I have not done a post like this in a while (and my European observations ARE coming soon!) but let’s go

1. I believe yesterday was officially the last day of 7:30 am sunrises – the sun will be coming a little earlier! Of course, the time change will happen and it’ll be all wonky but I am a little tired of leaving for work in the dark.
2. My body has been sore lately and I am pretty sure it is just ye olde perimenopause. I sleep hot, throw off the covers, then shiver. I ache for no reason (though I have done a couple runs). But I think I fixed my thinning hair problem. It was falling out whenever I washed, more than ever. It seems to have stopped now and I honestly think I was so stressed about starting the new job, it led to that, crazy as it sounds.
3. On the way to school/work this morning, Isaac and I stopped behind a car and both got a fright: there was a face staring at us and we both thought it was a human. Turned out to just be an old hounddog. It was a really crazy moment because we both thought we saw the same thing. We followed it all the way to the drop off line and he stared at us the whole way, which was kind of unnerving.
4. I have a student who does that too; his name is Crockett (he says because he’s related but I’d like to think his parents really liked Miami Vice). Anyway, when we are in between assignments and he’s finished, he tends to just look at me. I know how that goes as a student but I’m always like, “Bro, what’s the story?”
5. We start Macbeth in my 10th grade classes today and I am not the biggest Shakespeare fan. We begin with asking questions about morality and ambition. Should yield some interesting conversations!
6. I am having this random shooting pain in my left arm, just below my elbow and slightly to the right. It’s not awful but it is irritating and surprising each time. I wonder what it could be?
7. It’s really nice out today and while I have SO much grading to do once I finish 5th period, I may do a little walk around the courtyard.
8. My juniors are working their way through the ideas of Transcendentalism, which focuses a lot on self-reliance and being one with nature. I assigned them a project that asks them to choose from options like taking a long walk and take note of all the things they see and experience and disconnecting from social media and technology for an entire 24 hours. I really look forward to seeing what they choose. I want them to get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
9. I was telling one of the other teachers about my assignment and her response was, “I’m so glad you’re here.” Man, I must be doing something right!
10. There’s always that level of self doubt, especially in a new job, but maybe I have some ideas worth teaching. So different than college though, that’s for sure.
11. Looking forward to delving more into the fall season. Kids and I finished our Halloween decorations outside and I’m excited for that first real fall feeling. Sure, we’ve had cool weather, but I know I will reach a day where there’s that whimsical feeling in the air. I seek that; it’ll happen when I least expect it.
12. ETA: the moral questions were a hit! My students stepped up the challenge in agreeing or disagreeing with difficult questions such as “guilt always catches up to you” and “it’s ok to do something bad for a good reason.” They really opened up!
13. If I get motivated, that Europe observation post will be up. Stay tuned. (Apparently there was a 1992 box office flop named Stay Tuned. Anyone know this movie?)