5.29.2008

Reason To Live

I know that I just posted but I may not get to post the rest of the weekend so I thought I would leave you a little video.

Most people think that I do not drink is because of me having a liver transplant. They also think that I don't go out to party very much because the temptation of alcohol and everything else that is out there is too strong. There are people who read this who know some of the mistakes that I have made while in high school and college. Those who know me now know that I am not the same person.

To everyone who wonders why I don't drink and am so much different than I have been in the past, I have found my Reason to live. I hope that all who reads this finds the Reason for the changes in my life in this video. I love each and everyone of you. Thank you for still loving me and supporting me throughout my life and in my causes.

Schools out!



Schools out and I have 8 weeks to get things accomplished around my house and get some sanity back before the next school year begins.

These weeks off are welcomed by teachers around the country. I used to think that it would be great having summers off so you can go on vacations and have a good time. Don't get me wrong, that will be great one day when I have money to go on a vacation. That day is not today.

I have just finished my fourth year teaching and I need these weeks to unwind and regain some sanity before I start another crazy year. It seems from Christmas through the end of April all teachers are a ball of stress. Pressure and stress are pushed down to us from above (and from us on the students) concerning "THE TEST!"

They say that 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within 5 years. Leaving the profession has crossed my mind on many occasions. I do not think all of those teachers leave for lack of passion, but because so much stress is placed on them from the national government that has trickled on down. Teachers are told (in a very polite and politically correct manner might I say) that if the kids fail, it is our fault.

When kids do not pass the test despite their teachers best efforts, teachers wonder if what they are doing is worth it. There comes a point where everyone in every profession has to do some reflecting and decide if this is really what they are supposed to be doing. That is a daily ritual for me those weeks just before "THE TEST!"

There is that old adage.... "Those who can, do.....Those who can't, teach!" (of course I don't agree with that!) I think that for everyone of the doers, there is a teacher that pushed them to push themselves and realize that they can do. I think that teachers are some of the most unrecognized heroes in the world. I thank God that I am a teacher now, but it was never the first choice for me. I had plans to go to medical school and become a doctor but life got in the way. I am happy knowing that I am helping people reach their potential and I hope that one day some of my students look back and say that I helped them become who they are. That will be all the paycheck I need.

Speaking of paychecks, no teacher goes into the profession thinking that they are going to strike it rich. For many teachers, we know that we could be doing something different and making a lot more money. Those who put in the time and effort required to provide students with the best education possible go to work each day because they are called to the profession. Those who come for summers off are the ones who are out of the profession with in 3-5 years.

Don't get me wrong, there are some teachers out there who are not there for the right reasons. We all know those teachers and have probably been taught by them. I am talking about the teachers who stick it out and do everything they can for the benefit of their students. I like to include myself in that number and I hope that those who know me and teach with me think the same thing. If not, I need to work harder! I'm not looking for recognition, accolades, or awards from anyone. The only person I need to please to sleep good at night is Josh and his conscience.


Ok, ok.....enough ranting! I am leaving in the morning to go to Folly Beach which is just outside of Charleston, SC. I had never heard of it until I was asked to go. Evelyn, Ellie, her parents, and I will be spending the weekend on the beach and hopefully eating some good food while we are there. I am excited about getting away, even if it is only for a couple of days. Hopefully these days will help with recovering what bits of sanity I have left.

I will try to update when we get back with pictures and hopefully a couple of good stories.

Thanks for listening to me rant for a while.

5.28.2008

Sad, I know

Geez......where has this year gone???

Four posts this year plus this one makes five for the year. That means as of this post I am averaging one post a month. I have been absolutely terrible at blogging anything this year, but it does not seem like it has been over three months since I have blogged about anything. I'm gonna try to get started again, and this is the kickstart. (hopefully!)

So an update.......

My neck is no longer broken and there was no surgery needed. (at least I hope so!) Other than a few issues with range of motion, I am doing well. There have not been any more accidents to report this year and for that I will thank God.

I have gotten a new car (-100 man points) that is good, no GREAT, on gas (+ 200 financial points). It is a 1997 Honda Accord that was wrecked by someone else. Using a little TLC from Dad (7%, cause he can pick up heavy things), Craig (90%, it's his chosen career path), and me (the lagging 3%, I had a broken neck.....leave me alone!!!) we brought it back to life. Now it looks new and didn't break the bank!

In the middle of all of this, I had my second transplantiversary......that makes me ill that I haven't been posting. I have some pictures from that celebration that I will try to post soon.

As of the middle of April, I am no longer taking prednisone. That means that I have no place to blame my mood swings and arguments over trivial things. Not to mention that for the past 6-8 months I was on a dosage so low that my claims of "roid rage" were unfounded. Losing prednisone took me down to taking only 10 pills a day split into two doses.

That's enough of an update for today......I don't need to run out of things to write about yet!