Happy Friday! Let’s reflect on the second week of January.

I worked a full week, the kids were in school and aftercare, and T worked, too. We did our best. Some nights we scrambled for dinner but made it work.

Daily Habits

I did weights twice for 20 minutes, and yoga once (Tuesday). Did not spend a lot of time outside because it was bloody COLD and WINDY. Real feel was about 16F. I know, no bad weather and all, but I just did not plan well to be outside this week.

For next week I am removing water from my daily habits because I already drink plenty.

Meditation happened every morning, first thing. Journaling- also every morning. I don’t remember what happens on January 3rd… Maybe I forgot to enter?… Onwards.

Health

I had my annual physical appointment and made my appointments for obgyn and mammogram next month.

On Wednesday night, I saw weird squiggly lines in my peripheral vision, and wondered what they were. Turned out, a headache was coming on. Not sure if it can be classified as a migraine but I had dull tension at the bottom of my skull all day. I think it is related to hormonal changes during menstrual phase.

We had a wellness day at work, with licensed massage therapists and chiropractors giving sessions at the school. I signed up for occupational therapy- the left side of my upper back was hard as rock and they think maybe my headaches come from that. Heck, it’s covered by insurance so I will start going to see if occupational therapy can help with hormonal headaches and also relieve stress.

Family

Took R to his last BJJ class for 4 year olds! Next week, he will be joining a 5 to 6 year old BJJ class!!

We also ordered a cake for him – his birthday party is at 12 this Saturday but his actual 5th birthday is next week. The party will be very small, just some friends, pizza, and an ice cream cake.

Reading

Finished Monte’s book, from public library; and started the 5 Resets on audio.

Favorite quote: “Ask: How can you figure out a way to be grinding less so that you can be more creative, more influential? How can you spend your energy on the things that deeply matter to you?”
I am still on reset ONE “identify what matters” which connects to my word for 2025 “focus”

Work

I did a Socratic seminar with my 3 honors students, and I felt like I was walking on sunshine. It was so wonderful to see them use the language to critique and analyze a story and then defend and validate their points of view. Mind you, these are NOT heritage speakers. I am so proud of them.

Truly, I was nervous for them, since I’ve never done a Socratic seminar before in the target language, but I was so proud of them. Socratic seminar is what makes teaching so darn enjoyable. The students are driving the lesson and you just stand there and cry quietly into your tissue because you are so proud. 🥹 I’ll never forget this experience. And of course, we will do it again!

On the cover- a photo of a snow trodden path I got from the Internets. Reminds me of the city in Russia where I grew up.


15 responses to “TGIF: life/work/habits”

  1. J Avatar

    I love that picture, it’s beautiful. I like the calendar/tracker! How fun! I laughed that you forgot everything on the 3rd.

    I get those squiggly vision migraines, though mine come with pretty serious nausea. What works for me is to keep some Migraine Excederin in the house. I don’t need it often, but at the first sign of those squiggles, I take one, and go lay down in a dark room, no screens. I’m glad to say that I haven’t had one in a few years. I hope your OT takes care of it for you.

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    1. Daria Avatar

      It feel it was the first time I got that kind of headache… And it was after an intense day, during my menstrual cycle and a stressful week…

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      1. J Avatar

        I know those are all triggers. I was in my late 30s or early 40s when I got my first one. Thankfully I don’t get many, I hope you won’t either!

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  2. J Avatar

    OK, now I want that goal tracker. Where did you find it?

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    1. Daria Avatar

      Hi Julie, here is the link that I got from Kae – https://www.saturdaygift.com/habit-tracker-printable/

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      1. J Avatar

        Thank you!

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  3. Noemi Avatar

    Wow! Socratic seminar with Spanish students. So amazing! I used to teach Socratic seminar in my AVID classes, but in English. I can’t imaging watching my language students communicate that way. So cool!

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  4. Lisa’s Yarns Avatar
    Lisa’s Yarns

    That Socratic method experience sounds so wonderful. I love those moments where you get such a high from your work! And how fulfilling that your high is related to how you’ve helped developed youth.

    This was a pretty good week for us. I asked the boys how their first full week of care and school was. Taco said it was a long week (lol oh to be 4) and Paul said he LOVED being back in school because he loves school.

    It was terribly cold here too which is such a buzz kill. We have more cold weather and then a warm up on the horizon. But we got a little bit of snow which I o of because the world is prettier with a layer of snow. Brown winters are depressing for me.

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  5. Nicole MacPherson Avatar

    How was the book? I know Amanda Montell had a podcast that I listened to a few times and I enjoyed her style.

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    1. Daria Avatar

      Nicole, hi! It was a good, fast read, and I enjoyed it! In the mornings I like to read non-fiction and I finished this book in a few days.

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  6. Maya Avatar

    That experience with the Socratic seminar sounds like such a perfect teaching experience. So happy for you.

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  7. Natka Avatar

    Socratic seminar in a foreign language – impressive!

    Love the painting – reminds me of taking evening walks through our neighborhood in the winter with my best friend. All those windows with lights on – made me wonder who lived there and what their families were like.

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    1. Daria Avatar

      SAME! I was always curious about other people’s lives.

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  8. Stephany Avatar

    Thanks for the link to the habit tracker! I might use that, too. Right now, I’m trying to keep track in a journal, but filling in little squares every day might make it more fun!

    Sounds like it’s been a solid start to the new year. Hooray!

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  9. Tobia | craftaliciousme Avatar

    I am not into education so I have no clue what a socratic seminar is. Would be interesting to hear more about it.

    That photo of the snow path is really atmospheric. love it.

    Hope the headache was a one time things.

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