Well into the semester already

Yesterday I completed teaching two weeks of classes at the college where I work. I was even asked to pick up a fourth class, taking over for a professor who is in hospital for an extended period. I've almost been able to memorize everyone's name. Oddly enough, I seem to remember the men's names before the women's. I need to figure out the reason for that one. Maybe because the guys in the class distinguish themselves sooner than the girls usually do. It's the distinctions about someone that enable me to remember their names.

Although I'll have lots of work with all the classes (two essay writing classes and two communications/speech classes) it will be good to have a paycheck again. I dubbed the summer that is coming to a close my "Summer of Plenty" to indicate that I already have plenty, so don't need more money. It worked for the months I needed to, but I have another mouth to feed now (my new adopted Dane Jam) so being able to make deposits into my accounts instead of withdrawals is very welcome.

House Guest

For the past week, we have had the pleasure of a wonderful houseguest, a friend I've had since 1984. (YIKES!!!) Jennie and I met each other in a beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware, where we both bought a share in a house with a number of other YUPPIES from the Washington, D.C., area. After all these years including marriages made and dissolved, changes in jobs and careers, and moves from one country to another, we have managed to maintain our friendship.

Keeping friends when you don't stay in one place for long is difficult. Having e-mail makes it easier to stay in touch with people you no longer see, but it isn't the same as having regular face-to-face contact. Oddly enough, now that I've been in one place for a number of years, I am also located in a place where I don't meet new people that frequently. That's why maintaining contact -- both via e-mail and in person -- is so important to me.

Jennie returned last night to her home outside Washington, D.C., but we are already planning our next get together!

Last Day of "Freedom"!

Classes start tomorrow. I think the university starts way too soon here. Classes shouldn't begin until September at the earliest! Having to start back to classes makes the summer end too soon, plus the classrooms are always bloody hot. Ah well. I just keep thinking about the paychecks. :-)

I'll be teaching three classes again this semester. Two sections of Communication 100/104 which is basic human communications with an emphasis on public speaking, and one section of English 101 which is how to write nonfiction essays. Even though I must get used to awakening with the alarm clock once again, I actually am looking forward to meeting all my new students. I believe we have all been drawn together for a reason, and I learn as much from my students in some ways, as they learn from me.

Success at last!

I've been trying for two days to get my Photobucket slideshow to post here to Blogger with no success. A few minutes ago I finally got it to work by trying a new perspective. HMMMMMMM I had been working from the Blogger side to get the links from Photobucket to post. When I went to Photobucket and found the hidden commands, I could then directly post the slidehow to Blogger. Quite a lesson, in more ways than one.

Don't forget to vote in this week's poll to the right. Your votes and comments are welcomed.

Scenes From Our Life

Farmer's Markets are one of the best parts of summer

We have a lovely farmer's market in Romney, a nearby town. It is open every Saturday morning from early June until September and has been growing every year. More and more local farmers and venders are setting up free booths to sell the fruits of their labor.

This morning was a gorgeous day and my friend Diana and I set out at 9 a.m. to see what we could buy to stock our larder for the week. I bought fresh eggplants, lima beans, tomatoes, blackberries, potatoes, squash, onions, and jalapeno peppers. I also bought a locally grown, organic chicken that I plan to roast next week using a new honey and curry recipe.

Eating locally grown goods feels right as it is not only green, but supports the local economy.

Peaceful Warrior

I choose not to have TV reception where I live, although it's rather easy to avoid since I'd have to make additions to the satellite which is now only setup to connect me to the Internet. I enjoy watching videos, though, and am a 5-discs-at-a-time customer of Netflix!

Tonight I watched a wonderful film called Peaceful Warrior. I really didn't have any expectations for the movie, so was surprised when it touched me so much. It is a movie version of the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. It's the story of how he started on his path to self discovery while he was an Olympic team hopeful gymnast at UC Berkley and had a serious accident while riding his motorcyle which threatened to make further gymnastics impossible. I was most impressed with the character played by Nick Nolte as his "Socrates" and discovered in the special features that Nolte appears to have discovered his own spiritual path that parallels the one Millman is on.

Highly recommend the film and will have to tell my clients about it as well!

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Blogging!

At 11:28 EST on August 11, 2008, I created this Blog. Intended as a place for my musings on the mountain, and as an enhancement to my professional life coaching practice, I will post on this Blog as often as the need strikes me.

Now, on to complete my Wing On Wing Coaching website text!