Monday, September 21, 2009

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.

18 comments:

iJuls said...

ALWAYS, you amaze me. How wonderful it this new work you're doing?! I love it.

justrun said...

Aw, it IS year 30, isn't it? I'll always remember the number, of course. :)

Congratulations on your work, your third anniversary of your first marathon (wow, time flies), and on your happiness!

Olga said...

Happy anniversary, Michelle and Eric! On for another 30:)

Sarah said...

Happy Anniversary to you two!

Hope to see you in Portland. Wasn't that when we first met...at the Portland Marathon 2006?

Wes said...

What a great pic!! Good luck with your new job!! I'm hoping to build myself up to a base of 20 *cough* *cough* miles a week after my HIM!!

Sunshine said...

Sweet Anniversary!
Congratulations on your awesome teaching. What good you will do. Blessings shared.

Jack said...

Hang onto that boy, God bless you both, Happy Anniversary!

Darrell said...

Happy 30th Anniversary! It is quite an accomplishment.

Your new job sounds wonderful and perfect for you.

Donald said...

Happy anniversary, you two! 30 years is wonderful.

I'm glad to hear the job is such a great fit for you, Michelle.

Irene said...

Happy Anniversary!

Bret said...

Congrats you two. How can you two have been together for 30 years?? You are both too young lookin!

Dori said...

Happy Anniversary to a great couple! I like the updated pictures of your boys. Blogs are like Christmas letters in that you keep up with changes of the family members. Someday we'll be reading about their weddings, babies, etc. (I hope I'm not freaking you out!)

Congratulations on yet another marathon. I don't understand how you do it.

Anne said...

Belated anniversary wishes. I am probably one of the only people who know exactly how big milestone wedding anniversaries can "creep up on you." It's happened to us too. I hope you get to celebrate in the fashion of your choice, and very soon.

Scott McMurtrey said...

Congrats on another year and smoke 'em at Portland again!

Joe said...

Boy, am I behind!!

Congrats on the big anniversary!! So cool!! Hope you had fun on the nite out, even absent a romantic 50K race!

Hoping to see you both late Saturday afternoon around the expo... I'll give you a call or you can call me!!!

Dori said...

Good luck in Portland on Sunday!

Unknown said...

I believe I wished you a happy anniversary on FB, but I'm now getting around to reading this. That last paragraph made me smile and cry at the same time! How very, very sweet. I look forward to celebrating 30 years with my amazing man.

runliarun said...

Wow! So how did you celebrate?