Yes, This Really is a New Blog Post...

Disclaimer:

I seem to be in a blogging slump.  Truly, I do have time to do quick posts regularly. Perhaps part of it is that my life, although good and busy, doesn't seem all that exciting to blog about once I sit down to blog. I do have those fleeting moments where something occurs and I think to myself, "Oh, bloggable moment!". However, those thoughts fleet so fast that I don't seem to remember them later on. 

Tamara & TG: 1 Year, 2 Months, and 20 Days Later...

 

Before

 

A Few Days in Washington:

Last Wednesday TG and I flew up to Washington State to visit my mom's boyfriend and to pick up some of my mom's personal and family items.  For those of you who might be new (however my numbers are so down I doubt many of you are new) my mom passed away last October and we hadn't been back to get some of her things. Besides us, one of my brothers and his two children drove to her house so that my brother could bring some larger items back to Southern California. 

Because it was a better deal to fly in on Wednesday, TG and I had a couple of days to semi-relax. On Thursday we drove 20 minutes to a ferry that would take us on a one hour trip to Seattle. We both really enjoyed the boat ride and walking around Pike's Place Market and perusing funky shops, stands, and Elliot Bay Books.  Seattle is quite an interesting eclectic place. A definite 'must see' at some point if you haven't already.

On Friday we took a long drive to Port Townsend but didn't stay too long. The scenery was lovely and we had a picnic lunch with a view of the water which was lovely. 

For Shabbat we went to the local Chabad, which was a 40 minute drive away, my mom lived quite rural.  Normally we don't drive on Shabbos, however we made an exception because I wanted to say hello to the rabbi who took time on a couple of occasions to sit with my mom towards the end and to say some prayers with her.  We enjoyed the Shabbat meal fully.  

My brother finally arrived late Friday night and Saturday was spent hanging out and packing up a few of the things I would be taking home with me. This of course was difficult and a relief at the same time that this portion of mourning had some closure.

Sunday morning I booked a flight for 6:15 am!  I must have been on crack when I did that. TG and I had to wake at 2:30 am so we could drive back to Seattle, drop the rental off, and make our flight. Needless to say that Sunday afternoon we both took extended naps. 

Today is Monday and I was back at work to finish up the final week before I go off track. Being in a year round school means I have funny months off. While most teachers and students are preparing to return to school, I'm counting the days (7) before my two months off.

Overall work is going well. This year has it's challenges (leading an SLC, organizing "stuff", going to 2 - 4 meetings a week, and simply dealing with quite immature 9th graders).  My work goals this week are to beat into the brains of my students that they need to pull it together, get some work done, so they can move forward in school. I seem to have many students who are performing low and simply lazy.  Another goal this week is to put together a sort of update newsletter for the students in the Design and Tech Academy. I'll type a blurb about what are goals are and the teachers in our group (some anyway) are writing short blurbs about what their classes have been up to and what to look forward to when we all return. Hopefully the kids and the parents appreciate it!

P.S.  Although my blogging has lagged, my blog reading has not. So, know I still keep up with you all and hey, say hello so I know you're around too!