I am a teacher with two weeks (and one day) until the end of the school year. I have 75 comments to write, quadruple that number of grades to assign (we assign four grades per student. It’s a complicated topic for another time.), two tests to compose, three tests to give and three students to meet in order to discuss their ‘extended essay’ (a 4,000 word essay that the majority of IB high school students attempt to write the night before its due. This makes the year and half of meetings prior somewhat painful for teaching faculty.)
Oh, and have I mentioned I’m moving? (Countries-from Spain to the USA.)
So-this seemed like the perfect afternoon to sit in a coffee shop and contemplate my life. (See related post about end of year procrastination here). In the midst of massive amounts of work, it’s nice to contemplate important, big-picture thoughts.
Important Friday Questions
1. What am I reading? (Astrophysics for People in a Hurry – Neil deGrasse Tyson. A. Maz. Ing. Did I mention I’m a science teacher?)
2. What is the most important topic in the news? (News on Earth is too depressing. Click here for a great Nat Geo article about life on Mars. Again – science teacher.)
3. When is the last time I exercised? (Last week. I’m currently in the middle of the process known as ‘eating my feelings’ which I am finding difficult to marry with a consistent exercise routine. See vaguely related post about more exercise-intensive times here)
4. How many pairs of shoes do I actually need? (I think this question has deep social and moral ramifications. It’s something I consider often, but it carries special importance when I’m trying to whittle all my possessions down to – paltry 100 pounds/45.36 kilos.)
5. When is the last time I talked to my family? (Yesterday. But…today is my brothers birthday so I actually have to go.)
Happy Friday! Picture of Spanish turron dessert below to celebrate. Great for stress eating!
Banner photo credit: Ryan Parker