The teaching profession features (what seems like) few victories and many defeats. On certain days, no matter how many decent everyday kids are performing tolerably well in the class, one or two students can make a teacher feel completely hopeless and ineffective. I had one of thsee days recently, and wish I could rid myself of them altogether. I came home restless, and couldn't sleep... the whole night, I was dreaming of being constantly and overwhelmingly frustrated by confrontational and defiant attitudes and a complete refusal to work.
Such things are frustrating for the very fact that the minority generally spoil things for the rest of the decent kids. Many days, I realize that I need to be in control of my emotions and deal with everything with a cool head. Sometimes, though, it's difficult.
Beyond these generally minor troubles, the majority of my kids/classes have been quite good. I've definitely been able to convert a number of former Shakespeare-haters and turned them into lovers of The Bard. Now, I'm hoping that I can take credit for some of this, but that may not be the case. Regardless, it makes me happy.
These first six weeks have stormed by, and now the long haul to June begins. We just got back from two weeks of holidays, and I'm already exhausted. The worst part is, I know I won't be catching up on my sleep anytime soon. I'm stretching myself thin, and I feel as though a breaking point is coming soon. It's not like it's the first time I've felt this way, but at least I'm not panicked... yet, anyway.
Coaching is winding down, and a new season of rec-league volleyball is about to begin. I still have two more tournaments to coach (one of which I may bail on), and the end can't seem to come soon enough. I also signed up for a new trail-running training clinic that is prepping us for a mini-ultra trail race here in the sunny Okanagan in June. It's a 25k race through the hills and trees on hiking trails... and although I've never run in anything more than a 10k, I figured it would be a great way to get ready for the 1/2 marathon I was planning to race in the fall... have I gone a bit overboard? Methinks, well... maybe.
So, between teaching, coaching, running, and playing volleyball (oh yeah, I have a wife too), I'm definitely doing too much. Something's gotta give and it might be my sanity (or my marking load!)... if only I can get through the coaching, I may make it... the rest seems manageable. Three weeks seems like a long time from now, though. Lord help me...
T
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
The art of doing (very) little
My days have been quite full. It's been weeks since I've been able to sleep late and just spend a day doing nothing. Either work or coaching or errands have shouted my name throughout the weekend, and it was just getting a bit tiring. But today, my friends... today, I managed to accomplish just what I was hoping for... very little.
After waking up late (or late-ish), I spend the morning slowly washing dishes, drinking coffee, and just hanging out with K. It seems like we haven't seen each other in weeks, which is somewhat true (particularly this last week). K's been fighting an horrendous cold/cough/flu combination from being run-down and over-tired, and I know that this would be a terrible time to suffer from that same fate. Thus, I banished myself to the futon for a few nights to stay healthy and get some shut-eye.
I thought it would only be for a night... but K just kept on coughing and had the electric blanket on high (I can't sleep when I get too hot), so I kept on passing out in the spare room. I don't really mind much... she's able to sprawl and take advantage of some extra space, and I don't come down with whooping SARS or whatever it is she's been afflicted with. Also, the futon was my actual bed for the whole first year I was on the Island, so I sleep like a baby when I'm on it. It's definitely been a few years since it was home, that's for sure.
Last night, I tried to venture back into the bedroom... K had started to feel better, and her cough seemed to have calmed down, so into bed I climbed. Between the time I crawled in at about 11:00 and when I finally woke up for good at 12:47am, the coughing didn't cease. So, off to the futon I was (again). Still, though, I slept like the dead and crawled in with K about 8am when I knew the coughing had subsided long enough to get a few extra winks.
After finally getting out of bed, I made some coffee and started on the dishes. K woke up shortly thereafter, so I got her some coffee and breakfast, and worked my way through the mountain of dishes that had accumulated throughout the week. After getting tired of wet hands and having some breakky of my own, we lounged some more, watched some Harry Potter, made some lunch and finished that off with even more lounging. It was about 3pm before I had a shower. It was lovely.
K had a coffee date with a colleague, so I headed to the gym for the first time in a couple of weeks. Saturday afternoon is a great time to go... no waiting for equipment, no rush, no jostling for space... quite enjoyable. After working on some cardio and some core, I came home, made some delicious spaghetti, did some more dishes, and capped the night with a soothing class of peppermint tea and a cookie.
It's barely 10pm, and I'm ready to turn in. No more work for this guy... it would just be out of place. Tomorrow's schedule seems a bit more full... but hopefully, it can mimic today just a bit. Sometimes doing nothing is just about the perfect thing to do.
T
After waking up late (or late-ish), I spend the morning slowly washing dishes, drinking coffee, and just hanging out with K. It seems like we haven't seen each other in weeks, which is somewhat true (particularly this last week). K's been fighting an horrendous cold/cough/flu combination from being run-down and over-tired, and I know that this would be a terrible time to suffer from that same fate. Thus, I banished myself to the futon for a few nights to stay healthy and get some shut-eye.
I thought it would only be for a night... but K just kept on coughing and had the electric blanket on high (I can't sleep when I get too hot), so I kept on passing out in the spare room. I don't really mind much... she's able to sprawl and take advantage of some extra space, and I don't come down with whooping SARS or whatever it is she's been afflicted with. Also, the futon was my actual bed for the whole first year I was on the Island, so I sleep like a baby when I'm on it. It's definitely been a few years since it was home, that's for sure.
Last night, I tried to venture back into the bedroom... K had started to feel better, and her cough seemed to have calmed down, so into bed I climbed. Between the time I crawled in at about 11:00 and when I finally woke up for good at 12:47am, the coughing didn't cease. So, off to the futon I was (again). Still, though, I slept like the dead and crawled in with K about 8am when I knew the coughing had subsided long enough to get a few extra winks.
After finally getting out of bed, I made some coffee and started on the dishes. K woke up shortly thereafter, so I got her some coffee and breakfast, and worked my way through the mountain of dishes that had accumulated throughout the week. After getting tired of wet hands and having some breakky of my own, we lounged some more, watched some Harry Potter, made some lunch and finished that off with even more lounging. It was about 3pm before I had a shower. It was lovely.
K had a coffee date with a colleague, so I headed to the gym for the first time in a couple of weeks. Saturday afternoon is a great time to go... no waiting for equipment, no rush, no jostling for space... quite enjoyable. After working on some cardio and some core, I came home, made some delicious spaghetti, did some more dishes, and capped the night with a soothing class of peppermint tea and a cookie.
It's barely 10pm, and I'm ready to turn in. No more work for this guy... it would just be out of place. Tomorrow's schedule seems a bit more full... but hopefully, it can mimic today just a bit. Sometimes doing nothing is just about the perfect thing to do.
T
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