Closing remarks

I hadn't forgotten about this blog, but I thought I had brought it to a conclusion when I made the decision to quit posting consistently. I guess I didn't. In any case, the reason or reasons (if I recall correctly) that I quit was/were (a) because I didn't want to provide anymore fire power to critics, (b) I wasn't getting the following I would need to publish a nonfiction book, and (c) I'm not a writer, as in I don't have to write to feel fulfilled -- others have to write whether it is being published or not. So, that's that for now. I am considering publishing shorter notes on LinkedIn because that seems to be the more common platform for someone like me to do such a thing compared to Blogger. I may not be the Napoleon Hill that writes a book, but maybe I could be one of the people that gets described in such a book by someone who better fits the definition of a writer.

Deficit spending

We still don't have the actual money we are supposed to in our library account at school, but we're going to make an order using deficit spending and see if that works. That's something to pray about because we don't have much control over it ourselves.

No Prep

I waited until 9th period to take my prep, but Mr. Beck was pulled to cover the testing center, so I missed my prep today. It made for a busy day, but I made time to pray here and there.

Free lunch

We had 2 two-hour delays the last 2 days. Yesterday, some parents even provided lunch with leftovers today. It's been great.

Sarah won

Sarah finally won a writing contest. She usually enters the same contests as Claire, and if either one wins, it has always been Claire. Sarah never admitted that she was jealous before, but she was really excited to get the letter in the mail today.

Snow

It started snowing 6th period today. It wasn't when I went out for lunch and was when I came back. That made the buses late and my trip home slow, but I got there safely eventually. I had trouble getting up some of the little hills around the school, so I stopped at Our lady of Joy until I saw a salt/plow truck. Then I struck out again and it was much easier, but still slow - just in case.

When Jess told me she was going to die if she had to stay in school any longer, I told everyone does, but probably not today.

Zubik Center

I took the girls downtown yesterday because Pirate Fest was going on. We were going to park across the river, but parking is free on Saturdays during December, so we parked there, which was also close to the Holly Trolley line, so we caught that to look at the gingerbread houses. On the way to the Trolley, we saw Catholic Charities open with things for kids to do starting at 11 (everything else started at 12). So we went in and dressed up in Nativity clothes, made crafts, had cookies and hot chocolate. It was great. Pirate Fest was great too until Sarah twisted her ankle on a bouncy obstacle course, so I didn't get to register for as much as I intended - like the pierogi eating contest. We got home in time to go to mass at 4 and order Pizza Hut with the $20 dinner box for $10 dollar online coupon that we use monthly.

Names

Today, I was reminded how important it is to use names. I try to use names with students, but a lot of teachers use names with each other too. That's something I have to work on.

Son

My friend's 17 year old son passed away. It seemed sudden, but I don't have a lot of details, not that any detail would make much difference. I am glad they are asking for prayer because that means they are open to the grace God must want to comfort them with.

Bleeding

Bleeding is a catchier title than "Giving Blood" is, but that's what I did this evening. It went well. The best part is usually the end when you get to eat snacks. The end was still the best part, but more so because of my conversation than the snacks. A dad and his first grade son were there because the dad was giving blood. The son may have been a little nervous when his dad had to go into the room for the questionnaire, so the boy decided to talk to me, not the other guy a little older than me sitting by himself, and not the couple sitting together at a fourth table. It started with him explaining to me how to play rock, paper, scissors, shoot. I'm not sure if we were playing best of seven, but he beat me 4-1. Then, he decided he should know my name, so I told him, "I'm Dr. Stevens. What's your name?"

"My name's Lucky, but my class calls me Tarif."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I'll call you Lucky then."

Then we played "I spy with my little eye" and then my time was up. I looked up the name of Tarif when I got home to check its spelling, but also found out it means "bold, determined, and tenacious," which I definitely saw in him.

Disney

We just got back from Disney. It was nice, but HH is nicer. It gave me unique opportunities to pray, but not as many opportunities to serve like HH.

Capture the Flag

I had fun playing Capture the Flag with the junior high students again this year. There were good cookies as always, although not as many to take home. I felt healthy running around, but I stubbed my thumb on someone. There was also a lot of huggies, but no hot chocolate. We must have been spoiled in the past. We have a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving.

Goal Met

I wanted to run a 5K under 22:07 (that's 7:07/mile) and I did one in 21:58 (7:04). I hope I am persistent in following Christ as I am about working out.

WPSLA

The first piece of news that comes to mind is that I joined the Western PA School Librarians Association because Kristen asked me to (although she asks every year) and because one of their meetings at the History Center can be in lieu of an Extended Day.

The other piece of news would be about the churches merging. One of the models mirrors the one that the schools are using (Mary's, Ursula's, and Bonnie's). That was also the most popular choice 2:1 at the meeting versus the other models, so hopefully that means that's the model for us going forward.

Other than that, things have been routine. There are a few things on the horizon though. The girls are at ice-skating lessons right now. Claire has a Forensics tournament Saturday and then I'm going to the Pitt game against Duke (after Pitt just bear #2 Clemson at Clemson last week). Mike was there and we might stop by his tailgate before the game in Gold Lot 2 by Stage AE.

Protests continue

Protests continued yesterday, so Facebook posts continued to be filled with Clinton supporters criticizing Trump and his supporters. I haven't responded because I haven't been asked to and I've learned if you preach the word to those who didn't ask for it, then they usually hate you for it; but if you preach the Word to wise people who ask you, then they love you for it. It seems the wise are refraining from posting to Facebook, so I am too.

If I were to look for a Catholic analogy, it would be the sinner pounding his breast asking for God's mercy (Trump supporters) and the self-righteous pharisee praying to himself (Clinton supporters).

Other analogies could come from the Franciscan (Christian) precepts:
12. Love others
13. Accept others joyfully
18. Respect all creatures
19. Seek unity

Even more analogies could come from the Taoist precepts:
5. I do not judge others.
8. I go with and not against the nature of things.
10. I suspend my belief in opposites by seeing myself in all.
17. I trust that others know what is best for them.
18. I do not need rules to be kind and just.
22. I resist brokenness by being flexible and bending to storms.
26. I can remain poised regardless of what goes before me.
30. What uses force will decay.
31. I allow my best to shine by loving where there was hatred.
43. The softest overrides the hardest of things.
45. My inner peace is my true gauge of achievement
49. It is my choice to be kind because that is all I have to give.
55. I get cooperation when I stop trying to control others' lives, including mine.
56. Those who talk do not know. Those who know, do not talk.
57. I let others live by their rules. I am free to live by mine.
61. By staying calm and under the radar, friends will trust me.
65. I will be guided if I know that I do not know.
68. What I fight weakens me. What I cooperate with strengthens me.
73. I listen more and speak less.
75. I place less demands on others and myself and am free to just be.
76. I am strong by being soft/pliable rather than hard/brittle.
78. I remain serene amidst sorrow to prevent evil from entering me.
79. I return kindness for injury.

Election Day

Trump won and I enjoyed watching the Clinton supporters be humbled, at least the ones that were so self-righteous and full of pride leading up to the election. I'm glad she conceded and that Trump graciously accepted.

The night before Claire, Sarah, and Emily got their pictures taken with Kat, Pa, and Grandma Sue. Kelly and I weren't in them because Mary had to stay home with Sven. I think that's all since the Star Party

Blessed Be Educators Star Party

Yesterday was a full day. I went to the first Blessed Be Educators breakfast with Sarah and Emily. We got back in time for me to take the Hyundai in for a safety recall. Then I had time to get the lawnmower and mow. Then Sarah and my mom went to a Star Party.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

We also celebrated my dad's birthday last weekend. Then, this week flew by. I did make time to pray, but not to get onto Blogger.

Bobcat Blast 5K

The first annual Bobcat Blast 5K was great. Sarah ran it in under 30 minutes (her first official 5K). I ran it in 22:14. If I had known I was so close to my all-time goal of 22:07, I might have been able to push myself a little more. Of course, if I keep training, it should be easy to beat whenever there's a next time. One down side to the day was that I couldn't go to morning mass.

More 5K Prep

Sarah, Claire, and I ran a 5K to prepare for the real 5K Sarah and I are running Saturday. I was doing well with 7 miles one day, then 8, then 10.5, then I was so tired the fourth day, I slept through one snooze of my alarm clock, which is unusual for me. Today, I had the sniffles, so I probably won't run more today unless I feel better later. Thursday and Friday were going to be mandatory rest days anyway, so I'll try to beat my 27:27 from my only other timed 5K.