Sneaker Teacher

Props to the husband

I would like to say that I have the most amazing husband.

He has spent lots of time recently rigging up all of these electronic devices, including a Tivo at his parent's house in California so that I can enjoy American TV and all my favorite shows from Germany. He has knowledge of all these fantastic products (for the TV obsessed of course) that allow us to stream TV shows from the US to our computers and our television(s) in Germany.

Wow, that is all I have to say, W-O-W!

(If you have ever read Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, you will know that reference)

Now, if you knew my husband you would know that HE has a great love for TV and definitely uses TV as a way to relax and wind down after the end of a long day at work BUT his work to record The Biggest Loser, Nip/Tuck, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, 90210, and the likes of those shows was completely for moi! How sweet is he?!

I cannot even explain all the complicated things he does with electronics, but I do know that I married a helluva smart and thoughtful guy.

He's definitely a keeper!

In a R-U-T

Usually the summer is a time for me to get in great shape. I usually spend a lot more time working out during the summer because it is a non-teacher working time. This summer, however, has been different. Right after school let out we were in Germany for 10 days, then shortly after we got back I started my summer courses. Ever since I began my classes three weeks ago, my exercise routine has come to almost a complete halt!

I need motivation!

When I get home from class, I spent a lot of time working on readings and papers and homework assignments. Before I know it, the day has gone by and I have been sitting at my desk for hours on end. Don't get me wrong, I am really digging my classes and I am learning, but this lack of activity has got to stop and I have to get moving again. I just feel like my brain is so hard at work all day that even if I have time to exercise, I feel too mentally exhausted to do it. Silly reasoning since of course working out would wake me up, give me energy, and make me feel 1000 times refreshed, but still the excuses are endless....

Luckily I have started using public transportation which includes about 25-30 minutes of walking to and from the MAX train every day I have class, but it has been awhile since I have engaged in a hardcore sweat session. I NEED a hardcore sweat session...or five....or ten!

The past few summers I have joined up with an awesome Boot Camp during which the fantastic trainer Daniel promptly whipped my butt into shape. This year I opted not to because of other stuff going on and I am feeling sad at my lack of motivation considering I am usually lean and mean about this time of year. Last year my best mile time was 6:27. 43 seconds faster than my best ever time in high school! I was running hill sprints, doing pull ups, and becoming trimmer.

Who is gonna help me fester up some motivation here?

What do you do to kick yourself in the pants when you are in a rut? What is your best motivating workout or get up off your arse and get started tip?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

Blog Award!

Thanks to Chrissy from Bittersweet Moments for giving me the

"One Lovely Blog Award"

The rules to receiving this award are to: Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I appreciate being recognized as a lovely blog. I love teaching and love talking about teaching and I am happy to have followers that enjoy reading what I write about.

Here is my list of 15 LOVELY blogs:

She Wears a Red Sox Cap

Following the Footsteps

Mommy Matters

Jen & Rob

A Year in the Kitchen

Courtney's Corner

Our Feet Are the Same

The V Spot

From the Beginning

Our Homeschool Fun

It May Be a Crazy Life, But It's Our Life

Enjoy, these blogs are all very different and are written by some very interesting and fun ladies!

And the winner is.....

The winner of my first giveaway is Karin from Mommy Matters! Karin is a home schooling mom of four who offers fantastic tips on her blog about being a mom, a teacher, an organizer and a woman who does it all. She knows the latest and greatest in educational products and also writes for Heart of the Matter which is an online publication for home schooling parents and is a West Palm Beach Home School Examiner. She is a great source of information for home schooling parents as well as classroom teachers.

Congratulations Karin!

I hope your children enjoy 52 Great Art Projects!

Waiting some more...

I met with my program coordinator today, and although he seems pretty willing to help me engage in this "experimental" doctoral program, he said the next step is to send him an email that he can forward to all the faculty that would be my professors during the first year of the program in order to get their approval. Since they would be the ones having to connect with me via Skype so I can participate in the courses remotely, they have to agree to it.

He seemed to think that I might meet some resistance since this is something "new" and they may not have a comfort level with technology that would make them want to add the use of an online communication tool to their lecture preparation.

I am hoping that my email will be convincing and positive enough to convince them to be in my corner. If any one of them is hesitant about the technology involved, I am hopeful I could appeal to someone in my cohort that could be "in charge" of that part of the deal.

S.H. is going to give the faculty members 10 days to respond, so I wait......

Please keep those fingers crossed!

Wish Me Luck!

Tomorrow I (finally!) meet with the doctoral program coordinator to discuss logistics with him about continuing with the coursework on location from Germany. I have thought it out, made a plan, and really want to go in there and not take no for an answer.

I know I can do it. I am determined, hardworking, and willing to do what it takes. (If I say that do you think he will be convinced?!)

I truly hope it works out and he is willing to let me "pilot" this alternative way of completing the program. I think it would be beneficial for both me and the university to have the international perspective, so fingers crossed everybody! With Dr. Dieter in Germany willing to help, all I need is the blessing/permission of S.H.!

Hopefully I can add on to this post tomorrow with some good news :0) Wish me luck!