Category: Tuesday Topics

Tuesday Topics: The year 2023 in bling!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Show us your year in bling!  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

This year I ran a total of 5 races compared to 2 in 2022.  I ran one out of state, the NYC Half Marathon, and am planning on running it again next year.

Here are my races and medals:

NYC Half Marathon – It was a great race but hilly and also tough!  I know now to train for those hills.

NYC Half Marathon-34

⇒ Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle – This is one of my favorite races and I LOVE it!  For some reason I cannot find my medal.

CARA Lakefront 10 Miler – Another medal picture with beer.  You can say that I do like my beer after a race.

CARA Lakefront 10 Miler-5

CARA Spring Trail Chase 10k – My first time running this race.  I enjoyed the distance and the course.  It was sunny and warm day but liked that I ran in shorts and a tank top.  No medal and I am OK with it.

⇒ Elmhurst Running 4 on the 4th – No medal and no picture.  I remember my sister went with me but cannot remember why I didn’t take any pictures.  But I did run!

The topic for next week:  Your year in photos.  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: Holiday Gift Guide

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Holiday gift guide for runners.  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

December already and time to do some holiday shopping!  This post won’t list items only for runners but some of the products that I bought this year and have used.  I hope you like them enough to buy for you, your family, friends, etc.  Some of these items I purchased for my students, for me, or for the house.  The BEST purchase was the foam mattress.  My nephew was the one who told me about it.  I was a bit reluctant to buy a mattress from Amazon but I do not regret it at all.

▪️ SpaceAid DryingNeat Sink Organizer, Instant Dry Sink Caddy Organizers, Kitchen Sponge Soap Holder Dispenser, Countertop Fast Drying Rack

Spaceaid-1

▪️ ChapStick Total Hydration Hello Bordeaux 

Chapstick-1

▪️ Momofuku Noodles  and Chili Crunch

Momofuku noodles-1

▪️Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt 

Amazon Essential Tshirts-1

▪️Aoibrloy Toss Catch Ball Set

Aoibrloy Toss Catch Ball Set-1

▪️Jump Rope, Adjustable Length Tangle-Free Segmented Soft Beaded Skipping Rope

Jump ropes-1

▪️Brooklyn Botany Lavender Essential Oil

Brooklyn Botany Lavender Essential Oil-1

▪️BALEAF Women’s Fleece Lined Leggings Thermal Warm Winter Tights – 

BALEAF Women's Fleece Lined Leggings Thermal Warm Winter Tights-1

▪️ZINUS 12 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

Foam Mattres-1

▪️WISELIFE Reusable Grocery Bags 3-Pack Foldable Washable Large Storage Bins – 

Wiselife Reusable Bags-1

▪️TOMYOU 200 Pieces Building Blocks Kids STEM Toys

Building Blocks Kids STEM Toys-1

▪️The Original Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Smooth Edge Manual Hand Held Can Opener

Can Opener-1

▪️ Graphite Smencils Cylinder – HB #2 Scented Pencils

Smencils-1

The topic for next week:  Show us your year in bling!  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: November 2023 Review

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I feel like November is going by fast.  What a month!  A few of us celebrated a birthday – 51 for me!.  I was off for a few days for Thanksgiving Break.  The time off was wonderful and I didn’t want to go back to work yesterday.  Now I am looking forward to Winter Break.  

Let me tell you about how November went for me:

Mileage:  So far I’ve run 20.98 and walked 0 miles this month.  I couldn’t get it together to be consistent and run on more days.   

Current Book:  I finished reading “The Maid” and am currently reading “The Truth and Other Hidden Things”.  The former was good and it took me longer than expected to finish it.  There were times that I lost interest and put it down to watch TV.  I am enjoying the other book but sometimes get annoyed with the main character.  It is still a good book.

Next year my goal will be to read 24 books.    

2023 Running Goal:  I said goodbye to my goal.  This year wasn’t my year for running.  I did the best I could and am OK with it.  I will continue to run and will be happy with whatever number I end up with on December 31.   

Injuries:  None.  How can I have any when I am barely running?  🤪  Sometimes I have some pain/discomfort in my hip.  And depending on which shoes I wear and how long I am on my feet, they hurt too.

Races:  None, but am hoping I can run a 5k in December.  This year I ran a half marathon, 10k, 10 miler, 8k, and a 4 miler.

Health:  I am doing OK.  Depending on how my day goes, I sleep well and on other days I don’t.  

School:  It is still an up-and-down situation.  I am still overwhelmed with a lot of work to do and not enough time.  I like my students and sometimes I like my job.  A few weeks ago I got a new student from El Salvador.  She is sweet and shy and is excited to be in school.  I like my principal.  She is very supportive and understands where we (teachers) come from.  

Still, I will end this post with what I said last month:  Each day brings me closer to another year of teaching and then to another year closer to retirement.

The topic for next week:  Holiday Gift Guide for runners.  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: I am thankful

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Tell us why you’re thankful for running this year!  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers! 

Another year and another birthday.  I feel lucky and happy to be celebrating another birthday.  I went to work where I got presents and hugs from my students.  After work, I had two meetings.  Then I went to Portillo’s for a burger, fries, and my free chocolate cake.  Everything was yummy!  It was a good day.

Now let me tell you what I am thankful for.

💖 I am thankful for my students.  I know I complain about them but no matter what happens during the day, I still enjoy and like my students.  They’re kids.  It isn’t their fault that the district has a rigorous schedule and all day is all work, work, and work.  The other day, after 5 tests, they asked to color and to listen to music.  A few of them danced!

💖 I am thankful for my job.  Similar to the previous point.   Not all days are bad days.  On Tuesday as we were getting ready to go home, one of the girls told me, “Ms. Arroyo, you are fun”.  

💖 I am thankful for my health.  I am healthy.   A little high cholesterol but that’s it.  I take good care of myself, but know that I need to be more active.  I want to run the Chicago Marathon next year.  I know I can do it and that it won’t be easy 

💖 I am thankful for my cats.  My fur babies!  I swear they both understand when I ask them if they want chicken or fish for their snack.  I know, I know, what you’re thinking.  They meow and it makes me laugh.  Lately, Mateo has been more cuddly at night.  He usually sleeps on the foot of the bed, but now he sleeps next to me.

💖 I am thankful for running.  I had no idea I would still be running years later after I took that first running class with CARA.  Then I signed up for a race and then another one.  Then we know what happened.  The other day someone was saying how I find running to be fun.  I know he meant it sarcastically (who doesn’t), but while I do find it fun, it is more than that.  I said that to me it is my alone time.  I like running because I feel like I am alone in the world with no worries.  It is just me alone for those miles before getting back to reality.

Next week is a FREE topic.  Feel free to write about any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: October 2023 Review

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

October seemed like a LONG month.  Most of them do feel that way but this month just felt longer.  No?  At least we are closer to November which brings us to Thanksgiving Break.  I am looking forward to it and to the time off.  I know I can take time off pretty much whenever I want, but honestly, many times “it isn’t worth it”.  It takes a long time to plan and write lesson plans.  Anyway, again, at least I know I can take the time off.

Let me tell you about how October went for me:

Mileage:  Sigh.  Weird how at one point running was a huge thing for me.  I ran everyday or almost everyday.  Now, I can barely get in a run.  And it is getting colder now.  We had some very warm days towards the end of October, but now it is down to 30 degrees.  I know, I know, I can run in this weather, but sometimes I don’t want to.  I am too cold.

This month I ran 20.48 and walked 3.14 miles.

Current Book:  I am still reading “The Guide” and was determined to finish it in October.  I have a few pages to go.  There are 5 books that I got from the library that are waiting for me.

2023 Running Goal:  I said goodbye to my goal.  This year wasn’t my year for running.  I did the best I could and am OK with it.  I will continue to run and will be happy with whatever number I end up with on December 31. 

Injuries:  None.  Though sometimes I have some pain/discomfort in my hip.  And depending on which shoes I wear and how long I am on my feet, they hurt too.

Races:  None, but am hoping I can run a 5k this month or in December.  This year I ran a half marathon, 10k, 10 miler, 8k, and a 4 miler.

Health:  I am doing OK.  Depending on how my day goes, I sleep well and on other days I don’t.

School:  It is an up-and-down situation.  As much as I care about my students, many days I find no joy in my job.  I get angry and am exhausted.  I know I have mentioned this before, but seriously, this year is the worst.  Or maybe it was the year I worked from home – that was horrible too.  

Even though I do a lot of work at home, I cannot seem to catch up on schoolwork.  I did my grades over a week ago but still need to review and finalize them so they can be available to parents.  I wonder how many of them actually check them.  I have a pile of paperwork that needs to be graded and entered in PowerSchool.  I get one planning period (45 minutes) every day to review lessons and plan for the day, make copies, do my lesson plans, grade, etc.  On Thursdays, we have a grade-level meeting.  Sometimes I substitute for another teacher who is absent that day, so I still don’t get all of my planning periods each week.

We have parent/teacher conferences on Monday and I know many won’t go well.  Many are not on grade level and it will get worse as they get older.  I hope I am wrong and these kids and parents get their act together.  It is just so sad to see these kids not motivated and have no desire to learn.

Each day brings me closer to another year of teaching and then to another year closer to retirement.  Sad that I am thinking this way, right?

The topic for next week:  Let’s go down memory lane again and tell us about your best childhood memory.  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

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