All Hallow's Eve

The week in review. I apologize for the length, but quite a bit happened this time around...

Babysat a couple of kids on my own for the first time, that was interesting. It didn't go too bad. Feed 'em, let them help clean up a bit, exercise 'em, let 'em watch a good Disney movie and that was about it. No hitches, no major injuries, and no real problems---this time.

I have hit a wall physically. I'm completely worn out; my leg is hurting almost nonstop. This work and exercise schedule leaves me with no energy. I feel sick and I'm not sure if it is something contagious or just severe allergies. The difference is minimal. I'm coughing sporadically, and that's never a good sign with me. I actually had to take a day off Friday as I can barely get up and down stairs. The day of recuperation seems to have helped as I seem a bit more mobile today (Saturday). Energy level is still low however.

Work is taxing emotionally as well. The teams are gradually making more demands, pushing what I am capable of providing. I have to repeat the mantra that I cannot possibly make everyone happy, so just do my best. I've been put in instructional situations more and more often with larger and larger groups of kids, not just assistance roles. I'm getting the feeling that I'm being used more like a collaborative teacher than an aide. That's fine and all, but the pay should be about 3x what I'm making. I'm feeling a bit used.

We lost our volleyball game Tuesday; very frustrating as we have some members of the team that just don't seem to put forth much effort; not only during a game but in being receptive to improve their skills. Some are and I am very pleased with the hustle and trying to make plays. Maybe I just want more for the team than they are capable of, but it is hard to be a coach and lose game after game.

After the volleyball game Tuesday night, our neighbor's tiny dog was mauled by a part-wolf mix right in front of us. It was very sad. The coy dog was acting very oddly, wondering through heavy traffic and charging other animals, and we had to call in the cops, who in turn called animal control. The little dog didn't make it, it had lost way too much blood. Weird night.

One comment on the election. Could you imagine in 1944 having a major party candiate for President named Adolf Hermann Manteufel? Or in 1960 a candidate with the moniker Nikita Brelenev? 1972 Ho Minh Cho? Think about it.

Halloween was fun; dressing up like Jedi and handing out candy. Now that we are on a major thoroughfare, we had to make Jack-o-Lanterns and the whole nine yards. I made hot apple cider and after trick-or-treat, we had friends over to play a couple of Trivia games. Lots of fun.

UK is bowl eligible after defeating Mississippi State on the road 14-13. Woo-hoo! If we can win another, we can definitely get a bowl, and there are several games left. Also tonight, we went with my parents to Rupp Arena to watch the Blue-White basketball game. Lotsa fun. They should be better than last year, I think.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This is a Newbury award-winner that many people had recommended, so I gave it a shot. The setup of the book is great; very intriguing. Young Jonas lives in a society rather different than ours. I don't want to give too much away, but everyone follows the Rules. There are many rules, everyone is very polite, and they happily do their appointed duties. Jonas is on the cusp of his apprenticeship as a Twelve (year-old), and is eagerly anticipating his future. Then things go slightly awry.

The story pace is engaging, as one would expect from the young fiction genre. I was engrossed until the end--which threw me for a loop. I didn't like the way it wrapped up. However, as one mark of good literature is to promote thinking and discussion, I suppose I have to give it a bump in the star count for that. ***