Are You Lonely Looking for Yourself Out There? pt.1

I have a lot to complain about. I am excellent at finding something stupid and unnecessary, and then well, complaining about it.

But today

I'm going to share the things that make me happy. The last 2 weeks I've been in a great mood. I haven't been feeling as stressed or disappointed lately and I decided to really think about what has caused a change in my mood. So here it is (or at least half of it):

10. Austin, TX

Austin has stolen my heart lately. If I knew where to send it, I would write it a love letter to Austin at least once a week. I love the people, the places, the food, the music... just everything. I love the city I live in. I could go on for hours, but I don't want to make anyone jealous. Driving over South Congress or even I-35 takes my breath away,every time. Without Fail.

9. My workouts
Ok, this on the list and it is low on the list. I have been trying (key word:trying) to work out at least 5-6 times each week. For the last month, I have hit that goal every single week. Honestly, it's become something I look forward to. When I wake up, when I'm at school, in meetings I am ready to get to the gym and get my workout on (or over with.. but still). I download new tunes to keep me motivated (currently: Sad, Sad City by Ghostland Observatory), I bought a new gym bag and I have no problems packing it at night.

8. Moving

I HATE moving. I hate the idea of packing up all my boxes and everything I own and moving it someplace new. It sounds exhausting... But I am excited to move closer to downtown, have a roommate AND be able to paint the walls any color I want.

7. My students AMAZING projects

I asked my kids to make a Fake Facebook page about a Greek God or Goddess. This is one of the AMAZING examples. They are great.
6. The month of May

I AM loving the extended hours of sunlight, the end of TAKS season,and the closeness of Summer. I feel like I can get more done afterschool (and I have less to do!), the sun is actually up when I leave for school, and I have a HUGE holiday to look forward to.
5. Great Weekends

Above are just a few people I have gotten to see over the past few weekends. My wonderful friends and family have been willing to drive all over Texas (and I have done some driving myself), to see each other. I had the best time with Rachel on S.Congress, annoyed Adam downtown, helped my mother spend money on me, and had a REAL Castroville experience with Brooke. The next few weekends hold even more visitors and traveling, and I can't wait!

Part 2 of the Ten Reasons Why I'm Loving Life Will be Posted Soon!

Sometimes you just have to walk away.

I lost a student.

No, I did not lose a student on a fire drill or in the middle of class. And no, don't worry I did not lose a student in the worst kind of way- as far as I know all of my students are perfectly happy and healthy.

Instead, I lost a student to Ohio.

The student moved a week into this semester. He was not my favorite student. He slept a lot in class and had a REALLY atrocious attitude right before Christmas break. He told me several times before the break that he was moving to Ohio during the break and school didn't matter.

The school counselor sent an email that she had called his mom and there were no plans of moving over the break but it might happen later. In a way I was excited to show him a taste of how bad he had treated his teachers before Christmas break. My own sort of revenge against a student.

But he came back and I forgot to be mean. And then he was great. Like a whole new kid in class. Always participating, polite and giving so much effort.

When he moved, I didn't think much of it. I've had other students move. But for the last two weeks- I've been running across papers that still have his name on it or boxes for me to fill in his grades. I have to admit I've been pretty bummed. I feel like he made so much progress and now it's wasted on a language arts teacher in Ohio. And I don't get to see any more of the great student he was becoming.

On Friday, one of my biggest challenges is moving. The student who has probably caused me the most problems all year long. I think losing this student is going to be a lot tougher than the last.