Life in Teacher Mode

Some weeks my work schedule is looser than others and I've learned to roll with work energy when it's here...and let things go when the work energy is less. Somehow it all balances out in the long run and everything more or less gets accomplished.

The beautiful thing of how the schedule has unfolded over the last several years is that I tend to work via prepping and grading for at least one solid weekend day in order to play hard on at least one solid week day. However there are other week days that also can be full of super long days of work.

Case in point:

I attended some work events at my original teaching institution on Thursday afternoon and picked up some work related books & responded to some work emails for my new institution on Friday. However I didn't do a ton of practical work things on Thursday & Friday of last week. I did check and respond to most emails those days and I set up meetings for this week. I took all of Saturday off and then put in about 1.5-2 hours of teaching prep on Sunday and spent about another 45 minutes doing some grading.

And then today happened:
--7 hours on site at the new institution (2 hrs of which were teaching, 3 student meetings, various emails, and dealing with two issues that came up)
--3.5 hours of grading at home for my original institution
--2.5 hours (home) online content review & analysis typed up for a phone mtg tomorrow morning

On Tuesdays I generally work for my original institution but tomorrow I'm doing 3 items for the new institution:
--phone mtg on program lay-outs
--prepping independent study that I just picked up with two students
--mtg with said students to lay out academic plan for rest of term

Then I will update grades for my online courses & review material for teaching...and then teach for three hours in the evening (for my original institution).

At some point Weds-Friday (yea for flexibility!), I'll grade online & in-person assignments for my original institution, follow-up with all of my mentor students via email, book my summer tickets, grade assignments for my 3 classes at the new institution, review syllabi for the potential 4 new-to-me courses I might be teaching next year, meet with the independent study students again and teach them course 1 material, prep said material in my own head, follow-up with a couple of community contacts and research others, and take care of any additional items that arise.

In theory, it's not a ton, but sometimes managing so many different items exhausts my brain. Two more weeks of the term at the original institution and then a few more beyond that at the new one. But the reality is that I'm trying as much as possible to soak up the flexibility of the schedule that I do have (and that I have been incredibly fortunate to have had for the last several years). I haven't mentioned this here but it's been on the table for the last six months that I might be transitioning to full-time at the new institution. While I'm still not sure (1.5 months out from said contract start) whether this will actually be the case, it's been a bit of a mental shift for me to contemplate working a regular schedule for the first time in six years. I'm excited for the opportunities it could create (plus financial benefits and better boundaries), but there are also some hesitations, especially as I also contemplate potentially letting go of my other teaching position....

Big changes could be unfolding....but for now I'm going to enjoy the chaotic freedom that exists...and trust that life will work out as it should during the academic year that will soon be arriving.

Now here's to skedaddling to bed :)

An Incredible Sunny Friday

So I've had two really pretty incredible days but today maybe took the cake since it included such an amazingly rewarding variety :)

This morning we had a training from MoxAfrica on how to do moxibustion. Moxibustion is a holistic healing modality that is frequently used in conjunction with acupuncture but can be used solo as well. Today we learned how to make the "cones" of mungwart and then how to apply it to the skin and allow it to burn down into the acupoint. We practiced on little wood boards first and then applied it to our own skin on our forearms (I used the outer gate point near the backside of the wrist) and then on St 36, which is the most frequent point used in their treatment program (and is located sort of near the end of the knee and then "lateral" or out to the side of your leg from there by one or two finger widths). I definitely did feel the "clearing" or reset that can come from acupoint treatments and it's pretty incredible to think of the positive healing effects that something this simple can bring to others who are suffering.

After the training, I drove down to Silverton where I grabbed a coffee and a scone in the town's adorable downtown area...and then drove on to the North Falls Trailhead at Silver Falls State Park. Lauren and I had arranged to meet up today to do a hike and it was so great to finally get to meet her! I'm pretty sure that she's actually the first blogger/IGer that I've met in real life. The day was absolutely beautiful with lots of sunshine and the falls were running with high water volume. Honestly I feel like the almost 9 miles flew by as Lauren and I chatted and got to know each other better. It was so nice to share stories and enjoy the great sunshine.... and I'm hoping it will work out to meet up again! Maybe with Baby Moe in tow :)

Since it was a beautiful day, I decided to drive to the Woodburn Tulip Festival and then take numerous back roads home in order to avoid Friday traffic getting into Portland. At the Tulip Farm, I had a great sausage, sauerkraut, and onion sandwich and then I headed out to snap a few pictures and soak up the sunshine amidst so much natural beauty.

The drive back took me along numerous farm roads I'd never traveled before and it was nice to avoid all of the traffic that would have been found on a Friday afternoon on I-5. One of the roads I went along had this incredible view of the valley below:

Altogether it was a pretty amazing day but I do feel like I should mention that along the drive back from the Falls I came upon an accident that required calling the paramedics, who then called in Life Flight. I haven't been able to find anything online regarding the outcome but if you're the praying type then it wouldn't hurt to offer a little prayer for the woman who had been driving.... Witnessing what I did of that scene made my gratitude for our paramedics and emergency room personnel multiply even more...it takes some pretty strong individuals to handle life altering emergencies on a regular basis...

An Epic 24 Hours

Seriously, somebody pinch me....because life is just...well, pretty darn incredible. 

I'm truly starting to believe that what you ask from your heart for the universe to provide...well, sometimes it really does show up...and even more incredibly than you could have imagined. 

Case in point: I've been wanting to go to a Blazer game and a Winterhawks game. Winterhawks game is in progress of being scheduled....but Monday afternoon I randomly got a spontaneous text from a friend asking if I wanted to go to Monday night's Blazer game...in club level seats...for free. Uh..yes, yes I do! :) Seats were better than any I've ever had nor could have imagined...and the game was a blast! I had so much fun and the Blazers even won :) 

Case in point: Tuesday morning I had another meeting regarding Africa and international health career contacts/options...and I'm STILL expecting to be told that I heard that whole conversation/informational interview wrong because what I heard sounded a lot like an offer of how to go to Africa this summer AND that the whole trip/opportunity could potentially lead into an actual job option...in my dream field...at one of my ideal institutions...and that it would also potentially make all my varied career paths come full circle and connect.... Yup, pinch me......because even if it doesn't pan out..I am so incredibly fortunate and grateful for the offer and this.very.moment that life is presenting...

Case in point: After the Tuesday meeting, I had the dogs in tow so we could go explore the rain break/fresh powder that had arrived briefly on the mountain. We checked out some new trails....and for the first time in a long time, I didn't rush us or care about miles. Instead we just wandered down various new trail options, walked a bit on an old historic Oregon wagon road, and then went 2.5 miles on the PCT trail which included so much beautiful hazy fresh powder...that again, I just kept thinking about how this life...this is what I want to be living....this is what makes me feel alive...this.IS.it. I'm currently living that motto that hangs on my wall: "Living the Life I Love" and "Loving the Life I Live." On these trails, I look around at the beauty that surrounds me, I feel the peace in my soul, I hang out with God (and talk or don't talk)...and I just feel good..happy...settled...arrived. This.is.it.

Barlow Pass Highway

Barlow Pass Wagon Road

We discovered a little something special left on the PCT.

Epic, epic 24 hours :)

A Day In the Life...

The days have been long and the exhaustion has been high. Usually I limit the amount of social engagements I let myself have in more stressful weeks but this week has included a social outing/evening every day of the week. This was finals week for my students so grades finally got calculated and transferred over. My week of finals as a student is next week (plus a make-up class since our Thurs night class was cancelled due to the crazy wind storm & power outages that Portland had) and the half-marathon is on Sunday. Seriously can't wait for a bit of down time...

Obviously it's been busier since I intended to post this actually on Tuesday, and since I didn't get to it til now I included Wednesday for fun too :)

TUESDAY:
8-820am wake up, listen to music, cuddle the dogs, check emails/social media, say a quick prayer about the day
820am let the dogs out, turn the heat up, make coffee, eat a banana
830am feed the dogs/cat, fill the water for the animals, let the chickens out & feed/water them
845am breakfast & water christmas tree
915am get dressed, put face on, check in with housemate
940am vacuum & dust house
1005 review class notes & assignment, rearrange furniture to make room for hw

1030am start massage exchange with housemate
noon break for lunch/fill out paperwork
1230 start second massage exchange (swap give/receive) with housemate
2pm finish exchange paperwork, type up homework assignment, put furniture back
240pm grade student assignments, check work email, & update grades

420pm check on chickens, lock in coop, get the dogs to go out
435pm start getting ready for work
5pm grab tea & snacks, feed dogs, start dishwasher
520pm leave house for campus
6pm-8pm proctor final exam, return assignments, prep online classes for next term

8pm chat with student who had general life advice question
830pm meet someone I haven't seen for months for a drink/dinner at local pub
1045pm arrive home, love on dogs & let them out
11pm take a shower, ready bag for next day, check in with buddy's school progress
midnight go to sleep

WEDNESDAY:
845am wake up: cuddle dogs, listen to tunes, quick prayer, check email/social media
9am: get up, let chickens & dogs out, feed & water animals, coffee, breakfast, water christmas tree, get dressed/face on, make tea to go, finish easy homework assignment
1015am: leave house for massage school
11am: find parking finally & head to get table set for day
1130-225pm: in class
235pm: leave downtown for home
3pm: buy groceries & christmas gift on way home
345pm: get home, unload groceries, let dogs out, eat briefly
430pm: put chickens up, change clothes, find paperwork for dogs, ready work bag
450pm: leave house for work
510pm: stop at animal services to update Roxi's rabies info
540pm: arrive at campus
6-8pm: proctor final exam, check work emails, grade 50% of first nights exams
8pm: leave campus
830pm: stop at my aunt's for a bowl of soup, a glass of wine, & to get the things they picked up for me from Costco
10pm: finally get home, let dogs out, talk with housemate, unpack bag, make a list to do for Thursday, take a shower, eat the rest of the left overs from Tuesday night, check in with buddy about his school progress/day
midnight or so: go to bed

Definitely enjoying some pretty great moments still..and sleeping in when I can. One more week to go! :)

A Day in the Life: Tuesdays

Tuesdays are my LOOOONG day, so I thought it would be interesting to document one of them.

5:30am alarm goes off after falling asleep at 11:45pm.
5:35am crawl out of bed, turn heat up, nudge dogs outside
5:40am hop in for super quick shower, put on "face," get dressed
5:55am feed dogs, make coffee, get lunch & backpack packed, make & eat breakfast (Chobani yogurt, banana, Vit D, small bowl oatmeal w/ coconut flakes, pecan pieces, & brown sugar)
6:30am shut bathroom doors and make sure dogs seem settled for day
6:35am head out to car; drive to transit station
7:00am arrive at transit station, park, get on MAX
7:40am get off MAX and walk two blocks to school

8:00am attend Swedish massage class: watch example for 40 mins, receive practice for 40 mins, give practice massage using techniques shown for 40 mins
10:50am head downstairs to heat & eat lunch (quinoa, lentil, cauliflower, & sweet potato stew, 2 small oranges, V8 & mint tea) w classmates & try to review forearm/hand muscles for big quiz
11:30am attend Kinesology class, take written quiz, complete practical quiz in 2nd group (showing two randomly selected muscles at their origin, insertion, and naming all their actions), spend rest of class reviewing for midterm, finishing Friday's homework, and finishing reading for Thursday
2:15pm class is let out, walk to MAX stop
2:25pm get on MAX
2:55pm get in car at transit station and start drive home

3:25pm arrive at house, check mail, pull in garbage cans
3:35pm let dogs out, put dishes away, unpack school bag, pack work bag
4pm make caffeinated tea (something I never do in the afternoon), make & eat dinner, change clothes for work & touch up make up, feed dogs
5pm sit down for 15 minutes to relax, think about rest of week game plan & pin crap on pinterest
5:15pm leave for work

5:30pm arrive at close campus
5:40 arrive to classroom, get organized for evening, check work email, answer student questions
6pm class starts: mainly lecture & discussion (body composition, fitness, & body image issues)
9pm class over, answer student questions & concerns until 9:20pm
9:20pm respond to text messages, head to car
9:40pm arrive home, let dogs out & give attention, change into work out gear

(Below not normal for Tuesday, but think the tea needed burning off!)
9:50pm do 35mins of yoga, interact with housemate for 5 mins afterward, prep dogs and go for 4.1 mile drizzly night run, dry off dogs when home
11:10pm get in shower
11:30pm drink 20oz of water, pour a very small glass of wine, crawl into bed, drink wine & day dream on pinterest, think of game plan for Wednesday
11:40pm fall asleep

A Day In the Life

So I've always loved when people do these "A Day in the Life" posts and it's been a long time since I've done one, so here's attempting:

7:15am Woke up to housemate's dog yipping at being kenneled. Got up.
7:20am Feed dogs, make and drink coffee, text check-ins, check on stuff around the house.

8:15am Begin vacuuming dog hair out of car & generally cleaning interior.
Break---10am to eat yogurt.
10:50am Finally finished (well 85% of dog hair is gone...). Sweep garage out. Put out recycling and garbage cans.
11:10am Vacuum house, spray baseboards with ant spray, freshen up cut flowers in house, take care of pet food needs, clean out fridge.
11:40am Get on computer. Email another supervisor about adding another fall class and check online course. Read other's blog posts. Text old coworker a question. Clean out email and look at jobs. Break for another yogurt. Apply for a job. Research local berry farms. Look up what I have to do to maintain/renew my teaching license.
1:50pm Put computer away. Check on dogs outside. Get dressed and put on face for day.

2:10pm Head out to Granny's.
2:30pm Arrive at Granny's. Grab her a hat and bottle of water. Tell her what we're doing this afternoon. Get her dirty laundry and load all into car. Head for berry farm.
2:45pm Arrive at U-Pick berry farm. Ask questions. Grab buckets. Granny was a trooper and walked the gravel road (with walker) to the blueberries. Start picking. Move Granny into shade as precaution and she points me to another section. Head to other section. Check on Granny and have her drink some water. Head to another section. Once bucket full round Granny up and head back gravel road.

4:40pm Load Granny into car with AC. Go back in and check out. Order Granny a blackberry milkshake. Tell her what time it is and ask if she wants to come over for dinner. Head for my house. Granny drinks milkshake en route and declares "I don't know what this is...but it's delicious!!" :)
5:05pm Stop at grocery store, answer phone call from Dad, and leave Granny with AC running.
5:25pm Get home. Unload Granny and get her situated inside. Put dogs up and Unload car. Start washing berries and laying on cooking sheets for freezing, while Granny snoozes. Put berries in freezer. Start Granny's laundry. Put away groceries.

6pm Start making banana bread from over ripe bananas. Granny wakes up and hangs out with Major. Start second load of laundry. Finish making banana bread and put in to bake. Make dinner. Wash pans so housemate can use them. Take out banana bread/muffins.

7pm Move Granny to table for dinner. Start eating.
7:30pm Dad arrives and joins us at table. Sit at table talking while Granny keeps working on hers. Feed her leftovers to dogs. Fold first set of laundry.
8:20pm Move Granny to upper patio and get her situated. Join Dad and Granny on patio for bit.

8:40pm Fold final load of laundry. Water raised beds. Move Granny's stuff to door for easy exit.
9pm Load Granny and Dad into car. Water front plants. Stop off at aunt's to look at her remodel. Take Granny home and get her situated.
10:20pm Get home. Dad goes to bed. Check on animals. Bag frozen berries. Bag banana muffins. Wash and dry pans.
11pm Shower---so good!
11:30pm Get on computer. Check work stuff. Return texts. Blog.
12am Bed.