First, a reminder to myself since this was a hard week, teaching-wise.

I can:

Go to the gym

Go for a walk

Get outside

Text a friend

Take deep breaths

Laugh with students

Laugh with my kids

Laugh with my husband

Laugh with myself

Close my computer

Turn off my phone

Articulate things in a direct and respectful way

Model good citizenship

---

I cannot:

Create a miracle

Make a student care

Force a student to learn

Guarantee a certain grade

Make traffic move out of my way

Control other people’s actions or emotions

---

This is not my first rodeo since I’ve been teaching for many years. This week, however, I am seeing a decrease in student care and effort. Low effort students are even lower, and students that are usually hard-working are sliding. It is dispiriting.

All I can do is continue creating good lessons, welcome them to my class, and the rest is up to them. The ball is in their court.

---

In other news…

Eid Mubarak! We are invited to my friend H’s house for a small celebration this Sunday.

Science Fair. On Wednesday evening, my kids’ school had their first science fair. So many great projects, so much learning! Guess who got first place in K-1 grade level? This guy!

My hat is off to Ms. H who organized the whole thing. So much work!

My daughter also created a project but she did not win. There were some tears but it was a good life lesson.

On Thursday, I found myself all alone at the house from about 3:30 to 5pm. My husband took R to BJJ and my daughter was in aftercare.

And so I spent some time decluttering more stuff. Specifically, some closets. This guest room closet is dedicated to off-season clothes: in the summer, it has all the winter stuff, in winter: summer clothes. I have only plucked out the two heaviest sweaters but as the weather gets warmer, I will rotate more.

This guest room closet is dedicated to travel stuff: carryons, backpacks, a fanny pack, rain ponchos, travel pillows, international adaptors and travel size accessories – in the two bins. Plus, a camping blanket on top shelf.

And this is my closet in the master bedroom:

At the moment it’s rather packed but, once I rotate the heavy things out, it’ll be lighter.

Exercise: went to the gym twice.

St Patrick’s day! Delicious but rather greasy corned beef.

How was your week? What are some things you can/cannot do?