So all the good dietary habits have gone out the window. Still vegetarian but carbs are currently being consumed. Like all good addicts I'm telling myself I can go carb free whenever I want. In the meantime, I have not done much exercise either. This last week I walked twice, but I have not done much for the last month. I haven't stepped on the scale either. I like swimming in De Nile. The only good I can report is that I went down a pants size and I am still there, so there's that.

This year I got myself involved in a lot of things at school which I am now regretting because I feel spread too thin and can't think straight. It is my own fault for sticking my nose into all these different things. It's the ADD in me...something sparks my interest and I head off in that direction or 5. Next year, I am going to narrow my focus a bit so that I will do fewer things better. I need to start thinking long term instead of trying to fix things right now that take time to improve. Baby steps.

At school I've been having fun using the iPads with the students. Currently the 7th and 8th graders are playing with Stop-Motion, something that would have been more difficult without the iPad and apps. The next unit, after spring break, will be my first foray into real clay with my students. I'm nervous and excited.

Using the iPads has been a big experiment. There are days when I am done with them but generally I have found them to be an enhancement to our classes. I'm still trying to move to the next level with them where the students are willing using them for supplemental information outside class...any class. I am happy to see the drawing the students have made on their own outside my class. I am considering a drawing challenge, maybe for the summer to encourage continued drawing practice.

a new addiction

Hi my name is Wendy and I'm addicted to Korean Dramas. I didn't mean to be, I just looking for something to watch on Hulu last month. I was caught up on my usual watchings. Hulu suggested I watch this show called Faith.  It's a Korean historical drama with a time travel element. The opening sequence is a story told with ink wash style animation. That sucked me right in. I ended up watching all the episodes available. In the comments someone mentioned another show, City Hunter, that one of the main actors was in. It was also on Hulu...

It's been a month and I have finished 5 shows (each one is 17 - 24 episodes). Like any addict I find myself trolling the internet looking for my next hit...suggestions, recommendations...so many shows...must cut myself off till the winter break...

a little less of me

So there's a little less of me, not thanks to weight loss but due to surgery. My gallbladder decided to call it quits on me last Saturday sending me to the hospital. It wasn't a fun experience but looking back I'm starting to realize many of my dietary changes were avoid problems that were gallbladder related. I simply didn't know my faulty gallbladder was causing those problems.

Recovery has been very quick with only a week off of work. Beyond a few days of uncomfortable stomach muscles, the biggest problem I encountered was the pain of the CO2 they use to  inflate the abdomen, leaving my system. I could feel individual bubbles rolling up my side and out my shoulder. It was actually more painful than the pain that sent me to the hospital in the first place.



I'm very grateful for the many advances we've made in medicine. Years ago this would have been a major surgery with weeks and weeks of painful recovery. Technology is also pretty cool. The hospital was a lot more tolerable to spend time in thanks to WiFi. I was able to listen to my music on Google and watch movies on Netflix.

Generally there shouldn't be too many changes for me now that my gallbladder is gone. I am already eating vegetarian low fat/ low carb/ minimum dairy. I will just have to experiment and see what keeps me feeling well and what sends me running to the bathroom. Eating the wrong thing at school could leave me in a bit of a bind.

My weight is down to 194. October was not a good exercise month. I didn't make it to the gym at all and rarely walked. I won't be back to the gym till all my stomach incisions have healed but I'm going start walking again this week.

3 weeks into the school year

So we are three weeks into the school year. I am now at 198. :) Breaking the 200 mark was a big deal. I am about 1/3 of my way towards my goal! With meetings and such after school I have not been working out everyday but I have managed at least twice each week. Lunches and dinners are hard because I don't want to make anything. I end up eating random pieces of fruit and veg all day long instead of eating real meals. This is something I need to work on. On the other hand I have successfully evaded meeting snacks and have managed to keep my portions small the few times we have eaten out. I'm also drinking lots of water and have not gone back to coffee! That's a plus. Overall I am feeling good with where things are going. It may be time to get some new pants. He's not looking so good:

David , after being on tour in the US

This year has gotten off the a great start! It's been a little hectic trying to get schedules settled but in the meantime the kids have been very patient and flexible. One of the benefits of being an elective teacher is that you get to see the kids again and watch them grow and change. Hopefully they can also see me grow as a teacher. I've found that simply maintaining a happy, welcoming attitude has kept me more patient and relaxed making for a better learning environment overall.

1 month

Today marks 1 month. Today I weighed in at 204. My overall weight loss is now at 10 pounds. Last week was a little frustrating as I watched my weight sit between 206 and 207 for most of the week. I did go to a real yoga class last Saturday and really enjoyed it. I didn't go to the bodyflow classes this week. On Monday I had a headache and went to bed early and on Wednesday had something to finish for work Thursday. I promised my son I would go to the gym with him tomorrow and he is going to give me a tour of all the intimidating exercise equipment.

Food has been a bit challenging these last two weeks. I have eaten out a few times with coworkers knowing that I won't have that opportunity once the school year begins. I've used my best tactics of eating slowly, ordering as healthy as I can and splitting my entree before eating. At home we have been cooking every night. I have also avoided all the breads, sodas and chips that have shown up at the meetings. My snacks taste better.

Kids come on Monday. I'm excited!