Self. This is the last week of yoga studio being open, and my attendance has been… NOT good. Supposed to go on Monday but stayed home to hang with T since he was traveling this week. He was gone from Tuesday till Friday so Monday was the last night we could hang. Therefore, no yoga. Was also supposed to do a virtual class on Wednesday but Comcast cancelled their Internet since the studio is closing, and I had the kids so there was no way I could go to class in-person. Therefore, no class on Wednesday either. Now I only have Saturday morning. And that will be the last class at that studio forever. Thankful for the journey and the community: June 2024-March 2025.

Self. This week, with the time change, I have been more tired than usual. Been waking early, around 5AM, therefore going to bed early-ish, around 8PM. Reading Pamuk’s book in bed. Doing my prickly acupressure “magic carpet” for relaxation.

Self. Physical therapy is going well, no neck pain so far this month. Each time I receive an explanation of benefits, I am gawking at how expensive it is and thanking my Garden State teachers’ insurance plan. I am also not sure how much longer I can keep up the twice a week visits. It’s a lot.

Work. Work is a bit of a challenge right now. We had state testing, the schedule was all wacky, classes that usually come in the afternoon were in the morning and vice versa. I had some difficult behavior to address, academic challenges for a few students, and some expectations to refresh. I was told by one student that my expectations are too high which annoyed me. So I shared the course of study curriculum document approved by the board of education for their course where everything is outlined clearly. In my head, I wanted to say many more, rather direct, things to that student: “a. it’s not your place to make that kind of statement; b. when you get a teaching degree and teach your own class, you can decide on expectations; and c. perhaps if you put in more effort in class, my expectations would not seem so high to you.” Anyways. Stuff like that does not happen often but it spoils my day.

On the other hand, I have to remember that I have students who are entirely opposite, who put in the effort, love rigor, love to learn, move forward, and take risks with the language.

Family. On a grand scheme of things, all is well. Mornings were rough with R. One morning he could not find his under ware (the clean ones were in the laundry room). The next morning we could not transform his Bumble Bee therefore another tantrum with tears and snots flying out of his nose.

On Tuesday we went to small Italian restaurant after jiu jitsu and got a few slices of pizza and some pasta. They shared a Gatorade – exciting. Yesterday we stopped by Dairy Queen and got some treats to bring home for after dinner (we ate dinner at the house). The kids also played outside every day after school this week on their own initiative. We have a small swing set, and they bum around and play there until I call them in to start showers.

Oh, did I mention that T was away on business. So I was alone with the kids and that, of course, can be hard.

Random stuff from camera roll: