Weekending
It's been a strange weekend. Friday, when we got home from work, I was in a strangely alert mood, maybe having to do with the venti caramel macchiato I'd had earlier in the day (free because I had an apology ticket). It was also pretending to be warm out, so we grabbed the frisbee and went out in the yard for a while. Midway through, however, Glen noticed that we needed to do some pooper scoopering, since our next door neighbor's dog seemed to like to use our lawn as a restroom. This led to a piece of tree bark filled with multiple piles of dog shit, which we threw into the woods behind our house. Lovely. However, while outside, I realized (again) how great it is to have a house (even with a poopy yard), and I also became aware of the fact that it seems our neighbors on both sides have larger lots than we do. I also learned that Glen needs to improve his throwing skills, and I need to improve my catching. After the frisbee game, we decided to do our grocery shopping and check out LL Bean, instead of waiting until Saturday for our usual bout of grocery acquisition. We struck out at LL Bean, and got to Whole Foods too late for sushi. Came home and had late dinner and went to bed.
Saturday, I was teaching at the dojo 8:30-2. Got a late start, and by the time I arrived, two families were already there. Usually, I only get two or three kids in my five year old class; yesterday I had six! The class went reasonably well, as did the remainder of the classes: three 6-8 year olds, eleven 8-12 year olds, and eighteen teens/adults. I'm starting not to be anxious about teaching, too, which is really good. Previously, I'd dread it, worry about it, plough through it, and be hugely relieved when I was done. Now, I just sort of go and do it, and the kids aren't generally a problem, and everything is pretty decent. I think the kids have (finally) decided I'm there to stay, so hence, not a substitute, and I, too, have realized I'm not a sub, so everything goes a whole lot smoother. And, it's also late enough in the year that the kids are growing up a smidge and used to the classes. I think it's hard in the fall when the five year olds are really still four year olds, mentally, which, I know is not a huge difference in years, but is gigantic in terms of maturity percentage! Sometimes, too, I start to see how Allan can really love every single one of them. (Previously, I have just wanted to crash their little heads together.) Ran and got pizza in between the regular classes and the last (finally) black belt preparatory workout that we were hosting for the 10-15 year old junior black belt candidates. That went alright, too, although it was exhausting and my throat hurt from projecting for the additional hour and a half. We had about 35 kids, split between four of us instructors. Came home, showered, and passed out for a nap. Unfortunately, when I woke up, I felt not-so-great, and my stomach was upset for the rest of the evening. Even the awesome brownies I made didn't settle it.
Today, I got up early for me for a weekend - 8 AM - and we had breakfast (fig bread Glen had gotten from Sel de la Terre) and headed out to REI and Market Basket for assorted goodies. We got to REI half an hour before they opened, and spent some time watching a woman with her full grown, but obviously young golden retriever in the car next to us. The dog was a riot. We want a puppy so much!! Did our erranding and came home to make dinner (lamb stew in the slow cooker) and have lunch (basically a repeat of breakfast, but with brownies for dessert). Watched a Tivo-ed Star Trek, and I took another nap, and now here we are.
Saturday, I was teaching at the dojo 8:30-2. Got a late start, and by the time I arrived, two families were already there. Usually, I only get two or three kids in my five year old class; yesterday I had six! The class went reasonably well, as did the remainder of the classes: three 6-8 year olds, eleven 8-12 year olds, and eighteen teens/adults. I'm starting not to be anxious about teaching, too, which is really good. Previously, I'd dread it, worry about it, plough through it, and be hugely relieved when I was done. Now, I just sort of go and do it, and the kids aren't generally a problem, and everything is pretty decent. I think the kids have (finally) decided I'm there to stay, so hence, not a substitute, and I, too, have realized I'm not a sub, so everything goes a whole lot smoother. And, it's also late enough in the year that the kids are growing up a smidge and used to the classes. I think it's hard in the fall when the five year olds are really still four year olds, mentally, which, I know is not a huge difference in years, but is gigantic in terms of maturity percentage! Sometimes, too, I start to see how Allan can really love every single one of them. (Previously, I have just wanted to crash their little heads together.) Ran and got pizza in between the regular classes and the last (finally) black belt preparatory workout that we were hosting for the 10-15 year old junior black belt candidates. That went alright, too, although it was exhausting and my throat hurt from projecting for the additional hour and a half. We had about 35 kids, split between four of us instructors. Came home, showered, and passed out for a nap. Unfortunately, when I woke up, I felt not-so-great, and my stomach was upset for the rest of the evening. Even the awesome brownies I made didn't settle it.
Today, I got up early for me for a weekend - 8 AM - and we had breakfast (fig bread Glen had gotten from Sel de la Terre) and headed out to REI and Market Basket for assorted goodies. We got to REI half an hour before they opened, and spent some time watching a woman with her full grown, but obviously young golden retriever in the car next to us. The dog was a riot. We want a puppy so much!! Did our erranding and came home to make dinner (lamb stew in the slow cooker) and have lunch (basically a repeat of breakfast, but with brownies for dessert). Watched a Tivo-ed Star Trek, and I took another nap, and now here we are.