New approaches to the New Year

I haven’t blogged in a few weeks, so I am really dusting off the cobwebs here. I took time away from reading and writing about education over the Winter Break. I needed to rejuvenate myself. I spent quality time with friends, and family. Even though I had 11 days off in a row, it still wasn’t enough.

 

I woke up bright and early this morning (January 2) …. mentally preparing for the day. Instead of trying the latest fad diet or trendy exercise program (which is usually what I do), I relaxed in the morning quiet catching up with my thoughts, and drinking coffee. I finally opened up my zite and read a few articles and shared them on facebook and twitter. After I got ready, I attempted to rustle my kids out of bed, and at least get them excited about returning to school. (That wasn’t easy)

 

When I got to work everything was quiet. I started up my computer and stared at the log in. I actually forgot my password. I called a friend in the Help Desk but he wasn’t around. I told my secretary that I couldn’t log in because I forgot my password. She laughed at me! I remained focused, and finally (20 minutes later) I remembered the password. Winner!

 

After morning announcements,  I went around the school and visited every classroom. Some of the classes were already working diligently so I just waved and listened. In other classrooms I was able to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and welcome them back. Students told me all about their presents, or how they stayed up to see the ball drop. Just another day at school.

 

Source: http://www.economist.com/node/13315818

This blog post was supposed to be about new findings, goals, resolutions, or new ways of looking at myself for 2013… Instead, it really is just about my Winter Break and my first day back. But in all honesty, this is probably the healthiest approach I have had to a new year. No resolutions, no crazy fad diets, no more insane exercise attempts. Believe me, there are plenty of things for me to change, improve, lose, gain, etc.  The difference this year is my approach.

Just what the doctor ordered

“It was not the vacation I wanted, it was the vacation I needed

Ouch!

A few weeks ago while I was running, I felt an odd twinge in my right foot. I kept running through it, and probably ran 4 or 5 more times, plus did Muay Thai kickboxing. One morning I woke up and my foot was black and blue. I posted the picture on facebook, and sure enough, my friends thought I had a stress fracture. Fortunately, modern day science, and a fantastic orthopedic were able to determine that it was not a fracture, but rather a slight tendon sprain. All I worried about was my upcoming vacation. I like to run, play golf, and go in the ocean/sand on my vacations. Plus, there are miles to walk on the boardwalk!

The boot

I started vacation as conservative as I could. Kept my boot on, and relaxed. Since I was on a self imposed social media blackout, and I didn’t want to read anything too “educational” or “leadership oriented” I picked up the Hunger Games. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I was reading something that didn’t directly impact my job.

Hunger Games

As the vacation progressed, I found that my foot became stronger. I kicked off the boot, and did my best to help the kids in the ocean. For the first few days, my wife was doing most of the ocean supervising. My son, although much more brave than last year, wanted to venture further out into the waves, and my daughter tends to be a human barnacle when she gets near water.

Enjoying Manco and Manco Pizza

Reflecting back on the social media black out, and the “take it easy” approach to my physical exercising, I ended up having one of the best vacations in recent memory. In fact, many times I would finish a vacation, I would feel the need to have a “vacation from my vacation.” I can now say I am hooked on the Hunger Games, and I almost finished Catching Fire. I am thankful that I had the vacation I needed!

The kids were ready for the picture, and I did a photobomb

It’s not a tough decision

Here I am with vacation staring me in the face, and I am blogging. Yet, I have made a decision for next week – I am powering down. Basically since January 1, 2012 I have been steady on the social media scene. Well, that ends the week of August 4 – 12. Nada, nothing, zilch. This will be hard for me, but not a touch decision. I need to spend time with my family, sand, and sun!

I value my PLN, and you should too. So if you come across something, just save it for me. I will be back. That you can count on.

Thanks to Dana Sirotiak for sending me this video on the PLN. Grow your PLN.