Being a teacher is not a thankless job. You do have your moments with students. That "light bulb goes on" so to speak. That's when it's worth it. Other times the whole process can seem like a grind. The lessons, the same questions, the same answers, etc. You go into class thinking "OMG do I really have to do this?" That's when you have a good day. Of course, it often depends on the topic.
I understand that I'm better at teaching certain topics over others. I enjoy them. That makes teaching them not seem tedious, but downright exhilarating. I look around the room and I see the eyes and the nodding of heads. "Yes! They get it!"
Do teachers get paid enough? The short answer in my opinion is yes. They get some of the best benefits in any profession. They get three months off. They get every holiday imaginable off. Plus they often get snow days and a pile of paid sick days. Come now. With all that their unions have room to complain? I just don't see it.
Granted it's not easy. I'll be the first to say that, but so is a high-rise welder, a police officer, and a tax adviser. We all have our lots in life. Teaching is a special one. I'll thank them each chance I get. Actually we should be more thankful for other professions as well.
Just my thoughts.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
And that's 27 pounds!
The more I accomplish in this area the more the people around me (especially those who could use to lose a few pounds), try to diminish what I've done. Not that I'm all into patting myself on the back, but it's been tough. 8 miles on my bike every day and a walk of anywhere from one to four miles is a big commitment. Add in the limitation to 1500 calories and you have my life now.
The odd thing in all this is my wife. She hasn't said a WORD. Nothing at all. I just tell her I'm going on my bike ride every evening at 8:00 and she looks up from her book to say, "Ok." Then she proceeds to read her book again. I'm not against reading but anything can be overdone. If she put HALF the amount of effort into writing her book vs. reading, she'd have about 20 novels written by now -- no doubt.
Even my kids have said very little. I get that though. They don't understand how tough it is to lose weight at my age and energy level. They just burn it off without thinking. Both could lose about 5-10 pounds, but nothing major. I'd not consider either of them obese. Kids and their view of the world, go figure.
That's all for now. Wish me continued luck!
The odd thing in all this is my wife. She hasn't said a WORD. Nothing at all. I just tell her I'm going on my bike ride every evening at 8:00 and she looks up from her book to say, "Ok." Then she proceeds to read her book again. I'm not against reading but anything can be overdone. If she put HALF the amount of effort into writing her book vs. reading, she'd have about 20 novels written by now -- no doubt.
Even my kids have said very little. I get that though. They don't understand how tough it is to lose weight at my age and energy level. They just burn it off without thinking. Both could lose about 5-10 pounds, but nothing major. I'd not consider either of them obese. Kids and their view of the world, go figure.
That's all for now. Wish me continued luck!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Weight Loss
Well I have to tell someone! Since only one person has even noticed I've lost 23 pounds. Geesh! I bike 8 miles a day and live on 1500 calories. I'm trying for 40 pounds which would make me a svelte 193. That sounds good.
I know it isn't easy. I'm doing it. I wish more could. The food pushed in your face every day is tiring to resist. Go out to dinner -- entrees are huge, you feel obligated to eat, you eat, you feel insanely guilty. I think it's just other people's way of having some kind of revenge on you who are on a (so far) successful change in your life style diet. I have gone. I have resisted. It can be done. Hang in there.
When you lose 15 pounds, 20 pounds, 25 pounds -- you feel it. You're lighter. You have more energy. Most of all you must keep focus and do it -- not for anyone else -- do it for yourself.
I know it isn't easy. I'm doing it. I wish more could. The food pushed in your face every day is tiring to resist. Go out to dinner -- entrees are huge, you feel obligated to eat, you eat, you feel insanely guilty. I think it's just other people's way of having some kind of revenge on you who are on a (so far) successful change in your life style diet. I have gone. I have resisted. It can be done. Hang in there.
When you lose 15 pounds, 20 pounds, 25 pounds -- you feel it. You're lighter. You have more energy. Most of all you must keep focus and do it -- not for anyone else -- do it for yourself.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
College Bound
In the ever changing college world there is one constant. Our sons and daughters graduate from high school and become freshman. Sure, this year might not be your year, but it will come. Trust me I know. This year is my year for my oldest.
This is a trying time for parents. Anxiety runs high. We're not only giving up something we have loved and nurtured for 18 years, we are also concerned about how to pay for it all. If you were smart, you planned. You have at least a little nest egg to pay for the first year. After that, it is downright scary the costs involved.
Let's take my daughter's circumstance. We looked (wow did we look!) at many different colleges and universities. The sticker shock is still with me. Most tabulate to about $25,000 to $30,000 per year. I remember 20 years ago that mine cost about $5,000. How did we march from that to five to six times as much in a 20 year frame? Amazing.
I am a proud father. My daughter is an extraordinary child. She's bright. Has a great sense of humor (yes, that would be from me!). Plus, she works hard and attempts things I wouldn't have even dreamed at her age. I know of only one 12 year old that has directed a bunch of adults at our church. Why did she do that? The choir director asked her -- a 12 year old -- to fill in for him. She did it seamlessly, and more impressively the adults respected her. Now that, is extraordinary.
Now back to my daughter. She researched (see my article on value) and came to her own conclusion. She would attend a local community college for her first year. She qualified for their honors program and further pushed her total scholarship to $24,000. She is tenacious when she knows what she wants. She wanted this. Further, she called Western Kentucky University and went through each class that would transfer -- credit by credit with one of their counselors. Her first year will be free and with the extra smaller scholarships she gained (by sheer work ethic and applying to dozens of them) she'll be able to take more classes this summer.
No doubt that college can be daunting. I am lucky. I have a child that does most of the work herself. She asks our advice and she weighs it. She makes her decision and goes for it. No looking back. She made an informed choice. I think she'll have few regrets in that regard.
As far as the emotional part of letting go, that is our burden to bear. I want her to succeed in all that she does or reaches for. Now, I must take the role of spectator. It won't be easy. I still find myself desiring to have my little girl cuddle up on the couch to watch TV with Dad.
This is a trying time for parents. Anxiety runs high. We're not only giving up something we have loved and nurtured for 18 years, we are also concerned about how to pay for it all. If you were smart, you planned. You have at least a little nest egg to pay for the first year. After that, it is downright scary the costs involved.
Let's take my daughter's circumstance. We looked (wow did we look!) at many different colleges and universities. The sticker shock is still with me. Most tabulate to about $25,000 to $30,000 per year. I remember 20 years ago that mine cost about $5,000. How did we march from that to five to six times as much in a 20 year frame? Amazing.
I am a proud father. My daughter is an extraordinary child. She's bright. Has a great sense of humor (yes, that would be from me!). Plus, she works hard and attempts things I wouldn't have even dreamed at her age. I know of only one 12 year old that has directed a bunch of adults at our church. Why did she do that? The choir director asked her -- a 12 year old -- to fill in for him. She did it seamlessly, and more impressively the adults respected her. Now that, is extraordinary.
Now back to my daughter. She researched (see my article on value) and came to her own conclusion. She would attend a local community college for her first year. She qualified for their honors program and further pushed her total scholarship to $24,000. She is tenacious when she knows what she wants. She wanted this. Further, she called Western Kentucky University and went through each class that would transfer -- credit by credit with one of their counselors. Her first year will be free and with the extra smaller scholarships she gained (by sheer work ethic and applying to dozens of them) she'll be able to take more classes this summer.
No doubt that college can be daunting. I am lucky. I have a child that does most of the work herself. She asks our advice and she weighs it. She makes her decision and goes for it. No looking back. She made an informed choice. I think she'll have few regrets in that regard.
As far as the emotional part of letting go, that is our burden to bear. I want her to succeed in all that she does or reaches for. Now, I must take the role of spectator. It won't be easy. I still find myself desiring to have my little girl cuddle up on the couch to watch TV with Dad.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Art of the Deal
My mother has often told me the "Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease". I suppose that's a simplification of a rather difficult proposition at times. When buying anything -- cars, advertising, haircuts, toasters, etc. -- there is more than a decent chance of asking the business owner for a discount. Of course, the bigger the ticket item the more you want to push.
The U.S. is a bit of an odd duck in this area. Believe it or not, most countries expect you to dicker. I've learned that people from India are particularly price sensitive on the purchase of things. Those types typically just "want the job done" at the cheapest price. Unfortunately, that costs them money in many aspects. Quality many times just gets discarded. The true measure of a product IMO is value. Sure. I can buy a Chevy Cobalt, but is it going to last or will it cost me in repairs?
Value is then the driving force behind a deal. The bigger the ticket item, the more research you should put in up front. Consumer Reports is a frequent haunt when my wife and I buy. It gives great comparisons and average prices. So, when we do narrow it to the two to four models we would like, it is then we go price hunting. I think we've successfully driven this home to our daughter. She just bought her first car about a year ago and she researched and researched. She listed out the options she wanted and finally settled on about four models. When we went car shopping, we felt we had an edge in knowing the value of the cars. We didn't buy the cheapest one, we bought with value in mind. We weighed the options first, and made an informed choice.
On an every day routine purchase, get to know the discounts involved. Take pizza for instance. I always ask about the specials. I could have for instance yesterday, just went ahead and ordered a large one topping pizza for $12.49. When I asked about any specials, they had one: A large up to four toppings pizza for $11.11. I also purchase my haircuts in advance with a gift card. Why? $9.99 vs. $13.00 regular price. Once you are in a stable financial situation, pre-paying can be very powerful and save fist fulls of cash. You just need to pay attention or ask.
I recently pointed out that one advertiser's rates were nearly double their competitors. If I'm buying quality, I weight that, but rarely would a price be double even factoring that in. I could literally buy two lesser products that might last only three-quarters as long, but I'd easily be money ahead. Quality is important and goes a long way toward value pricing, but there is always a break even point. That point is the tipping point of value.
So, go out there and don't blindly buy. Think about it. Ask for discounts and most important -- pay attention. That large jar of spaghetti sauce that isn't on sale may not be the bargain. The smaller jar which is on sale is. The price per ounce or pound is the better measuring stick. The art of the deal is all well and good. But the one who prepares, pays attention, and asks for discounts is the one walking away with the best valued product.
The U.S. is a bit of an odd duck in this area. Believe it or not, most countries expect you to dicker. I've learned that people from India are particularly price sensitive on the purchase of things. Those types typically just "want the job done" at the cheapest price. Unfortunately, that costs them money in many aspects. Quality many times just gets discarded. The true measure of a product IMO is value. Sure. I can buy a Chevy Cobalt, but is it going to last or will it cost me in repairs?
Value is then the driving force behind a deal. The bigger the ticket item, the more research you should put in up front. Consumer Reports is a frequent haunt when my wife and I buy. It gives great comparisons and average prices. So, when we do narrow it to the two to four models we would like, it is then we go price hunting. I think we've successfully driven this home to our daughter. She just bought her first car about a year ago and she researched and researched. She listed out the options she wanted and finally settled on about four models. When we went car shopping, we felt we had an edge in knowing the value of the cars. We didn't buy the cheapest one, we bought with value in mind. We weighed the options first, and made an informed choice.
On an every day routine purchase, get to know the discounts involved. Take pizza for instance. I always ask about the specials. I could have for instance yesterday, just went ahead and ordered a large one topping pizza for $12.49. When I asked about any specials, they had one: A large up to four toppings pizza for $11.11. I also purchase my haircuts in advance with a gift card. Why? $9.99 vs. $13.00 regular price. Once you are in a stable financial situation, pre-paying can be very powerful and save fist fulls of cash. You just need to pay attention or ask.
I recently pointed out that one advertiser's rates were nearly double their competitors. If I'm buying quality, I weight that, but rarely would a price be double even factoring that in. I could literally buy two lesser products that might last only three-quarters as long, but I'd easily be money ahead. Quality is important and goes a long way toward value pricing, but there is always a break even point. That point is the tipping point of value.
So, go out there and don't blindly buy. Think about it. Ask for discounts and most important -- pay attention. That large jar of spaghetti sauce that isn't on sale may not be the bargain. The smaller jar which is on sale is. The price per ounce or pound is the better measuring stick. The art of the deal is all well and good. But the one who prepares, pays attention, and asks for discounts is the one walking away with the best valued product.
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