Feeling Good

Greetings:

I'm feeling fantastic.    The past week or so has been wonderful in regards to my sleep, work, and energy levels.  I was bummed to have to work yesterday (Saturday) but the day went well.  It's becoming more and more difficult to work for the Red Cross.    It's easy money, especially in the summer but the administration is not up to par.  I'm on probation because I haven't taken a class that's rarely offered in Iowa.    Shame on me.  

It's lazy but Gavin and I are making a habit of watching movies for entertainment.    I watched "Nebraska".   It's completely in black and white.   Older man who's lost his independence due to old age thinks he's won a sweepstakes and is adamant to go to Nebraska to claim it.    The story brings up family issues and history.   It was OK, I'm not entirely sure why it won awards.   "Gravity" was very good.   They did well with the psychology of the matter.    As I stated on Facebook, I do not want to be an astronaut.   It seems pretty far-fetched that she survived.

We also saw "Jurassic World" not too long ago.   It was good.   I read about the movie and learned they made a point to make it seem like it follows the first movie and doesn't refer to any of the other two that were created (and bombed).   I didn't like the choice of the main female actress (Dallas Bryce Howard).   I think it's because she's played negative roles in other movies.   And the fact she ran around all the time in high heels?   What bullshit.   You know damn well she would have twisted her ankle pretty damn quick and a dinosaur would have eaten her.

I spent time today going through more boxes.    I still have a lot of paperwork to sort through.   It gets really boring.   I did get pictures and stuff hung up.    I think the placement looks good.  It was also therapeutic to remove someone's picture from some of the frames and rip them up.  

I thought I had more to report on but I really don't.   But hey, I blogged again.

Oh, yes Happy Father's Day!

Not a Bad Week

The first week of Summer Youth Fitness is in the books.    It was the best start we've had with me as the director so I'm happy about that.   Not many snafus or issues.    I did have some parents make some suggestions for our drop off and pick up procedures which irritated me as I don't think they understand what it takes to organize almost 120 children at one time.   I guess I should appreciate their concern but at the same token, just go with what has worked for years.

I'm having to hire two more people to help assist with activities as I had one person quit the week before we started and another cannot read his academic schedule apparently and can't come to work on Mondays and Wednesdays.    Factor in people missing due to planned vacations and unplanned issues, it won't hurt to have a couple more people on staff.

I start teaching my health course at ISU on Monday.   It's a tiny class again.   I think I had 9 students last summer and I currently have 7.   They can't cancel it because everyone is a teacher ed student and it will screw up their plan for student teaching and graduation.    Six of the students are seniors.   I'm excited for the small group.   I'm going to try some new tactics as I have been considering some changes in the past year.   I guess one plus is that my grading load will be low,

I have been plugging away at Netflix.   We watched "12 Years a Slave" recently and it was pretty decent.   Of course I prefer the book but the movie did a decent job capturing the character's history.   I had forgotten it was a true story.    Sadly Brad Pitt is hardly in it.    I also watched "Labor Day" today.   It was pretty good.   I did not like the ending.    Our next two movies are "Nebraska" and "Gravity".   "Nebraska" won awards so it was appealing however a preview was provided before "Labor Day" and it didn't really spark my interest.    I'll still watch it, maybe I'll be surprised.    I wish I had seen "Gravity" in theaters.    Something tells me it would be better on a the big screen.

I failed to mention I did start dating again.   No worries, I'm not anywhere near being swept off my feet.    I guess I'm mainly curious about what it's like now that I'm older.   It does feel odd to be with someone for so long and have to go back out and meet new people.   First date was with a guy named Keith and it was meh.    He had an odd sense of humor (laughed a lot of things that really didn't need to be laughed at) and he got weird about physical activity.    I don't like always going out to eat on a date especially since I'm on a strict budget.   I also don't like movies on a date because you can't talk.   So he and I went on a walk at Saylorville Lake.    I'm not sure how far we walked (I don't feel it was that far) but he didn't seem thrilled about a mile into it.   Toward the end of it as we were returning to the parking lot, he made a comment about how we should have turned around sooner.   I was wearing flip flops for Pete's sake and it wasn't that strenuous of an activity.    Maybe he had the same feeling as me during the walk and that was his way of saying we should have cut the date short.

I think that's enough of an update for now!

Now it Feels Like Summer

Summer Youth Fitness has started!    Year number five in regards to me directing the program.    I was so happy with the first day.    A few issues but nothing major.    I was crazy busy like usual but everything was under control.   I plan to still hire a couple more assistants though.   Definitely needed.  

Next week I start teaching a class in the mornings prior to the children's program.     As of today I only have seven students!!   I used to have more but enrollment has dropped.   Had it dropped earlier in May, the class would have been canceled.   I still need to work on my syllabus and work on my prep.  

We've been making good progress on our Netflix list.   We recently watched "The Book Thief" which was OK.   I still want to read the book.    Also saw "Philomena" which was an interesting true story.   We're currently watching "The Butler" which I like due to the historical significance.    It's also a true story.    We also have "12 Years a Slave" on the way.    I really liked the book so I'm hoping the book meets expectations.  We also saw "Her" which was interesting.   I did not like the ending.

Gavin was hired to work for Monsanto which is exciting.   He'll have orientation later in the month and he'll start working officially after July 4th.   He's pretty excited to make his own money.  

I guess that's the big updates for now.  

Time is Running Out

Yup, pretty soon the summer camp will be upon me as well as the course I'm teaching for ISU.   It's been nice having some downtime here and there.   I find it difficult to not work at times but at the same token I feel like I could have been more productive in the past weeks.   I have several tasks I need to do around the apartment and I keep dragging my feet.  I'm rather bummed that DMACC didn't pan out for me but I guess that's one evening I don't have to race back to Ankeny to teach.    It wasn't always pleasant to be hot and sweaty, race home, and get to campus on time in a presentable condition to teach.  

I'm not as confident about my staff for the summer program this year.   I would really like another life guard on staff but no one has applied for a month but I'm going to keep the job position open throughput the summer to see if someone comes out of the woodwork.    I've learned a lot in the last five years so that will help me structure the orientation I'm holding on Monday for all staff.   I've also decided to have a meeting for group leaders alone as well as a meeting for aquatic staff alone.   I'm also doing some different things this summer with the integration of more health, weekly awards for the children, and some Jump Rope for Heart activities.  

We've been cruising through Netflix at a better pace in the past months.   We watched "Her" today, which was interesting to say the least.   I hated the ending.   Not entirely sure why it got so much praise.    Next is "The Book Thief".   I have 48 other movies on my list too so that should keep us busy this summer.    I am grateful that renting DVDs has stayed affordable.   I pay $12 a month to have 2 DVDs at one time.

I've had concerns about my energy levels and my doctor has advised that I take Vitamin D in a pretty high dose for the next month and try to get more exposure to sunlight.   I'm taking 5,000 units a day to see if that helps perk me up.   Lord knows I'll need energy next week and through July.

I thought I'd have more excitement to write about but I'm drawing a blank.    But hey, at least I'm blogging regularly again!

I Hate Money

I hate it.   I thought I had finally figured out my budget for the summer and then the car acts up today.   I am so  nervous to find out what is wrong with it tomorrow.    I know I've been pretty lucky to not have car problems in  years but the timing is horrible.    It feels really odd to not have a Plan B either since I used to have another vehicle to use if mine wasn't available.   It could have been worse though.   It could have acted up when I was on the interstate.   Or even on one of the major roads in Ankeny.    I was shocked we made it to the dealership without the engine dying.   And yes I do have money in my savings account so I can pay a bill as long as it's not too outrageous.   Depending on how much the repairs cost it could significantly gouge the money I have to draw from when things get tough in June, July, and August.   I need to get my butt in gear and find a part time job.

Time for an Update?

Well I've been reminded that I haven't done much with this blog since the snow was flying in February.   In all honesty, I didn't think I had anything worthwhile to blog about.   I don't think I have anything worthwhile to blog about today.    I'll do what I do best...bulleted items in no particular order.

• The semester is over.   I was slammed with grading, which is normal but I did a better job of spreading out the tasks so I didn't have as many super late nights.   It was nice.  
• I taught an online class for high school students for the first time (DMACC).   It was OK.    I need to figure out a way to do a vocal recording of a lecture on the online site, I think that would have helped those students.   The class turned out to be a bell curve with grading.    One kid bombed it, most were average, and I think two ended up with As.   
• I'm supposed to teach two classes for DMACC this summer.  Not holding my breath as enrollment is super low.   I'm expecting an email early this week from the deans at Boone and Ankeny to tell me that I'm not teaching for them.   (Just checked enrollment while working on this and my class sizes are even smaller....sigh.)   It irritates me as DMACC is usually the source for my car payment and anything that Gavin needs.  
• I am SO unhappy with my current appearance.   I had to by some shorts this weekend so I had nice summer wear for the youth program.   I was pleased with the selection but not thrilled by how I looked but I haven't have clothes that cooperate with warm weather.    Maybe if I get my ass in gear, they'll get loose over the summer and I'll be happier.  
• I meant to attend a Weight Watcher's meeting this week.   I came home early on Wednesday and dozed off and when I woke up, it was too late to attend.   Completely forgot about an option on Friday.   Sigh.   Maybe this week.   I am always tired lately.   I can understand that though as my mental energy is zero.    It connects to physical energy.  
• Now that it's nice out, I'm realizing how much I like the location of our apartment.   It's usually beautiful when the sun is setting and living so close to a lake with a walk/run path is nice.   I should probably use that walk/run path huh?  
• I've been trying to be more social.   I've made some realizations this semester in regards to those I work with.   I really don't want to hang out with many of them outside of work.   I've noticed that a lot of them with small children hang out (thanks Facebook) so I don't even get asked to many things anymore.   I've also noticed that a lot of people talk about work and research during social events.    Meh...that's the last thing I want to discuss.  I have other people I've become friends with in Ankeny and Des Moines but I'm usually not motivated to go out.   Not super interested in bars and those scenes.  

OK, that's enough random things for now.    Going to try and blog at least once a week.    Hopefully that will help me get my butt in gear for the goals I have this summer.

So Ready for a Weekend

I am really starting to treasure my weekends.   I will be the first to admit that I could be a little more productive on most weekends and I will have some approaching that need to be spent on grading when more assignments are turned in for both institutions.   I am excited to see some family this weekend and have fun.   The week was better than last due to my workload but there was some drama with the after school program.   I've never had a child act so awful so I'm working through that situation with parents.  

I anxious to hear about my tax preparation as I am very dependent on a refund to help me with summer survival.   I need a solid amount of money in my savings account.   I do know that I need to pay into the state so it would be nice to know that total soon as well.   The only thing I want to splurge on with my refund is a nice new pair of tennis shoes.  

Our family schedule will be changing a bit next week as Gavin starts track.   On some days he needs to lift at 6am since he'll have track practice after school.    As soon as it's nice outside, all lifting will move to 6am.   We'll definitely need to work on getting up earlier so he's on time and diligent.   He's also working with an elementary student on Thursday mornings in a tutor/mentor situation.    We actually talked about the irony in that as he had a mentor in elementary school too.   The student was pretty funny I guess.   Gavin introduced himself to the boy yesterday and the boys response was "Gavin?  That's the name of my bully."   Small world.

It's been fun lately being more social.   I've reconnected with past friends and am making new connections.   I don't know why I felt like such a social slug in the past years.    I always tend to focus on the boyfriend and let other relationships slide which isn't fair to other people and isn't fair to myself.   Luckily a lot of my past friends have been understanding.   I still have absolutely no interest in dating.   I wouldn't say I'm jaded but it's nice being independent again. 

Time to prep some more for teaching.