Week 12 Day 3

I drove myself to work today. What a good feeling! I still got up at the regular time, but had so much more time to get things done and still get to work on time. I actually enjoy not feeling rushed in the morning!

The school day went well. I kept in all of my students during morning recess to write lines about how important it is to be quiet in class. I also had some boys scrub a few cupboard doors with toothbrushes (I have a cleaning stash under my sink) from throwing snow outside (an absolute no-no).

Now, the crazy part about this, is I was filling out a graduate survey for my university, and one of the questions it asked was: How would your students describe you? I’m the type of teacher that talks straight to my students. We work together and we figure things out together. Then, if necessary, I will step in to solve problems that they are not solving on their own. And because I’m very straight-up with them, I told them what I was doing and asked them to be completely honest about their answers. Keep in mind the trouble they were just in. They completely poured out these amazing descriptions, one being, “a good disciplinarian”. I wasn’t sure how to take that at first until they told me that my punishments were good and fair. Wow. I love my class!

After school, I had to leave right away because I was getting my next size of trays for Invisalign at the dentist. The roads were terribly icy, but I managed to make it there safely. I then proceeded to sit for an hour because of how behind they were. However, I couldn’t leave and come back the next day because my dentist only works on Tuesdays. So I waited, and then got my new bottom plate, as well as a maintenance top plate. It hasn’t started hurting yet, but I fear it’s coming.

I went home, got ready, and my husband and I went to the gym. I had a very good back and biceps workout. I was stronger, felt solid, and took a little more of a leisurely approach by slightly longer breaks since my workout was a little shorter today (7 exercises). I even was able to complete 25 minutes of steady state cardio on the stationary bike! It was just a good time at the gym.

I noticed something at the gym tonight though. Standing in front of the mirrors, I realized that my back shape is nice (from a side view). But it’s almost like my stomach is somehow getting flatter and yet sticking out more. I guess I can best describe it like a thick, smooth curve. I haven’t quite settled on how I feel about this. But I chose to leave it as a realization that I am stronger, I feel better, and regardless of the fat percentage, my muscles are showing more than they ever have before, and that’s a feat in itself. So I’m going to keep waiting and see how my body continues to take shape.

Week 8 Day 7

Today was a rest day in many ways. I slept more, I relaxed a little. And then I had to work on grading, EPPs, and report cards! I’m behind, so the grading pile is massive. But I managed to get through all 17 EPPs and a bunch of grading, so I at least feel like I’ve progressed!

Not much really happened today, other than we woke up to snow. It’s the first snowfall of the season! As much as I know I’ll get tired and sick of it eventually, this first snowfall is kind of refreshing! I’m not sure how that works, but it does. I’m coming to the realization that even though it’s 12-15 degrees Celsius colder with the snow, I actually feel warmer than before the snow was here. I’m predicting the reason for this being that when it looks nice outside, my mind believes that it should be nice. So when the temperature is cold, my body freezes. But when there is snow on the ground, my body expects it to be cold, and therefore my body has adjusted to what it has seen and it doesn’t feel as cold.

Anyone else feel like this or is this just me?

A Sensational Epiphany

Last night, my husband and I visited Home Depot as he needed more tools for his job. I have NEVER liked tool shopping, not since I was little and went with my dad. But as we walked by the garden center, I noticed it was still open, and so upon asking my husband, I went to look at the plants.

Of course, I didn’t just look at plants, but soon realized the vast space that was out there, like a hidden garden with many garden additives such as patio sets and statues. It hit me that I could have some of this stuff one day. That this was really a near possibility. I’m not as poor as I was. We now have two incomes instead of one. I don’t have to plan for our next rental, for how we’re going to pay for gas, for setting aside strict grocery money and always having nothing left over to spend on some fun things. We can actually plan to have things like this!

I don’t know how else to describe it other than it was like I was in The Secret Garden. A place of wonder, a place of awe, a place bigger than I imagined, and a place full of possibility. It was such a good feeling.

Have you ever had any experiences like this? Anything that just seemed to hit you? Something that you’ve made yourself work with or deal with for a long time only to realize one day that it’s all different? I’d love to hear about it if you do! Message in the comments below 🙂