tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post9051330954596098262..comments2023-09-06T06:48:34.820-07:00Comments on Life: The Ongoing Education: The Oppressive LonelinessLarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04389047861929002263noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-13573342088650711242008-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:002008-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:00Big hug!I have been just where you are. I moved 15...Big hug!<BR/>I have been just where you are. I moved 1500 miles to go to college where I knew no one. At first I just threw myself into school, I had the best GPA ever. I would sit at home, all alone in my empty apartment and count the days until I could go home. I finally forced myself to join a club, just one. I was painfully shy so it was really hard but it actually helped. I had one thing to MJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258940716992240073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-65795630756429016882008-09-30T12:46:00.000-07:002008-09-30T12:46:00.000-07:00And you know there are still people out there who ...And you know there are still people out there who think that teachers have it easy because their work days end at 3:00 (nobody thinks of people who HAVE to coach- or boarding school teachers who live with their students or how we grade and prep for hours each night) and they have summers off (hello summer job!). <BR/><BR/>You WILL find a rhythm. You will. It HAS only been a month so don't beatChallenge 20/20 teamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01828028554265021913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-57139005994469574972008-09-28T02:33:00.000-07:002008-09-28T02:33:00.000-07:00Loneliness can be corrosive. Believe me, I know. ...Loneliness can be corrosive. Believe me, I know. But that is one thing the internet is for. You have any number of friends out here ready to write and talk to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-84052813166407933422008-09-28T01:49:00.000-07:002008-09-28T01:49:00.000-07:00you must read "the courage to teach." NOW!you must read "the courage to teach." NOW!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-73772328506249610952008-09-27T00:04:00.000-07:002008-09-27T00:04:00.000-07:00I hate this kind of sadness. This overwhelming lo...I hate this kind of sadness. This overwhelming lonliness. It hurts when its the something you love that consumes you and your happy with that consumation (is that even a word??? I do believe it is but I do believe I am using it in TOTALLY the wrong context here) of your life UNTIL...<BR/><BR/>Such a catch 22...Jakkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572178045596792275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-62561968610359326722008-09-25T03:49:00.000-07:002008-09-25T03:49:00.000-07:00Beer.Beer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-91675131493039421792008-09-24T02:21:00.000-07:002008-09-24T02:21:00.000-07:00I love you.I love you.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12662787003156000207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-29952890623309651832008-09-23T14:25:00.000-07:002008-09-23T14:25:00.000-07:00Speaking as someone who understands the whole "I h...Speaking as someone who understands the whole "I have to do right by the kids" thing, I'm going to tell you to go out the next time someone IMs to invite you. You cannot give what you do not have, and if you can't learn to take time for yourself and recharge, you're going to be a lousy teacher. TRUST me on this one.Mrs. Chilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814787474739856911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-78546575442780743942008-09-23T09:08:00.000-07:002008-09-23T09:08:00.000-07:00Hugs. My mom always says you don't live to work, y...Hugs. My mom always says you don't live to work, you work to live. You are doing a great thing for your students, but you have to take care of you too.Issahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11309906249557761472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-23882544466606762962008-09-23T05:54:00.000-07:002008-09-23T05:54:00.000-07:00Being a teacher also, I know how much time it cons...Being a teacher also, I know how much time it consumes. But you have to remember that it is not ALL about work. You have to be you, too. You have to find a balance. And you are not alone. There are tons of us here.....just a post away.Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13886241957311055380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-27531459834965948142008-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:002008-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:00Maybe you could find a dance class to go to, or a ...Maybe you could find a dance class to go to, or a group to join, or something to keep you focused on the rest of the world, at least a few nights a month if you can't make a weekly commitment. When I started grad school, I cut back on all commitments except my choir. I refused to take classes on our rehearsal night, and I put all my books aside on Sunday mornings before our Mass. This saved my Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05756319082206756010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-24210262673079472442008-09-22T21:00:00.000-07:002008-09-22T21:00:00.000-07:00Oh, Lara. I remember being in that same place bef...Oh, Lara. I remember being in that same place before I met Matthew. I worked all the time and was lonely, even though I had friends.<BR/><BR/>I knew God had a plan, but it was hard to see it.<BR/><BR/>Hang in there!Angellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084789720358907986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-91954594466737390932008-09-22T19:38:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:38:00.000-07:00Many of the earlier commenters gave great advice. ...Many of the earlier commenters gave great advice. This is another "I've been there too." response. I remember my husband, the engineer who was making twice as much as I was my first year of teaching, asking me, "What the hell are you doing that you're having to work this hard all the time?" I literally came home from school every night, took an hour break and then graded until time to go to Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-68683820010367934572008-09-22T19:16:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:16:00.000-07:00((you))((you))flutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828689769747130419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-57261800460290978202008-09-22T19:11:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:11:00.000-07:00thanks, everyone. i know balance is important - i...thanks, everyone. i know balance is important - i do know it in my head - but i just haven't been able to make it actually happen yet. having this blog - and you all! - is one small way i'm maintaining balance. i mean, at least i haven't shut down or stopped writing! :)Larahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04389047861929002263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-30983140464065083572008-09-22T18:42:00.000-07:002008-09-22T18:42:00.000-07:00In nine years of teaching I can tell you that one ...In nine years of teaching I can tell you that one of the most important lessons I've learned is that any good teacher always feels like there is SOMETHING to be done. Even me, nine years later, thinks of the ten thousand things that just HAS to get done.... but the other important lesson is that you will survive if you just stop working and take time for yourself. Actually you will do better Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14865823168822218228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-66807952075306189392008-09-22T15:52:00.000-07:002008-09-22T15:52:00.000-07:00As one teacher to another, put down that grading a...As one teacher to another, put down that grading and planning pen AND make time to go out with you friends. It will help you maintain your sanity in the classroom. In my 1st year as a teacher, I was in a similar place as you. I worked ALL the time. And when I turned around to look for my friends b/c I finally had time for them, they were all gone or didn't have time for me. Friendships are Teachahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08067893917869707719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-52132269954039802692008-09-22T14:29:00.000-07:002008-09-22T14:29:00.000-07:00I can't tell you how wonderful the young people ar...I can't tell you how wonderful the young people are that I've met by working on the Obama campaign. Every time I go to a meeting or a function I think, "Why aren't my single friends doing this? Look at all these hot young guys with integrity!" Not that the only way to combat loneliness is meeting men... It doesn't suck though and volunteering is never a bad thing! <BR/><BR/>Just an idea!nutmeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13764241354191038343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-50320431297510982552008-09-22T09:06:00.000-07:002008-09-22T09:06:00.000-07:00The other side of your mom's comment is that, if y...The other side of your mom's comment is that, if you've only been there a month and you're feeling like this already, then you should make sure to start taking care of yourself *now*, or just think how you'll feel after a full year of it. Maybe start by picking just one night a week to do something relaxing or fun. Any little start will help, and you'll still have 7 days and six nights to work ifTandavahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00180822287717157663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-44120530032709041002008-09-22T08:38:00.000-07:002008-09-22T08:38:00.000-07:00Sorry that you are feeling sad/lonely. I have to ...Sorry that you are feeling sad/lonely. I have to say you pretty much wrote exactly how I feel right now as well! If you figure out why you have to be alone while waiting for your plans to come about, please pass it along!<BR/><BR/>Thinking good thoughts for you!Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931028682963104564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-22666388588828366642008-09-22T08:14:00.000-07:002008-09-22T08:14:00.000-07:00Ooh. I've been there.The key is to create boundar...Ooh. I've been there.<BR/><BR/>The key is to create boundaries in your life. Even if you don't have anything to do at 8:00pm on a Saturday night, it doesn't mean that you have to spend that time at work. Set up a definite time to go home, and set up you-time on weekends. Even if you're doing nothing but sitting in your PJs watching crappy TV, it's still time for yourself. PLUS, when you get L Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18326267746653059247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-82078828774226382462008-09-22T06:21:00.000-07:002008-09-22T06:21:00.000-07:00I'm right there with you. It's hard to build back ...I'm right there with you. It's hard to build back up, but here's what I do (theoretically). I work "real hard", and have one evening set aside STRICTLY for socialization. Then I can plan ahead for it, look forward to it, and when I've worked hard, feel like I've earned it, and because I'm working hard, not feel like I'm being a slacker by taking one night. Because everybody's right - you have to Big Sishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15131228968579714876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-79441486024740662422008-09-22T06:05:00.000-07:002008-09-22T06:05:00.000-07:00It's good to recognize this as early as a month in...It's good to recognize this as early as a month in... Now you can begin to search for the balance. Yes, work is important, but not at the cost of your emotional wellbeing. You need the support of your friends, as well as some good fun!Hanliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16476650601531649816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-88229378831749157952008-09-22T05:44:00.000-07:002008-09-22T05:44:00.000-07:00You have to make time for yourself. Seriously, eve...You have to make time for yourself. Seriously, even if it means losing a couple hours of sleep go out to dinner with your roommates or go out for drinks.<BR/><BR/>Being good at what you do and committed to your job are wonderful things but if you make it your whole life you will just end up resenting the career you have chosen.<BR/><BR/>All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.Sarah, Goon Squad Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12281098822701795940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30079493.post-31119074516454095202008-09-22T05:39:00.000-07:002008-09-22T05:39:00.000-07:00I know how you feel. Working in a school is crazy ...I know how you feel. Working in a school is crazy time-consuming, but then when you finally do get to go out and have fun with friends it's like you have a new found appreciation for fun. Don't get me wrong, I love summer vacation and all, but too much free time is not good for me either.shelleycoughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04356701520189971892noreply@blogger.com