirm their availability to speak to the students but it is set for the most part.    I hope to send it to the new and returning grad students tomorrow so they have early notice on what to expect for that week.  I am color-coding the agenda this time to make it easier for the students.    Some events/meetings only need to be attended by the new students, or those that only teach, or everyone, etc.   I didn't think past versions were too difficult to read but confusion has occurred.    (And these students are getting master's degrees or their Ph.D)

I've been reading a lot lately and it's glorious.   I finished the third Harry Potter book so I'll be obtaining the fourth book soon.   I actually meant to grab it before I left Mom and Dad's this weekend and forgot.   I also read "Darkspaces".   It another book by the author that wrote "Gone Girl".    It was funny that Dad was raving about his book "Gone Girl" when I was reading her other novel.   "Darkspaces" was pretty decent.   It definitely keeps you guessing since it's a murder mystery.

I am currently reading "Memoirs of a Geisha".   I remember hearing about the book years ago and I found it at a book sale in Des Moines.   I think I paid $0.25 for it and it was well worth the quarter.   The author actually sat down with the lady and recorded her verbal recollection of her years as a geisha.   It's an interesting perspective about the social ranks and societal norms.  I think I'll try to read "The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" for the last time after this book. 

I was able to attend Nicole's wedding reception on Saturday.   It was a very fancy affair but the set-up of the event fit the two of them well.   I was happy that Mom could go with me.    I heard from Nicole on Monday with a thank-you for their gift.    It wasn't much but then again, they didn't really have a gift registry since they recently combined households.    We have tentative plans to see ourselves in October when they return from their honeymoon. 

I was able to spend Sunday in Waukon too and it was lazy for the most part.   I was able to join the Smith breakfast and then we went to Riceville later in the day to have dinner with Tony and LeAnn.   Good food, some physical activity, and I got to pet a cool dog.   Not too shabby.   I am wicked sunburnt but luckily it never hurt too badly.  

Dan and I are taking his boys to Dubuque on Friday-Sunday for a mini-vacation.    I'm excited to go somewhere that focuses on swimming.   The indoor water park looks pretty cool.   I need to start my list for packing.   I want to bring snacks with so we aren't spending money on overpriced food at the resort.   Gavin has to work and has a football obligation too.   Saddness.

I guess that's all I have for my update.   I'll likely blog after the vacation this weekend.

Am I Becoming a Homebody?

Greetings:

I had a really good day.    I helped out further with the cleaning process in the building as the second phase of construction started.   It's much easier to exercise when it is helping with a means to an end.   I spent three hours carrying things, usually heavy things, to a dumpster.   And I was focused so I made a decent dent in our cleaning process and finished emptying a closet.   The construction company is still rather pissed though because they don't have full access to all needed areas.   I had one guy get lippy with me and I told him to talk to the building supervisor.  I halfway feel bad for the building supervisor but I'm also halfway irritated.   He and I differ quite a bit with organization and priorities.   The areas of concern could have been cleaned out in May.   But he waits to start the week before construction starts and didn't share necessary dates with me so I didn't know until last week either.   Oh well.

The summer program continues to go well.   I did have to remove a child from the program.   We aren't equipped to deal with him.   He needs a one-on-one aid to be with him at all times.   He's not diagnosed yet but he certainly shows symptoms of ODD.   Hopefully he can find a different program that meets his needs.    I was supposed to participate in a conference call today but I caught maybe 15 minutes of it.  I had a naughty kid brought in and had to arrange for him to go home for the day.    I had a group forget that a child needed to leave early and had to hunt them down.   We had a funky smell develop in the pool (thanks construction) and I had to check that out.   I hope Risk Management doesn't quiz me on the call.

I was able to spend a nice evening at home and for most of the time I was alone.   I caught up on laundry and cleaned the kitchen.   It was nice to hose off too and take a solid shower.   I felt so gross most of the day.    I should take a second set of clothes with me to work in the event my morning activities make me gross.   I had sweat through my clothes by 11am.   I don't think they are messing with the faculty locker room so in theory I should be able to shower at work.   Part of me wants to get out and do more, especially with it being summer.   But it's also nice to stay at home, watch a preferred TV show, and catch up with the domestic stuff.    I'm hoping the apartment is in order by the weekend because it would be nice to go to the pool on Saturday.   I would like to take the boys.   Dan isn't a huge pool person but come on man, it's summer.

Speaking of Dan, it was 11 months of togetherness this past weekend.   Time has flown.   We are celebrating next month when it's a year by attending the Jim Gaffigan show at the end of July.   A good band is coming to Des Moines in November too and we plan to attend that.    The last time a boyfriend attended a concert with me, it was Michael.  He and I went to Incubus when they played at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.   It was probably back in 2003.   It was early because he was in good health at the time.

I read an awesome book this week.   Yes, this week.   It only took me two days because it held my attention so well.   I read "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children".   LeAnn gave it to Gavin as a gift.   Christmas a year or two ago?   He's now reading it.   I like the inclusion of relevant history (World War II) but it's actually fiction/fantasy.   The author did a great job of giving information about the grandfather before he passed away and he also did a great job explaining the main character.    The fictional aspect caught me off guard at first but hooked me.   I read 209 pages the first night and finished it last night.  I do plan on reading the next book in the series.   I hope the Ankeny library has it. I'm on to the second Harry Potter book now.   I have had a stack of books on my nightstand and some books have been there since I moved into this apartment.   I want to read them all before the fall semester starts.  I have to squeeze in a couple books for professional development too.

I also recently watched the movie "Reality Bites".  It features Winona Rider and Ethan Hawke.   The true epitome of a 90s movie.   It's a twisted love story and the end is deemed controversial by some.   She has to pick between Ethan Hawke's character (he's a dick) and Ben Stiller's character (nice guy).   For those that have seen it, most complain about her choice.   The movie will be on my Christmas list as I'd like to own the DVD.   It's a decent soundtrack too.   It was the first thing to feature the song "Stay" by Lisa Loeb.  

Overall, it's felt great to be more active.   Trying to eat better too.   We need to make a run to Fareway soon for protein.   They have fantastic potato-encrusted cod filets in the deli section FYI.   I get two for Gavin and I ever so often.    Until next time.

In honor of Dan...

I Want to Go Swimming!

The irony of my title is that we have a swimming pool in this building.   But the pool is very warm (water and air temperature) so it's not very appealing.   I wish I knew someone that owned a pool in Ankeny so I could go there some evenings and cool off.  The idea of going to the public pool isn't super desirable either and I don't know what the evening hours are anyway.   The Newton pool closes before 5pm most days!   Blah.

I've actually been working my ass off this week because of our department's prep for the next phase of construction.   I'm a little irritated because I'm only part time so hours of work this week don't get me anything.   We had to move all of our PE equipment out of it's storage closet and put the items in storage lockers that were recently delivered and assembled.   The department used some of my Summer Youth Fitness employees to help with the manual labor.   It still wasn't enough so I worked on the PE stuff.   We still have another closet downstairs to clean out but it's going to have to wait until Monday.  

The summer program is going well.   We have a couple troublesome kids and sadly they are in the same group.   It's really frustrating their group leaders.   I have been making a point to join the group often to help with the discipline.   The boys typically behave better when I'm present since I'm the "principal" of the program.   The employees are doing well and the first two weeks have gone by quickly.   A main issue has been the heat.   Even with having activities inside, it's still pretty warm and humid in the gyms.   I wish we could have June-like weather and save this heat for July.  

I have to work tomorrow evening (Friday) for DMACC and I'm not thrilled but I do need the income.   Not sure what is happening for the weekend besides Gavin working.   He said his job is kind of odd because his coworkers are adults and work full time.   I guess he's the only high school kid working in produce.   Most of his days involve waking up at 5:00am, going to football stuff (primarily lifting), coming home for awhile, and going to work.   Some days he goes out and hangs with friends.  I was a little jealous earlier in the week as they went to Big Creek to swim. 

I wish I had more to write about health and stuff but it's basically been sleep, sometimes sleep in, work, go to bed early, repeat.   I had hopes to play some tennis but it's just been too hot.   My main goal has been to stop eating earlier in the evening and eat breakfast.   Having an omelet in the morning has been pretty decent.   It's just tough to stop eating early in the evening.    Thankfully I don't watch a lot of TV so that helps with grazing. 

Time to go make the rounds!

Summer Camp 2016

Tomorrow is the start of the summer camp and I am both ready and not ready for it.   I'm ready for it to be June but I'm not ready for the drama and the parental interactions.   I feel OK about the staff I've hired too.   I only had one person flake out on me and tell me he quits but not showing up for mandatory meetings.   We'll see how the first days/first week goes and if I'm so calm and collect later in the week.  

I'm bummed about things starting tomorrow too because my foot hurts like hell.   It's hurt since the beginning of last week and it's ruined my plan to have fun this weekend.   I'll be on my feet constantly this week too so that's not going to help much either.    My prescription is not refillable for the pain med I have for the plantar faciiatis so I'll likely go back in and complain some more.

Dan was able to go up to Waukon over Memorial Day weekend and he met my parents.   He was nervous, it was cute.   It was very low key and it went well.   He was surprised by how low key it was but he needed that based on his usual schedule and fast paced life.   It would be nice if he could go to Czech Days too but I'm not sure it will work.    We'll see.  

Gavin is working more regularly at Hy-Vee too.    He did a full shift today in produce and said he really liked it.   He isn't a fan of bagging groceries but understands he'll need to help with that from time-to-time.  

I finished the book "Committed" by the chick that wrote "Eat, Pray, Love".   How long did I have that book LeAnn?  It was a good read.   I should have finished it sooner.   It makes me feel normal for not being married yet so how can I not like the book.   Educated women get married in life...go figure.  (If we get married at all)   I'm not sure what my next book will be yet.    I should be reading more than one by now since I have down time.

I am almost done teaching an independent study at ISU.   I'm training three PE majors to be Red Cross instructors because they have a conflict with the class offered in a typical semester.   They helped me train SYF employees last week since about half needed CPR and First Aid training.    I am teaching another one related to my health education methods class (elementary).    I need to start working on it because the students are expecting to start work this week.  

We haven't watched many movies.   Too much to do and too nice outside.    I watched "Shop Girl" recently.   It's on the dish a lot.    It features Claire Danes and Steve Martin.    It's odd to see them as a romantic couple.   I think Steve Martin wrote the screenplay.   I like it a lot and I don't know why.   I also watched Romeo and Juliet (Claire Danes and Leo DiCaprio).   I cannot remember when I last watched the movie.     I've always liked the soundtrack.

Ok, back to work.

Congratulations Alissa!

It's been a fairly eventful week but in a good way.   I've accomplished my two big cleaning projects.   I think I mentioned my desk re-organization in a past entry.   The other biggie was my closet.    I put my winter clothes away and pulled out my summer clothes.  I also went through my totes of clothes and thinned out the herd.   I had a couple totes I've kept for years with past clothing that ideally I'd want to wear again.   I took a more realistic view this time as I went through the clothing and reduced the quantity.    I have a bag of pants/jeans and a bag of tops for LeAnn and Alissa to look through if they are interested.    Depending on what's left over, I may try to take some things to the consignment in Ames since they accept Lane Bryant clothing.  My next project will be the coat closet by the laundry room.  

We took a day trip to Waverly to see Alissa walk across the stage and finish her time at Wartburg.  Good weather, nice ceremony, great family time.   We'll get to repeat again in August when she wraps up nursing school.   I'm a little disappointed that Dan couldn't join us.    I got a "Save the Date" today for Luke's wedding so I am going to drill that November date into Dan's brain so he can join us.  
I'm making decent progress with Summer Youth Fitness.   Assuming an interview goes well tomorrow, I will have all my group leaders hired for the program (2 for each group of kids).   Ideally I wanted a female and male leader for each group but Group 3 will have two females.   Not the end of the world and in a sense more acceptable than two males.   I am almost done hiring assistants for each group.   I need to hire 1-2 more and I still have the occasional application come through.   Parents are starting to send in the registration packets and my orientation meeting is set up for all employees on June 1st.   After doing this for several years, I'm starting to get the hang of it.   I should only have to drive up to Ames Monday-Wednesday this week and will work from home Thursday and Friday to save gas money.

Gavin did well at the state track meet.   He ran his personal best with the 200m.   (22 seconds) The team came in 18th out of 24th.   It was pretty exciting to see him do well in front of such a large crowd.    He's more excited about joining track next year than he's ever been in the past.    He has an administrative meeting on Wednesday for his job at Hy-Vee.   Payroll and such.   I'm hoping he can do a good job with scheduling shifts and not conflicting with football.   Now he needs to play catch-up with work he's missed at school due to track.  

After Gavin's track meet, Dan and I did sort of a date afternoon/evening.  We ran to Jordan Creek Mall as Dan wanted to look at the Nike Store.   He bought me shoes for tennis since he's concerned about my feet when we play.   It's nice to date someone that is actually concerned with my comfort and well-being.  We went to Scheel's which is always dangerous.   I bought a new tennis racket.    I was torn on buying a new one now and waiting until later in the summer when I see how I use my savings.   Technically this is the only thing I've bought myself with my tax return.   I've used it once and it did play well.   I should probably get a cover for it too since it needs to last for a long time.  We went out to eat at Cheesecake Factory.  I am done with cheesecake for awhile.   Between the rich piece I couldn't finish from the restaurant and the rich piece I couldn't finish at Wartburg, I am all cheescaked-out.   Based on my health goals, cheesecake shouldn't be a regular occurrence anyway.

I guess that's it for now...I wanted to get another entry done for the week.



Rim-shot!!