Reviving GOOD habits

So I've decided to take running seriously again. Or maybe I should say for the first time. Even when I ran regular 5km routes in high school, I don't think I considered myself a serious runner. At any rate, I've "joined" a local running club. I say "joined" because it's free and nobody is keeping tabs on me, so I could very well quit and only I would be the wiser. BUT that's not going to happen. I've been to both sessions this week. And I've also exercised in some fashion every day in between!

The other good habit that I'm reviving is eating well. And that includes a food journal (groan). But it does help. I'm conscious of what I am eating and from which category of food.

Third habit? Drinking water like it's going out of style. This one has me running to the bathroom every hour and a half or two hours, and for a teacher, that's a bit much. Especially when my students have limited opportunities to go. So I'm trying really hard to avoid being a hypocrite. But that just makes it worse!

All in all, my good habits are affecting me positively. My head is clearer. I'm more focused during the day. I have more energy throughout the day (so it's easier to get organized before and after school). And I've even lost weight already! I slept like a baby last night and actually woke up refreshed BEFORE my alarm. I can't wait to get to the gym tonight. It's such a great stress reliever in the evenings. And last night I finally acknowledged that evening exercise helps to clear my head after work and to "de-stress", so I have no reason to feel guilty for not going BEFORE work.

Oh, and I've also cleared off one of my desks and a work table in my classroom. Now THAT is an accomplishment in itself! I'm organizing my paper collection!

I am continually amazed at how much paper I go through in my lessons. Lately I've been recycling as much of it as possible. So if I make a mistake while photocopying, those sheets go into the drawing paper tray in the classroom. Talk about cost-saving! I don't have to buy doodling paper! I know it's silly, but I feel like I've discoverd an ingenious idea!

Well, I had better get full use of my early morning. My social studies test needs to be graded and I can hear it calling my name.

Nerves....in January?

I am a bit too nervous to sleep. School starts again tomorrow, after our 2-week holiday break. It's almost as if I'm back in September, nervously awaiting the first day of school. I've been cleaning my house from top to bottom and I am proud of my progress. However, it is a few minutes past midnight, and I really should be sleeping. Especially if I intend to exercise before work. Hmmm...am I being too ambitious for the first day back? Will I hear my alarm? Will I be able to eat breakfast calmly? What in the world am I going to teach tomorrow? Will all of my kids be in class? Will they be happy to see me? Will I be happy to see them? AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH! I'm too tired to be asking so many questions. And yet I feel guilty for wanting to sleep...I know what you're thinking. "Why is she obsessing? GO TO BED, ALREADY!" Fine. I hear ya. Bonne nuit! (I'll worry about the answers in the morning...)

New Year...New Game Plan

A new year has begun and already I'm experiencing new things. And so my journey has taken me to the land of BLOG. A country I have thought only fleetingly of visiting. The very idea of a public journal makes me nervous. But since I've avoided writing in mine manually for the last 6 months, maybe this is the next best thing. Do I have things to say? Yes. Do these things merit the attention of other people who I may not even know? Who knows...that remains to be seen. The risk of my soul being bared is a risk that is part of my new game plan. Oops. Maybe I should have kept that a secret for the next month or so.

Wondering about my blog's name? Well, "randonnée" is a french word for "excursion". I've often used it to describe a scenic hike in the French alps. The "ab" is part of my name. So this is my scenic excursion. And you are welcome to accompany me. At least for now. I should warn you: I often take so-called shortcuts with varying degrees of interest. Generally, I learn something along the way. Even if it is simply never to take that shortcut again. Fortunately, providentially, the sunrises are always amazing, and I find new reasons to keep walking.

Welcome to my randonnée. I hope you have good shoes!