This past weekend was full of reading and reviewing. Sounds like a cushy job, but gets very very tedious when you're reading books you wouldn't read in the first place.

Monday and Tuesday after school was spent writing my paper, and finishing up book reviews due this week in school.

Planning times and lunchtime at school were spent reading my books for my reviews, running around filling teacher requests, shelving, and repairing.

Today I had to give a presentation at 2:30 to the faculty on "Best Practices" in being a Media Specialist...as in, what do I do in the media center that they can take back to the classroom and use to their advantage. I didn't prepare for it. I made my handouts, drafted my speech, and made up my visuals this afternoon between 1:15 and 2:00.

As soon as I was finished with my presentation (which was very well-received, and they took the handouts with 3 advantageous websites for teachers and parents with them!)..back to the sentence...as soon I was finished, and everyone had exited the Media Center, I collapsed in a chair. I was finished. Literally finished after 4 days of running on all cylinders.

I finished up shelving for the week, got home around 4:15...and then came the little things.

* I changed into sweat pants and a sport bra.
* I ran for 20 chilly minutes around my complex.
* I stretched out on my yoga mat for 20 minutes, with a 10 minute "Corpse" pose that refreshed me
* I got to scrub my bathroom.
* I put away laundry that had been sitting in the basket since Saturday.

I'm now enjoying one of my favorite drinks (Lambic Raspberry Framboise), during class, and enjoying protein-rich turkey.

Yeah...it's the little things that make my day great at the end. :)

Good: I had 3 classes of non-stressful behavior.

Bad: I had 2 classes of jerky kids.

Good: I fired off multiple emails and arranged meetings with other media specialists next Friday, planning Field Day, arranging a state election at my school for my kids, gettign a new nail appointment, making arrangements to clean out my storage unit this Saturday for GOOD! Meaning more $$$ every month.

Bad: Being told I may be needed all day for Field day and that will conflict with my state election that I've worked all year for.

Good: Suggesting to my AP that my clerk and I can flip-flop duties and fill in where we need to.

Bad: A 4th grader--with no medication for the day--getting in my face so much I nearly backhanded him...in front of my brother who came in to showcase a snake caught on the grounds.

Good: Saving a snake on the grounds. (see above)

Good: Having my hair done after school.

Bad: Getting a phone call from SuperRealtor stating the seller's agent called her in a fury, saying we can't close tomorrow b/c I haven't had my interview with the Homeowner's Board. No interview = no approval = no closing.

Good: Stated I turned in my papers last Wednesday...lately..yes, but on time.

Good: Countering with the fact that when the seller didn't turn in an "Intent to Sell" at the beginning of this song and dance, that went against the HOA bylaws and hindered the process.

Bad: Called the management office, talked with my contact who stated (flatly) that I had to wait till the Prez of the HOA called me for my interview, and THEN I could reschedule my closing.

Bad: Stuck my phone in my ear while my hair was being colored, and got gunk all over my earpiece.

Good: SuperRealtor called back saying she called the HOA, and urged them to call the Prez to call ME for an interview ASAP.

Bad: Found out my stylist is leaving on Friday for Calgary...FOREVER.

Good: The Prez called me, arranged a meeting tomorrow at 1:15.

Good: Called SuperRealtor back to relay info. SuperRealtor exalted at my awesomeness.

Bad: Have to have proof of homeowner's insurance, or at least an intent of insurance for the interview.

Good: Stylist gave me the card and name of recommended stylist.

Good: Cancelled my gym membership, saving me $$$, but also finding out my contract extends to May 12!

BAD= 8

GOOD = 12

Sweet! :)

How did i end up having a fantastic day?

I was trapped in a boardroom from 8 till 2:30 p.m., learnign how to administer reading tests, and was falling asleep for most of it.

But then I got out at 2:30, on a gorgeous day, and corralled enoelie into going for a late lunch and walk about Lake Eola. We fed ducks, and pigeons, and ch-ch-ched at squirrels, and laughed like loons.

Then I drove home, singing at the top of my lungs, so happy I could barely contain it.

I got home, poured a glass of wine, and got an unexpected phone call from CB! We chatted for an hour about dis 'n' dat, and now I update LJ about what a great day I had!

One thing I vow..I will not be a fat educator. The woman that sat next to me waved her left arm several times to emphasize her point, and the loose flesh under her bicep undulated in the wind.

And another thing, if you see me reading a magazine during my break, why must you tell me about your dogs, and cats, and how your meniscus was torn, and I already know what a meniscus is, you don't need to explain it. I am trying to read my magazine; does it say "sympathetic listener" on my forehead? Please go away.

The jazz band keeps playing in my head! I want to dance!

I'm going to try a new eatery/hangout tomorrow night. Jax on Fifth on Edgewater. Apparently "the" place to go for young professionals in College Park.

Amazing. I get old cameras that once belonged to someone else stolen away from me...

and yet, I found a box full of slides tonight in the back closet. I just spent the last 3 hours going through them, and found pictures I never saw before, barely remembered.

I don't remember a lot from my childhood from Ohio. Up till about 12 years old is a colorful smear of memories. I remember instances, moments, more like impressions of people from when I was a kiddo.

Tonight, though, it feels like I got half my toddlerhood/early childhood back. Pictures of me as a baby, as a tyke, with my dad, with my grandmothers, with my brother and with my mom.

This makes me feel much better.