Week 1 of real life wrap-up

Work:
Tomorrow is the last day of the first week of work. I have to say that, minus a few minor irritations, it has been much better than expected. This school year I am acting as the instructional coach/department chair of my department and, as such, now sit on the Academic Leadership Team. This means I teach less often (2 blocks/day; 3 courses/semester), but have more administrative responsibility. I am genuinely looking forward to growing as a professional this year, but was a little skeptical of whether or not that would actually happen. After four days of leadership training, I am allowing myself a little more optimism. I might still rage silently inside when one of the group members continues to talk when everyone else is ready to move on and I might never get completely on board with my well-meaning, but sometimes scattered principal, but I do feel like I am part of something that is gearing up to do real work this year and push the school in a good direction. Plus I got a purple polo shirt and am in charge of creating templates and communicating with our boarding counterparts. What's not to love?

Health:
Nine months after I herniated the discs in my back, I still have incredibly limited mobility and what I consider to be serious discomfort. On Monday I went for a consult with a neurosurgeon (the one I saw back in November retired; this was his former partner). He examined my back, looked at my old MRI and X-ray films and asked me a few questions. Then he sighed, sat down in front of my and pronounced my back "hard to treat." He said I have "degenerative spine disease" which means that the bases of my vertebrae are narrowing which makes the discs less stable. Fusion surgery might be something to discuss much later in life, but for now he suggested more yoga/Pilates and a willingness to "just sort of deal with it." I will be honest - it's not quite what I was hoping for, but it was good to have my concerns justified and to have an explanation for why I still don't feel 100%. And I was glad to hear him dismiss surgery as completely unnecessary for me at this point. So I'm committed to doing more cardio and finding a way to start Pilates again - it will strengthen my core to help support my back, while also strengthening my back. Plus, I was about ten pounds from my goal weight when this all happened back in October, which means I'm now closer to twenty pounds away. This should help me get back on that track as well. Maybe y'all can help hold me to this new plan (not that it's super well-formulated yet).

Grad School:
I enrolled in the Master's in Education program at Walden University this summer and will begin classes in September. The program specialization is in literacy in the content area (science, math, social studies) for grades 6-12. I am really excited about the coursework and am also looking forward to May 2010 when I will finish the program. I've been thinking about getting my master's for a few years now, but wasn't sure of what I should focus on. This program specialization is something I am truly passionate about and is something that will make me pretty marketable in the years to come (especially important since I don't plan on staying in the classroom too much longer).

That's about it in terms of "real life" wrap-up information. Brian and I saw John Legend and Jay-Z perform at a fundraiser for Africa a week ago and it was amazing. Our seats got upgraded and we were SO close to the stage. I will post pictures on Facebook as soon as I have a chance to upload them to the computer. Pair that with Rock the Bells and George Michael and it is clear that Brian definitely spoiled me with concerts this summer.

I don't want to end on a sad note, but I do want to make a plea for prayers and good vibes before I sign off. Awhile back I told you that the mom of the kids I "nanny" in DC was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was declared cancer-free in March, but a mid-July check-up revealed that the cancer had recurred and spread to her brain, lungs and abdomen. She had promising brain surgery a few days ago and everyone is hoping for the best. She is one of the strongest and most amazing women I have ever known and her family is wonderful. Please keep her, her husband and their three children (ages 10, 4 and 2) in your thoughts and prayers.

I know that was a downer, but I am a strong believer in the power of positive thinking (and prayer) and I know that you are all supportive, compassionate people who will step up in this occasion. I hope that the first full week of August ends well for each of you and that you are able to get out and enjoy the weekend. Much love!