When you don't have anything nice to say...it doesn't much matter 'cause I can't say anything anyway :)

Just back from another whirl wind trip to Singapore.  It was a trip filled with mostly good news.  There is improvement in cord movement.  My "conversational voice" (Which is limited primarily to doctor appointments) is resonating and a deeper and "more natural" pitch.  (Thank goodness it isn't quite as low as it was last week...that was enough to keep me silent for ever)  I got shit for coughing.  More accurately, I probably got shit for not finding some sort of heavy duty cough suppressant.  I have one now.  I suppose since talking is a lot of strain on my vocal cords, barking like a dog for several hours at night is not the best thing for them either.  Lesson learned!

As our school year draws to a close (yes, I know it's not even May yet and we still have a million more weeks to go, but we're drawing...) it seems the to-do list is just seems to fill as soon as I cross off one task.  This week we will start our new teaching schedule.  I have amazing colleagues in second grade, as well as very flexible specials teachers who were willing to do a complete schedule shift so that I would not only have all my teaching time with my teaching partner, but also have virtually the whole afternoon for vocal rest.  Yes, we still have a math lesson in the afternoon, but again, my teaching partner is awesome and I'm keeping this interesting by finding silly and entertaining songs to serve as brain breaks.  I've also decided to put more effort into using very animated facial expressions as I type.  This ensures the proper tone is conveyed when "talking".

Speaking of animated facial expressions, I was rather animated when I broke yet ANOTHER nail tonight.  I was at the gym.  The stupid nail split right down the middle.  Now, please don't tell me to drink  more milk.  I think the problem is that because I'm frequently travelling to Singapore, I haven't had time since BEFORE Spring Break started to have a proper manicure.  For those of you who are dying to know, that means it's been FIVE weeks.  When you're accustomed to having your nails done weekly, they miss the pampering.  Stop rolling your eyes at my hardships.  I know, it's lame and ridiculous, but stop rolling your eyes anyway!

Our fourth graders are busy wrapping up our current unit.  We've been studying how non-profit organizations can make the world a better place.  Now, students have identified areas around the school that could use a little help...anything from the need to find (and use) alternate energy sources to finding a nice quiet outside play space for recess.  Having completed surveys of various classes, the students will now analyze their data and then create and action plan of sorts.  They've been told all along that we might not be able to implement everything, but the whole point is to get a feel for how to organize such a project.  Here's hoping they continue to be as eager and engaged as we conclude our unit.

Speaking of being eager, I am quite excited as I get closer to my next running goal.  Tonight I came very close to my end-of-April goal of running 3 KM.  Had I been able to hang in there for about another 5 minutes, I would have definitely hit my goal.  Oh well, that is why there is a Wednesday :)  At any rate, I didn't ever think that I'd make it to 1 km.  Now, I'm nearly to 3.  If nothing else, when I run my runny race in Cambodia in December, I will be able to run the 3KM fun run.  I'm fairly certain by then I will be ready for the 10 KM, but I have a back up plan!

And on that totally un-related and poorly segued note, I shall be off.  I was hoping to be asleep early tonight...but alas it is almost 9:00 and I'm still awake...one of the downfalls of an evening workout.  Sometimes it leaves me with too much energy.

Brothers, if you're reading this, please note this is the FOURTH blog entry for April.  I have met my quota!

Hugs to you all!

Ty