Had my faith restored this morning

The celebrant at mass, this morning, at blessed sacrament, told us that there is no place in the church or in the world, for hate and bigotry. He reminded us that we, as Catholics, were often met with intolerance, and thus should be particularly sensitive to such things. Pope Francis espoused a similar message, recently. Finally, a catholic priest who doesn't live in the fourteenth century and  spout right wing drivel at mass.
I think I've come home.

Completed my first full week...

think I might be getting some of my stamina back.

I have five classes, there advanced and two regular level.  They've entrusted me with some of their biggest talent and I hope to be up to the challenge.

The advanced classes are small, 11, 14, and 17, thus providing me with the opportunity to really meet the NASA challenge of training up the next generation of explorers.  It's an opportunity I've have almost never had before .

Not missing NC as much as I feared I would. NOT YET.

Might go over to Clearwater, this weekend to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of
Winter and Hope, the dolphin stars of the motion picture Dolphin Tale.

Remain determined that my "job" won't absorb my whole life this go around. The longest I have remained at school after the students left, so far, has been a little bit over an hour.

I haven't done any writing lately. That isn't good and I need to change that.

Tired again today...

but it's a good tired, not one derived from frustration or exasperation.  Oh sure, there are occasional issues, but nothing like I can remember from before. Of course, it is only the first full week of school.

There's a major solar eclipse coming up and I have been warning my people NOT to look directly at the sun  because they'll damage their eyesight. The school district has directed all outdoor activities to be moved inside.

I do not intend to take mine out.  They're advertising these special glasses that are supposed to be able to view the eclipse with.  I don't trust them and suspect they're just a money making scam. People are so shameless anymore.

Ugh...

this is wearing me out. Hope I can rebuild my stamina or this will be a long, difficult year.

The kids have been great, for the best part. There are a few challenges but nothing like what I've seen before. Not yet anyhow.

My first full week is looking me in the face...

The first two days went okay.

Tried to post my lesson plans online, as I was told to do, but made a royal mess of it.  Hopefully someone will take me in hand and help me get it right.

Had hoped to take a trip somewhere this weekend, but after spending almost all of my Saturday trying to write and post my lesson plans and then trying to repair them today, I just haven't had time or energy.  That's gonna change.  Not gonna let this thing consume me, as I did before.

No!  At 68, I won't have the drive or the stamina for that.

Just checked my pay status.  $1700. Since we get paid bi monthly, I am hoping that is just for two weeks. Right now, I am being compensated as a teacher with just a bachelor's degree.  Don't know how many years of experience they credited me with. I know UNC sent them a copy of my Master's degree. Gonna have to ask them.



Joined a local fitness club or, at least, I am doing a thirty day trial.  Gracious Lord knows, I NEED that.

And so, once more into the breach, dear friends....

It just felt good...

interacting with students again, MY OWN students, not merely ones "borrowed" for the day. I've always said its wasn't the same and it was not.  That is more obvious, now, than ever before.

Still, the first day does not tell the tale; it's the second day.

No significant problems today and I even let them pick their own seats. Tomorrow will tell me more.

Siri took me on an errant "adventure " this morning.  I asked her to guide me to the nearest post office. She sent me over to "Howey in the Hills." There is a post office not far from the school, in Clermont . Should have specified "post office in Clermont;" live and learn?

Well, I didn't.  Next, rather than going to my Waze ap, where I have Clermont middle school saved, I opted to ask Siri to guide me to "Clermont middle school."  Siri spelled that "Claremont" and was sending me on some incredible journey; I was in Eustis, 41 miles away before I realized what was happening. Barely made it back in time to assume my morning duty.
Geeessssshhhhhhh....

and soooo...

tomorrow is the day.

Felt a little anger (a better term might be frustration ) as I went to school this morning.  I was unsure if my Mac would hook up to the projector, still could not print or copy, and so many other things were unsettled.

The Mac worked. Still cannot print or copy, but I've got a better handle on what happens tomorrow morning. Most of the first two days will involve procedures and going over the rules.

Yesterday, we had to endure the rantings of the discipline committee  chairperson, one who thought nothing of slapping other staffers down and being belligerent.  She reminded me of some of the women at Rock Middle.  I guess each school has some.

Middle aged women can be hazardous to the peace and serenity.

Bernie Sander's stock in trade is on the rise and there appears to be a possibility he will run for President again in 2020.  He's in his mid 70s and that could be an issue, of course, but the democrat party (oh which Bernie does not really belong) has got to do something, perhaps something radical, to reverse its fortunes.

It's now or not at all.

I've heard a lot of talk that I ought to just chill and accept what is, that we'll survive. Will we?  At what cost?  How much damage Trump does will be difficult, if not impossible, to undo?

It's a nutty world!!!!!

No mushrooms sprouting yet. Crazy as the NK leader and Trump are, I have to hope they are not stupid enough to actually start a nuclear exchange. Hope. It's the one thing stronger than fear.