Fall Quarter

Wednesday is the first day of fall quarter and I am submerged in prep for my new classes. I can't remember if I've mentioned what it is I'll be doing this fall, so I'll fill you in. I'll be a part time professor in the Early Childhood Ed department, on our other campus. I'm going to be teaching the practicum course, which means working with five student teachers and 20 preschoolers in our lab school. The preschoolers will remain in class for all three quarters, the student teachers will rotate through, five each quarter. In addition I'll teach one parenting class to the parents of the enrolled preschoolers.

Mentoring and working with adult students on lesson prep and delivery, on classroom management, planning a rich and inviting environment, observations and parent conferences, building professional portfolios, understanding the guidance and development of young children. Working with three to five year old students, helping them explore their world, experience rich and satisfying explorations in math, science, art, music, dramatic play, literacy and the big outdoors. I have landed what has to be the most rewarding and fun job imaginable - I am really, really excited and think I am going to love it!

On the running side of my world, I didn't give myself much of a rest after the marathon. I logged 46 miles that week, and 36 last week. I felt it too - I was dragging around the house and dragging through my runs. Thankfully, it all came together again this past weekend and I was able to run ten-milers both days and feel good. With my new commute comes an even earlier morning run - I'll see how that goes. Next up on the agenda is Portland - which will be the three year anniversary of my first-ever marathon!

And, speaking of anniversaries, tomorrow (September 22nd) is our thirty-year anniversary. Last year we celebrated with a 50K on the trails, this year it kind of crept up on us and we didn't make any plans. I know, I know - this is a big one and we should be celebrating big. Well, we will - we're thinking about a weekend away - both destination and date have yet to be determined. In the meantime, we'll go out for a quiet and lovely dinner tomorrow night on the waterfront. Thirty years...it's gone by in the blink of an eye, college, first jobs, babies, more college, new jobs, teens, young men, ups and downs, big news and small moments, empty nest, shared nest, and woven through out, an enduring love. The boy I met the summer I was sixteen has grown into an amazing man, and I am blessed to have him as my husband. Thank you, Eric, for sharing my life.