This past week was "Open House" in our school district. The night for my grade level (4th and 5th) was Tuesday night, with the other grade levels happening on various other nights. There are some who see it as a trivial night, but for me it is a chance to see a lot of parents that I might not get to see otherwise.
On the way home after open house, I found myself drumming on the steering wheel along to whatever song was on the radio.
Now, I am not saying that I'm stodgy, unhappy, or a hermit, but 9 times out of 10, I am an introvert. In fact, for most of the day, I had a headache, and was stressed about open house because of my "introverted-ness." However, open house forces me to smile, be happy, and have generally pleasing misdemeanor in public. Don't get me wrong - I like meeting people, but I am the kind of person that is pretty happy keeping to myself, and doing what needs to be done on my own. Not the usual music teacher type! I think part of it comes from growing kind of an only child - my sister was 8 years older than me, and my brother...um...more than that (Sorry, Bill - I can't remember).
But my point is, by the end of the night, after spending 2 hours smiling, shaking hands, answering questions, and the like, I realized that my mood was better, my headache was gone, and I actually felt happier than I had 2 hours prior.
I can't help but think that if, at times, we force ourselves to act happy, sometimes it can actually take root in our psyche and we will actually feel happy. I guess it's a version of "you decide how you feel." I definitely believe that we define our demeanors by how we react to the situations we really have no control over. One of my favorite sayings is "Just because you are in pain, doesn't mean you have to be one!" There are some people (teachers included) who go through their whole career thinking and believing that they need to be the stodgy-ness in a students life, when really, especially today's students, need a teacher who can show them the joy in life and learning.
Kay. 'Nuff said.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Things I forget...
At the beginning of every school year I remember that I forget things. For instance, I forget that 4th grade students know almost nothing about playing an instrument. You'd think that I would remember that, but it's always hard to come back to a fresh class after the previous year's students have progressed a lot!
And I forget how to run slow. Last night I did an easy 2 mile run. I was supposed to keep the pace at around 9:45, which for me, is REALLY slow. I didn't mind going slow, as it was the first run back after the half. But it was hard - my GPS kept telling me to slow down.
I guess the same idea could be applied to both situations - I want to go fast, even if I need to go slow. Training takes time, and there will be days when I need to go faster than others. Tomorrow I will be doing a speed workout. Something I haven't really done before. We'll see how it goes.
Other things I forget - to put the child locks on the cabinet doors, to close the medicine cabinet, and to put the seat down (you know what I'm talking about).
There are definitely other things I won't forget, both good and bad - breaking a toilet seat when I weighed 300 pounds, my first half-marathon, the birth of my son, and my wedding day. There are lots of other little things I remember, like when I was swinging on the weeping willow tree growing up, and the branch broke and I fell - no injuries, but whenever I see a weeping willow tree, I think about it.
I remember when my entire family was together to see my dad before he died. Coincidence, I think not.
I remember graduating from high school, and it was the first year the orchestra was playing instead of the band, and me and my band friends laughed because we couldn't hear the orchestra until we were almost to the seats - our graduation at that time was always outside, unless it rained. I remember bringing the little sound module from a graduation card that played Pomp and Circumstance, just so I had some music to walk to. Sorry, string players.
It's funny the little things you remember - and it's not facts, or numbers. It's the experiences that stick with you. That's part of what slowing down is about, I guess. Taking the time to stop and enjoy what's happening around us.
Yet, still, there are times when training for the race, and improving for the sake of improving, is what we need to do.
Hmmm...
And I forget how to run slow. Last night I did an easy 2 mile run. I was supposed to keep the pace at around 9:45, which for me, is REALLY slow. I didn't mind going slow, as it was the first run back after the half. But it was hard - my GPS kept telling me to slow down.
I guess the same idea could be applied to both situations - I want to go fast, even if I need to go slow. Training takes time, and there will be days when I need to go faster than others. Tomorrow I will be doing a speed workout. Something I haven't really done before. We'll see how it goes.
Other things I forget - to put the child locks on the cabinet doors, to close the medicine cabinet, and to put the seat down (you know what I'm talking about).
There are definitely other things I won't forget, both good and bad - breaking a toilet seat when I weighed 300 pounds, my first half-marathon, the birth of my son, and my wedding day. There are lots of other little things I remember, like when I was swinging on the weeping willow tree growing up, and the branch broke and I fell - no injuries, but whenever I see a weeping willow tree, I think about it.
I remember when my entire family was together to see my dad before he died. Coincidence, I think not.
I remember graduating from high school, and it was the first year the orchestra was playing instead of the band, and me and my band friends laughed because we couldn't hear the orchestra until we were almost to the seats - our graduation at that time was always outside, unless it rained. I remember bringing the little sound module from a graduation card that played Pomp and Circumstance, just so I had some music to walk to. Sorry, string players.
It's funny the little things you remember - and it's not facts, or numbers. It's the experiences that stick with you. That's part of what slowing down is about, I guess. Taking the time to stop and enjoy what's happening around us.
Yet, still, there are times when training for the race, and improving for the sake of improving, is what we need to do.
Hmmm...
Monday, September 20, 2010
Back in training...
Today starts my first day back training. I am taking on the duties myself, with a little help from technology. I am using the Runner's World "SmartCoach" app for iPhone to design my training plan; TrainingPeaks.com to track my mileage, performance, and routes; an iPhone app called RunMeter to record my run data, which sometimes I trade out for a Garmin 205 wrist-GPS. I guess you could say that I have a lot invested!
Over the past week, I have relaxed on the dietary needs a little bit - and I haven't stepped on the scale. Not that I really worry about what it says anymore. It was definitely important at first, and it still is important, but I don't worry about it so much. I do want to drop some pounds so that I can get down to a better racing weight. They say 10 pounds can shave about 20 seconds per mile, which would be great. Admittedly, I have put some stuff into my body that I normally wouldn't. Now I have to be mindful again, and hopefully make it until Christmas, when I can enjoy my sister-in-laws cookies - everyone needs some kind of treat at Christmas time!
My next race is going to be the Pumpkins In the Park 5k race in Rochester. My last 5k time was 23:25, and my best was actually the first 5k I ever did (Race for the Cure in Buffalo 2009) at 21:35. I would like to be closer to that by the end of October!
Got my flu shot yesterday. Where? Target! Saved about $10 over some other places, and I didn't have to wait.
Today is the first day of the 4th Grade beginner lessons for me. It is always interesting to see what the kids do at the first lesson! By the end of the day, everyone will be blowing in the correct end, and hopefully producing a good sound!
Over the past week, I have relaxed on the dietary needs a little bit - and I haven't stepped on the scale. Not that I really worry about what it says anymore. It was definitely important at first, and it still is important, but I don't worry about it so much. I do want to drop some pounds so that I can get down to a better racing weight. They say 10 pounds can shave about 20 seconds per mile, which would be great. Admittedly, I have put some stuff into my body that I normally wouldn't. Now I have to be mindful again, and hopefully make it until Christmas, when I can enjoy my sister-in-laws cookies - everyone needs some kind of treat at Christmas time!
My next race is going to be the Pumpkins In the Park 5k race in Rochester. My last 5k time was 23:25, and my best was actually the first 5k I ever did (Race for the Cure in Buffalo 2009) at 21:35. I would like to be closer to that by the end of October!
Got my flu shot yesterday. Where? Target! Saved about $10 over some other places, and I didn't have to wait.
Today is the first day of the 4th Grade beginner lessons for me. It is always interesting to see what the kids do at the first lesson! By the end of the day, everyone will be blowing in the correct end, and hopefully producing a good sound!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Looking ahead to the Past...
So where did the summer go? With my mind so clogged with thoughts about running the half, I think summer kind of passed me by. I mean, it always goes very quickly - 'tis the nature of the world I suppose. But honestly, I didn't think about school until yesterday. Yeah, I know - we started last Tuesday for the teachers, and Wednesday for kids (around here, anyway). But for me, my brain really kicked into gear yesterday. Probably why you, "faithful" reader (which, by the way, isn't hard to be when I only post like, once every 3 months...)..."SURPRISE!" get to read another entry so soon!
I had someone tell me after reading yesterday's post that I was an inspiration, and the coolest guy in the universe. Okay, maybe not the latter, but they did say I was an inspiration. But here's the thing (and skip this if you've heard me say this before)- that is not why I do this. At least, not when I started out, and I don't think I have strayed from that too much.
When I first started blogging, it was to keep everyone up to date on my life, because for some reason, I thought someone might care. And people do, but I also think I knew that my life was changing, and I wanted, needed, or was somehow charged with the responsibility of chronicling it...(i hope I spelled that right...).
So know you reap the benefits, however valuable they may be. For me, it is simply a way of getting off my chest the things which MEN so often have a hard time expressing to anyone. It's not that we don't want to - TRUST ME, there are times when I would like nothing more than to share what's going on inside my head - but I think many of the more upstanding gentlemen in the world find themselves in a chivalrous role when it comes to feelings - they don't want to burden others with something that should be their own to deal with.
Okay, that's all I got there.
On a Facebook status yesterday, someone wrote (I may not get this verbatim) -
"I believe in morality, which is doing what's right, regardless of what I am told...not in religion, which is doing what I am told, regardless of what is right."
I agree, to a point. And I am not a philosophical mastermind here, but you have to also take into account that the statement says "religion" which by definition is "a collection of practices, based on beliefs and teachings that are highly valued or sacred; Any practice that someone or some group is seriously devoted to."
I worship Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for my sins, and is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. That statement alone guides my actions. I guess you could say that I am a religious person - I go to church every Sunday, at the same church, and I am a member of that church. But the Church, be it the building, the parent organization: the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, or the people within either one of those, does not serve as the north in my moral compass.
So that bears the question - where do we get a moral compass? Is it instilled in us from birth? Do animals in the wild have "morals?" I think that we are taught about morals by the people that serve as our mentors, whether it is parents or family, or pastors, or teachers, or friends.
Again, I am not a philosophical giant...I am sure that there are lots of strong arguments that could tear me apart. But what will always stand is my FAITH, not my religion. My faith is a belief that I should model myself after Jesus Christ. Look at it this way - who is the judge of morality - ourselves? That's got to be some kind of contradiction. I'd like to think that there is someone impartial to judge. Jesus said that he who is last will be first. Even the worst of sinners are accepted into the kingdom of Heaven, if the accept Jesus as their Savior. I think that some "Christians" believe this absolves them of doing what is right, because they can just "confesss" and be forgiven. This is the way of the old church. I do not hold any illusions (or is it allusions...?) as to the fact that I will sin for the rest of my life. But I know that I can be forgiven, and will be, because I accept that Jesus died for my sins. My faith may be different than someone else's and my morals may be different because of it. So - are my morals right, or are yours, or his, or theirs? What if your morals contradict mine?
The same person who posted the FB comment (and don't get me wrong, I respect this person - we just disagree on points of faith-related issues) participated in a lengthy FB discussion on the same subject, and I have to admit that I didn't have a lot to counter with. Perhaps if I was stronger in my faith, I would have. Will I ever be at that point? I don't know honestly, but I do know - God gave us the abilities to do many things, and he has a design for each of us - someone has to be there to challenge us, and if it's not your neighbor, it's a dear friend, or a despised colleague. Look around...who do you see?
OKAY - in other news...
I have decied to run another half marathon in May, provided I don't have a school commitment (which I shouldn't, being that the Buffalo half-marathon should be on a Sunday...).
I'm going to run some other 5k races, and try to knock out some other goals that I mentioned a while back:
1. Win my age group in a 5k (again)
2. Win a 5k (this one seems far out, but it could happen)
3. Drop a little weight (i'm comfortable where I am, but my racing weight should be a little lower)
4. Run a full marathon (this is a new one....we'll see how that goes...)
All right. Tomorrow brings another day, and mayhap, another entry?
I had someone tell me after reading yesterday's post that I was an inspiration, and the coolest guy in the universe. Okay, maybe not the latter, but they did say I was an inspiration. But here's the thing (and skip this if you've heard me say this before)- that is not why I do this. At least, not when I started out, and I don't think I have strayed from that too much.
When I first started blogging, it was to keep everyone up to date on my life, because for some reason, I thought someone might care. And people do, but I also think I knew that my life was changing, and I wanted, needed, or was somehow charged with the responsibility of chronicling it...(i hope I spelled that right...).
So know you reap the benefits, however valuable they may be. For me, it is simply a way of getting off my chest the things which MEN so often have a hard time expressing to anyone. It's not that we don't want to - TRUST ME, there are times when I would like nothing more than to share what's going on inside my head - but I think many of the more upstanding gentlemen in the world find themselves in a chivalrous role when it comes to feelings - they don't want to burden others with something that should be their own to deal with.
Okay, that's all I got there.
On a Facebook status yesterday, someone wrote (I may not get this verbatim) -
"I believe in morality, which is doing what's right, regardless of what I am told...not in religion, which is doing what I am told, regardless of what is right."
I agree, to a point. And I am not a philosophical mastermind here, but you have to also take into account that the statement says "religion" which by definition is "a collection of practices, based on beliefs and teachings that are highly valued or sacred; Any practice that someone or some group is seriously devoted to."
I worship Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for my sins, and is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. That statement alone guides my actions. I guess you could say that I am a religious person - I go to church every Sunday, at the same church, and I am a member of that church. But the Church, be it the building, the parent organization: the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, or the people within either one of those, does not serve as the north in my moral compass.
So that bears the question - where do we get a moral compass? Is it instilled in us from birth? Do animals in the wild have "morals?" I think that we are taught about morals by the people that serve as our mentors, whether it is parents or family, or pastors, or teachers, or friends.
Again, I am not a philosophical giant...I am sure that there are lots of strong arguments that could tear me apart. But what will always stand is my FAITH, not my religion. My faith is a belief that I should model myself after Jesus Christ. Look at it this way - who is the judge of morality - ourselves? That's got to be some kind of contradiction. I'd like to think that there is someone impartial to judge. Jesus said that he who is last will be first. Even the worst of sinners are accepted into the kingdom of Heaven, if the accept Jesus as their Savior. I think that some "Christians" believe this absolves them of doing what is right, because they can just "confesss" and be forgiven. This is the way of the old church. I do not hold any illusions (or is it allusions...?) as to the fact that I will sin for the rest of my life. But I know that I can be forgiven, and will be, because I accept that Jesus died for my sins. My faith may be different than someone else's and my morals may be different because of it. So - are my morals right, or are yours, or his, or theirs? What if your morals contradict mine?
The same person who posted the FB comment (and don't get me wrong, I respect this person - we just disagree on points of faith-related issues) participated in a lengthy FB discussion on the same subject, and I have to admit that I didn't have a lot to counter with. Perhaps if I was stronger in my faith, I would have. Will I ever be at that point? I don't know honestly, but I do know - God gave us the abilities to do many things, and he has a design for each of us - someone has to be there to challenge us, and if it's not your neighbor, it's a dear friend, or a despised colleague. Look around...who do you see?
OKAY - in other news...
I have decied to run another half marathon in May, provided I don't have a school commitment (which I shouldn't, being that the Buffalo half-marathon should be on a Sunday...).
I'm going to run some other 5k races, and try to knock out some other goals that I mentioned a while back:
1. Win my age group in a 5k (again)
2. Win a 5k (this one seems far out, but it could happen)
3. Drop a little weight (i'm comfortable where I am, but my racing weight should be a little lower)
4. Run a full marathon (this is a new one....we'll see how that goes...)
All right. Tomorrow brings another day, and mayhap, another entry?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Running the Half, and other thoughts...
As usual, I promise no revelations, or anything relating to real coherent thought.
Well, I did it. Last September I said I wanted to run a half marathon, and yesterday, September 12th, I did it! I finished 45th in my age group, 208th out of the males, and 387th overall (out of 3,000). My official time was 1:50:39. And I finished before my Albion "peers"!...though I am younger than them by at least a few years, and not all of the Albion-ites who run actually ran the half marathon. I have to say though - the running community is a very supportive, but competitive one. I am glad that I am part of it, and I am glad to have made some new friends (or at least friendly acquaintances) from it! And to think, 3 years ago, I complained when Lisa tried to get me to walk to the end of our road and back (barely a mile round trip...).
Not that I follow football, but I guess it was opening weekend around here. The Bills played (couldn't tell you who they played) and lost (I think. And I also think that is to be expected around here...). I was too busy trying to recover from 13.1 miles.
Now, don't get me wrong, but I have changed from a person who used to sit on the couch, to one who would rather be outside running. Sometimes I wonder who the real athletes are in the world; the people we see on the TV every Sunday, or the ones we see out in our own fields and on our roads every day of the year? Don't get me wrong - I am sure that most pro athletes will defend their training regimen, and their athleticism. But I gotta tell ya - I don't get paid to run, and I don't run to get paid. It's nice to hear "Good luck!" and "Congratulations" when all is said and done, but I can't help but wonder if these pro athletes would continue to play if there was no pay!
In other news - potty training with the boy is getting better - he will sit now, and go in it, but we have to tell him to, and often he sits for quite a while! You may have seen the Facebook video of our little "potty party" - Adam went in the potty 28 times, and we made a little cake and he got a prize (an Imaginext BatCave). And so it goes - hopefully soon we can stop buying pull-ups. My wallet will rejoice!
Some observations I have made lately:
Ever notice how many people everyone say "We" when talking about their favorite professional sports team? As in "We" kicked the Giants behind this week. As if they has something to do with the success of the team, other than buying the team-logoed paraphernalia. Interesting.
Ever notice how some people walk into Subway (which is supposed to be "healthy"), order 3 footlongs, 10 chocolate chip cookies, 3 large sodas (not diet; not that diet is any better), and then order a low-calorie, low-fat yogurt? Don't get me wrong - I ate pizza and wings last night (remember - I burned about 2000 calories yesterday). But the folks I'm talking about weren't the type that looked like this was a special occasion. Interesting.
Here's a positive one - ever notice how when someone is down, 9 times out of ten people come out of the woodwork to try and help. I have seen a lot of that lately, both with my own program and trying to find instruments for students, and with a former student who has become seriously ill. Definitely a good thing (the fact that people come out in droves to help and support).
Teachers - ever notice how your credit card bill gets higher in August and September?
Here's one that is more of a question - why do people not follow the arrows in parking lots? I understand that it's not a city street, but when I follow the arrows, it sure get awfully frustrating when I have to squeeze by in the Wal-Mart parking lot because someone else doesn't. And shopping carts - I love how people walk to the cart return...and leave it outside it! Or when someone uses two parking spaces, or parks so close I have to climb out the back door. I am sure this is nothing new, but I'm just saying'...
Anyway - I guess that's it. Keep movin'!
Well, I did it. Last September I said I wanted to run a half marathon, and yesterday, September 12th, I did it! I finished 45th in my age group, 208th out of the males, and 387th overall (out of 3,000). My official time was 1:50:39. And I finished before my Albion "peers"!...though I am younger than them by at least a few years, and not all of the Albion-ites who run actually ran the half marathon. I have to say though - the running community is a very supportive, but competitive one. I am glad that I am part of it, and I am glad to have made some new friends (or at least friendly acquaintances) from it! And to think, 3 years ago, I complained when Lisa tried to get me to walk to the end of our road and back (barely a mile round trip...).
Not that I follow football, but I guess it was opening weekend around here. The Bills played (couldn't tell you who they played) and lost (I think. And I also think that is to be expected around here...). I was too busy trying to recover from 13.1 miles.
Now, don't get me wrong, but I have changed from a person who used to sit on the couch, to one who would rather be outside running. Sometimes I wonder who the real athletes are in the world; the people we see on the TV every Sunday, or the ones we see out in our own fields and on our roads every day of the year? Don't get me wrong - I am sure that most pro athletes will defend their training regimen, and their athleticism. But I gotta tell ya - I don't get paid to run, and I don't run to get paid. It's nice to hear "Good luck!" and "Congratulations" when all is said and done, but I can't help but wonder if these pro athletes would continue to play if there was no pay!
In other news - potty training with the boy is getting better - he will sit now, and go in it, but we have to tell him to, and often he sits for quite a while! You may have seen the Facebook video of our little "potty party" - Adam went in the potty 28 times, and we made a little cake and he got a prize (an Imaginext BatCave). And so it goes - hopefully soon we can stop buying pull-ups. My wallet will rejoice!
Some observations I have made lately:
Ever notice how many people everyone say "We" when talking about their favorite professional sports team? As in "We" kicked the Giants behind this week. As if they has something to do with the success of the team, other than buying the team-logoed paraphernalia. Interesting.
Ever notice how some people walk into Subway (which is supposed to be "healthy"), order 3 footlongs, 10 chocolate chip cookies, 3 large sodas (not diet; not that diet is any better), and then order a low-calorie, low-fat yogurt? Don't get me wrong - I ate pizza and wings last night (remember - I burned about 2000 calories yesterday). But the folks I'm talking about weren't the type that looked like this was a special occasion. Interesting.
Here's a positive one - ever notice how when someone is down, 9 times out of ten people come out of the woodwork to try and help. I have seen a lot of that lately, both with my own program and trying to find instruments for students, and with a former student who has become seriously ill. Definitely a good thing (the fact that people come out in droves to help and support).
Teachers - ever notice how your credit card bill gets higher in August and September?
Here's one that is more of a question - why do people not follow the arrows in parking lots? I understand that it's not a city street, but when I follow the arrows, it sure get awfully frustrating when I have to squeeze by in the Wal-Mart parking lot because someone else doesn't. And shopping carts - I love how people walk to the cart return...and leave it outside it! Or when someone uses two parking spaces, or parks so close I have to climb out the back door. I am sure this is nothing new, but I'm just saying'...
Anyway - I guess that's it. Keep movin'!
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