I don't know if I've ever been so happy to make it to the end of a semester! There are always ups and downs, but this was one of the most challenging seasons I think I've faced. Still, there have been lots of blessings, too, and I want to be able to remember it all.
This fall was my first semester teaching exclusively GSW classes (last year, I taught a mix of GSW and ESOL). As it turned out, this meant my schedule was extremely streamlined, which enabled me to keep on top of my work as I was managing my health issues. I was teaching the course for the second time, and made it more my own, which was really enjoyable. I liked all of the major assignments I did, and I am looking forward to teaching a very similar schedule in the spring, making some small adjustments, but keeping the same big picture.
One of the things I enjoyed most was a unit inspired by Gretchen Rubin's book
Better than Before. For the problem-solution essay, I had students focus on habits: either a problem they could solve in their lives by starting a new habit or a habit in their lives that was problematic and they wanted to change. We read some blog posts by Gretchen Rubin, a chapter from Charles Duhigg's book, and a scholarly article on habit change, and the students did their own research about their specific habits. They wrote about all kinds of interesting things: procrastination, smoking, eating, fitness, nail biting, even making friends. Plus,several students actually did make changes in their habits as a result of writing the essay. It turned out really well! I was also really pleased with how my new final portfolio assignment went, and, as always, I enjoyed grading the multimodal reflections I have them do at the end of the semester.
Of course, the other big part of the last few months has been my health struggles. I think I've already shared a bit about that here, but basically, I was having a lot of trouble getting around from August to October because of some extreme swelling in my knee. Once I saw a rheumatologist and got on some new medication in late October, things got better quickly, but it seems like it will take some more time to really get back to normal. On the plus side, I am walking much more normally now, so I've walked to and from school and with Mark a few times. I don't seem to be ready yet to try more strenuous exercise, but I am doing some physical therapy exercises at home to help me keep working on my range of motion and rebuilding the muscle strength I lost in my right leg. I'll see the doctor again in late January and see what he thinks then. Also, I'm so thankful to be back to normal with eating and everything after the worst stomach bug (plus colitis) that I've ever had back in November. Overall, I spent a lot of time on the couch this fall, and not much time in the office or socializing. I've been working my way through the
Gilmore Girls series on Netflix (and I think I'll finish it this weekend). I also got into the
Great British Baking Show and have read quite a bit. Those things have been a silver lining of sorts, I guess, but here's hoping the next few months will have fewer medical issues!
While all that was going on, Mark was juggling a new job teaching marching percussion 4-5 days a week at a school an hour away. He was also taking care of a lot of stuff around the house that I couldn't do (cleaning, shopping, etc.) and running me around to school and to one doctor after another. It made me so thankful to have a supportive partner to help me through everything. I couldn't have managed without him! (But I think we're both really glad I'm getting back to normal).
Mark has been enjoying this job in Wauseon, though it's reminded him that working with high schoolers isn't what he'd like to do in the long term. It seems like he's made some good connections in the area though, and that the band director and band boosters really appreciate the work he's doing, which is great. Although I wasn't well enough to tag along to anything he did during marching season, he has arranged to stay on for concert band (just one day a week now), and I did get to go to their Christmas concert last weekend. In addition to this job, he's had a few paid gigs with the college/community groups in Defiance, too.
But the biggest news of this semester, of course, is that Mark defended his document back in October and is graduating this semester! He's worked so hard and overcome so many obstacles in getting this degree; I can't put my excitement into words. We're feeling optimistic as he continues to apply for college percussion professor job openings. There have been a few postings already, and we expect several more over the next couple of months. He's been on this path for so long, and I'm really looking forward to see what opportunities God has planned for him next.
On a sad note, though, Mark's percussion professor, Dr. Schupp passed away last week after a difficult fight with cancer. He had been teaching this semester, but his health declined really quickly in the week before he died. Mark was able to see him in hospice, though, and say his goodbyes. It's a bit hard to process this loss, but we are thankful to know he was a believer and is now cancer-free and pain-free in heaven. We went to the funeral this afternoon.
Overall, through all the challenges, I've been so thankful to have Mark by my side! Now, I'm really looking forward to sharing the holiday season with family and friends, then having a bit more time to rest and recharge before starting fresh in the spring.
