Making Things Better

While re-reading an old journal of mine (2002). I came across the following entry:

"What one thing can I do that, if I did it on a regular basis, would make a positive difference in my personal life? Meet new people."

"What one thing in my professional/business life would bring similar results? Planning/organizing"

The first answer has changed since '02. Getting out and doing things I enjoy would be my current answer. I have found that when I am having a good time I invariably meet new people. No one wants to be around a depressed or negative person.

The second answer still holds true. I fear that getting organized may prove to be a life long pursuit.

Things I Now Know

Just a few things I have recently accepted.

1. The self-cleaning litter box that cost me $164.00: A BIG WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Not only do I teach any child the public sends to me, but I also cannot expect the things I say and do to be protected from public scrutiny. My pastor was right...The words we speak and the things we do have incredible power and reach; therefore, we should govern ourselves accordingly.

3. The end of a close friendship can be like the end of an intimate relationship: Sometimes you have to do some housekeeping and get rid of traces of the person in order to move on.

4. Friendships: The "best" friends are the ones you can travel with. It really is a heads up regarding how well you get along.

5. The human body: It's amazing! As I am recovering from surgery, I am amazed at how various systems are related and how they react to and recover after trauma

One More Try

I stepped away from blogging for quite some time. The responsibility of updating on a regular basis, and the rejection of not getting comments were just too much. However, I recently posted a comment on another blog, and in return, my blog was referenced. There is nothing like being exposed to make you step up to the plate.

Since my trip to Ghana life was pretty leveled. No extreme highs or lows, until the past April. I had hip replacement surgery. I was unable to finish out the school year. For someone who hates to be out of the classroom, this was a hard blow. My recovery gave me plenty of time to read. Listed below are some of the books I have read so far this summer:

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory
The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory
Night by Elie Wiesel
How the Brain Learns by David Sousa
Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
How to Grade for Learning by Ken O'Connor

I also took a short trip to Puerto Vallarta. It might not have been noteworthy had it not been for the fact I was still in the early stages of recovery. Despite the best planned efforts of friends and resort staff to keep me safe, I still managed to step on a sting ray, get sea sick, and walk up(perhaps pull myself up is a better description) a very steep path in the jungle. Those things turned the trip into quite the adventure, which suited me just fine.