This is hard... Day 5

Man, I have a hard time remembering why I went into a room and I thought I could remember to blog everyday? I already screwed up! I forgot to post yesterday. I had a lot to be grateful for yesterday too! Hopefully, over time, this will become a habit!

We went to the Formula One practice session yesterday. Last year we attended Saturday qualifying and were so impressed with the venue. The track layout is really cool. Looking forward to a Vettel win Sunday!

#5: I'm very grateful for our safe travel to and from Austin, the gorgeous weather, and for our seats which are terrific!

My Friday, early

Today was nice because I was in my office most of the day and was able to get some work done that I have needed to do all week! And, I am taking tomorrow off, so that made it even better!

#4: I'm grateful today that I have a new Windows 8 computer that makes it much easier to get my work done efficiently! I conducted a training yesterday using a D530 that our teachers have and it was painfully slow. I'm so glad that they are all getting new laptops as soon as we can get them here! They will be happy!

PS. I did actually write yesterday's post yesterday. I don't realize that it didn't post... Learning how to use Blogger on my Nexus 7!

Day 3 and counting

I still can't get the images of the devastation in the Philippines. I can't even fathom the feelings of despair that so many must be feeling. It reminds me of what happened close to home with hurricane Ike. I remember my friend Becky sharing how life altering Ike was for so many who did not have the money to rebuild on the island because they lacked insurance and the rising property values. While she lost a lot, her entire beach house was gone, it was just that for her family - a second home. Several of the locals lost everything they had.

#3: I'm grateful for the home I have. It isn't anything to write home about in our neck of the woods, but I know it is more house than many millions in the world call home. While I don't have a lot, I am able to give a little to help some one in the Philippines. Hopefully, with the help of a few others, someone will be able to rebuild a home.

A little artificial?

Funny what the lack of sun can do to your perspective, mood, whatever you want to call it. Yesterday, I could have written about a multitude of things! Today... well, it isn't coming that easily. I'm not saying that I'm NOT grateful, maybe it is that I just don't feel inspired. Maybe it is just getting into a rhythm. (I told you I'm not much of a writer.)

#2: I'm grateful that I have a job that is different everyday and that there are teachers who are willing to share their practice with me! Today, I visited a middle school math teacher's classroom who is interested in shifting her practice to better engage her students in reflective thinking. I look forward to our ensuing conversations and so appreciate her openness and courage.

Veteran's Day 2013 - A GREAT day to start!

It all started with the morning news. Typhoon Haiyan has left devastation beyond belief in the Philippines. Two teens were shot to death at a birthday party that went wrong over the weekend. I wasn't looking forward to going to work wishing for a little longer weekend. However, I realized things just aren't all that bad and I have a lot to be grateful for in my life.

After arriving to work, my co-workers and I decided to attend the Veteran's Day celebration at Spring Forest Middle School. WOW! It really hit me there.Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan as well as a few enlisted men proceeded into the gym accompanied by thunderous applause smiling, waving flags, some with tears in their eyes. Standing there amid the swell of gratitude for our armed services I realized truly how fortunate I am. I still have my father and my brothers and sister, two wonderful sons, a roof over my head and food on the table. Actually, the list is really endless.

Somewhere recently I had read a blog post, a tweet, or ? about November being a month of gratitude and to be grateful for something each day. (If I come across it again, I will share.) Of course, today is already the 11th, so I missed that challenge. Then, I thought, "Wait though, I could start with the new year - that's a plan!" But we all know how those goals go. So, as I stood there in the gym with tears rolling down my cheeks applauding our veterans, I decided, "Why wait? Why not start today?" So, here I am with a self-imposed challenge to share something for which I am grateful everyday for a year. 

I have already listed several "biggies" above, but I really want to focus on smaller specific encounters, realizations, events, etc (at least I think I do). Who knows how this will go. It is an exploration. I have never kept a journal, and don't consider myself much of a writer. I guess I'm hoping that through this blog I can help myself (and possibly others) find the something positive each and every day. 

#1: I'm grateful for my friend Trish, who not only shares herself with me, but also shares an occasional Starbuck's card. Waiting for my son during his therapy, I sipped a half black, half passion iced tea (shaken, not stirred) on the patio on a beautiful fall early afternoon.