Category: Weekly Recap

Weekly Run Down: A good week of running and being kind

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Another great week for me!  Ran 5 days for a total of 20.07 miles and did 2 virtual races for the Uncanceled Project.

I have my days when I can easily get up at 6:30 am and am ready to start the day.  There are also days in which it is 8 am and I am feeling so tired and could stay in bed all day.   I  This week was a combo of both.  I did three runs in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and another one in the evening.  have no idea how I am going to do it when I go back to the classroom in the Fall.

Going back to workMy run on Saturday felt so hard.  I procrastinated and went out at 2pm . I was struggling in the first half mile of the run.  The plan was to run 3.10 miles and then turn around to run another 3.10 miles for a total of 6.20.  At 1.5 miles I wanted to quit but knew I still needed to keep running to get home.  I decided to try a different route to get home.  By the time I was almost home, I was at 4.23 miles.  I asked myself “why quit now?”  I kept on going but stayed close to home because I knew it was going to rain a lot.  It did!!!  And then it was sunny and warm again.

I got on the Peloton one day.  I bought these gym towels to use and I like them.  They’re the perfect size to cover the handlebars.  I had ordered a different kind but that order never got delivered.  After a few emails back and forth with the company, I decided to get my money back and go with Plan B.

The theme this week was Kindness.  I am a kind person.  I do kind things but don’t expect anything in return.  We should all be kind no matter the situation.  We don’t know what people are going through and sometimes all it takes is a smile, a compliment, or just being nice to others.

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Last Sunday when I was coming home I stopped at Wendy’s.  I paid for my meal and paid for the order in the car behind me.  Did I have to do that?  No,  I wanted to.  The cashier told me “That is a very nice thing you did”.  I smiled at her and said “Thank You”.  I felt good but more importantly I hoped the people behind me were happy, healthy, and enjoyed their meal.  

My friend, Carolina, set up a GoFund Me page to raise money for the street cart vendors in Little Village.  I grew up in Little Village.  These vendors cannot go out there and sell like they used to.  Like many people in this country, they have no income.  When things get better, who knows if they will be able to sell again.  I donated a couple hundred dollars to give to the vendors.  I was inspired by my nephew.  He donated his stimulus check because he said he did not need it.  I was so proud of him when he said that.  I used Zelle to send the money to Carolina and she told me it was too much money and that I didn’t have to do that.  She was right.  I didn’t but I wanted to.  I told her that right now I am very lucky.  I have a job, a house, and am healthy.  There are other people in worse situations.  

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We have two weeks left of school.  Seriously, school should be done this Friday and not the following Friday.  Kids and teachers are burnt out and need a break.  On Thursday I held my last Google Meets session with them.  I would have one Monday-Thursday from 10am-1pm.  I did tell them that I will still be there for them if they have questions or need help.  As a way of saying goodbye to 2nd grade, I made a postcard.  Here is what it says:

Your teacher misses you.
Hi!  The school year is almost over.  You did a good job in the classroom and I am very proud of you.  Thank you for your help and your patience.  I know these past few months were not easy but we did it.  Remember that when we return the following year, you will be a 3rd grader.  Never forget that you are very intelligent.  Take care and I hope you visit me in the classroom when we return to school.

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Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Running across Illinois and for dreams

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This was a good week for me.  I ran 5 days for a total of 17.40 miles.  I did not want to miss any runs because I signed up for The Run Across Illinois Challenge and I am still participating in Deborah’s Run Bet Challenge.  I don’t really care about winning any money.  I just don’t want to lose the money that I entered in the bet.

It was sunny on Monday but must have been cooler since I had a heavier jacket.

I run in the morning before logging in for school but this week I ran twice in the evening.  It was warm on Wednesday and I have no idea what I was thinking.  I overdressed and wore pants and a long sleeve top and then regretted it.  On Thursday morning it was raining with thunderstorms and I knew I couldn’t get out to run.  I waited till the evening when it had stopped raining.  It was humid but still comfortable to wear shorts and a tank top.

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Saturday morning I had to run 5 miles.  I took it easy but still struggled to get it done.  I went out later than usual and while it wasn’t too warm, it was sunny which I guess wore me out.   I saw some pretty flowers along the way.  Later I went to do laundry (I used to go on Sundays but now prefer Saturday).  I must have been more tired than expected and so I took a nap and missed the Bloggers Zoom Call.  🙁

Another rainy day on Sunday.  A big difference from Saturday.  I did not want to go but then remembered the challenges I am doing and I was out the door.  It wasn’t too bad.  And yes I was warm again.

Of course I wanted to stay home like Mateo.  I cannot imagine him being comfortable but I guess he is.

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I did my 5k for the Uncancelled Project.  This time I am determined to get it done each week.

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Something I am excited about is The Great Run Across Illinois that Wendy mentioned in a post.  I even got Marcia to sign up and we created a team – Bloggers Outrunning COVID.  Our goal is to run 210 miles.  I didn’t realize that we had to get it done by the end of the month.   I honestly thought it was 70 days but that is for solo runners doing the challenge.  Yikes!  But we’ll get it done, right Marcia?  🙂

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Are you doing the Uncanceled Project 2?  What about any other challenges?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Mixed emotions and a sign

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Happy Sunday and Happy Mother’s Day!  I hope everyone is having a great day.

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I ran 3 days this week and one workout on the bike.  I have no pictures but honestly I did run.  🙂  My 5 miles on Saturday was tough.  It was in the low 30s but very sunny.  I had 2 layers and was warm enough.  The problem was the wind.  No matter which direction I went, it was blowing in my face.  Still was pleased with how I did.  My slowest mile was 12:18 and my fastest was 11:34.  

Felt good to run to one of my favorite places.  Took a few minutes to think about where I would like to travel when things are back to “normal”.  

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Back in March I signed up for the Un-Canceled Project.  They weren’t that difficult to do but yet I only did 2 of them.  I was kind of disappointed.  So I signed up again for round 2.  It begins tomorrow and ends June 21.  

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Here are the topics.  Did you sign up as well?

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This week was full of different emotions.  I was happy, tired, sad, angry, and scared.  Am I weird?  Or just a normal human being considering this situation we are in?  My best friend’s dad died on Saturday morning from Covid.  Ugh!  When will this end?  Seriously, I am trying to be positive but sometimes it is just so hard.

School is going well but sometimes I do get bored with it.  On Thursday about 8 students logged in Google Meet and we had a great time.  There was one student that was usually very quiet in class but this time was participating more and answering many questions.  That made me happy!

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  I’ve been spoiled.  Over the years administration has spoiled me with providing sweets, lunch, breakfast, etc., for the whole week.  On Monday a teacher from another school posted on Facebook that she received a gift from her administrator.  I did wonder if we would get something similar.  On Thursday coworkers from my school posted their gift.  I knew mine was coming soon.  Waited all day and nothing.  Our Principal sent an email letting us know that it was coming.  Friday morning came and a few teachers from my team got their gift.  Nothing yet for me.  Finally around 3:30pm I looked outside and saw it.  It made me VERY HAPPY!  I am not saying that I deserve it or anything like that but it just feels nice.

Looks like they’re up to no good.  Ha!

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How was your week?  A bit more exciting than mine?  🙂

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: Hello May and 5 weeks to go

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Happy Sunday!  How is everyone doing today?   I swear it feels like it was just Monday.  Another week at home doing lesson plans and activities as well as spending time with my cats.  🙂  I guess I shouldn’t really complain about it.

I ran 3 days this week.  It is finally warmer here which made the runs more pleasant.  I love running in shorts.  

I signed up for Deborah’s RunBet Challenge so I had to make sure I got out there!  Did you sign up as well?RunBet-3Did anyone see this?  It was tempting to sign up until someone told me it is 612 miles.  To date I’ve run 139 miles.  No way can I run 600 miles in 4 months.  Or can I?  🙂    I know I’ve mentioned that it is nice to run with no pressure, but how long is that going to last?  I doubt any “real” races will take place this year so I am looking for some motivation.

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Early in the week we got an email from the Principal that she was putting together a schedule so that we could go pack up our things in our classroom.  Someone did inquire if masks, cleaners, would be provided for us.  We were told to bring our own mask.  I don’t know what happened but then another email was sent letting us know that that project was postponed.

Our last day of school is June 5th.  I am not sure if we’ll go till June or stop on May 29th.  I finally have my routine set up and am liking it.  My favorite part is when my students log in to talk, read or discuss a book.  Due to some restrictions set up by the District, I cannot see them but they can see me.  I look very different than when I am in the classroom.  Most days I do comb my hair.  🙂

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In February I applied again to teach Summer School.  For sure I thought that it would be cancelled.  Nope.  It will be done remotely.  Now that I have no idea how it would work since half of my students now either turn in minimal or no work at all.  I am trying really hard to be patient but honestly I am getting tired of it.  I have about 3 that do almost all of the assignments – one has submitted all of them.  I am thinking of buying a prize for him (maybe a gift card).  Thoughts?

My uncle’s funeral was on Friday.  We did not go but thanks to my cousins we did see it on YouTube.  My mother felt as if she was there too.  She still cannot believe that her brother is gone (no one can).  She hasn’t been sleeping well but I will check with her doctor to see if she can take a sleeping pill.  I worry because she takes medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  Check out Lola also watching the funeral with us.

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Are you excited it is May?  Any goals for May?

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Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down: A sort of a better week and rainbow runs

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I felt so much better this week.  Sunshine is good for the soul.  I ran 4 days this week and it felt so good.  I set out again to run each day longer than the previous day.  

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This week I set out to do Judy’s challenge.   I did good but had a hard time with indigo.  

Rainbow challenge

Green, orange, and red.  Is the corn blue or indigo?  I’ve been to this restaurant a few times and the food is delicious!

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Violet, green, and yellow.

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Yellow, orange, and green.

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Blue and red.

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Our Governor extended the stay at home order for another month.  Now it is till May 30th.  I don’t like it one bit but I know it is for our own good.

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I sent another letter to my students.  Most likely I will send 2-3 more this summer.  Who knows if we’ll even go back to school in the Fall.  I’ve read that eLearning/Remote Learning might continue to the Fall.

I finished watching “Unorthodox” and “Dirty John”.  They’re both SO GOOD!  Now I am watching “Person of Interest”.  Who remembers that show?  I remember watching a few episodes but didn’t watch it every week.  

Our family got some sad news on Saturday.  One of my uncles, my mother’s brother, died on Saturday from COVID-19.  It is so weird when almost every day you see on the TV screen the number of deaths from the day before and now my uncle is part of that number.  His wife also has the virus.  I hope she gets better soon.  I cannot imagine her sons losing both set of parents.  We are also very sad that we cannot visit and hug them.

And to end on a happy note, here is a photo of both of my cats sleeping.  It is very rare that they both sleep like that with me.

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How was your week?  Have you done Judy’s Rainbow Challenge?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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