What. A. Day.

I am so drained. I can't even write about the amazing weekend I had in Texas at the Les Mills Lonestar Mega Quarterly, taking 9 amazing classes. Today really sucked.

It all worked out in the end. But who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Today my iPhone was stolen. Not misplaced, but literally snatched off my table during class. I had it on the table as I was assessing students in the morning group because Cassie has been having trouble transitioning into 1st grade and Franklin leaves her crying each day in class. I keep it close to me always but especially during school now in case I get a call from school.

The Later Gator group arrived and I went outside to greet them, leaving my phone on the table. A dad asked me if I had a pen (he was on his cell phone and needed to jot something down). I gave him one, and he went into the classroom along with another parent. I stayed at the door, speaking to a parent, and the students went in and were all gathering on the carpet. The parents left, I went in and began my day with the students. When it was time for recess, I went to my table to get my phone and it was gone. I KNEW that I had left it there but went through the  motions of asking the kids, looking in cubbies, backpacks, all over. My kids all got up and were looking for it, they all know what it looks like (my BodyPump red and black phone). Couldn't find it, went out to recess sick to my stomach, knowing it was stolen, and went to the office to let them know.

My principal came in, got my story and went to call the police to file a police report. One of our resident police officers came by and the principal watched my students so I could leave the room and give more details. He told me that since I don't have Mobile Me (which I am going to buy now) that chances are they would not recover but at least they had all the info just in case.

I was able to call AT&T to suspend my service. John (asst. principal sub) kept coming in to check on me, calling my phone, comforting me. After lunch, we were all back in the class and I told the students that if they went home and found my phone, and brought it back to me, I would give them a prize from the prize box. One little girl piped up "I saw a daddy take your phone off the table right there." I was a bit shocked because she hadn't said anything earlier. I asked her what she saw and she said she saw a dad take the phone. Well, I take pictures on the first day of school of the kids with their parents/families. I had just finished developing the last bunch last night. So I pulled her aside, showed her a "line up" of dads and asked her if one of them was the one who took the phone. She immediately pointed to the one that asked to use a pen in the morning. I called the office and the principal came to me and when I told her what happened, she called the police back in.

A different police officer showed, but he is one that is assigned to our school as our community liason. We went back and forth, he wanted to know if I was going to press charges, and all I wanted was to get my phone back. The whole thing is so uncomfortable because I taught this guy's older son, who is a 3rd or 4th grader now. I've known this family for several years, and I've known his daughter, who is in my class now, since she was 2. I knew he had had a rough life, based on different things I have perceived over the years. I just couldn't believe that this dad, who has never been anything but completely respectful, been on field trips with me, and always seemed very involved and concerned for his kids, could do something as blatant as steal from me, his children's teacher.

The officer got his information off the emergency card and discovered he was on probation and went to search his house but the dad wasn't home. The officer came back at the end of the day to accompany me to the gate as I dismissed and was going to approach him and give him a chance to come clean. Grandma came instead but called the dad to come to the school. I went to hide in my room because the whole thing was just getting too much and after school I received a phone call from the police that this dad lied over and over, but once they pressured him, admitted to stealing my phone. Because he was on probation, they got him for violating parole, searched him and found he was carrying 2 switchblades in his pocket (which is not allowed on school grounds) and was driving with a suspended license. Two other police officers arrived and removed him, calmly, and took him to jail. The mom was also with him, found with a switchblade herself, but they let her go because of the kids. The police followed the mom home, searched the apartment and found he had several cell phones there, found mine and brought it back to school. The cover was missing (the police actually went through 3 trash cans across the street but didn't dig too deep!) and when I got my phone back, found that he must have been trying to wipe it clean because although everything is still there on the phone, my wallpaper pictures were set back to factory settings.

I told them I would not press charges. I got my phone back. I am heartbroken because I have cared for his kids and I still can't believe he did this. It apparently was an impulse steal, but they know him because he has been in trouble over the years with the local police and is a  known Sureno gang member. Again, I have never had one inkling of trouble with him and I suspect he must be totally embarrassed to have been caught stealing Mrs. Herrera's phone.

How to deal with it tomorrow? He is in jail so I don't have to see him. He is not allowed on school grounds anymore and I have to call 911 if I see him. His daughter very much needs to be in school so I hope they don't pull her. This will in no way affect how I instruct his child. But it will be uncomfortable to see whatever adult does the drop off and pick up. I had no choice but to report it to the school, it's out of my hands and I am not pressing charges. His other legal issues are his alone and have nothing to do with me. I know times are tough and he must have been desperate to take it to sell for cash. How do I feel about that?

Extremely saddened.

Sniff Sniff

It should really be no big deal. I mean, how many teenagers are starting school tomorrow? It's not like it's my baby's first day of high school. It's not. But it IS his first day as a Junior. Not just any Junior. JUNIOR VICE CLASS PRESIDENT. This kid is WAY more popular than I EVER was in high school. And that's perfectly ok with me.

I suppose I'm in a bit of denial because I know what a pivotal year this is going to be for him. I saw shades of it last school year, the last three months or so, when he all of a sudden had a new found focus on school. He has always been a good student, well behaved most of the time (he has, since Kindergarten, been a chatty kid, but was always able to talk and pay attention to the teacher), has had a few run-in's with his attitude and "dumb" teachers (his words), maintained good grades, been well liked, etc. However, towards the end of Sophomore year, he began to do his homework without asking. He began talking to me about future classes he was going to take, things that would look good on college transcripts. He began meeting with his guidance counselor without me prompting him. He began applying for mini-scholarships. He trained harder at soccer practices. Both Franklin and I noticed a difference.

But....he IS my son. He knew that being in the Leadership class would be a perk for college. He found out that if he ran for student government, even if he lost, he would be granted entrance into that class for next year. So he decided to run. He didn't care (so he said) if he won or lost. Turned out, he was running against one of his best (girl) friends, Randi (secretly her mom and I hope they get married after college - but they insist they are like brother and sister. Whatever.) It was bittersweet......if he won, if she won.....well. Alex won, and I know he was happy, so now he is the Junior class Vice President. With all these extra responsibilities. Like working registration days. Which he did. Attending every school dance. Hmmm. He doesn't much like dances but guess what? I'll bet my left boob he will enjoy them. He has to work the concession stand at every home football game. Again, he makes like it is work, but I know he will enjoy the socialization that will come with all these opportunities this year. He's the kind of kid that has friends across all social groups - athletes, skaters, cheerleaders, gang bangers.......well rounded, I guess!

This will be a pivotal year for him - not only socially, but academically. SAT's this year. Seriously looking at colleges. Applying for scholarships because we haven't done well at saving for him. He has AP English, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus. Damn my kid is smarter than I was. Than I AM. That is perfect. This is what you want for your children - to be smarter, better looking, have more opportunities, etc. etc. than we did.

His challenge, and mine as his mother, is to learn how to manage his time. He will have many outside of school responsibilities as VP. Required for the  leadership class. He will continue to play and train hard at soccer. He will have a heavy load of homework. Time management is NOT his strong suit. He had 3 books to read this summer. How many did he finish? One and a half. Yep. He is my son, but HELLOOOO?? A reader he is NOT. So I suppose that part of him is Franklin's son. He did not manage the reading time well this summer, no matter how many times I helped him figure out how many pages he needed to read each day to finish all three books. No matter how many times I nagged him. No matter how many days I left him alone to figure it out on his own. Sigh. There's only so much I can do.

So tomorrow begins a new chapter, so to speak. I will take him to school each day since he starts at 8:00 and I need to be at school by 8:00. Cassie starts earlier than last year, 8:15 so Franklin will take her daily and then go to his school by 8:30. This proved to be an issue this morning as Cassie realized I really wasn't taking her with me in the mornings anymore.

I hope to spend each morning savoring the 10 minutes in the car as I drop Alex off to school. I hope to be on time so I can stop and get my much needed coffee before heading to school. I hope that Cassie adjusts quickly to being with Daddy more and stops being jealous and missing me too much. I hope.....I hope.....

And in two days I am off to Texas for a Les Mills Quarterly....but that's another post. I'm just a bit teary eyed at the thought of dropping my baby....I mean my big boy.....I mean my little man......my growing son....my first born off to a new adventure tomorrow.

I love him to pieces. Sniff Sniff.

School Life Without Janet.....Day 1

Okay, I really HAVE adjusted to the fact that Janet retired and left me to my own devices at school. I know she is still a huge part of my life but of course, there was a bit of sadness today knowing that the school year was starting and she was at home chuckling and snickering at the fact that she didn't have to go into work!

Last night, we had a conversation before bedtime and I had an idea that I got from Alex and Kimi when he went to New Zealand recently. Kimi made a "Kimi puppet" and put her head on a stick and send it to NZ with him! She is in pictures with him and others on that trip. So I thought.."Wouldn't that be funny to put Janet on a stick and take her to school with me? Then she would still be there with me and it would be (okay, so NOT the same, but freaking funny nonetheless!)" So.....I asked her for a school picture, then realized that I couldn't wait for her to get one to me. It had to be TODAY, the first day of school, that Stick Janet joined me. I found a picture of several of us at Janet's daughter-in-law's bridal shower, printed it, took it to school, cut it out, laminated it and taped her to a stick. Presto! Janet was suddenly WITH me, and I couldn't help but laugh my head off as soon as she was "born".

I had Jeanett take a couple of photos of me in our classroom, then she suggested that I take her with me to the staff room as I was making copies, and to our staff meeting! Well.......it just grew from there. Stick Janet posed for pictures with co-workers.....made copies......went to our staff meeting......and so on. Tomorrow, Stick Janet will go out to yard duty with me and model to the children how to go down the slide, play nicely in the tanbark, go through the cafeteria line, and any other opportune moments I can think of. Of course, I will document Stick Janet's journey throughout the year!

I couldn't wait to come home and post them on FB and tag Real Janet. I knew it was coming.....she called me and we laughed so HARD I know tears were coming out of both our eyes! She was touched to be included.....but I have to be honest. Creating Stick Janet helped me cope with the fact that things will never be the same. Our classroom, as I have moved back in, is not the same without Real Janet. I am forced to be content with Stick Janet, and although she can't talk back to me, I swear she rolled her eyes at me at one point during our staff meeting.

Either that, or I am seriously going nuts.

Reflections of a Summer Past

What a short summer. Poof! Gone just like that. And now, I'm faced with a new school year, while in itself could be exciting, but for many teachers, it's just plain stressful.

Not to mention I'm sending my baby, my last born, my darling girl, off to first grade. FIRST GRADE? When in the world did that happen? She was just a baby not too long ago. Now she's grown a couple of inches, grown a ton of attitude, and struts around like a preteen instead of an almost 6 year old.

Now there are definitely perks to working as a teacher in the same school district as your children. Same vacations, knowing the teachers and requesting the best ones, etc. The downfall? not being able to take them to school on the first day because you have to be at school for your own class. Not going to parties or special events for the same reason. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can see her off to here first day in what promises to be a very challenging academic year for her. Kindergarten and first grade are vastly different and my heart aches for here, although I am more than confident that she will handle it brilliantly, as she is a smart little cookie. Just knowing how much harder this year will be makes me sad.

But I digress. This summer was way too short. I didn't do all I wanted, but I did do some. Lost an uncle, a close friend, and grieved. Never got to the pool or the beach. Only went to one movie. Slept. Worked out. Saw some friends, not enough, though. Went to a ton of soccer tournaments.

Thursday my first born begins his junior year. Again, I have to ask when did that happen? He's junior class president. In the Leadership class. It's going to be a big year for him, academically, socially, and just in general. He is growing. Fast. Becoming a man. Looking towards the future. It warms my heart to see how he is maturing, and makes me sad at the same time. I had him all to myself for 11 years. Once he is off to college in two years, it'll just be Cassie. Then I'll have her to watch grow and blossom. I think that's why I got pregnant with her after trying for 6 years. Because I would have been devastated after Alex leaves me, and this way, I have another child to keep raising after he is gone, even though I'll be an old lady by the time she graduates from high school!

I'm not relishing the whole back to school thing just because even though we will be back on a schedule, the evening routine of making dinners, lunches, teaching BP, homework, dishes, laundry, blah blah blah is not fun for me. I need to be more creative at how to manage it all because today was a slap in the face reminder of how busy I am going to be. And while I am not Suzy Homemaker, I strive to be and maybe that's my problem. I need to find a way to manage my time better, to delegate and make the men in my household take some of the slack. Otherwise it's going to be a tough year.

All in all, I am looking forward to seeing both my children grow, seeing where my own journey continues to take me.

Now off to bed and up, up and away bright and early tomorrow!

A Very Special Gift

Today I went to SF and took a spin class that Alex was subbing. He just returned from a very special trip to New Zealand, the origin and home of Les Mills, where he spent a couple of weeks taking classes from the masters, sightseeing beautiful country and most excitingly, being a part of the filmings of all the upcoming Les Mills releases.

After class, he and I went for coffee (Peets, oh my, and I was the only one drinking!!) and caught up on things. He gave me a necklace he brought back from NZ that has special meaning to Les Mills folks, as the Maori tribe is an integral part of the LM culture and that of New Zealand. He gave me a necklace like the one at the top of this blog and gave it to me since I am now part of the LM culture. He said it represented continuous and infinite growth and long standing relationships. I was very touched at the gesture.

Well tonight I decided to do a bit more research on the Maori symbols since I am completely ignorant on the subject and here is what I found:

"The Koru holds many symbolic meanings. Firstly, it is a representation of new life. This seems obvious, as it is a stylized graphic meant to represent the new shoots of the fern. It is a symbol of beginnings, the undeveloped potential for all of life's endeavors. Further, it is a symbol of renewal, brining to mind the lush growth of New Zealand's wet forests. I believe that the Koru carries within the idea of transformation, much as birth represents the transformation from one state of being into another. More than just literal birth though, the Koru represents creation in all it's forms, the unfurling of new ideas and opportunities all throughout life. It brings with it hope and endless possibility. The Koru represents growth and vitality, which is clearly visible in the hearty and vigorous growth of new shoots. It symbolizes health and is used in decorative works to embody the magic of life, growth and well-being. Much like a new fern shoot, arising from the ground to reach towards the light, the Koru represents the search for enlightenment, a striving for the divine. It is a symbol of deep spirituality, carrying the secrets of the universe in it's Golden Spiral. Because it contains the Golden Spiral the Koru is a symbol of cycles and change. It is a reminder that all things live,die and are reborn, that life continues endlessly. As in all things, the blueprint of the universe found within. It represents the sacred geometry of life, renewal and eternity.
 
To the Maori of New Zealand, the Koru is also a symbol of interconnectedness from one life to another, linking generation to generation. The roots a symbol of whence one came, the deep genetic and cultural histories that are the basis of each of us, while the leaves reach skyward, shaping generations to come.
 
The Koru holds many secrets and meanings, and perhaps the most important of all, is the beauty of simplicity. A symbol can be unwrapped, exposing infinite layers of meaning, but sometimes what is most important is that it's pure design brings a feeling a great happiness and rejuvenation. Scientific reasons aside, some times a symbol is valuable simply because one likes it."

WOW. To say that this little piece of jade I am currently wearing around my neck means a great deal is putting it lightly. I am extremely touched and LOVE what this symbolizes for me personally. my life unfurling, continuing endlessly, like my journey.

I also cannot think of a better person to receive this from. Thanks, Alex.

Xoxoxo

It's About to Get NUTS Again....

 

Thanks to my friend Rhonda, the picture attached of me the day after Dad died (before) and last month (after) has kind of made it's way around the block.....

It's been a crazy few weeks. Emotionally, losing my uncle and Salvador, and dealing with all that surrounds loss, threw kind of a wrench in my vacation, but that is life. I am at the end of my 6 week summer vacation, and while I know I did a lot of the things on my to-do list, I always come away from summer feeling like I didn't accomplish what I wanted. I am knee deep in finishing my bedroom closet. It's a walk-in, and pretty spacious, now that all the crap I accumulated in there for the last 2-3 years is out. I mean, really. How many clothes does one person need? I have purged a ton of my clothes, especially over the last 2 years, with my weight loss. I have gotten really good at tossing, knowing that if I lose more, I will just buy new. I've gotten rid of my bigger clothes, to avoid ever going back to that size ever again. Well, getting Franklin to purge clothes is usually like pulling teeth. But this week I was able to get him to go through the millions of teeshirts he has. Alexander got rid of a few clothes, and I keep up with Cassie's clothes, but today I dropped off 13 bags and some books and toys. Felt SO good. Rearranged the closet, and now, for my last hurrah before Monday, to clean the rest of my bedroom. No, I didn't put all Cassie's kindergarten stuff in her scrapbook this summer. But all the pictures/papers are together in one place. No, I didn't clean the deck. No, I didn't succeed in getting Franklin to go through the billions of soccer papers, forms, passes and other soccer paraphernalia. No, I didn't see all the friends I wanted to see and catch up with. We didn't get to the pool ONCE. I didn't take a ton of different classes at the gym and work a lot on my own fitness. Sigh. I think that even teaching 3 weeks of summer school really does make my summer seem shorter. I am making a new goal of NOT teaching next summer, to have 9 weeks off. If I can swing it financially, I'm gonna take the entire summer. I have to start planning now.

But I DID do this:

Cleaned the hall closet. Discarded old medicines. Cleaned the tupperware cabinet and pared it down it so that they don't fall out whenever I open the door. I purged all Cassie's books and toys and clothes and actually removed them from the house. I went through all the videos of the kids and labeled them FINALLY. I cleaned my closet (ok that's almost done). I cleaned and organized the pantry. I shampooed the carpets. Yes, personally. I cleaned the bathroom top to bottom (this is a big task. Not a big bathroom, but a big task. Trust me.) I slept in. I spent time with Franklin and the kids. We went to a movie. We went to a whole mess of soccer tournaments.

I will start this school year, FINALLY, with a cleaner and more organized living space than I have had the last few years. Because I usually just say screw it and have fun and relax. But then it ends up stressing me out.  This year, I did relax, I didn't watch too many movies and I did not read a single book. Shocking. But I had more energy than any other summer ever in my life. And so even if I did not do every single little thing I wanted to do, I did more than I have ever done. I will start the school year, most likely stressing, but over school and not school AND home. Phew. Finally.

I will also start the school year without Janet. Sigh. That's for another blog.

After my friend Rhonda created the before/after picture of me above, I bit the bullet and posted it on Les Mills BodyPump Face Book wall. It was weird putting it out there for more than my friends and family to see, but I had a ton of positive responses and actually became friends with a girl in NYC that has a similar story to mine and just became a BP instructor as well! She is coming to SF at the end of August and we are going to hook up and she'll take my class.

The club manager at my club in San Carlos wanted to use my picture/story to promote the next BP release at the gym. Well, to my surprise, this week he instead posted the picture/story right outside the Group X room! I am so flattered and more than a bit embarrassed, but if it gets one person into a BP class that wouldn't normally, then it's all worth it. The manager also told me tonight that he took a picture during my class on Tuesday, sent it to the Group X Regional Manager to show her how packed my classes are and to request more BodyPump! It won't be me teaching, though. Four a week = enough!! But it shows the need to hire more instructors, subs, whatever. As well as getting more equipment.

Since I haven't blogged regularly this summer, I just have to note some things from the last few classes so I don't forget. I taught at PAC this past Saturday for the first time in 3 weeks, and after class, one of the ladies came up to me and told me how happy they are that I am teaching on Saturdays. She said she takes 3 classes a week and that some instructors yell at them, some go too fast, some mess up.....and when I thanked her for her compliments, she again told me how glad many of them are that I teach there on Saturday and wish I taught there more often. It made my day. Then a man came up to me and told me that he is a professional musician, and that I am the only  instructor that has musicality - is right on time with the music and the tempos. I told him I know other good instructors there and he said "Trust me. You're the best at hearing the music and the beat." I told him that it's because I listen to these playlists for a month before I even get the choreography so I really do feel the music, but I left there walking on a cloud. Finally, I am feeling more at home there. I hear the compliments from people at 24Hr because I am there more often, but with a class once a week, while people thank me for a great class, I haven't gotten much specific feedback.

At 24Hour, each class brings new faces. Tonight, as the crowd gathered outside the room while we waited for the TaeBo class to end, so many people were reading my story posted outside the room. I am truly feeling happy as I teach BodyPump here. It never fails to put a smile on my face, to be fun. Another new person came up to me tonight to thank me and to ask when I teach again. I am loving what I am doing.

I have also been thinking strongly about further certification. I have looked into AFAA and ACE and am beginning to lean toward ACE, which would give me a bit more time to study. I don't know how I would manage studying and teaching during the school year, but because this is again something I am passionate about, maybe it will be something I look forward to, rather than dread. I need to have a better understanding of the human body, our muscles, how it all works, in order to further meet my goals.

I had a dream the other night. I dreamt I opened up a gym, a small one, that was a Les Mills dominant club. With all the great programs, hiring great instructors, and people thrilled to have a gym that catered to the programs I am so passionate about but don't have in my area to take.

We all know where my dreams have led to over this amazing journey of mine. Do I dare to think this is something that could happen in the future? I would be happy to TEACH at a small gym that had all the Les Mills programs that was local to me. 

Hmmmm......................