things i like...

morning dew.
dense vegetation.
sleepy dog-friend.

a morning ritual

Last year (academic year, that is...teacher talk), I usually woke up at 4:30, a few times 4, and a couple of times even 3:30. As a new teacher, I was so unbelievably over the top stressed and overwhelmed with obligations that this is just when I started my day. I started in on lesson planning, then grading, then lesson planning, then organizing, then lesson planning. Oh, and lesson planning. Of course, eventually I opted for some sanity and set some boundaries here and there...I integrated 10-15 minutes of yoga/meditation into my morning, I set some limits on when I would be willing to work on work outside of, well, work. But as a perfectionist, or more of a failed perfectionist, what I hadn't done to the level I wanted ate at me like crazy. I just couldn't seem to compartmentalize, and I seldom felt truly relaxed, always thinking that there could be a way I could have researched more and made my lessons more creative, engaging. Don't misunderstand, it was a WONDERFUL job that touched me in so many ways and humbled my soul...but for right now, I'm somewhere else, and it is the place for me to be...

Enter new job. What time do I wake up? 4:30. But, people (or person, as the case may have it), it is a whole new 4:30 around here! I ride my exercise bike, journal, drink tea, listen to my "World Flutes" cd...and my favorite part is that Preston the Dog and I have our little morning ritual at the courtyard. He runs around sniffing things and peeing all over. I journal, or I just sit and watch the fountain. Starting my days like this, how could a day turn bad??

Maybe best not to pull at that string.

But still, my days are great. I love my new job in ways that I cannot even put into words. It is the people. The students- I didn't know if I would like high school students, but they already have my heart...and honestly, they are less work than middle school kids by about a million. (Not saying I'll never go back. I'm one of those people who wants to teach everything, all subjects, all ages.) The school is designed for students who have dropped out or are at high risk (the top reasons for dropping out are parenthood, having to support self financially and having to take care of someone at home), and it's just such a special mission that it attracts co-workers who are altruistic-minded indivuduals. These co-workers are some of the most inspiring people I have ever met, ever. I share a room with a few other teachers (the nature of Special Education), and was worried about it...but, these women are medicine for my soul! Each one is strong and unique in their own way, and real in ways that I (or most people that I've met!) had never dared to be. I feel like I laugh all day, work hard, and come home happy and emotionally relaxed.

So, to sum it up, we've got fountains, dogs, laughter and I just found out that the lowest calorie pastry at starbucks is the old fashioned doughnut...pinch me, people.

There is one woman I work with, from an African country, who responds to "how are you" with, "I'm blessed. How are you?" I'm blessed, too.

And corny. Seriously. The old me would really hate me.