Last day of PD session this week, which went relatively well. The first activity we did as a staff was nice, since we were writing positive notes for one another. It reminded me of a time during my second year where my homeroom had a "boys vs girls" issue that quickly got out of hand. After going to teacher's convention that year, I learned a technique where you make one student write three positive things about another student anonymously. I rigged it so that a boy was writing nice things for a girl and vice versa. Of course, I had them hand it in to me, for me to look them over before handing them out to the students.
It helped... for a few weeks.
The afternoon PD session was quite informative, for I learned some new tricks on PowerSchool.
Other than that, I went to try out a drone, which was beyond cool, though I guess I should read all the regulations/safety requirements before flying it. I only flew it on my school field without going above... 15 m? Like I mentioned... really cool. I wouldn't mind getting one of my own, but I'll have no use for a drone.
As for the title... squatted 235 lbs for fives for eight sets. The goal was ten, but I was starting to have my squat form tilt to one side. I wasn't fully aware of the tilt, until a couple of buddies noticed it and warned me. Better safe than to injure myself once again.
One more day before kids come back on Tuesday.
Thursday, 30 August 2018
Wednesday, 29 August 2018
Hump day of the first week back
It's only Wednesday today? I kept thinking that it was a Friday, until I realize that it's back day Wednesdays.
The morning started off with PD before we had our staff meeting in the afternoon. Other than that, I finally went to mail in my rebate for the PSU I bought last week. Getting money, assuming that I actually do get back the rebate, is always a good thing.
Despite coming home earlier from the gym, I still have a bad habit of sleeping in, which translates to either making to work just on time, or being late a few minutes. Compared to my first year as a teacher, I used to show up 15-30 minutes early.
I'll need to figure out some other way to wake myself up, or not hit my snooze button so quickly. Maybe I should move my alarm away from arm's reach.
The morning started off with PD before we had our staff meeting in the afternoon. Other than that, I finally went to mail in my rebate for the PSU I bought last week. Getting money, assuming that I actually do get back the rebate, is always a good thing.
Despite coming home earlier from the gym, I still have a bad habit of sleeping in, which translates to either making to work just on time, or being late a few minutes. Compared to my first year as a teacher, I used to show up 15-30 minutes early.
I'll need to figure out some other way to wake myself up, or not hit my snooze button so quickly. Maybe I should move my alarm away from arm's reach.
Tuesday, 28 August 2018
Day of PDs
Another chilly morning, but it got warmer as the day continued. Work was filled with PD: a session on the new TQS (Teacher Quality Standards) and the annual discussion about our collective bargain. Other than that, I had some time to finish setting up my Google Classrooms for the year. I've been saying that I'll implement it into my teaching ever since... 2015, but I have yet to do so. One of my personal/professional goals for the year is to implement more technology into my teaching... one that doesn't involve using a lot of tech at school since things don't always go the way you want them to go!
Ever since yesterday, I've been skipping break/nap after work to head to the gym earlier. Before summer break, I've been hitting the gym at around 6:30 PM and haven't been leaving till around 9 PM. After coming home, showering and eating, it would usually be around 10:30. Sleep is normally hard for me right after eating, so I end up staying up till 11:30. So far, it seems to be helping, for I'm just winding down before hitting the sack!
Ever since yesterday, I've been skipping break/nap after work to head to the gym earlier. Before summer break, I've been hitting the gym at around 6:30 PM and haven't been leaving till around 9 PM. After coming home, showering and eating, it would usually be around 10:30. Sleep is normally hard for me right after eating, so I end up staying up till 11:30. So far, it seems to be helping, for I'm just winding down before hitting the sack!
Monday, 27 August 2018
Cool Autumn Breeze already?
It was chillier than usual this morning, despite it being somewhat cold over the past few weeks. I've already have wool socks on, to stop my toes from feeling like they're going to fall off.
Perhaps the coolness is the true sign that school is about to restart. The first day back went relatively smooth, with a few minor hiccups. I managed to organize my classroom somewhat and got to start working on setting up Google Classroom. I found a blog post online that apparently allows you to make a question bank of some sort to use for making quizzes on Google Forms. If I'm able to pull it off, it'll really change the way I do assignments!
As for the gym, I combined shoulders and arms today. I started adding in some cardio, which felt great at the time, but now my ankles feel stiff from going on the elliptical.
Onto sleep soon, for tomorrow is going to be a long day filled with PD.
Perhaps the coolness is the true sign that school is about to restart. The first day back went relatively smooth, with a few minor hiccups. I managed to organize my classroom somewhat and got to start working on setting up Google Classroom. I found a blog post online that apparently allows you to make a question bank of some sort to use for making quizzes on Google Forms. If I'm able to pull it off, it'll really change the way I do assignments!
As for the gym, I combined shoulders and arms today. I started adding in some cardio, which felt great at the time, but now my ankles feel stiff from going on the elliptical.
Onto sleep soon, for tomorrow is going to be a long day filled with PD.
Sunday, 26 August 2018
It's already 10:30?!? (Super Short Post)
I started writing about my trip out East at around 8:30, but didn't realize it's already 10:30! I was planning to publish the post today, but I guess it'll have to wait till next weekend.
Back to work I go!
Back to work I go!
Saturday, 25 August 2018
Ankle Mobility Issues
On a positive note, what a difference a few days can make when it comes to lifting weights. On Tuesday, after my massage and chiro session, my right leg was extremely sore from IMS. Squatting 225 lbs was pretty much impossible and I could only muster sets of three reps. As for today, I went at it again, and was able to squat 225 lbs for four reps while pausing at the bottom.
As for pausing at the bottom, I'm trying to reteach my body to squat "Ass-to-the-Grass". I've stopped going so low and aimed for parallel since my heels have an issue while squatting (got progressively worse since my initial injury in 2016). It normally tends to lift once I go past parallel. For today's session, I was concentrating on keeping my heels planted while trying to keep my upper body more upright. I'll need to test my ankle mobility soon, but I'm quite sure that's my biggest issue. What made me, and my workout buddy, realize that the ankle is the most probable culprit was in Toronto. I was able to squat without lifting my heels, but I was wearing low-top Chuck Taylor's (Converse). He realized that my ankles would cave in, which is bad, but prevented my heels from lifting.
The path to squat (cleanly this time) 315 seems a lot clearer now!
As for pausing at the bottom, I'm trying to reteach my body to squat "Ass-to-the-Grass". I've stopped going so low and aimed for parallel since my heels have an issue while squatting (got progressively worse since my initial injury in 2016). It normally tends to lift once I go past parallel. For today's session, I was concentrating on keeping my heels planted while trying to keep my upper body more upright. I'll need to test my ankle mobility soon, but I'm quite sure that's my biggest issue. What made me, and my workout buddy, realize that the ankle is the most probable culprit was in Toronto. I was able to squat without lifting my heels, but I was wearing low-top Chuck Taylor's (Converse). He realized that my ankles would cave in, which is bad, but prevented my heels from lifting.
The path to squat (cleanly this time) 315 seems a lot clearer now!
Friday, 24 August 2018
Last Summer Break Friday
With work just around the corner (Monday Aug 27), it's about time to wrap up Summer 2018.
Overall, it was a productive summer: dabbled with Mindstorm EV3, Tinkercad and Scratch programming along with a really informative workshop, cleaned a bunch of my drawers (never got to my closet though...), and detailed my car. It was also relaxing due to being able to cram in a variety of dramas, anime, movies and vacation (more about vacation in a future blog post).
It'll be back to the daily grind soon, albeit with some changes that will hopefully allow me to get more sleep during the school year! That was one of the biggest issues I had the past year was lack of sleep.
An imaginary toast to a wonderful summer! May the upcoming school year be exciting (though not too exciting for I'm starting to show/feel my age).
Overall, it was a productive summer: dabbled with Mindstorm EV3, Tinkercad and Scratch programming along with a really informative workshop, cleaned a bunch of my drawers (never got to my closet though...), and detailed my car. It was also relaxing due to being able to cram in a variety of dramas, anime, movies and vacation (more about vacation in a future blog post).
It'll be back to the daily grind soon, albeit with some changes that will hopefully allow me to get more sleep during the school year! That was one of the biggest issues I had the past year was lack of sleep.
An imaginary toast to a wonderful summer! May the upcoming school year be exciting (though not too exciting for I'm starting to show/feel my age).
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