Almost October.

As the years go by, I find that time is on super warp speed.  I've already been in school for 4 weeks, and our interim grades are due next week. Wow.  

I'm teaching 12th grade British Literature for the first time in 12 years -- a lot of prep work but so rewarding. I've always been an anglophile -- my viewing list of favorite TV shows includes many BBC/ITV shows (Luther, Broadchurch, Whitechapel, Call the Midwife, Inspector Lewis, Foyle's War, etc.). 

There's a different vibe in a senior versus a sophomore class.  First of all, you can make so many connections with what's currently under discussion and previous pieces of literature they've read.  And most of them are 18, so that creates a whole other layer of discussion. I've got our quarterback in my class as well as one of the leads in the fall show, so there's another dimension.  Happy?  Absolutely.

And of course my little sophomores are just so innocent -- they're a treat, and I'm so lucky to have cornered the gifted group at my school.  They're awkward but insightful, oblivious yet empathetic...awesome. 

My only wish is always that my favorite movie critic could share this new part of my journey...

School and Weight Watchers have begun.

On Tuesday I had my first day of work where all the students came -- I now have one class of seniors along with my usual 10th grade gifted English classes.  Yesterday, as the day came to an end, I realized how much I continue to enjoy the interaction with these kids -- they make all  the stuff outside of the classroom bearable.

Also, a friend and I had decided to start Weight Watchers online on the same day and then track our progress together.  I do so much better when I have someone to talk to about all the challenges of eating properly.  This works so well because T. and I don't get to see each other that often, and this gives us the opportunity to stay connected on a more regular basis.  Yay!

So Monday was our start day.  As soon as I can change the weigh-in day, I'll change it to Friday so that I'm not weighing in the day after a weekend.   Anyway, we've already issued a challenge to each other: to avoid eating anything after 6:30. Of course, it's easier for me to keep to that because I don't have evening meetings and dinners like T. does. 

Today I have off because it's a Jewish holiday -- time to continue planning and getting my Edmodo up and running.