Semi-Quarterly advisory:  This blog is best when consumed from it's inception in September 2012 (Two Thousand Twelve), otherwise some stuff may not make sense - this is by no means an express or written promise that any of the following material makes sense, in any way, shape, or form.

So, I'm slowly adjusting to adulthood.  I really, really, really, really need to protect my energy.  This is a lesson I seem destined to learn year after year.  Already, I'm back in the University of Phoenix 'rotation.' I've already responded to two emergency "Help! We need an instructor" e-mails.  I will make some good money doing so over the next 2 months.  It's just enough money that I can pay off more than one creditor.  "So, I've got that going for me..."  Aside to self - not a bad idea to watch Caddyshack every 6 months or so.  Add The Big Lebowski to that list.  The dude, I've heard said... abides.

Okay, I'm back from that slight detour down Movie Road.  Oh, yeah, that reminds me - I'm teaching a Cinema Club! extracurricular activity.  We are exploring movies, movie production, special effects, post-production, distribution, etc.  We spent two weeks talking about animation and yesterday, we started watching Nightmare Before Christmas.

Okay, apparently that route down Movie Road was longer than I thought...  We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming:

Saying "No" has always been a challenge for me.  This sometimes gets me into trouble; although sometimes it gets me into adventures, then trouble; sometimes it's trouble followed by adventure...  Anyway.  I have to be careful about setting boundaries is what I'm saying... That means at school with giving students money - a dollar here and a dollar there add up - or even if it's just sharing my snacks.  I don't want to sent that precedent...

As for UOP, I am steadfastly maintaining only one class per month.  I can afford one night a week.  THAT IS IT!

Otherwise, I'm doing okay with my energy for my students.  This is the important thing for me.  I enjoy and look forward to my weekly visits from most of my students. There are a few that I haven't really forged a bond with at this point. I'm still learning each and every day how to do my job better and better.  I have to commit to putting in the the work...  I need to get better.  Better lessons.  Better engagement with ALL students.  I've been able to connect with a few, but I'm still working on improving my relationship with a few.  I am excited to say that I helped one of my students land a job!  That is so cool.  We collaborated on interviewing, resumes, follow-up, even the Elevator Speech.  She did great!

As for me, being prepped with assignments is the best defense I've seen against me freaking out.  Issuing weekly report cards after the first month, I think, will help my students understand that there is a HUGE difference between eking out a perfunctory contribution on their homework vs. quality, scholarly work.  I need to ask for improved effort and now is the time for that.

NEWSBREAK:  Okay, I'm back.  Where did I go, you ask?  I left you to type a note on my cell phone (why do I do that, when I'm sitting right here in front of a computer????)  Anyway, I was e-mailing my boss to ask her advice for improving my performance.  I do pretty well with feedback (I think, anyway...)

So, I'm going to leave this for the evening.

Okay, now for this next part, close your eyes and picture Dana Carvey doing George H. W. Bush... (Well, don't close your eyes literally, because then you couldn't read this next part.  Just metaphorically close your eyes, then conjure up the voice while I wrap up with a few Dana/George bullet points.

Be an adult.
Get better.
Every day.
Work at it.
But, but...
Protect energy!


Good night, all.

Mr. P