I'm nearing the end of my first placement and I'm already sad. I'm going to miss my students so much. They're all so intelligent and eager to please and I want to keep teaching them for the entire school year. Alas, that is not to be and I will need to move on up to the high school placement next Monday.

I got reviewed again on Friday and my supervisor said he found no problems. He said I'm doing really well and that I'm ready for teaching. It was so exciting to hear that! He also gave me some advice; the perspective to have is that you're not getting paid to zoo around with kids all day. That's the easy, fun part and isn't where the work is done. He told me I'm getting paid to stay up to do all the paperwork after school. Staying up until 2am Sunday night grading papers- that's the real work and that's what I'm getting paid to do. What an interesting point of view!

It's been getting really cold now and last year I had a gym in which I could continue to work out during the winter months. However, I only go down to Buffalo State once a week and any more than that would be difficult and costly. I've been looking around for a local gym that doesn't cost too much.

That being said, I've fallen in love with a local athletic center- the equipment is top-notch and it's very beautiful. it's just down the street and I'd say I could get whatever I wanted done at this gym. However, for a three-month membership it's $189. That's $63 a month or $3 a day. In other words, this gym is more expensive than I want to spend. That's the cheapest deal without spending for a whole year(and I don't know if I'll be around for an entire year). I'm going to find out Monday if my COBRA extension includes the gym membership reimbursement. If it does, then I'm going to use it. If it does not then I am going to seek out a cheaper gym. I hope things work out though!