It's Up to You ...

Here it is 2 a.m. and I can't go to sleep until I'm done packing. Tomorrow evening, I head straight from work to a 6:30 flight out of SFO. I've worked really hard since September and I'm about to go on a well-deserved Christmas vacation.

Everyone always says there's nothing like New York at Christmastime and they're right. Last year, I spent the holidays in Oakland and it wasn't miserable but it wasn't home.

To be honest, it's not even the best idea for me to go home for as long as I'm going to be there. I've got major events coming up and lots to prep but at this point, I'd much rather be working long-distance. There's something about NY that recharges my batteries. No matter how hectic it is, I always return with an energy and vitality that I didn't have before leaving.

Basically, I kill myself before leaving. I'm tired and cranky and out of it by the time I board the plane but when I get off, I'm ready to face the city that never sleeps. After all, that's where I learned how to live without it.

100 Issues for 100 Days: #89

#89: Steak and Eggs

This has been a rough week. Despite a perfectly timed break mid-week, Thursday made me want to punch someone soundly in the face and although today didn't drive me to assault, it was still hectic. I only got home about a half-hour ago (it's almost 9:30). So I decided to make myself some steak and eggs.

Sometimes you just need a hearty breakfast at the end of the day to top off an otherwise tiring day.

100 Issues for 100 Days: #85

#85: Word of the Day ...


Indifference. On Friday, my iPod was taken from work. It was a red iPod nano (1st generation) and it was the first major purchase I made after moving to Oakland. It was my first "big girl" gift to myself.

Ever since my iPod was taken I've felt an overwhelming feeling of indifference towards my students. I'm not really mad, I've just shut down. After weeks of busting my ass and going above and beyond, I find myself at a standstill. I just. don't. care.

I'm doing what I have to do but I can't find the energy to do more. I hate feeling like this because I'm not someone who does the bare minimum. I throw myself headfirst into every project and I extend energy, money and most of all my heart. Now I just can't.

I'm hoping someone will have the integrity to return my iPod but either way, I'm kind of considering this semester a wash. I'm d-u-n, done.

100 Issues for 100 Days: #73

#73: The Power of Play

Today I had to attend a workshop on the "power of play" for my professional development. The workshop was definitely informative and there were some important techniques that I took away from it, but I had two major qualms about it:
1) although the recess and afterschool (read: ancillary) staff were required to attend teachers were not.
2) part of the reason we were required was because the school paid a lot for the training. Money that frankly could have been put to better use if more people weren't going to required to attend.

One of my biggest problems with education is that although we've made great strides in valuing students and even parents in the educational process, teachers are continually shafted (ultimately to the detriment of the student and families). For instance, even though our students have this week off, teachers are here from 8 am - 5 pm for parent meetings and professional development. In some ways, it's nice to have time in the building when students aren't here to plan, strategize and organize but essentially, some time should be devoted to leaving this space, taking a break and coming back ready to push forward into the hardest teaching months (November, December, January and February). I don't know many educators who really ever turn their brains off when it comes to work but not even being given the opportunity to is extremely detrimental.

Similarly, little things like providing snacks or lunches to faculty is appreciated. Just like students can't learn without eating it's also hard to teach when you're running on empty. And some days when you have to hold a student back or run from supervising to a meeting, there isn't always time to go off0campus to grab something or even prepare leftovers or lunch in the morning.

Today in the workshop someone brought up that it's just as powerful for adults to have time in our days to be creative or "playful" like it is for the students. So how did we get so far away from a simple activity that keeps us balanced? My plan is to definitely use this weekend to play. Otherwise it'll be a very cranky winter.

100 Issues for 100 Days: #70

#70: The Best Laid Plans

Every weekend I start with a plan. Not a lot but just a few simple tasks I want to accomplish before the weekend is over. And every Sunday around 9 p.m. I realize just how little I've managed to complete.

Sometimes I just get sentimental over the weekend. I start to get lost in reminiscences. Last night I was up until about 4 in the morning looking up old R&B music videos on YouTube.

Other times I just veg out. And after a long week I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. But then I start a new week and I'm already behind. So 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray'. And I need to decide if I'm going to stay up late and be tired tomorrow or struggle to pick up the slack a day at a time.