Today was about as close to perfect as a summer day can get. When I sat in my classroom dreaming of summer vacation, today is what I imagined. Connor and I started the day by going to the zoo with my good friend Sarah and her two little ones. The weather was perfect, the adult conversation is just what I needed, and both one and half year old boys behaved perfectly (how often does that happen??). When we got home, Connor napped and I cleaned our bedroom closet--which was much overdue. We spent the afternoon running through the sprinkler, blowing bubbles, and playing at the park. A taco dinner with my hubby and son rounded out the perfect day.
It is days like today that remind me just how blessed I am. Being a teacher is truly my calling, and I love my job. Not only do I get to be inspired by young people at work, I also have a schedule that allows me to feel as though I am raising my own child. Even during the school year, Connor is only without a parent for about 6 hours a day. I am home by 3:00 most days and have so many days off. It doesn't get much better.
With the cost of daycare (and LIVING right now....), I have seriously thought a lot about other job options. Teachers don't get paid very well, and Catholic school teachers get paid even less (after 7 years I am finally making what I would have made my first year in a public school). I have considered just staying home and getting a part-time evening job, applying at public schools, doing daycare, or looking at a different field altogether. But I don't want to. I love what I do and I think that is worth SO MUCH.
I wish I could bottle up today and save it for days that money stress starts getting me down. It was seriously perfection.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Motivation
Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. The end of the school year is always pure craziness...but now school is out for the summer and I get my reprieve! Thanks to Connor being an excellent napper now, I'll have a couple hours everyday to myself :) Whoo Hoo!
Motivation has never been one of my strong points, especially when it comes to exercising. I am not really an athlete, and working out isn't something I necessarily enjoy. Like most people, when I actually make myself do it, I feel good. It's the MAKING myself do it part that is hard for me.
When I was a freshman in high school, I decided to go out for the Cross Country team. My brother was on the team, and I was new to the school and thought it would be a good way to meet people. I had never really run more than a mile (required during the Presidential Fitness unit in gym class). Surprisingly, I was a natural runner. I ran varsity most of the season, and was the first alternate when the girls team went to state that year (luckily, I didn't have to run...I would have been eaten alive!). I also went out for track that year and HATED it. Running 8 laps around the hot track was nothing like running through wooded parks, as we had in cross country. Unfortunately, track turned me off to running, and I never went out for cross country again (sticking with things is another one of my weaknesses...).
So, this winter when I realized that I hadn't lost ANY "baby weight" since the initial 10 pounds I lost when Connor was born, I decided I needed to do something. When your child is 18 months old, you can hardly use pregnancy as an excuse anymore. I also have the big 3-0 vastly approaching, and think it's really time to start taking care of myself. So, my sister and I decided we would sign up for a 5k in July. That will be my motivation.
When school was still in session, it was very hard for me to get out for a run. The best time for me to work is out is first thing in the morning. The problem: I already get up at 5:30 every day as it is, and my motivation issues prevent me from being willing to get up any earlier. I have been very good about running on weekends, and plan on making it 5 times a week now that school is out. I am only up to about 1.5 miles at a time, so I have some work to do before July. But, considering I haven't run in 15 years, I feel pretty good about it. It still does come pretty naturally to me.
When I am out running, seeing other runners really helps motivate me. I don't want to look like an idiot, huffing and puffing and dragging my feet in front of them, so I glide on and gasp "good morning", like I am part of their club. This morning, I passed a girl who instead of saying "good morning", said "good job". Whether she says this to everyone or she could see through my facade, I will never know. What I do know is, it really gave me some motivation. Even if I am huffing and puffing and can only go a mile and a half, I am out there and that is what's important. I think I am doing a good job. So, to the "good job" girl, I say thank you. You were the motivation I needed this morning.
Motivation has never been one of my strong points, especially when it comes to exercising. I am not really an athlete, and working out isn't something I necessarily enjoy. Like most people, when I actually make myself do it, I feel good. It's the MAKING myself do it part that is hard for me.
When I was a freshman in high school, I decided to go out for the Cross Country team. My brother was on the team, and I was new to the school and thought it would be a good way to meet people. I had never really run more than a mile (required during the Presidential Fitness unit in gym class). Surprisingly, I was a natural runner. I ran varsity most of the season, and was the first alternate when the girls team went to state that year (luckily, I didn't have to run...I would have been eaten alive!). I also went out for track that year and HATED it. Running 8 laps around the hot track was nothing like running through wooded parks, as we had in cross country. Unfortunately, track turned me off to running, and I never went out for cross country again (sticking with things is another one of my weaknesses...).
So, this winter when I realized that I hadn't lost ANY "baby weight" since the initial 10 pounds I lost when Connor was born, I decided I needed to do something. When your child is 18 months old, you can hardly use pregnancy as an excuse anymore. I also have the big 3-0 vastly approaching, and think it's really time to start taking care of myself. So, my sister and I decided we would sign up for a 5k in July. That will be my motivation.
When school was still in session, it was very hard for me to get out for a run. The best time for me to work is out is first thing in the morning. The problem: I already get up at 5:30 every day as it is, and my motivation issues prevent me from being willing to get up any earlier. I have been very good about running on weekends, and plan on making it 5 times a week now that school is out. I am only up to about 1.5 miles at a time, so I have some work to do before July. But, considering I haven't run in 15 years, I feel pretty good about it. It still does come pretty naturally to me.
When I am out running, seeing other runners really helps motivate me. I don't want to look like an idiot, huffing and puffing and dragging my feet in front of them, so I glide on and gasp "good morning", like I am part of their club. This morning, I passed a girl who instead of saying "good morning", said "good job". Whether she says this to everyone or she could see through my facade, I will never know. What I do know is, it really gave me some motivation. Even if I am huffing and puffing and can only go a mile and a half, I am out there and that is what's important. I think I am doing a good job. So, to the "good job" girl, I say thank you. You were the motivation I needed this morning.
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