Little Update or Two...

As of today, I have successfully completed my first week as a professor. I have a sign on my door, calendars and posters on the wall of my office and have successfully led discussions in all three of my classes. Two of them- the Tuesday/Thursday morning class and the Monday/Wednesday classes divided up really well into groups. There’s a group of freshman, a group of upper classmen/transfers and in one class a group of vets and in one a group of internationals. They all divide up nicely and they all have something to share. In my Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class, which is also my smallest class, doesn’t divide as well and because they’re much smaller, they don’t want to talk as much. But hey, two out of three ain’t bad, right?

I’ve also pretty much have my lessons planned from now up until the end of the September, which is quite nice. One of the classes is for individual goal meetings so that doesn’t need any planning, but everything else is taken care of which is really great because I just got a free month of Netflix and so goodbye productivity. Especially since I just discovered the mini-series of the book I just read, The Pillars of the Earth.

The pool has also opened, so I’ve been swimming there three times of week. It’s been a very good work out opportunity- I just didn’t wish that my hair smelled like chlorine even after the shower. I’ve gotten spoiled with the salt-water pool down the street! Usually there either isn’t anyone at the pool when I’m there or the baseball team is doing their workout, so it’s a nice solo time. Plus, I get to swim with fins on which makes me feel so much faster than I’m sure I really am. And I’m getting a waterproof i-pod holder for an early Christmas present so I can listen to music or podcasts while I’m swimming. Much more enjoyable- just like getting to listen to music or podcasts while running on a stupid treadmill.

The weather has also been beautiful lately so my afternoons/evenings have mainly consisted of eating dinner outside and then lying on the blanket reading a book. I just read The Hunger Games and am waiting for the second one to be returned to the school library so I can read that. I already have the third checked out so I’m already set to continue once I read #2. Speaking of books, have read some great ones lately. I really enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth (briefly mentioned above). It was the story about the building of a cathedral in Kingsbridge. It takes place around the time of the battle of succession between Stephen and Maud ending with the eventually crowning of Henry II. You follow the characters through maybe 50 of so years of their life. It’s compelling story, great characters, some that you love and some that you absolutely hate, but you definitely get addicted to them right away. I probably read it in three days or so, despite it being over 900 pages. There are some historical anachronisms for the way that they speak but in general, a decent story. I also got to meet Chris Crutcher, author of such incredible books like Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Whale Talk, Deadline, The Sledding Hill, The Crazy-Horse Electric Game, Running Loose, Ironman, Athletic Shorts and many others (I wonder which one I’m forgetting- I know I’ve read them all). He was doing a signing at Rediscovered Books downtown and after my audition for the Meridian Symphony (oh right, I joined an orchestra), I got to meet him, chat with him and get his newest book, Angry Management signed. Sadly I had forgotten my camera at home so I took one with my cell phone, texted it to Youval who then emailed it to me. His newest book is fantastic- it’s three short stories that bring together some of his older character. Sarah Byrnes and Angus Bethune get together and explore more of Sarah’s history. Montana West, of Deadline, takes on the school board and her father. And John Simet, coach of my favorite motley crue of swimming teams, interacts and mentors who amazing kids, one who has become my new favorite book character. I finished the book in two hours- it was that good. Seriously, you should check it out.