Did you know that grocery stores are set up so that all the basic food groups, your fruits, veggies, proteins, dairy, and grains are along the outside walls of the grocery store? Pay attention the next time you go to your local store. All the foods you should eat whether you are trying to lose weight or just eat healthier are easy to find and arranged in a nice, organized circle. In my quest to make better food choices, I try to shop these sections, but in doing so, I have noticed my grocery bills going up. Why? It costs more to buy fresh and healthy. The precooked, processed foods are cheaper to buy and make. One would think it would be the other way around. I mean, I'm doing most of the work to clean, prep and cook the food, so why is it cheaper to have someone else do it? Personally, I think it's a conspiracy. There are people out there that like/want us to be fat and unhealthy. Insurance companies make a killing off weight related illnesses and so do all those weight loss companies who hock programs and products to people who are looking for quick, instant weight loss. They'd be out of business if we could all afford to eat healthy. Summertime is easier on the wallet. Farmers markets and roadside stands help with reducing the cost of fresh produce and I am supporting my local farmers in the process. Bonus!
In the long run, I know the payoff for a healthier me is going to be worth it, so I keep buying fresh and healthy and try not to cringe too much when I hand over my debit card. Hurry up Summer!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why A Teacher?
As long as I can rememeber, I wanted to be a teacher. Well, except for that short period when I thought I might be a veterinarian, but the thought of putting an animal to sleep was just too traumatic for me. Plus all that math!! Blah!
Teaching was a natural choice for me. My mother was an amazing teacher, my father became a teacher after he retired from the military, and I had a string of crappy teachers who made me want, more than anything, to be a better teacher than they were. I also had some teachers who had a positive impact on me... Miss Eanice, Mrs. Edmunds, and Mr. Rocci to name a few. To them I will be forever grateful for their encouragement, advice, and dedication to their students and profession.
So really.. why teaching? The pay stinks, you spend a lot of time working after hours, weekends and even at home, you spend a LOT of money out of your own pocket to buy things to enrich your teaching and you get little respect from the government officials who decide your fate without ever having walked in your shoes. Then there is the biggest pressure of all... meeting the individual needs of twenty-five bright, energetic, eager, fragile, small individuals. As a kindergarten teacher, what I do today lays the foundation for what they will do in the future. No pressure there.
Teaching is joyful, heartbreaking, funny, random, frustrating, rewarding, challenging and I love ever minute of it! I love the look on a child's face when they "get it". I love their open, unfiltered view of the world. I love the challenge of meeting the needs of each child and watching them grow more excited with each new word they can read on their own. It's the hardest job in the world and the most rewarding.
Let's not forget the perks of teaching, too. Where else can you work and be guaranteed to get a hug or random, "I love you"? What office is decorated with unique artwork created by curious, talented, creative minds? Where can you work and get stories written and illustrated just for you by budding little artists and authors or gifts of melted chocolate from fuzzy little pockets and crushed backpacks? Jealous? You should be!
Why do I teach? Because I can.
Teaching was a natural choice for me. My mother was an amazing teacher, my father became a teacher after he retired from the military, and I had a string of crappy teachers who made me want, more than anything, to be a better teacher than they were. I also had some teachers who had a positive impact on me... Miss Eanice, Mrs. Edmunds, and Mr. Rocci to name a few. To them I will be forever grateful for their encouragement, advice, and dedication to their students and profession.
So really.. why teaching? The pay stinks, you spend a lot of time working after hours, weekends and even at home, you spend a LOT of money out of your own pocket to buy things to enrich your teaching and you get little respect from the government officials who decide your fate without ever having walked in your shoes. Then there is the biggest pressure of all... meeting the individual needs of twenty-five bright, energetic, eager, fragile, small individuals. As a kindergarten teacher, what I do today lays the foundation for what they will do in the future. No pressure there.
Teaching is joyful, heartbreaking, funny, random, frustrating, rewarding, challenging and I love ever minute of it! I love the look on a child's face when they "get it". I love their open, unfiltered view of the world. I love the challenge of meeting the needs of each child and watching them grow more excited with each new word they can read on their own. It's the hardest job in the world and the most rewarding.
Let's not forget the perks of teaching, too. Where else can you work and be guaranteed to get a hug or random, "I love you"? What office is decorated with unique artwork created by curious, talented, creative minds? Where can you work and get stories written and illustrated just for you by budding little artists and authors or gifts of melted chocolate from fuzzy little pockets and crushed backpacks? Jealous? You should be!
Why do I teach? Because I can.
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