snow day

I really don't like snow days. As a teacher, and unplanned day off means a planned day is lost. I barely plan as-is, so when I lose a planning day, I'm kinda put in a bind.

realization

My Bio-Dad gave me some advise in August when I was fretting over taking the teaching job or pursuing my BLET. He said: "I always follow the money". His logic is that if you have the cash right now, you can deal with maybe later. In 11 days, I will get paid again, the "Winter of Discontent 2009" will be done. It has never been as gut wrenching as it has been this year, but that's because there is more than just me this year. If I could be as cheap all year as I am during TWOD, I'd probably do very well year 'round.

One of my resolves is to live as cheaply as possible. Perhaps I can use that to push me through. I think my new goal is to use my skills to make as much money as I can. I also want to acquire new skills to further that goal along.

My next goal is to get into shape. I have started to get what I need to make that happen.

I realized that of my immediate family, I am the only one to graduate college. I also do not have a criminal record. I try to live as quiet a life as possible. I guess I'm the white sheep of the family.

Alpha male

I think every man is like a wolf. Pack animals have a pecking order and it is only logical that everyone wants to be at the top, however you may define that.

At some point in my life, I figured that I would never have any real accomplishments, and since I lived in a predatory environment (ghetto), my "top" was to become the person you'd prefer not mess with.

I grew up with every male figure in my life being honest to God bad asses. My grandfather, my father....even my mom and uncles were people you didn't cross.

I'm not a badass. At best, I'm a sheep in wolves' clothing. Hell, I write a blog.

the winter of discontent...2009

I did it yet again. Every Christmas I overspend and put myself in a hurting until March. I won't get a check for 6 weeks, or the first of February. I'll put myself on track with that check and my tax returns.

I need to do better, it's not just me now...

The next five years.....

I don't really have a five year plan right now. Paul interviewed me for a class assignment and asked me if I felt my "story" was over. I'm not sure. I think I am in a filler chapter or between books. Nothing is really going to happen for awhile.

My biological father said that funny thing about opportunities is that they all come at once. They damn sure did. I just hope they don't leave as quickly.

I'm thinking of the things I want in the next five years. I guess it will become the "before I'm forty" list. I'll reflect on my goals soon and actually make a new five year plan.

I would like before I'm 40:

my student loan paid off.
a son
my house paid off
my master's degree
to get into shape and live a healthy lifestyle
a Harley Roadking

We'll see what happens next. Life is good.

busy

The crazy thing about blogging is that when you have things to write about, you don't have time to blog, but when you have time, there's not much to write about.

I also think that strife fuels creativity, and right now I am happy. Do I have anything I want? No, but I'm really not in turmoil about anything. Things are great. I wish I were making more money, but who doesn't?

Last week, we moved the kids into the house. They seem happy. They've never had their own rooms. We let them pick the colors they painted the rooms. We got a dinner table and have been eating dinner together every weeknight. I think it is the best thing.

Christmas vacation is coming this Friday and I get two weeks to monkey around at the house and get things closer to being right. I think we're going to make it.

My next thing is that I want a tradition. Something people come to from all over once a year to do and enjoy everyone's company. Robyn's Uncle has a pig roast in Syracuse in July, my biological Father has a Brunswick stew cooking in November.

I feel like my life has a purpose and it makes me happy.

remodeling the batroom

Robyn and I agreed to go serious when repairing a room. We started with the second bathroom. We had to replace the floor and the shower to make it functional again, so why B.S.? We got the floor we wanted, the shower we wanted, and the vanity we wanted. We also got a ton of headache we didn't want.

We realized the ceiling had to come down this weekend before we could go much further. The walls had to be I was careful to cover vents and drains before I started.

I should have known just from the sheer amount of leaves and twigs that fell there would be an issue, but I trudged on anyway.

The leaves and remnants of shingle gravel didn't bother me, but the bat's nest I found troubled me a bit, especially the one that dropped on my head. It wasn't until much later that evening, I realized my life plays out like a sitcom.

We went with sheet rock on the ceilings. I think the flat painted ceiling will add a level of class that blown acoustic mess and those dated tiles just can't match.

The next thing to tackle is the draftiness, the weak output of the furnace, and the second bathroom.

Home Sweet Home

I've managed to get a working bathroom, heat, lights, washer, dryer, internet, phone, and satellite TV going. Next up is bathroom #2.

We spent the first few weeks hemorrhaging money into the house to make it livable, and so far so good.

The bad news is that it is right in the path of a proposed highway. I hate the thought of putting so much blood, sweat, tears, and love into a house only to have it demolished. The good news is we will profit from it due to the fair price clause in state law.

I'm home

I bought a house. As of this past week, I am a home owner. A lot of things happened that I wish hadn't, but I think that is par for anyone's life.

The house itself needs a good bit of work, and I guess my bank account will hemorrhage into it for the remainder of my time there. It has been both fun and infuriating moving and doing the needed repairs to make it livable. Infuriating when it takes way more time, effort, and cash to make it happen and fun when it comes together and is done.

I have a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house just outside of city limits on 4 acres of land. I never realized how big 1600 sq ft was until I was there.

It's going to be tough for awhile. I've never been 100% on my own and it's a little scary and fun at the same time. There is very little room for error and many things that must be planned wisely for this to be a success.

I guess I feel grown up now. I certainly feel tired.

I have a new goal. I want to pay my house off as quickly as possible. No, I don't know how, but I'll keep my eyes open and my ears sharp.

American dream

I think it is time for me to realize the American dream. More to come.

Sponsorship

I need a sponsor to fund my existence. I figure a big enough deal would cover all my expenses. The problem being, I don't have the recognition/ fame that would make producers of goods with deep pockets want to use me to bring name recognition. By the time that happens, I won't really need the sponsorship. What a conundrum.

Nothing new

Nothing is happening right now. I wonder if this is the quiet before the storm, or the still after. This is the end of a chapter in my life and I have time to contemplate what's next and the implications of everything that's happening. I'm entering a place where I'm not doing what I need to just to survive. I'm doing what I need to do so I can have more of what I want. I am on the verge of achieving larger goals, and that is encouraging.

conclusions

I did an interview for a very close friends' class project. I'm flattered that he (or anyone) would think my life story is interesting. I guess it is a bit different. He asked me if I felt like I was pretty much at the end of my story. Good question. It made me think.

I guess my major tale is over. I have done all that I have really set out to do. All that remains are minor obstacles and not a lot of drama. I think my story is about to wind down to my happily ever after. I guess you get the point where the big story is over and you get the "what happened" frame where the camera freezes on a character and it tells how they end up.

Mike went on to get the job he wanted, marry the love of his life, got the house he wanted, and became the person he always wanted to be. He lived the rest of days very content.

nothing

Nothing new is happening as of late, just plenty of the same old runaround. I've decided I want more for myself out of life. I think a good piece of this is a fresh start. I've spent the last few years reinventing myself and I'm pretty happy with the progress. I'd pretty much say that everything I've made a goal has happened as of recent. The only question is: What's next? We'll see. I have a few things to deal with in the upcoming weeks and I'll figure it all out then.

big changes ahead

Very soon, the most major changes of my life to date will most likely happen. In fact, they should begin this upcoming week. More to come.

flip flops

Some days, I don't really know how I feel. I'm actually looking forward to getting the "dirty work" done for teaching. It's hard right now. I'm being pulled in ten different directions. I'm currently balancing quality of life vs quality of paycheck. I know that I can't keep up the pace at school. I'll go nuts. Last week, I worked almost 85 hours only to get dismal results. I'm getting better, and I'm learning what does and doesn't work. Sadly, there is no one right answer as how to do my job. There are good and bad techniques and better approaches, but it is mostly personal style and ability.

If I can master the skills to become a successful teacher, the money would be better to stay where I am. It 's that "if I can master it" part that is the breaking point. If I can't find an efficient way to do it, I'll be taking the job home more often than not and I won't have the quality of life I feel I need to be content.

I guess I'm at a very fortunate time in my life where I can try out careers. I could go into police work if so I choose and if I like it, I can stay. If it's not for me, I'll have a career I can go back to and be successful.

I am glad that my biggest worry in life right now is what job I want to do. Very few are so lucky.

help with what?

Sometimes, well planned lessons bomb and last mintue ideas are a hit. So far, that is my norm.

lessons for a teacher

Next week, I have to be out for two days. One day I have to drive about 45 miles to a training session and the other is in town, but both will have me out all day so I must plan appropriately. The 8th Grade EC assistant will be there in my place and she is very good. In fact, I'd prefer her get the assignment since she gets paid extra for it.

I think I'm doing ok. I'm not sure I'm doing exactly what they want since they can't explain it to me. I learned this week that they will let me know if I am doing it wrong. Good thing it was nothing major...

I still feel as though I should try for law enforcement. I think my heart is there. I think I would like the work more, and it would improve my overall quality of life. There is a certain level of constant stress that teach gives you. It might level off for me and I might change my mind by the end of this school year, but I don't know yet.

First Year teacher

I have learned a few things since I have started.

1. Many people want to help you succeed, but only a few can. The rest will waste your time endlessly. Find ways to avoid them. The one's that can really help you typically won't approach you.

2. Tune out what you don't get that nobody can explain to you. If it is important, you'll find out soon enough and someone will find you that can explain it.

3. Never put off doing grades! Not even one day if you can help it.

4. Plan a week at a time, maybe two.

5. Over plan your lessons. If you think you have just enough, you don't.

6. Have tomorrow's stuff ready before you leave today. Anything could happen and will.

7. There is no perfect approach. Teaching in a middle school is like trying to herd cats.

8. You will be wrong a lot and the kids will call you on it. Don't let your ego get in the way, they will respect you more if they know you are human.

mission accomplished

My dedicated readers know I started my "five-year plan" approach to life five years ago. My goal was to finish college and become a science teacher. I finished college and I am a science teacher. Now what?

My next five year plan is TBA. I became so much more over the past five years. I am more financially responsible, I think I am overall a better person. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am someone I can be proud of.