I know it's been a little while. 20 comments on my last Xanga entry, and I guess I decided I just didn't need to post for awhile. I've just been busy! This won't be in depth, or anything, but just to record the last couple of weeks of my insanity.

WORK
1. Dell TechKnow is over. Our students graduated and have their computers! Yay! I'm sure I'll be helping troubleshoot until the end of the school year. In some ways, I'm a little sad the program is being discarded next year. It's really a good program.
2. I've been teaching The Giver by Lois Lowry. This unit sucks me dry, but I love it! We have the most wonderful conversations & I've set up a discussion board in my classroom to address some of the kids' questions in writing. It's really neat to see their conversations. Tomorrow, we start creating artistic representations of a memory and then next week we start digital stories.
3. New computers have been installed. Our classroom projectors are going to be installed on Wednesday! I love new toys!
4. I have a lot of failures. Bummer. A sign that it is certainly May.
5. I now have an admitted crush on our campus tech. I'm pretty positive he's taken. It's weird.
6. I had the opportunity to sit in on interviews for our new Campus Teacher Technologist. It was an enlightening experience, so far as interviewing goes. I kind of want to interview for a job just to put into practice my new findings.
7. ONLY 18 DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!

MARATHON TRAINING
1. I worked out 6 days last week. I'm so impressed with myself!
2. My body's immune system seems a little weakened. I'm having problems with my left eye again (itching, redness, eyelid swelling, can't wear my contacts), and I'm not sure how to approach this with my doctor. It's getting pretty constant and bothersome. My throat hurts today, and I've been battling fatigue and nausea-- I think my hormone levels are out of balance. All of these things are wearing down on my ability to run.
3. I ran 3 miles Saturday morning and amazed myself. I didn't run them solidly, but the first 2 I did. I know that's a little backward, but at least I'm getting stronger.
4. Trying to start swim lessons by the end of this week, in hopes that I get my Dell TechKnow check sometime this week.

WRITING PROJECT
1. We have a picnic on Saturday and I have no idea what to do for my memory basket. I have an assignment!
2. I wish it was June.

FAMILY
1. My brother graduated from Texas A&M on Saturday, and I am so proud! He didn't get the job he wanted with the Houston Texans, but he's looking to stay there. I wish I didn't live 5 hours away from him!
2. My youngest brother graduates from high school on June 5. Too weird!
3. I made my mom a delicious breakfast for mother's day, since I was home. I'd much rather do something nice for my mom than get her something nice. She has always done wonderful things for me, so I think that's the more important favor to return.

In other news, still no men on the horizon and I'm getting antsy now that summer is approaching. I need to go out on a stinkin' date, just to go out!

Something more interesting/insightful later. I'm going to finish Atonement (I highly recommend the book-- it's WAY better than I thought it would be), and hit the hay. Sweet dreams until I can sit here again...

I don't know exactly what I weigh, but whatever it is-- I want to be 26 lbs lighter in 6 months. 

A lot of days, I wish I could just wake up and be a size 2.  I wish I had just been so lucky as to be size 2 without all the work I constantly have to put forth to not be a size 10.  I wish my BMI didn't show me to be overweight, and I wish my stomach was flatter and my thighs tighter.  I wish I could shrink myself.  I wish I didn't have to be hungry-- I wish I could eat whatever I want. 

But all that wishing won't do much.  Starting Sunday, my exercise regimen is going to be a lot stricter, my eating more limited, my carbs, protein, and fat intake monitored.  I'm training for a marathon and I am going to kick its ass.

A lot of work, but I hope so very worth it. 

I have been busy, and my schedule shows no signs of relenting. Saturday nights are becoming my only opportunity to get out, socialize, and have a few drinks since I am starting intense marathon training. Yes, that's right, you read it correctly; I am going to run a marathon in November. I'm joining Team in Training to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and reaching my personal goal of running a marathon in the process. Why wait? I'm very excited, and if you are interested in donating, I will soon post my website. I need to raise $2900 to run the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Antonio. I am going to run in the evenings, except on Saturday mornings when we have team runs, and Laura is teaching me to swim with correct form for my cross-training. Amanda and I intend to get up every morning at 5:30, go to the Natatorium, and then get to work by 8 AM. Glad to have a partner!

Secondly, my orientation for the National Writing Project (North Star of Texas) begins on April 26. Arts and Jazz Fest is also that weekend. As well as my Team in Training orientation. Bizz-nass.

As far as my classes are going, we are finishing our poetry unit Friday. I'm glad, I'm kind of sick of poetry right now and I'm ready to move on. The next unit (THE LAST UNIT OF THE YEAR!) will be on memories while we read The Giver. I have improved upon last year's writing project with this novel, and I'm jittery with anticipation. I can't wait to get started. Digital storytelling: Part II. Hopefully a successful venture.

In other news, it's likely I will never get laid again. Last night, many, many of my favorite ladies and I went out to the newest pool hall to drink and were excited to discover a band playing (and no cover!). Two of the guys were members in a band a mutual friend played in a few years ago. We flirted, danced, did the whole eye-sex bit with them and Laura & I had our respective boys picked out. Well, here comes last call and the end of music, and I am dizzied up with some Michael Jackson-inspired funk and many a Blue Moon under my belt. I go to hit on the bassist, invite him over to the girls' house, and geez... I am dumb. He was headed to "the other side of town," which more than likely means his girlfriend (?). Don't know. More shots, I extend the invitation again with little luck, but Laura manages to convince the guitarist to come over. She shoots-- she scores! I'm just not charismatic, I suppose, and less so after 5 hours of solid drinking and smoking an entire pack of menthols. I can't win. And then I wonder why I'm putting the va-jay-jay ring in again; I probably won't need it again this month.

John has left a hole, a void, I really want to fill. It's just been impossible to do. At least I have plenty to keep my brain occupied and the drinks far from my hand.