Honestly, now.

I woke up late.  I burned my breakfast.  I had to cab to school so I wouldn’t be late.  I forgot to make copies of the assignment.  I realized that I forgot to have the students check their homework yesterday.  I had an awesome day and I’m not even being sarcastic. Really.

First, I’m amazed at the difference the CELTA has made in my teaching.  I was told that I was a good teacher before.  However, I couldn’t really believe it.  There’s a HUGE difference between a good teacher and one that is merely likeable.  I always figured that I leaned towards the latter.  Turns out that a little training goes a long ways.  Not only in the way I teach, but I’m certainly a lot more satisfied with my job.  I’m happiest with my employment situation when I can walk out of the school and know that not only did the students learn something, but they enjoyed the lesson as well (at least a part of it).  I’m well aware that the material that I’m teaching is a little beyond their level.  Actually, for some of them, it’s far beyond their level.  But still, today all of my students could tell me and (to certain degrees) demonstrate what personification is.  Not only that, but we had fun with it as well.

It’s also a good day because it’s my friend’s birthday.  I made brownies last night and I enjoyed it.  (It also doesn’t hurt that my apartment now smells like brownies.)  Cooking and baking are a few of my very favorite things to do, but only when doing it for other people.

I have a bunch of little resolutions for this year but they all can be neatly packaged into once sentence: this year I resolve to be happy.  Corny? Definitely.  Trite? Certainly not.  There are some things in this world that I desperately want and I’m not going to stop wanting or pursuing them.  However, over the past  two years or so my priorities have taken a painful shift.  I say “painful” because it’s been (at times) excruciating.  I’m not being over-dramatic or indulging in hyperbole.  It was what it was and now it’s over and I’m not particularly sorry for any of it.  A lot has changed, I’m just trying to keep up.  But I’ve meandered off the topic….

Yeah, I’m happy.  I had a good day today.  Here’s my top five things for today (in no particular order) that I’m thankful for:

friends that I can cook for

a student named Jane, who is excitable and obnoxious but tries so hard to be good in my class

my toaster over

my refrigerator magnets (the ones of my nephews)

Jessie, my amazing and forgiving partner teacher. i’ve got a ways to go before i’m up to her level at work, but at least i have something to aim for.