May- a reduction in THE PROBLEM

For those of you new to this blog and uncertain of what I mean by THE PROBLEM, I suggest reading my previous blog post about it. Please be aware some of the things I used up didn't make it into the blog because honestly when you have so much its easy to forget things...sorry.

This month this is what I have used up:

Facemilk from ColourPop/Fourth Ray Beauty- Late last year I got a 5 pack of their minis to decide which one I liked best- I have my favorite already but I will use up the rest before I buy something new.  At the very start of this month I used up Matcha. Mid-month I finished Papapya.  Only one left to go before I move on to a different moisturizer.

2 sheet masks, but only 1 worth mentioning as it's on my Buy list- Glam Glow- Bubble Mask yes I think $9 for a sheet mask is crazy too. But even if this is a once a month product to Treat myself I'm good with that. 1) The micro-bubbles are like a mini massage. 2) There is SO MUCH PRODUCT on the mask when I was done I was able to rub it all over my face, neck and décollete before fore rinsing it off. 3) My skin feels amazing.

Micellar water that I have literally been using for MONTHS. I really like this one because it doesn't mess with the hydration of my skin. The one I have to use up next I got when my skin was oily and now it's combination/ dry so I'm a bit worried- Edit- I tossed it out. It dried up my skin. So I get to purchase a micellar water...aka I'll just go back to what I was using because it was great.

Mud Masks- I got a selection of Wei beauty masks  in my Spring fabfitfun box.

I have used up all of the Mud masks and have 1 of the exfoliating masks left.  I really enjoy the mud masks.  Each pod come with plenty of product- Enough for face, neck and chest.  I'm not as big of a fan of the exfoliating mask (probably because I have some favorites in this category) but I will use it up eventually.

I re-discovered my Sugar brand lip balms...I have 3,  two in a stick (sample size) and one pot form. My husband decided he loves it and asked if I had a clear option...the lemon is clear and I already hit pan on it so it's his now...so I guess I de-cluttered it.  This is easily one of my favorite products of the year, but I do think I like it in stick form better than in the pot, I just don't like that it's even more expensive. I've got probably a month left on 1 stick and then a brand new second sample.

I am also almost out of my Shampoo: Carol's Daughter Sometimes I feel the smell is overwhelming, but I have another one so I'll probably just keep using it. 

Clean out:

Things I threw out- I have been playing with a primer sample for the last few weeks, Its a brand I have 2 samples for.  I tried it with several foundations, it bothered me.  Its a silicon based primer- which I typically like, but this didn't work, so I threw out the other sample.  Bye Bye smashbox

I also tossed some oils and serums by The Ordinary, that I've probably had since before I got married so I'm really no okay putting them on my skin at this point for expiration reasons and also I used to have really oily skin 3 years ago and now I have dry skin so even if by some miracle they were still good- they wouldn't be for me any more. I remember when I got them I really liked enough, but clearly not enough to finish them before they went off, so that should tell you all you need to know.

As stated above I got rid of the Micellar water that was starting to do more harm than good with my skin.

Signing off for now

-C

Week 11: Short and Simple

The theme for this week is short and simple.

This week was a 4 day work week because Monday was a holiday- and in that holiday I did something I don't normally do. I cancelled all work meetings, moved all student meetings and took myself out of all work.

This week is simple because I only focused on doing my job well. I did not schedule any WEA trainings.  I did not go into this week dedicating time to online learning. This is about 1 thing, being a good version of myself.

Tuesday- Unlike any short week start ever.  Most Tuesdays that start a week are long and exhausting.  Today was good.  My classes went well. My lab went well. My student meetings were mostly all attended. I cleaned out one of my classrooms and said goodbye for now to my wonderful co-teaching partner. I look forward to a time when we can get back together and enjoy company closer than 6-feet apart in masks.

Wednesday- Some weeks just work out. And after last week I really needed something chill.  Wednesday was chill.  Low key day. Only 1 lab and a few student meetings. I made a point to not schedule anything today. I needed it.

Thursday- The day of meetings. 8am-4pm today. But I did give myself a break for lunch. Finished some transitional work from the middle school, had 1 class, a few labs, a staff meeting and some student meetings. 

Today I lost it. I broke down in tears over a city I use to call home.  George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis on Monday. To call what happened to him anything other than Murder is shameful. Those directly responsible for his death and those who stood by an did nothing need to be charged. We as a society must stop allowing police to live above the law.

I understand the history of looting in this country. We live in a country created by taking from others. We live in a country built on the backs of people who were given no credit for their labor. Looting is a symbol of power over another. But knowing all of this doesn't make me any less scared about what is happening in a city I have called home. It doesn't make me any less scared for my family and friends who live in the impacted spaces. Who are in many situations only blocks away from erupting fires, destruction and violence. I know people are angry, I'm angry. What happened to George Floyd was murder. But I am also scared about the impact the continuation of violence will have on the community.

Friday- Well today's business is a result of Monday's off time. 1 class and A LOT of student meetings- and after yesterday no capital left to do that.

This week by the hours:

Meetings with team, staff, or transition: 3 Hours

Class/Lab time: 6.5 hours

1:1 student meetings: 6 Hours

Time spent in my classrooms cleaning--too many

Time spent on trainings-1 hour.

Things that make me happy...

If you're a New Yorker or someone who has spent considerable time there you will understand me when I say Black and White Cookies are heavenly.  I started craving them thanks to a post from my Cousin about 3 or 4 weeks into quarantine. So I had some shipped but by the time they get to me, they weren't the freshest and by the time I finished all of them they were pretty stale. So I was EXTREMELY EXCITED when I found them at the grocery store.  These are smaller so I eat them faster but these are as good as what I could get in NY (exceptions being super fresh kosher deli's).  They have them at Safeway.

Piano, I played when I was younger. I've had a few bad back injuries in my teen years, and basically stopped, and so did my skill development.  I'd love to say I haven't lost any skill in that time, but I have, and the only stuff I own that I can play is hymnal music and things that are so ingrained in muscle memory that I'll probably have them for life...Fur Elise for example... So I ordered some new piano books a few steps back from where I was at 13, to re-build my skills...unlearn some bad habits I've picked up in the intervening years.  When all this quarantine stuff is over I think I'd like to start taking lesson again. But until then, I'll work on finding joy in my music again.  

Seeing friends: While it was sad to clean out my classroom, it was wonderful to see people again.

Signing off for now

-C

Week 10 Tapped out

1 Quarter of education has now been online- No we didn't start right away. Yes we had the most pointless spring break ever, but I've still been at home for 10 weeks.

Going into this week I have

16 hours of meetings/training scheduled

6 hours of teaching classes/labs

8 hours of 1:1 meetings with students

3 hours- time I've set aside for my online learning- I did finish a lot over the weekend.

Monday other than my morning meeting was good- long but good. All but 1 kid showed up to my 1:1 meetings, class went well today, meetings with staff went well today. I feel supported and the data collection training was interesting because I'm a nerd and I like that stuff.

Some people like 7:30 am meetings- it gets them going- I am not one of these people. I am not a morning person. I do my best work in the afternoon and early evening. It just makes me day longer and more draining.  Monday and Tuesday had these types of meetings...Tuesdays was a bad call after the 12 hour work day.

So I did my 7:30 am meeting on Tuesday and then I called in sick, because if the teacher can't keep her eye open that's not a good sign. I am learning it's OKAY to take sick time even when you work from home and that you don't have to attend EVERY training.

I love Wednesdays. I get to sleep in.  They are GREAT! Today was an ADULT MEETING HEAVY DAY. I don't mind meetings. But meetings with students are far more engaging and a more joyful use of my time. But at least most of these meetings felt productive.

My WEA training on the other hand started to feel very UNPRODUCTIVE.  I don't take paper data. I got the whole team shifted over to digital data collection this year...why would I go back?  I also felt like the training was really heavily focused on 1) elementary needs and 2) EBD/profound needs.  Every example and option that was provided doesn't represent the students that I work with or the type of strength based goals we try to write.  So rather than sit through a training I don't find useful, I didn't.  If history repeats itself I will still get the clock hours from the day I did attend- but I wont count them towards my running totals.

Thursday- Hit a wall week....10 weeks of being stuck at home- even for a homebody is too much. My internet works but cannot handle the workload of streaming and teaming and zooming all of the time.  I keep getting kicked out of my own meetings, unable to hear students or having it all be so choppy that there's really no point in trying to meet. - Had a class, a few productive student meetings, a few student meetings I got stood up for, some staff planning, a staff meeting and a union meeting to cap off the day.  I really need that 3 day weekend.

Friday- The theme of today was connecting with the kids that have been the hard to connect with kids. I connected, we made plans, we reviewed previous plans, we are getting on track to pass classes and it felt successful and positive and a really good way to end the week. Today ended the week on a good note.

At the end of this week:

15 hours meetings/training

3 hours of classes/labs

4.5 hours of 1:1 student time actually attended by students

3 hours of me waiting for 30 minutes a session for students to log into meetings.

1 student meeting canceled because of AP testing

2 hours of Online learning

1 day sick day

Lesson of the week- Start blocking out LUNCH on my calendar so people cant book me straight through from 9am-4pm because its happening...

Clock hour stuff- mostly self-accountability if I'm honest.

I needed a distraction from reality this weekend so I joined the other 2 free canvas courses.

Seriously any WA state teacher, you should do it (if you're out of state, we are probably a clock hour provided for your state so check it out). Getting my 15 STEM hours because really when else am I going to do them? And then a simple 4 hour de-escalation course- because I need to de-escalate myself most days.

Clock hours earned this week:

High Leverage Practices- eLearning through Evergreen- 30 clock hours

De-escalation practices- WEA Canvas course- 4 clock hours

Staff meeting- District- 1 clock hour

Total hours: 35

Previously completed hours: 41

Total: 76 clock hours

Upcoming/need to complete clock hours

All Roads lead to employment- Evergreen eLearning (11)-4 modules left- this will take me all 11 hours to complete-maybe more...

STEM Course-WEA (15)

I'm so close to my 100 hour goal...

Alright another week in the books

Signing off for now

-C

Wish List- As of Mid May

Okay- My Beauty Junkie self has been watching months of videos in quarantine and I have a wish list. Some of these are new to me products and some are things I have previouslys loved and would like back because what I am currently using up just doesn't compare.

EYES

Viseart

Paris Edit- I have been eyeing this all spring. I went between 3-4 different eye shadow options that are all the same color plans, but this product specifically has an amazing formula.

Mascara

Perversion Mascara- My favorite. I am currently using up other products, but I want it back. - Probably a July purchase- because I will actually need a new mascara.

Lip products:

Pink Sugar

I love sugar lip products. It makes my lips feel great I use it through out the day. It is a treatment and beauty in one. I've owned a nude that I am currently panning, but I'd love a fun color.

Confession Lip Product

I need to identify a color or two, but the junkie and slight collector in me wants this product. Look at the reusable packaging. It's magnificent

Skin Care:

Watermelon Face Milk

Over the last few months I have finished 4 mini face milks. Currently panning the last one. Watermelon is hands down my favorite. I want another.

Things I looked at all the new stuff and don't need-

Foundation- I finally feel like I found the foundations that I love for light, mid and glam coverage.

Primer- I need to keep using up more...I have no more room.

Highlighter bronzer blush- Too much not enough room keep going girl.

Eye liner- I never wear it. I cannot for the life of me do a wing and make it look good so I have more than I may ever need.

Signing off for now

-C

The week that kicked my a**

Week 9 man.  This week kicked my ass. I came into the week recovering from feeling sick and then I dove head first into my last IEP of the year and the start of transition IEP season.  For those unfamiliar- This is the time of year, where we plan for the 8th graders who are coming up to our programs in the fall and get started working on master schedule.  Normally I'd walk into my Admin's office and work with a physical whiteboard and work to find the best structure of classes to meet the needs of our students.  I'm worried about the impact closure will have on next school year.

Too many "Priorities":

Not everything can be a priority.  I cannot prioritize co-taughts, and my solo classes and student support, and progress reports  and CLPs (done thankfully) and this new weekly progress monitoring requirement handed down from the district today. It cannot all be the most important thing.  But depending on which supervisor I ask I get a different response.  I work like classes, staff meetings, iep meetings or 1:1 student meets WORK 6-8 hours. a day. I still miss lunch- work straight through it because it's when my students are willing and able to meet.  I actually got both my preps this week because I refused to hold meetings and had to prioritize me- FTR- the whole 2 hours was spent on an IEP.

I did 6 Clock hours of WEA training through Canvas this week. Kinda feel like a cheated. I watch Intelligent Lives which features 3 individual with the label of intellectually disabled- One of whom I know- or knew at another phase of my life. Watching my grad professors, and friends with someone I had the pleasure of knowing for Clock hours was the only way that was going to happen this week. It's an important movie for schools looking to do inclusion and I recommend watching to friends. If you are a Washington state teacher interesting in earning 6 clock hours for watching and reflecting on it follow this Link.

I also made a decision about an eLearning Course.  I was trying to take one on Autism Spectrum disorders and I found it Triggering and offensive.  They repeatedly used sources and "experts" from autism speaks and utilized the puzzle piece and the use of ABA as a gift and I just Can't. There are so many reasons why that's not okay. So I'm going to submit a review of the class - and then ignore it.  Yes its $40 I wont get back, but you know what? My sanity and mental health are worth a hell of a lot more than that!

I am working on the final essay for my massive 30 clock hour course- hopefully will finish this next week.

Clock hours already earn: 35

Clock hours this week: 6

Total: 41

Plan for next week- Finish the 30 and a 6 hour WEA training on data collection

It's not even Friday yet and I'm over it. I'm done I have another 8 hour day tomorrow.

Signing off for now

-C

Favorites of Quarantine 2 months in.

While I will also have a favorite products of 2020, several of these will likely end up there as well, I feel like I need to cast very special attention to the items that helped me through the last 8 weeks of Quarantine.  Maybe I will do a favorite of Quarantine part 2,  but here's what I'm working with so far...

FOOD: As some of you know I have dietary restrictions---that I don't always follow because YUMMY FOOD, but Quarantine has been good. Meals are made from scratch or are one of these select items that I know I can eat without issue.

BREAKFAST BAR: Enjoy Life

Is an amazing company that is free from the major 8 allergens and then some (see label below) - Which means they are my happy food.  I have found that some of their products are dry or unpleasant for me, but these bars make my morning.  I buy a sampler box about once a month.  It comes with 30 bars in 3 flavors:  Chocolate-Chocolate chip (probably my least favorite of the 3 but still good just a little drier), Sunseed Crunch (if you like sunbutter you will love this bar), Caramel Apple (my favorite of the 3). The brand makes other flavors of bars, but this box is the most convenient and affordable way for me to get them.

PIZZA: I LOVE pizza, but when you put gluten and dairy together I tend to struggle, it's one OR the other. So I am head over heals for Udi's Sweet Potato Crust Pizzas Specifically the BBQ chicken option. It's spicy and little sweet because of the crust and FULL of protein which is an added bonus. We always have at least 1 in the freezer right now. 

Udi's BBQ chicken with Sweet potato crust

Ice Cream: I was okay when I gave up "real" ice cream because of all of the soy based options, however I now really struggle with soy, probably more than with dairy. SO, the difficult task of finding a dairy free soy free ice cream.  PS there are only like 4 options and Oatmilk isn't very good. 

Thankfully So Delicous makes a cashew based snickerdoodle ice cream.  Snickerdoodles are possibly my favorite cookie flavor so this is a win.  Even J admits it tastes good--but I'm not sharing. 

Caffeine: I don't drink coffee. I cannot drink coffee.  If I don't get caffeine daily I get a migraine, if I get a migraine, caffeine is one trick to fixing it. So I have starting drinking pop again. 12 oz a day (maybe a bit more if Rum is involved) and my soda of choice is Dr. Pepper.  In the last 2 weeks, I have also started to alternate a Dr. Pepper with a homemade English Breakfast Latte (almond milk of course).  It works well for me and I still get the caffeine I need this time without the carbonation and sugar, I don't have a milk frother stick, If quarantine drags on much longer I may invest, as thats thing I miss from Starbucks--Foam.

Adult Beverages: I don't drink beer any more, I suppose I could, I just haven't. I still enjoy cider- but only 3 in 8 weeks--Maybe my Tavour box will come eventually.  But in quarantine I have switched back to hard liquor. I will be the first to say that I am NOT making strong cocktails in quarantine, but it's nice to have a drink at the end of the day. - I'm clearly already home and not driving anywhere so I'm safe I'm fine please no badgering.-


ENTERTAINMENT:
Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon etc all are important during quarantine, because there is A LOT of time to chill.

Youtube: SORTEDfood.  
Recipes, funny videos, food blogs, 15 mins average episode length and they are doing stay at home videos too, which is fun.

Netflix:
NCIS the original only. Currently on Season 11- To be fair I started re-watching them in January. - Seriously slowed down after Tony left, it's just not the same dynamic, I can't "binge it" any more.
100 Humans: Great mini-series to learn about your own habits, and the people around you. Great conversation starter. Also Women are the better sex.

Hulu:
Was for Grey's Anatomy, but that season has ended. 

Amazon: At the start of quarantine J & I watched a lot more movies. We re-watched all of Hunger Games- it seemed appropriate, Ford vs. Ferrari and a few others. It's nice to have "Date night" even if you're just on the couch.

What am I listening to:
Well I made a whole blog post about it, so rather than re-write all of that here, you should go check it out there-->  Quarantine Music


SELF-CARE:
 Spa at home is a crucial component of Quarantine life. Here's what I've been doing.
 Elemis Enzyme Peel Once a week or Bi-weekly this has saved my skin. It leaves my skin smooth and it smells great.
Purlisse Polish Peel Once a week or alternating weeks with the enzyme peel. It's really quick (2 minutes) if I don't have time for a full mask and it smells great as well (watermelon)
Shaving Creme You'll find it in the Men's shaving aisle- it's $6 at Target and works wonders. It's not sticky the way many creams are. It does not lather, but goes on thick like frosting, leaves skin smooth no bumps or razor burn.
Lux Floss The joys are in the little things, like coconut dental floss.

Blue Light Glasses I had no idea I'd spend so much time on the computer when I got my new glasses, so I have invested in a pair of blue light prescription glasses from Eyebuydirect.com They were very affordable. I have another backup pair from them as well that I equally love and wear often.

Lip Gloss/ Chap stick- Sugar by Fresh has my favorite lip products ever. I love their lip pots but the stick is just so much easier to re-apply throughout the day. It leaves my lips feeling AMAZING- I suffer from super dry cracked lips normally. But this stuff saves every day.  While I have been having a lot of fun with make up during work time, my lips need to recover when I'm not in screen time mode, and this is what does it.

Week 8

First things first: Thank- you to all of the teachers who make my life better. To the ones in my building, to those who have helped me become what I am now, to those who taught me, who inspired me, who continue to help me grow.

This feels nuts 8 weeks. Seriously and so many more to go.  My hopes and prayers to go back in the fall. Even if we have to do half days or A day/ B-day to rotate kids through. I need normalcy, I need connection, I need to not be isolated any more. 

I am not a very outgoing person most of the time. I struggle greatly to form real friendships and bonds with people.  It's not that I don't try its that relationships are hard, and making friends as an adult is harder.  I've moved so much that the people I am truly most connected to are thousands of miles away. I mostly get my social needs met during work, when work is normal, but in quarantine, isolation and loneliness are real.

This week was paperwork heavy. Not only do I have an IEP next week- on short notice, but I also had Continuous Learning Plans to complete and progress reports to send out.  While I understand the importance of such things. It was draining to have to complete online lessons in advance (video taped) so that I could do paperwork this week instead. I miss my classes.  Thankfully CLPs and progress reports are done.  Glad to be finished with that paperwork. Now on to IEP writing and IEP transition to HS meetings next week. Also apparently learning plans for each of my students who is in jeopardy of receiving an incomplete- but I will do that next week. -- Honestly if it wasn't such a detriment to my students and my own mental health, I would take next week off to do paperwork and meetings too, but that isn't the world we are living in...I need to see my kids as much if not more than they desire to see me.

Online Learning-

Well I couldn't do it.  My WEA course this week did not hold my attention was not a topic that was super engaging to me- after a while all of the trainings start to blur together. So I didn't do it this week. 

eLearning- I did however get 4 modules complete for one of my elearning courses through Evergreen. I should be able to finish that one up next week and collect the 30 clock hours that it provides. Then I'll figure out which of the 2 other eLearnings to focus on.

Balance:

This week was 10-12 hour days in meetings and completing required paperwork for the district and the state.  So because I knew I could hit 40 hours of work in 4 days, I moved my Friday meetings to Thursday- had a jam-packed day and took Friday to spend with my husband. -  But my body seems to hate me so the fun Friday at the lake was a no go :( 

I will work next week to have better balance throughout the week so we can do little things every day that way, being sick cannot ruin our  1 good day.

Signing off for now

-C