From the Past: 4 November 2014 Giving Thanks
In fall 2014 I began adjuncting after teaching high school for 17 years. I desperately needed a break. This series will examine my ramblings while I had my students write for a particular amount of time during the first year I taught composition. These will be curated.
* * * * *
J- [a student]
encouraging students
students willing to share their lives with me
Christian music: Mercy Me
garage sales when it is not hot
sarcasm
good writing
P- [colleague at second college] taking the time to take me to lunch and to explain his book
good mental health days
laughter
M- [online friendship that developed from playing a farming app]
LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE!
relaxed church atmosphere
honesty of [second college] students
my hardworking [third college] students
my smart [third college] girls*
such an interesting conversation with H- [second college student] last week about “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”
everyone focused on writing
how God is changing me this semester
process essays because they will be fun
a house
ability to work for 1/3 the pay I was making
ability to work at 3 schools that meet my different needs (though it is difficult)
winter in Florida
Z- and R- [friends from church who lived near me]
I actually exercised this am
Mom and mom-in-law helping me earn money by watching dogs / donating items for garage sale
I am so glad that I am NOT teaching high school
Good music to listen to (and the fact that it’s Christian is a plus)
songs by Journey and Sprinkles [student’s nickname at second college] for sharing them
people who SEE me (J-, M-, Comp 2 students)
No Shave November for GIRLS! YAY!
ability to walk, move, take the bus for free
supportive husband because being crazy is hard on BOTH of us
despite being nuts, the fact that God was gracious in keeping me away from drugs and alcohol and sex because those are roads I could have easily gone down
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
new ideas for research projects
mani / pedis (even though I can no longer afford them)
the ability to paint my own nails
the fact that my mom doesn’t like drama
The funny kids who were trying to decide to take the elevator or the stairs, and I yelled, “The elevator; it’s going down now!” Then all 3 were standing in strange poses in front of the elevator, waiting for me, when I got downstairs. I had been trying to tell the elevator to hurry up so I could do something to them. I love [second college] .
process essays. Did I say this already?
pizza and Coke (the drink, not the drug)
I got to eat in Tuscana!!!!!!!!
my cats…I love them and miss them. I got so used to being around them during the day.
a willingness to embarrass myself because if no one else will, I will.
I actually enjoy reading 750s
my mom getting over the hurts of her childhood even though I disagree
air conditioning in winter in Florida
That I came up with 50 items! HA!
*During the 2014-2015 school year, my third college students were 4 girls (in the fall) and 4 girls and 1 boy (in the spring) who were dually enrolled in my course. I went to their charter high school to teach.