What's Up September

Happy Wednesday Thursday Y'all!

Today, I'm joining Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. Only yesterday was a long, full day with work followed by an MRI appointment that took a few hours, followed by dinner with a friend, and then sitting in traffic for a while before finally making it home :)

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. 

The questions are...

 

What am I eating?

I’ve gotten back into the habit of meal prepping on the weekend. I make enough food to last me for lunches and dinners during the week. Because let’s face it... 9 times out of 10, I have zero desire to cook by the time I get home from work. Plus I’m saving money by not ordering lunch every day. So it’s a win win.

   

What am I reminiscing about?

All sorts of fun memories in our classroom over the years... I love that our kids know that while they're definitely going to be learning in our room, they're also going to be able to be silly and laugh. I love that we have fun in here. I love that we encourage our people to be themselves and to make school a fun place.

 What am I loving?

I'm loving that, even in the midst of the seemingly never-ending COVID pandemic, we are able to have in-person learning happening at our school. I'm loving that I'm not having to teach virtually. I'm loving that I'm not having to deal with Zoom calls and a zillion Google Hangouts video chats every day. I'm loving that I'm not having to video myself teaching my lessons. I'm loving that I'm not having to print ridiculously lengthy take-home packets for my students. I'm loving that, even though it might happen one day (although, let's all hope/pray it doesn't)... I'm loving that for the time being, we are 100% in-person at school. And that is a wonderful feeling!

What have I been up to?

I've been spending more time in the evenings, reading "for fun." It's a great way to relax my brain. My goal has been to ignore screens/internet as much as possible in the evenings (other than required for grad school work, of course. And while I am reading off of my iPad, it doesn't feel like it... It's nice to just unwind a bit while relaxing on the couch. 

What am I dreading? 

The knowledge that we have now entered the hottest and most humid time of the year in Senegal. So while all of you in the US are enjoying the coolness of Fall, I'll be over here sweating and trying not to die from a heat stroke. Ha! ;)

What am I working on?

Grad school is kicking my tail... This class is no joke. I'm spending most evenings working on it a bit. That way I don't fall behind. I love what I'm learning from the class. It's all definitely beneficial (and interesting too). But, the assignments are hard. So very hard!

 What am I excited about?

I'm planning a little "staycation" for myself during a long weekend from school that's coming up. I'm looking forward to "unplugging," and spending my weekend catching up on sleep and reading "for fun." I'm also planning to take that time to spend a little extra time in prayer and studying God's Word. It'll be like my own little personal "retreat" of sorts. So, yes, I'm definitely excited about it :)

What am I watching?

I haven't watched anything new lately. I'll play random TV shows, just for background noise, while I'm cooking or washing dishes or something. But that's about it. Is there anything new out that I should check out? Give me some ideas...

What am I reading?

Yesterday, I started my 32nd book of the year. I'm also reading through the book of Isaiah during my personal devotions/Bible Studying time. 

What am I listening to?

I've been on an instrumental hymns kick lately. I've started playing them for background noise, so to speak, while doing lesson planning/prep after school and on the weekends. And I've also started playing them when I'm doing my own personal devotions too. 

What am I wearing?

I wore my Montevallo cap one day this past weekend, when I came over to do some lesson planning. Then I noticed on my Facebook memory feed, that it was around this time 15 years ago, while a student at Montevallo, that I decided to change my major so I could also be certified to teach Special Education. It was interesting, to me, how those memories flooded my mind/heart. I remember knowing it was something I've always wanted to do anyway... I love that God called me to do something that was already something I was so passionate about. And when I wear my Montevallo hat, I can't help but smile and be thankful for my time there, knowing what a huge impact it has had on my life as a teacher.

 What am I doing this weekend?

Nothing terribly exciting... I had an MRI done on my ankle yesterday. And I’ll be able to pick up the results from that on Friday. Then if the doctor is available, maybe I’ll see him this weekend. Otherwise, I have nothing planned. So we’ll see what fun I get into :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

We have a day off school at the end of next week, which is in October. And I must say, my tired brain is pretty stoked about that. Past that, I'm looking forward to some fun lessons and activities I have planned with my various classes. And I'm looking forward to us finally having a normal week (the week after next). Between multiple students arriving late, multiple changes in schedules, various events at school, testing, IEP meetings, and all sorts of other randomness, we haven't had a truly "normal" 5-day week. So I really am most looking forward to that. :)

What else is new?

I'm still loving my shorter hair. It's so much lighter and cooler, which has been absolutely wonderful in the ridiculously hot/humid Hot Season we're in the midst of here in Senegal. 

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?