But my own source tells me that the last time I "blogged," I was looking forward to May flowers after a pretty emotional spring semester.
I hate to tell you that - excluding a pretty good beach vacation with the husband (our first vacation PERIOD since we've been married!) - Project: May Flowers was a bust.
May is a pretty stressful month for teachers anyway (mid-May, I was wondering why I had thought May flowers were a possibility, remembering May last year!) - getting grades in, cleaning out/closing out the classroom, trying to control seven year-old chaos, etc.
The whole month of May also left lots of non-tenured teachers wondering if they would be returning the next school year. I have no idea why I am fortunate enough to still have my same job, grade level, classroom, etc., but with the relief of knowing I have a job next year, came hysterical sadness and guilt in knowing several of my incredible work friends were pink slipped.
Meanwhile, on the way to church one Wednesday afternoon, a woman pulled out in front of me and hit my Altima Elphi. She was an excuse maker ("Well, officer, I looked both ways *looks to her left and right* and just never saw them") and didn't file an insurance claim, so taking care of everything was quite the ordeal. Consequently, I had to rent a Grand Marquis, so I was driving everywhere looking like a mob boss.
The icing on the cake, per se, was that my beautiful dog Bailey died at the beginning of June. I am to the point now that I am so glad she isn't sick or hurting anymore, but your house is just not the same for a little while when a beloved four-legged buddy passes.
(sweet Bailey, about 7 years ago)One the days that I sat, sitting pitifully feeling sorry for myself, I found my mistake with Project: May Flowers. I was a little taken aback by my error, because my realization was something that I have always preached to myself, but seemed to forget in a month of pouting: I was expecting for things to be "good," without any action on my behalf.
That might not make any sense. I've typed that statement a few different ways and they have all seemed foggy so I will put it this way....
During my amazing four years in Auburn (war eagle!), I had some awesome professors. When professors stressed classroom/behavior management, they always emphasize "proactive" strategies - preparing your activities and structure so that you might prevent behavior problems before they happen.
Out of all the professors I had, my all-time favorite was Dr. McCormick, my social studies methods teacher. We were talking about classroom strategies one day with her, and she said, "Proactive strategies are great, but here is the truth, ladies. Crap happens, and bad behavior happens, with or without proactive strategies. Essentially, good management is all in how you react."
I decided that Dr. McCormick's philosophy applied to my situation, and that I needed to shift my thinking. Crap happens. Sometimes, all you can do is learn how to dance (or sing, for me) in the rain.
Interestingly enough, I am a very aesthetic person, so I tried to get myself together by doing a couple of things.
#1
Making a list of things that I'm thankful for.
My mom suggested I do this once my first year in college when I was upset about something. While I don't remember what I was upset about at the time (it was probably ridiculous), I do remember that I got my emotions straight and remembered how fortunate I was.
So I did it again... I am not going to post the list, because it was hysterically long - I stopped myself and moved on when the attitude adjustment clicked.
#2
Knitting
I have started my Christmas list for presents. I am almost finished with my first project and am very excited. Knitting is pretty "knit"-picky (har, har) and the slightest mistakes are very obvious. I am excited about how pretty the first project is, and I am an overbearing perfectionist, so that says a lot!
#3
Exercise
I guess this doesn't count because I've been anal about exercise for a while now, but trust me, exercise is the best way to work off steam.
#4
Made a bucket list. Or, more accurately, added on to my bucket list, and continue to do so.
Before I document the current list, I will say that all list items have one condition: they are things that, ultimately, I have control over. (For instance, I didn't put "Be President of the USA" on it, because I cannot control who people vote for...)
Anyway. List:
-own my own house
-grow a lemon tree
-go to Lucerne, Switzerland
-have a child
-touch the life of one of my students
-run/jog a 5k
-read a book that changes my life (any input for this one?!)
-go camping
-snow ski again
-obtain a Master's degree
-change grade levels
-write a song
I don't know why the bucket list helped. I guess it just reminds me to stay on my toes.
So, there are my strategies, thanks to Dr. McCormick's unknown input... and here's to singing in the rain!
I hope that this blog finds all of you well!
In closing, here is a recent vegetarian dish that I've done recently.
Preface: I LOVE California Pizza Kitchen's roasted vegetable salad, and this was inspired by that. Brandon does not like salads, but if the meat-eater in your house likes salads, I highly recommend this one.
I sauteed eggplant, red peppers, corn, and baby bella mushrooms and then put them atop raw spinach, avacado and a spring lettuce mix. My favorite dressing is Ken's Lite Asian dressing, so that is what I use. My recommendation is any oil-based dressing.
Hugs and such,
Lili/Potatoes
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