Teaching

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.

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!