Spring Break--Weekend #2

I can't believe today is the last day of Spring Break and everything goes back to normal tomorrow (with a very busy, not-so-normal day).  I could use a little more time off.  Isn't that what everyone always says?

Many non-educators gripe and complain because educators and students get a week off.  I read a blog (wish I could find the link) explaining how this is a week to rejuvenate to get ready to give more of ourselves to our students and jobs.  Teachers who got into the profession for the right reasons (not just for the time off and tiny paychecks, ha ha!), they give every ounce of themselves all day everyday.  They eat, sleep, and breathe teaching, their students, problem-solving, worrying, planning, and so much more.  They don't take "mental health" days or time for themselves.  They start in August and work their rears off until June and then take classes and prepare/plan all summer.  There really is no time off.  Maybe a vacation thrown in there somewhere, but great teachers work all the time. (I could go on and on about this.  Maybe another post one day.)

This week, while doing all I have done, I have still stressed about work, but I have been too tired to truly think and do the work needed.  We have a huge event scheduled for March 28th, and I have a ton of planning and preparation to do. 75% of it needs to be ready to go by Friday, so that means long days this week.  I have tons to do during normal school hours, so this planning will probably take place outside of the normal day.  Just thinking about it stresses me out.  Oh, well!  It will be great for the students. Today, my last day of Spring Break, will be spent thinking through the event, making a plan to get started, thinking of what resources I need, and more.  My work never ends b/c the education of children never ends.

Yesterday, Mom and I traveled to see my nephew graduate from Young Marines Boot Camp.  I am so proud of him.  He endured everything they threw at him, and he even said it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be.  He worked hard, lost 10 lbs, and came home exhausted.

 At the end of the graduation ceremony, all the children ran over to their families.  It was so emotional.

After we finally got back to their place, he showered, got on the love seat, and was out.  He was exhausted.

How did I do with a crazy day and watching what I ate?  Not good.  Not good at all.  I am afraid to put everything into myfitnesspal.  I tried making good choices at lunch and dinner, but going to fast food places (through the drive-thrus) and eating at 10:00 at night makes it even harder.  We went to a huge grocery store in the middle of the afternoon, and they were giving samples of all kinds of things.  I can't think of the last time I walked and sampled, but I did yesterday.  There was some good stuff too.

fried rice, peanut butter cup ice cream, turkey and cranberry salad on tomato and rosemary (?) bread, almond cookie, cauliflower something or other, couscous or quinoa, and another type of sandwich (Italian meat of some sort, I think)

My niece baked red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for my nephew's homecoming.  Yes, I had one, and they were delicious! (I wish I had taken a picture.)

Today, I will need to plan out my week of healthy meals.  My BFF started Dr. Oz's 2 Week Rapid Weight Loss plan yesterday.  I could do it the next few weeks, but I think I will hold off until April.  I will make good choices and plan out my weeks, but I need a little time off, I think.  I have got to focus more on my walking/jogging b/c we are doing a Color Run on April 12th.

Enjoy our Sunday!  I'm off to get ready for church.

Spring Break--Weekend #1

Spring Break began on 3:25 on Friday.  Woohoo!

Mom and I left my work and headed south to see my niece and nephew.  We arrived, despite horrible traffic and adding 30 minutes to an hour to our time, to go enjoy a delicious dinner.  I actually ordered a salad.  For people who know me, they know what a big deal that is.  I don't eat salads out much, but I chose a yummy one.  It was probably high in calories, but I had them to spare today.

On Saturday morning, my niece and sister-in-law got up early to go watch her friends during the morning dance competition.  A dance friend's brother came to hangout with my nephew.  Mom, my nephew, his friend, and I went to breakfast, bought some homemade tamales to bring home to my cousin, and went back to their place to wait for my brother.  We got a call that we were needed at the dance competition, so we got ready quickly and left.  (My brother is a Stage Dad, so they needed his help.)

We arrived at the dance competition by 11:20 and were there until 8:30.  My niece was in 5 dances, one was her solo.  She was in group Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Acro dances.  Her Jazz got 1st Overall in Jr. Large Groups and her Tap got 2nd Overall in Jr. Large Groups.  Her Acro group got the coveted Most Entertaining Award and an invite to Las Vegas this summer.  Overall, they did well for the first competition of the season.

We were starving when we finally left, so we went to dinner.  Again, I made good choices.  We got back to their place and pretty much passed out.  We were tired.

Sunday morning came early.  Besides the time change, my nephew had to be at his Young Marines Boot Camp by 7:45.  He decided he wanted to join this group/organization to see if the Military is what he might want to do when he is older.  He had already had a day of drills and to get to know people.  This week puts the kids through a real boot camp simulation.  They will be treated just like the Military personnel.  I am so worried about him.  He doesn't have a lot of upper body strength, and he (and I) does/do not like to be yelled at.  The Military guys yell at them even if they do something right.  I can't stand that yelling and meanness.  We have been able to see some pics via Facebook daily.  I am sure he is worn out, but he seems OK in the pics. I had a very hard time leaving him.  I was teary, but I didn't show him.

We ended the day with my niece's dance pics.  They were to be the weekend before, but the dance owner's grandmother passed away, so things were changed.  We were at the dance studio from 3:00-7:00 for pics.  When we finally finished, we went to eat.  I made bad choices. Again, I was teary leaving my niece.

Mom and I then headed home and got home at 1:00 AM.  Man, I miss those two, but I am so glad we had a great weekend.

My adorably handsome, intelligent nephew before Booth Camp.

My adorably beautiful, intelligent niece at her dance pics.