Ah, well, Lent

It is upon us, even tomorrow. We availed ourselves of Shrove Tuesday (a.k.a. Fat Tuesday), courtesy of Claimjumper and a wicked messy burger. Hours later, I'm still full. In some ways, I think this Lent will be very difficult; in other ways, I feel very ready and welcoming of it. It is time once again to curb excesses and indulgences that have become too much a way of life. It is time to reorient my focus yet again. It's too bad that focus can't be permanent, but then I guess I wouldn't appreciate it so much if it were. May your own Lenten season feature a regaining of clarity and health for you, however you choose to observe it (if at all).

Balance...

...cannot be found here. Nosirree! Not us, man! Never mind that we, as teachers, should be role models of balance to our students. No! If our kids are gonna learn from us, it ain't gonna be from our examples!


[sighs heavily]

Consolation: the semester will be over this week, grades due middle of next week, and I get to claim that provierbial clean slate -- for least a few minutes, anyway.

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing and expecting different results. I have identified the things I need to do differently -- the many, many things. But I think I'll focus on jumping on grading each assignment I collect within 1 day of collecting it (must "eat that frog!") -- at least start grading it within that time span. I also want to work on breaking up my day into time blocks to accommodate my teacher-onset ADD, blocks of 15 or 30 minutes, during which I can exercise, grade, cook dinner, grade, read for fun, grade, plan, grade; at least the grading will be broken up into psychically manageable chunks. ('Smarter, not harder, Self,' says I.)

Self-portrait in car window, courtesy of boredom while getting ride home from teacher friend after euphemistic grading 'party' -- gas station stop required. Note friend, who prefers the blog moniker Madame X, in window reflection, laughing at my photographic shenanigans.