Sunday, January 16, 2011

No Pain, No Gain

If you could have seen me this week you would probably still be laughing. Ben and I started our New Year's resolution to work out six days a week and I am proud to report that week one was a success! It wasn't without consequences though. Last semester was so busy for both of us that we didn't have much time for exercising, so we are both pretty out of shape. On Thursday my quads hurt so bad that I literally waddled up and down the halls at school. I avoided sitting down whenever possible because standing up was basically impossible. But that's nothing compared to today! Yesterday we lifted weights and since I haven't done any lifting since high school, I overdid it a little. Today I cannot move my arms without screaming in pain. Washing my hair was torture! I have new-found respect for people who do not have any arms. At least they can do stuff with their feet. I feel pretty helpless. Next time I am using the tiny 2 pound dumbbells.

Ben's resolution to cut out sugar lasted an entire 3 hours (surprised?). Our other resolutions are going well though. Ben hasn't had any soda and I have taken more pictures than usual.

Here we are in our Snuggies we got for Christmas. I love my Snuggie!
We spent most of the day doing this puzzle of Times Square. But we finished it!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Hi, I'm a Teacher

One day down, 63-ish left to go. Today was the first day of my student teaching and I am a little nervous for what the next 13 weeks hold in store for me. I've been learning  from some amazing professors for the last three and half years about how to be a good teacher. Today I realized that the school I am at is a perfect example of what not to do. So now I have to figure out how to change everything and not end up with everyone hating me. Should be fun.

The good news is, I am already in love with these second graders. I was nervous about the jump from 6th grade to second, but I think it will be good for me. Their teacher yells at them all day and it breaks my heart to see the looks on their faces as they are put down over and over again. My biggest weakness in teaching is that I am too nice--I try too hard to be a friend and ally to the students instead of an authority figure. Maybe we will balance each other out :)