Finishing Classes

Tuesday I got to meet my new workout partner. I had placed an ad on Craigslist which said:

South Salem workout partner wanted

Active 40 year old woman seeks a workout buddy for:

Jogging (10 minute miles), martial arts (12 years training Tang Soo Do) sparring, walking hills, hiking, swimming, disc golf, biking, weightlifting, and/or circuit training. 

I have a pretty flexible schedule this summer. I could use a gym but prefer outdoors if the weather is good. I'm a member at Physiq.

I've been slacking off the past few months and need some motivation. 

I'm a healthy happy well balanced person in a good relationship. I just got tired of working out alone. 

So Sheldon and I met at the gym. He lifts 3 days a week, whole body, he runs (marathons), hikes, and plays golf in tournaments. He's about 6% bodyfat. He started working out about 15 years ago when his father had a heart attack. He has been a trainer at the local athletic club, but now he is just busy with his business and likes to work out with people. His weakness is a good microbrew. He has a wife and three girls all of whom he adores. He even knows Cab because their daughters were friends.

We lifted all the major muscle groups on Tuesday, Wednesday I was sore, and Thursday we lifted again. Its really strange and cool to have someone encouraging me while I lift. I've been doing it alone for so long (or training other people) I'm writing this on Saturday and I can finally use my biceps again ;)

Wednesday my madrigal friend Sue came over to have me help her with garb. She wanted to make a new bodice and underdress. Together we measured and cut, and did some preliminary sewing. She took the rest home to finish. Boning a corset is tricky, but I have lots of experience with it now. I bet her outfit turns out terrific.

From Tuesday until Friday I spent all my stolen moments working on my online classes. It's a pretty sweet deal, the school district will reimburse me for continuing education classes up to $1000 per year, then I can use those credits to move up the pay scale. (and renew my teaching license)

I finished Differentiated Instruction first as it was worth 4 credits, and on Friday afternoon, right before I took Ru to his dad's, I finished the Advanced Classroom Management class (3 credits). I also ordered transcripts. As soon as I get my grades from PSU I can apply to the district for a pay increase. Masters +24 credits, and my 6th year teaching puts me at $54,228 per year. Think what you will of teacher pay, it doesn't seem a lot for how hard I work during the school year, and all the schooling it took to get me here. If I worked in Springfield I would only make $47,931. Salem pays teachers better than most of the districts in the state.

My next big adventure is to go to California and camp in the redwoods with Jeremy and family next Wednesday. Until then it's house projects, school clothes and supplies shopping, and interviewing for the job openings in my classroom.