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As I have struggled to get back into the swing of life these past 3 weeks, I am reminded why I decided to take the job in Arizona last year. I remember weighing the pro's and con's of both jobs and deciding that if I stayed in Cleveland, everything would stay the same. I would go to work, see the same friends, go to the same places, and life would be the same. Sameness. If I took the job in Arizona, as I did, I would force myself out of that sameness, and into a newness.

So here I am, three weeks into school (!*(&#!) and back in that sameness. I go to school every day, I hang out with my sister and Mason after school, I see my friends, I go to the same places. And I'm wondering why I was so intent on leaving it behind for newness. Because I'm right at home, living and loving my life.

At times, it is hard to balance all of the directions I'm being pulled in -- work, family, friends. But it's a good predicament to be in. I am really content right now, and everything is right in my world. Maybe it's the change in weather -- I do love fall -- or maybe it's that everything really is great.

I'm really happy with my classes and feel like I'm really making a difference. I'm reading up a storm too -- so much I can't even keep track. But if you're looking for something to read, check out Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food. It's a look into what we eat, what we should be eating and what exactly it is that we're putting into our mouths. I love that he says that out in the market (the buyers market that is, not the super) that there are more than enough "food like substances" for us to feast on, but not enough of the stuff that we really should be eating. I got on this kick of learning about what we eat and being really weary of the things that are in our foods when I read an article by Eric Schlosser (who brought us Fast Food Nation) called "Why McDonalds Fries Taste So Good" and was featured in The Atlantic Monthly. It's a fascinating look into the chemicals that go into our foods. Now, is this going to stir a change in me, maybe, but it's good to think about what we're feeding ourselves and our families.

I'm also getting ready to teach Night by Elie Wiesel to my Honors class. The Holocaust moves me, and probably everyone else in this world, and so I'm really excited to teach it. I have some great ideas for this unit and hope to impact my kids. [I will confess I'm a little nervous because some of my kids have already read Night and when I told them we'd be reading it their response was, "UGH! It had such a bad ending!" After which I had to remind them that it was a true story and that this was someones life...yikes!]

So to my 2.5 readers, thanks for bugging me to post again. Know that all is well, and I can probably be found either hanging out with the Brown's, at the library, or someplace else with my nose in a book or with a trusty red pen in my hand, grading away.

p.s. If you're interested, I just updated my side-bar book lists.