Down But Not Out

So, it's been awhile since I wrote last.... Life has been nuts!! Since my last post, I've only actually turned my computer on a handful of times. Each time the computer has been on, I've been working on my BEST Portfolio. BEST is the "Beginning Educator Support and Training" Program. Basically, I have to plan, execute and document a series of lessons in my English classes. I write the whole thing up, video tape a couple of lessons and submit it for evaluation. Teachers from elsewhere in the state will assess the work and give me a score of 1 to 4 on the portfolio. 2, 3 or 4 is passing and I get to continue my fabulous career in education. A 1 means that I get to try again next year.... In the end, as long as I pass this thing, I will be happy. It has taken up so much of my time and energy and has caused some stressful moments. In addition to that, I've been busy getting ready for Christmas. Two weeks ago Elisabeth, Sarah P, Diana and I got together in Worcester. I got to pick up a few Christmas presents, and we went to see Blood Diamond!!! OUTSTANDING MOVIE!!!! So, for all of my loyal internet stalkers out there.... I am still alive, I am still in the country and on the planet. I am just really really busy. I will be for at least another 4 weeks.... But then life may get back to normal. The next day, I started coming down with a cold. Despite the NyQuil and DayQuil and the excessive sleep, I couldn't seem to shake it, in fact, I kept getting sicker. By Thursday, I asked for a sub at school and called in sick on Friday (Something I NEVER do). By the time I got to the Doctor on Friday afternoon, what I thought was a cold turned out to be pneumonia. I spent the weekend on heavy duty antibiotics and the couch. Called in sick again on Monday. Fortunately, I've been feeling better. Still coughing and I have 2 more days of antibiotics. But I'm not throwing up anymore! The best part of having pneumonia was losing 10lbs last week. I couldn't eat and as I mentioned by Friday I was throwing up the only thing I could get down (orange juice - not pleasant by the way). So school is now out until the 2nd of January and I am looking forward to 10 days off and Christmas! This is really one of my favorite times of year.