Back to Basics

First off, Happy New Year, y'all!

Before the New Year, I had it in my brain that I would resolve to write more in 2014. I tried last year and failed, so of course, why not give it another go? Seems logical. (Or oddly similar to Einstein's definition of insanity: to do things over and over again the same way and expect a different result.)

Kayaking on the Missouri River.

January 1st is a solid marketing ploy and I suppose a nice, clean time to overhaul whatever in your life needs overhauling, but nothing other than the writing thing really came to mind this year. Also, I didn't want to commit to it just for the sake of making a resolution, so it was put on hold, at least until my return to the village. Sure, I wanted to improve myself, or at the very least improve my habits so that those around me (my precious students) may benefit, but nothing else jumped out at me. So I waited.

The return trip to Mountain Village was riddled with missed connections and weather delays, including an 18-hour stay at the Denver airport. (Thanks to the guy who let me in to the United Board Room so I could sleep!)

Then I got sick. (I take full credit for that: too much fun and not enough sleep over break.)

Then report cards were due. (I still don't understand why the semester must end 9 days AFTER Christmas vacation.)

Then I discovered that I would be involved in leading a district inservice less than two weeks before we were to give it. (Fun, but I'm reliably a nervous wreck beforehand.)

Then the Science Fair started to kick into high gear. (Worthwhile stress.)

Then I was allowed to start planning for a new Health Careers elective two days before it started. (No comment.)

Then we had conferences. (Necessary.)

I've decided that January is a mean month which proves to test my resolve yearly, but I refuse to believe this makes me weak. February seems just as good of a time as any. Hey, it's about the intent and the process, anyway, right?

Hiking in Kaua'i.

One day while lesson planning (or grading, I don't really remember), I meandered into the library, partially because it was empty and partially because I felt a heat wave pouring from it; my classroom usually settles around 63 degrees without students in there. So I went in to warm up, and it happened.

I started scanning the shelves. It took me back to the good ol' days at Beadle Elementary when the library was an endless source of adventure. I was convinced that librarian Mrs. Huennekens was partly psychic, because she always knew where to direct me and I could be in my own world for what felt like hours. Nerdy and introverted, yes I know, and proud of it!

Hiking south of Anchorage.

As I wandered the aisles, I felt this overwhelming and energizing sense of calm. Or maybe it was a calm energy. Or the warmth. I dunno, but my brain began to perk up. In that moment, I knew what my resolution would be: to read more. Or maybe, to readily tap into that sense of calm. But how to accomplish that?

I realized the zen that I felt came from the fact that I had no technology link at that moment: my phone wasn't on me and I'd taken a break from the computer. Holding a book felt so...engaging! I decided I would try for two resolutions: no technology (other than music) after 9 pm to allow for more reading. Now, trust me, the irony is not lost on me that you are reading this on a computer or some device. Bear with me here.

Lately, with the Facebooking, Pinteresting, reading of random news/pop culture/scientific articles, and checking my email and the weather countless times just because I can has left me feeling restless and, frankly, bored. I check those sites and feel that I am becoming a dullard. So why not cut it?

Turnagain Arm while hiking south of Anchorage.

It may sound like a silly thing, to read more, but I don't think it's any less ambitious than are fitness goals or any other of the usual resolutions that, when one inevitably fails to maintain them for too many days, make one want to drop the crazy idea altogether and resign oneself to a few extra pounds or a bad habit of cursing or snacking or smoking or what-have-you. The beauty of this goal is that it offers vast rewards despite, or maybe due to, its simplicity. I aim to keep things simple for my students; why not get back to the basics myself? I figure that if I keep this resolution at least 4-5 times a week, I will be calmer, and my kiddos will benefit from that.

And that, dear readers, makes me want to keep this year's resolution.

One last thing: it's currently raining here. Give us back our snow, Lower 48!

Cheers!