Turning 24 At School

Despite feeling like a circus conductor trying to train 42 different monkeys that understand different languages and commands, life at school is going really well. I am having fun. I feel much more confident and enthusiastic than last year... it is amazing what one year can do! Second year is truly much easier. I have two sets of 5th graders with 20 and 21 in each class. They came to be really behind which is making me work really hard right away with a huge sense of urgency to get them to pass and at the level of their peers. It is nice having a stable classroom where I am not pulled to do this thing and that. Stability has led to a huge increase in overall happiness. Each day has seemed like five in one and after school tutorials start in a week!

Other than school I have been really busy teaching a few private lessons after school and working out, the Portland marathon is now in a month, yikes! I am excited despite some shin issues. Being busy outside of school by exercising has given me something to do and not feel as lonely. I cannot wait for the day when I have a lot of friends and family around me.... my life is in quiet solitude right now which is apparent today on my Birthday with no real plans of anything other than going for a run when it cools off. It makes me sad, but whatever, I chose to be here and put myself in my situation.

The kids have helped me celebrate my Birthday, they began the day singing to me. One girl gave me a bottle of cologne, haha. So sweet. Another boy gave me a snow globe that had to have come from his house with one dolphin in it that is in its position, but the other dolphin has broken off and lays dead on the bottom of the globe!!! I have also gotten an old stuffed animal and Hershey kisses, the thought is what counts in the lives of these kids. My homeroom class from last year brought be a cake and sang to me at lunch. The kids have made my day.

Gotta go grade some tests to see if I really taught them anything this week!

Robert