Well today got even "better"

I had a VERY unruly child throwing a chair, slamming my door, taking things off my desk and chucking them, stamping all my papers, standing on chairs, etc. You get the idea. It was horrible.

I'm so used to our old principal who did not like you to send students to the office that I didn't even think of sending him. I figured "I'll deal with this on my own, like I always have". I've had a lot of success with ignoring this type of behavior. For example the student who tore apart my classroom and wrote FUCK YOU with a crayon on my things, got his act together and I only had to ignore that one episode.

Good news is this principal will not tolerate it. She said I should have send him to her immediately and he would have been suspended! I was very pleased! Looks like something might get done about this kid after all. He's been like this since kindergarten!

Not to worry... he is up for testing for Emotional Handicap. If this kid doesn't qualify, then no one should.

Still, it is enough to make you think... "Why am I doing this job?"

I had thought about changing to a private school over the summer, but that was only because I was hoping to teach Spanish to elementary kids. (I could never do the older kids.) I've always felt that if I'm going to be in a regular classroom (you know not teaching something cool like art or Spanish) then I need to be with the disadvantaged kids. I feel like I'm a pretty good teacher, but more importantly that I'm a very loving teacher. I feel like these kids need me more... I don't know I guess rich kids need love too. ;)

Only 3 weeks into the school year...

And I had a student walk out of class while I was talking to him and another who refuses to work. And these are only 3rd graders. I just keep reminding myself to document everything and remember what I have control over and what I don't.

Keeping up with my schedule is difficult. Waking up at 4:30 every morning is getting harder it seems. Staying calm during the day is getting more and more challenging.

My meditation is definitely suffering. I find it difficult to sit for even 10 minutes and I was up to 20 by the time I left India.

I don't even want to talk about my diet.

All I can do is keep trying. I know I make it sound horrible, but the truth is I wake up at 4:30 more days than I don't, I am eating better than I used to, I am handling stress better, and I'm at least I'm sitting down to meditate.

Hair Pic

Not the best pic, but you get the idea -- a choppy uneven growth. Jesus will probably trim it for me tonight to even it out.

Now that I'm back home, I've finally figured out how to put a photo in with text. I'll have to start putting photos from my trip in with commentary.

Possibilities

So, I've been thinking. My husband is a very talented writer (and editor) in my humble opinion and a few others' too, but he lacks the courage or the motivation (not sure which - or maybe both) to actually sit down and write a book.

I, on the other hand, have little to no talent as a writer, but can be very motivated and overly optimistic when I want to be which often allows me to accomplish things I never thought I could. So, I figure with my drive and his skills I could write a book. (This is assuming he is willing to help me).

What in the world would Gloria write a book about? you might be asking yourself right now. Well, I figure I'm not creative at all -- so it'd have to be a true life story (I'm good with the truth).

So why not write about my summer adventure, what led me to it, and how it has changed me?

Jesus mentioned writing up a little article and submitting it to teacher magazines or yoga magazines and that got me thinking...

I'm too sexy...

for my HAIR! According to the majority of people I talk to, my hair looks great like this and according to one, I'm even "sexy"!

Hmmmm, let my hair grow and hassle with it every morning or keep it short, simple, and sexy?

Tough choice!

Petition for Topless Men

Sign below if you agree that the olympic men's beach volleyball teams need to play topless.

1. Glojomo

Time keeps on slippin'

I'm tempted to complain about all the things I have to do and how I don't have enough time for this or that. But the truth is that it is all a state of mind. I think I just need to be present in the moment and enjoy it and quit worrying about all the things I have to do.

**SIGH**, I'm trying really hard to hold on to the lessons I learned in India. It is just so difficult to apply them in the U.S.

Grouchy!

Well, for the first time since coming back from India I'm feeling grouchy and the amazing part is that I had a great first day of school. It wasn't any frustration with the students. Maybe it is just adjusting to the stresses of working a full day again. I don't know.

I know what jerked me out of my happy mood. I was walking the dogs and some neighbors down the street let their dogs run out the door and charge the fence (which comes right up to the sidewalk) just as we were approaching. I thought I had control of the dogs (and was just starting to think -"I've got this") when Ella pulled out in front of me and charged the fence. I was mad at the neighbor guy for letting his dogs out even though he saw us coming, but more than anything I was really mad at myself for not being able to handle it.

I tend to beat myself up when I can't do something that Jesus* can do. But I have to remind myself that I'm not nearly as big and strong as he is and that just Marley by himself weighs almost as much as I do. So, I have to resign myself to the fact that I will never be able to comfortably walk both dogs at the same time by myself.

Also, it doesn't help that I planned on taking them by myself because Jesus* told me how tired he was, but he assured me that he would go too. So I waited, and he fell asleep and decided he wouldn't go after all!

Jesus* and I are trying to adjust to living together again. We both enjoyed doing things on our own time this summer. We'd like to keep doing things on our own time, but we'd also like to see each other for more than a hour or two a day. I've been getting up at 4:30 in the morning and going to bed around 9:30. He averages a midnight bedtime and wakes up around 7:00. Between dinner, dishes, dogs, e-mail, and taking care of me -- there isn't much time left. I really don't know how people do it with kids. What is the point of being married if you never get to spend time with the person?

Where is that peace I had earlier today? I think I need to meditate again.

Great Weekend!

In celebration of our 9 year anniversary, Jesus* and I went to Indy for a Los Lobos/Los Lonely Boys concert. It is called the Brotherhood Tour.

We met up with Jav and Jen for dinner (they drove up from Lexington to spend some time with us -- so sweet!) We settled in our room and then had dinner at the Weber Grill. GREAT FOOD AND DRINKS! I highly recommend it. Then they went to a baby shower and we went to our concert.

We were able to be right up near the stage. The only people between us and the stage were the groupies in front of us and the security guys. After Los Lobos played, I got my t-shirt signed by all of them. Jesus got his CD signed by all of them. It was pretty awesome. I think Jesus* will put a video on his blog from the concert. It's not a very good video, but it gives you and idea.

I used my friendship making skills I learned in India and we made two new friends while we were there. :) Caroline (or Carolynn) and Victor. They are also big Lobos fans. They took pics of us at the concert and told us they'd find us on facebook and send us the pics! They also told us that there is an Ozomatli concert (well, actually they're opening for somebody) next Friday. They said if we decide to go, that we should hook up. We haven't decided if we'll go, but it sure is tempting. I've always wanted to see them in concert.

After that, we met up with Jav and Jen again and went out for snacks and drinks. We found a nice Irish Pub. We had a great time. We stopped for a little while at the Slippery Noodle (popular blues club) but it wasn't everyone's thing, so we left soon there after.

This morning, we went and had breakfast at the Red Eye Cafe (we had breakfast there once before with Herminia) and then went to see the Bodies exhibition. Have you heard of this? Where they've taken real bodies and somehow perserved them in almost perfect condition so that you can see everything! The most amazing part was seeing all the blood vessels and arteries that still held the shape of the body, floating in liquid!! I also highly recommend this. I bought the book that has pics and explanation of all of the exhibits and I'm going to share it with my students.

The weather was great the whole weekend. Now we're home and just chillaxin'.

Meditation

The other day Jesus* and I saw a woman being walked by her German Shepherd. It was really excited, looking everywhere, and sniffing everything. I immediately thought to myself -- that's my mind when I'm trying to meditate! It is like it runs out in front of me and pulling me this way and that, starts sniffing around. It is very difficult to make it heel.

Still, I love sitting down to meditate. I find I would rather do that than just about anything else I can think of. I was able to get my mind to "heel" the other day. I began feeling frustrated and I finally just shouted (in my mind) STOP! And I was amazed to find that it did. I had to keep saying STOP to keep it from going anywhere, but it worked (for a little while anyway). It was a great feeling.

Also I love bowing (or prostrating -- I'm not sure which is the proper term to use) to the little alter I set up too. It feels good. I can't explain it, but my whole body feels good when I prostrate.

Today I saw my psychiatrist (yes I have a psychiatrist) and he is willing to help me wean myself off my anti-depressants. :) I guess he figured I'd already started doing this without him, he might as well help me do it right. So far I've been feeling great. He thinks in 2 months, if I'm still doing well, I get stop all together!

India Pictures

I'm in the process of uploading all my photos to my Web Gallery. Notice the link to photos on your left.

Routines

I knew that once I got busy again, I'd slip right back into my old ways. Unless, that is, I gave myself a guideline (an ideal) to follow. So before I left India, I made a schedule of what I'd like each day to look like. I'm very pleased that although I haven't kept up with the times I had set up, I have kept up with most of the routine. Now work starts back up next Monday and that's a whole new ball game... but at least I have a good start.

I have eaten a little more than I've wanted to at times... and I have indulged in a few things I originally didn't want to indulge in (banana split, coke), but for the most part I've been eating a lot less than I used to and really thinking about what I choose to put in my mouth before I eat it.

I've set up a little alter in the spare bedroom. Now I just have to make room for it.

Most importantly I'm filled with so much gratitude and happiness. I find it so much easier to see the bright side of things than I did before I left. I really feel blessed.

9 years of Marriage

Jesus* and I will be married 9 years as of August 5, 2008. We were married young and despite the fact that no one approved. We have struggled, both financially and emotionally due to our early marriage, but you won't hear regret in our voices as we talk about our life together.

After spending 7 weeks away from him (the longest separation we've suffered) I appreciate him all the more. How many husbands would happily support their wife on a 7 week long trip halfway around the world? And how many of those husbands would do home improvement projects instead of taking advantage of their "free" time? And how many of those would encourage their wife to shave their head? Not many!

Happy Anniversary Bub! I love you.

*Since I have been writing a lot about religion I don't want any confusion. I will use * to indicate my husband, as opposed to the religious figure.