Balance

I still have not been able to troubleshoot my problem of not being able to to join the Woodring blog. I have been invited by David and Joanne and each time I go to sign in to join, I get a really big error message. That error message symbolizes the way I feel about maintaining this blog - I have obviously neglected my responsibility so far to use this as a place to reflect.
I have quickly been swept away this quarter in trying to balance all of the different aspects of my life- friendships, family, student teaching, a literacy practicum and learning The Structure of English in my additional classes totaling 20 credits for the quarter, and working 20 hours a week. I know having a job during the internship year is not recommended, yet it is necessary for me this quarter; I have to work.
Within this crazy schedule it has been too easy for me to simply push Blogging aside, in order to complete assignments with the highest priority. This however isn't acceptable, because maintaining this blog is an expectation for me. I am quickly learning this quarter that although life seems overwhelming and full, becoming a full-time classroom teacher does not ease personal responsibilities. Teachers operate under many different expectations that may be easy to disregard yet in a professional realm that is not acceptable. Also, life does not become any less complicated once college coursework comes to an end. Instead of having syllabus deadlines and daily class sessions, there will be other events and areas that take up your time.
I know Marcia is currently feeling the pressure of finding balance right now, her daughter is getting married on Saturday and she has spent lots of time and energy in preparation. No only is she devoting her time to this very important and special occasion, she is still responsible for planning, teaching, and assessing students each day. She also is involved in teaching a weekly class at her church which requires additional planning and time. Busy, busy, busy!
A person must find a way to manage and balance all of these aspects of life based upon priorities; although we can not lose sight of our expectations. I suppose this post is just a way for me to express that I have felt convicted about not utilizing this tool and am going to set a personal goal to make it a priority- it is my expectation and responsibility and it is important.
Even though I have only made one post so far, I have been continuously reflecting upon my classroom experiences, teaching, and coursework. Some days I walk through my front door and feel as if all I have done is reflect - 30 minutes on the way to Everson with my carpool we discuss readings, assignments, our plans for the day, with Marcia before school and after in an e-mail discussion, 30 minutes on the way back to Western with my carpool, explaining stories and how lessons went that day. In class we discuss readings again and how these suggestions can inform and improve our teaching; my carpool is wonderful and we address these questions when we talk about reading, our conversations are meaningful.
I have been very thankful for the opportunity I have to ride out to Everson with a few of my colleagues, our conversations and reflections have helped me to relate to their struggles and learn from their suggestions of how to deal with certain situations. We have become valuable resources for one another and they have shown me a glimpse of the type of community I hope to have with my future colleagues.
For now, I am going to close by restating my goal of using this blogging tool. I am still lingering over how to find balance in a busy schedule but I know it can be done! I plan to write another post within the next few days, highlighting specific incidents and thoughts I have had over the last few weeks.