TAT CN Header

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Three Things Thursday

1. Early wake-up call.
Norah was up at 5:45 this morning, and oh yay, it was "my" day to get up with her. Typically, she doesn't get up until 6:15-6:30, and it's surprising how being deprived those expected 30-45 minutes of sleep can affect me. In my zombified state, the only conceivable course of action was to get her milk, cereal and for us both to plop down on the couch and watch some Sesame Street. Norah is mad-crazy for Sesame right now, or "Sese" as she calls it and she asks for it all the time. We try to limit her viewing because, you know, every single study out there suggests that if you let your child watch too much TV, their brains will liquify and next thing you know, they're armed atop a bell tower.

2. Under Observation.
The dean of my department came to one of my classes this afternoon to observe my teaching. Every year, I have to get observed, which is fine, but no matter how often I've had a superior sit in on my classes, it's always a bit nerve-racking. Especially because the class he chose to attend is not one of my more lively classes. They're...okay. That's honestly the best way to describe them; nothing particularly bothersome about them, but they are very willing to just sit there, motionless, while I turn cartwheels to try and engage them. But, they were...fine...today; it was clear that only about 50% of them had read the assignment we were discussing (but short of pistol-whipping them for such a transgression, I've never managed to come up with a real way of enforcing the reading of assigned material), but I think, on the whole, the class went well. However, I won't know his thoughts about the observation until he fills out his review of me and submits it to me. Hopefully by next week.

3. Run-Run-Running out of Steam
I feel as though the end of running during pregnancy is in sight for me, despite the fact that I'm only 26 weeks along. It's been sporadic, at best, the past few weeks, and while I do enjoy it those times I do get out there, feeling obliged to run has begun to weigh on me, and it feels like an obligation I'd just like to ignore. Perhaps I feel that way about it this week because the cold I caught last week has lingered and I'm still not feeling great, or maybe, in this go-round, I just won't be able to run for as long as I'd like. We'll see. No ax yet, but I see it ahead on the horizon.

12 comments:

Krissy said...

Oh I know how you feel that happened for me late November, I tried to keep my self intrested in running but I just didn't feel good doing it or afterwards. Walking and all the other forms of exercise you do are plenty, listen to your body.

Marlene said...

I watch an obscene amount of Sesame Street as a kid... so fa,r no bell towers!

Erin said...

Miller loved Sesame Street around that age. Then he moved onto Barney. Then it was Fireman Sam. Everyone knows the benefit of tv time; it keeps Mom and Dad sane. A limited amount is fine. No kid has died from watching too much of the Street :)

As for your evaluation; you know you always do well. When you quit getting anxious or nervous about it, you know it will be time to find a new job. That's what keeps you in the excellent teaching category-you care!

Running shmunning. This pregnancy has you in a different place with a much different schedule (less rest, more activity). Listen to your body. You love to run because you enjoy it. If you don't feel like it now, don't do it. You know you always find your mojo when you need it.

Julie D said...

As a student, I'd always try to be a more engaged student when my teacher was being observed -- well, if I liked the teacher, anyway! But I think I'm in the minority.

No need to worrying about your running decision. It's not like we expect you'd trudge through something you don't feel like doing right now, pregnant or not. Even non-pregnant people need to ax running once in a while... we'd be better off that way. ;)

Erin said...

Ugh. I know what you mean about turning cartwheels for naught. I had that experience in a class I was teaching today.

One of my husband's professors threatens to make his students write down three things they learned from the reading if people refuse/don't participate in class. Participation (or writing down the three things) is a fairly large percentage of the grade but I don't know if he's had to put his threat into practice yet.

Crissy Rae said...

My sister also limits Morgan's tv time as she thinks it's all crap and no good for her. Her obsession lately is Mickey Mouse. Can't get enough!

They are beginning to work on teaching her spanish now so I guess that lack of tv time is a good idea!

MCM Mama said...

At least Sesame is better than Shoo's current fixation on Sponge Bob and iCarly. Gotta love having a four year age difference - the younger one gets exposed to stuff way early.

Unknown said...

Despite the studies, there's nothing better than a trance-like toddler in front of the tv for a few mins to let you get something done! ha ha. As for running, I didn't last nearly as long the second time around...

MNFirefly said...

My son loved Blue's Clues, Sesame Street, and Spongebob Squarepants. My daughter on the other loved her Dora. They turned out alright with all of the TV that they watched.

Anonymous said...

An observer...I don't know if I'd feel normal with that going on myself. In regards of running...your body knows best. When it feels like an obligation, it's not fun !

fancy nancy said...

My daughter would marry Elmo if he let her! Seriously though she has learned her alphabet and lots of other fun things with the help of those crazy muppets! Now she is becoming slightly obsessed with Dora which doesn't really thrill my soul. Although I have been speaking Spanish to her since she was born and yesterday she came out with "Help me! Ayudame!" I'm taking the credit but it may be that nasty explorer!

fancy nancy said...

Oh I completely forgot...when they don't do their reading you can just take away recess....oh wait that only works if they are under the age of 10! Sorry! Maybe take the keg away????