• Grad School Curriculum Investigation due Wednesday
• Mid-Quarter Progress reports due Wednesday
• Portfolio due Thursday
• Presentation Friday night
• Half-Marathon Sunday morning of next week
• Senior Project make-up presentations the week of June 5-9
• Biology students presenting to council members at City Hall June 7
• Dentist on the 9th or 12th
• Action research project due by the 13th
• Graduation Rehearsal for my students June 19 (I am planning it…)
• Graduation for my students on the 20th….somewhat fun, but mostly stressful…

• Lesley moving in June 5
• Field Day at school June 2
• Family coming week of June 5
• Graduation June 11
• Last grad class June 7

I am procrastinating. I watched three shows of Alias this evening while eating dinner and grading notebooks. A girl needs some fun in her life before diving into grad school HW, right?

I am so overwhelmingly busy that my stomach hurts. I think it’s because I am nervous about my students’ presentation to community members and other teachers Thursday night, I am stressed about a work (interpersonal) situation, I am stressed about our car (not fixed yet), I am stressed about finances (again, mainly due to huge car repair issues), grad school homework, my upcoming race, and all that I have to do in general. And my weeds. And the ants in our living room. And the mess in my office, the tests I have to grade, and the mess in the back room of my classroom. And what people think about me.

There are SO many people’s opinions that I care about–students, parents, coworkers, friends, administrators, classmates, community members and family members,. I’ve always heard that you shouldn’t care about what people think, but I disagree. If I am the only one happy with myself, that’s a waste. I think I should be happy with myself, but I think others should think highly of me, too. The people I think highly of are some of the best people I know, so why shouldn’t I be one of those people? Those people are full of integrity, they are peacemakers, and they are likeable. I want to be that person, but diplomacy comes at a price. It’s called biting one’s tongue off so as not to say what so easily would roll off one’s tongue. I want to be like the few people I know who are amazingly honest, good hearted, and skilled at what they do, all in one package! How hard that is, and what wisdom it requires to be a person like that!!

Now that my heart is somewhat of an open book, I must sign off and work on my homework. I just had to get that off of my chest.

So that pretty much sums up how I know I will feel for the next few weeks. Today I ran as far as I ever have–12 miles! It was a lovely day here in Seattle, if you’re into muggy grey weather, light breezes and a couple of sudden downpours. It actually wasn’t bad for running, but it was bad for chafing (boo to dampness). I tried “GU” today for energy–it wasn’t too bad. I had to get something in my body–we burned 1200 or more calories just on the run!
What kept me going was that I had planned a massage for the evening. The masseuse comes to our place, so that’s convenient. I just planned on having 1 hour, but I requested extra time on my feet and legs to relieve the soreness/stiffness. Poor lady, having to see my blistered feet. I tried wool socks today to help out with that, but I think I will always fall victim to side stitches and foot blisters.

I have a bit of a headache now–I probably didn’t get enough water after the run due to my massage. Now I should be grading notebooks so I can go to bed, but I’m waiting on my tea to cool (lamest excuse ever).

Everyone have a great week!

I like posting using a selection of words that represent the last few days….

Thursday night, a collegue and I went out for Malaysian food (yum, Joy and Daniel–you were right!). I tried coconut shrimp fried rice, Roti Canai (a flaky Indian fry bread with a mild yellow curry sauce), pea vines, mango shake with tapioca bubbles, and hainese chicken. We then met up with our other two friends to see Chicago (the musical) at the Paramount downtown. I always get inspired to sing and dance when seeing talented people perform…wow! The women are all so tall with dancer physiques. The men had dancer physiques, too, but they were wearing ridiculous clothes like black mesh shirts or leather vests with no shirts. Sheesh.

As if one late night out wasn’t enough, we got all dolled up to chaperone Cleveland’s prom. First, though, our car was on the verge of overheating, so we had to pick up a rental car. We went to dinner at Tamarind Tree, a swanky Vietnamese restaurant with a waterfall outside and a heated patio. We ate inside–it was muggy and drizzly yesterday–and tried some new dishes. Justin ordered the soup (pineapple, tomato, fish, bean sprouts) and beef, bacon, and lemongrass satay. I ordered garlic green beans with grilled lemongrass chicken over rice. Yum. And yay for $30 gift certificates–thanks, Tina!

Prom is usually an easy dance to chaperone. This one was easy and beautiful! The location is right next to the Ballard Locks, so it’s overlooking the water. The Canal has several spaces within its space so that you’re not always bombarded by thumping music, but you always feel like part of the party. We had desserts and beverages catered in, and we didn’t have to set up or clean up. The DJ was right on–kids helped with the playlist–and the students looked beautiful in their fully coordinated get-up. One student had a lavender tux with matching striped lavender satin shoes, tie, handkerchief, and hat!! Justin looked pretty bored, and I must admit that four hours of taking pictures, making sure that students don’t dance inappropriately, sucking it in, and yelling over loud music to make conversation can get old.

Today brings cooler temps and lots of work. Here’s to the weekend!

Usually when I am dying of busyness I just stay out of blog-ville, but I need to record this for all humanity and for the summer when I am feeling bored and sluggish. Get this, future self–this week I:

did my grad school homework

prepared for tonight’s seminar discussant

went to a staff meeting

took my kids to Seattle Biomedical Research Institute

graded 2, 8-10 page research papers

went to an Issues of Child Abuse Class (3 hours)

went to grad school and conducted Seminar Discussant (3 hours)–took one of my students for a Q&A session

Tomorrow I will:

have lunch with the senior class advisors

work at school with seniors who are behind until 3:30 or 4

pick up Justin and come back home and get ready for my “night out”

get picked up at 5:15 for dinner with colleagues/friends

go to the musical Chicago  downtown at 7:30

Friday I will:

host the environmental club meeting during lunch

get everything finished for school/leave by 3:30 or so

get some grad school work finished maybe?
go to dinner with Justin before prom

help set up prom from 6:00-8:00; chaperone from 8-12

Saturday I will:

Work on my action research project, portfolio, grad school readings, and curriculum investigation portfolio.

Sunday I will:

meet with church

run 12(?) miles

lesson plan and grade

work more on grad school homework

get a massage!

Throughout the week, I will be planning graduation and senior boards. Sheesh.

That pretty much sums up my weekend. Justin and I vegged out to a couple of discs of ALIAS Friday night–I found a “new” show I like, apparently. Saturday morning, Dawn and I went out for crepes at 611 Supreme. YUM. We had a great time, despite our snotty waitress who thought she was French. Afterward we went to the neighborhood nail shop–newly renovated–and treated ourselves! I got a much-needed pedicure and Dawn got a manicure. I felt self-conscious about my feet because of my running–I have some blisters and a bruised toenail–so I felt like apologizing to the lady doing my feet. I added some new blisters to them today, as Aaron and I ran 9 miles and walked home to cool down (another mile). Next weekend we’l either do 12 or 13 miles….

Speaking of grueling work, after planting some black-eyed susans *thanks BKW!* and getting a little housework done, Justin and I went to Zoka–a great coffeehouse Justin mentions on his blog–for 5 hours or so to get some schoolwork done. This is a crazy week, and I should have worked more today, but I just needed a break from paper.

Well. I just registered for the 1/2 marathon (and the pasta dinner). I think my week is going to be a lot like the race itself–2nd car repairs, 2 nights of classes, a musical, and prom–that’s all before Saturday!

Apparently I grind my teeth at night. Apparently it annoys Justin, and is loud enough to awaken him from his sleep just enough for him to pop me on my cheek and sleepily say, “Stop grinding your teeth. Uhn….*pillow thud*…*snore*). I wish I didn’t grind ‘em–it must be hereditary somehow–I know my lil’ sis does it, too.

I ran the furthest I have ever run! In fact, the furthest I have hiked in one day is 10 miles, I think, and today I ran 10 miles in less than 2 hours (not that great, I know). Aaron and I ran a pretty consistent 10 minute mile. What got me through was my playlist– a little bit of Run Lola Run, some Moby, some Indian music from Bend it Like Beckham…I love Indian music. I’ve also been experimenting with sugary snacks to eat during the run. Gummy snacks and fruit snacks seem to help sustain my energy. I’ve been side-cramping at mile 4 or 5, but I hear eating a banana ahead of time should help. Lastly, I have to figure out this blister thing. My feet (the tips of my toes, specifically) are getting torn up.

It probably doesn’t help that I went salsa dancing in high heels for 2 hours Friday night.

Anyway–time to get some school work done and rest before work tomorrow!

Apparently we had a bad pulley for the serpentine belt (is that even right?) and some air conditioning pump problem. Bam. $600…and 2 1/2 days without my normally trusty Saturn. I hate bumming rides off of people, and my bus ride is stressful (Run to bus stop with coffee splashing, try to eat bagel in a hurry, wet hair and no makeup, check teeth for poppy seeds and pocket for $1.50 exactly, am I at the right stop?….).

 Unfortunately the part isn’t in yet, so we have to take it back in a couple of days so that dern noise stops….