I can't believe that the semester is almost over. Well, technically the classes are. Finals will be over this Friday. The semester is kind of a blur because so much was going on.
Basically life was broken down into school, health and home stuff.
Classes went as usual though I have to say that the majority of my students were very good this semester. I mean, I usually get a bunch of good classes but they seem to come in clusters with at least one more obviously lagging behind the others despite me giving them the same material. This semester, however, all of the classes were pretty decent. They were all very supportive of each other and there wasn't a sens of distance in any of them. There was one that was particularly close to each other and the atmosphere was always lively. And there was one that was pretty subdued but I think that was the hour because they had moments. lol So, I am pleased with them and the finals I've read are looking pretty good overall.
I got sick THREE times this semester. All three hit me over weekends so I don't know exactly what each one was but it doesn't matter. Hell, I was stuck in a damn box all semester. The rooms I was in for most of my classes had no windows and I question the ventilation. So, germs of all kind were rampant.
The first one I got hit with was a very nasty cold right after my last entry. It felt like I had razor blades in my throat. It started out feeling like the one I had in the spring but it was much worse. I lost my voice and even had to cancel classes. That one took about two weeks to get rid of (probably because I only canceled a day). The second one was a relapse about two weeks after getting better. It wasn't as bad. That one was partially Michael getting it and my students having it. The third was the beginning of November. That one was one of the flus. Which one? Dunno cause, again, it was the weekend and I didn't get checked out. Probably the swine since I had a fever but I really don't care. You treat them the same way. Niquil was my friend. lol
Actually that last one was partially brought on by me leaving the Hallmark job. Couldn't do it anymore. It was just too much stress for so little gain. We just weren't being given enough hours to produce results that they expected and that I could live with. I felt much more relaxed after leaving which signaled my body that I was in "break" mode (like at the end of a semester). You know, where your body goes, "Oh, good, I have time to get rid of all of the gunk at once." lol The good thing was that hit around the time the students were doing library research so I didn't have to cancel class. I think that was about the time I started becoming a Facebook game addict. lol
Home stuff wasn't anything hectic. I include friends with that. Had to help a friend through a major meltdown around Halloween that took up a lot of my free time for about two weeks. That was probably also why I got sick again because once the stress and worry of that relaxed, I'd almost burned out. But I've been so slack on things (mainly communication) that I wasn't going to flake when I was really needed. And that's just the point, all, you need me, you let me know. Otherwise, I will assume all is well and life is flowing quickly along for you as it is for me.
Anyway, Michael and I thought of giving Chug back to the adoption group because we are hardly home and when we are we're so worn out. The computer games are just a way for me to zone. We thought that we weren't being fair to him but they have convinced us otherwise. I mean, he gets to be with us when we are home. And he doesn't even require us for playing outside because he just loves to run with his ball on his own. lol We throw it but he just takes off afterward and runs like a mad wuppy (our nickname for him).
We broke down and did a credit max at Value Furniture for a new bed to help Michael's back. The one I bought back in '03 is a firm one and even though we had a 2 inch memory foam topper on it, he was starting to have problems. So, we found a good deal on a king (cause if we were gonna do a bed we might as well get the bigger one we wanted since we both sprawl) with a 4 inch topper. Michael took the topper we had, folded, and cut it for his half of the bed so that he actually has 8 inches of padding. lol Well, it worked and he is more than happy that we did it. And since he hates credit, that says a lot. Me? I was ok either way. I sleep equally "well" on most beds. We got it right before Thanksgiving.
Oh, and Michael got me the vacuum cleaner I wanted. Yay!! I know, I'm such a dork to be excited over a vacuum but we needed one, especially with the dog. They say that greyhounds don't shed much but. . .they may have been on crack when they said that. lol Seriously though, a Swiffer is just not good enough. So now I have a new Hoover Platinum (thank you Best Buy card). Michael wanted us to have a bagged vacuum and I also wanted it because it comes with a handheld for quick cleaning. Well, let me tell you, they are both very powerful. Considering how many cheap vacuums I've gone through, I should have just done this years ago. Ah, well, now I have a good solid one. Yay!!
We had a good Thanksgiving. Went to lunch with the in-laws to one of the local restaurants. That was a nice time. We're supposed to go to his brother's house for Christmas. Looking forward to that. For the evening we went to his "second" family's. That was fun too. Nice to have family time.
Well, that pretty much wraps up the past few months.
There are days I really love my job (more than usual). Been talking on and off to students as I write this and this would be one of those days. I like it when I can chat with them one on one about various things and just have moments. I don't worry about the reviews anymore. That passed away a long time ago because, for the most part, they are consistently good. I worry more about whether or not they have learned something from class. Something that they can take with them into the future and use. And they will. This class is helpful even if it is not in an obvious way. They may never have to give a public speech again but in other ways, because of the communication and information they have been subjected to, they will perform in some way. That makes me happy.
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