I've been in a bad mood since. . . ummm. . . actually, I can't remember that time I was actually in a good mood for more than a few minutes. I think maybe it was Christmas break, but the unhappiness straddled that two weeks. I realized last night that if I'm ever going to kick this mood, I've got to start focusing on the positive. I've been so concentrated on the negative side of things for so long that I lost the joy of teaching and the joy that is inherent in life. I decided that this week is going to be different. I am going to write down the good things, the joyful things, the fun things, and dwell on those instead. By writing them down, I can 1) actually remember them, and 2) keep myself accountable to not dwell on the downside. Here was today (keep in mind that each of these has about 3 negatives to go along with it, but I'm trying not to think about those).

• One of my 2nd grade students came into my room before she went to her homeroom this morning. She hadn't even taken off her hat or gloves yet, let alone her coat. She came in to show me her new shirt. I asked her if her mom was back (from three weeks in Nome) and if that was where her shirt was from. She nodded and then proceeded to tell me that her mom had also brought back a "walker" for her baby sister. She also told me that her dad had to lower it because her sister's legs were too short. I could tell that her heart was bursting with happiness because her mom was back, but she related all this in a calm, matter-of-fact way that made my heart smile.
• The sunrise this morning was beautiful! There was a slight break in the clouds right at the horizon, and a brilliant purple and pink sunrise showed through for about 10 minutes and then was gone.
• I have been coordinating a standardized test for our school site and we've been waiting on one student to actually come to school to make up the last section of the test. She came today! We're done!
• No after-school tutoring this week!
• I had full attendance in my class for the first time in weeks!
• I let myself sleep in until 6:00 this morning because I didn't have loads to do, due to the workday on Saturday.