Such plans they have, Such Gods they have

Deep in this Nation of Heat- Joe Pug

So...I see a lot of those that I care about writing about their new experiences, and I felt the need to share this new school year with all of you.

This year has dawned to a kinder, gentler, Mr. Hennessey. I am way more relaxed and confident in the classroom, confident in my management and in my lesson structuring skills. Confident in my ability to hook my students when the need arises. Confident in my ability as a volleyball coach?

Sort of. I am learning along with my players, but I am looking for information and skills and drills. I know how to coach middle school kids, and I am learning the game. We will do well, because we have players who care, and they are having fun.

Also, I may do a billion pushups this season. I ask the players to do pushups when they forget basics (calling the ball, bumping to a teammate rather than directly over the net), and I told them that I would do them when they did things correctly...so many pushups at the end of the week! That excites me.

The first quarter is running down now...and a rough three weeks is ahead of me. The next three weeks consist of: a professional skills test, a weekend in Phoenix, 4 volleyball matches, and another weekend in Phoenix.

The thing I am excited about: My parents are coming out right after that last weekend in Phoenix, and Mom has all sorts of things planned. I am excited to show off the mountains and the sunsets, and all of the things that make Arizona wonderful. I am excited for the Grand Canyon, and a trip to Sedona, and the brew-pub tour that is sure to follow.

I am excited for Eric's trip to Vegas, and to go and visit him up there and spend some time with more family. I am excited for the various sports I will be coaching, and for this year in general. Colleen and I were talking, and talked about me moving into a leadership role as I grow older and gain more experience in my field. I am thinking that, since I will have to go back to school for a degree anyway, that guidance is the right way to go. I just want good things for my students, and having a position where I can focus on that is ideal. We will see where life takes me (NJ, LA, wherever else...), but I am really fired up about my life and where it can take me.

Also, a lot of my positivity comes from this little critter that now lives in my apartment with me. I promised Brock that I wouldn't blow up Facebook with pictures and posts about my cat, Red, but I do love her. She is such a pleasant little critter to share space with, and she likes to be near people, and she is a love. I like how she greets me at the door when I get home, and how she races in to hop up on the bed in the morning when I wake up. I just can't imagine one of Mom's cats still liking people after being in a tiny box for 13 hours (including a flight)...other than Rose. She would probably forget that she had been in a box roughly five minutes after she was removed from it. Bottom line here is that Colleen has given me another wonderful gift, and I cherish that.

It is really nice that I get to look forward to work everyday, and that I get to play golf semi-regularly. Tomorrow will be the third time I've played since coming back, and what I have learned is two things: 1) stay long in my swing, and 2) make sure there is beer on hand.

Golf is a wonderful thing. Looking forward to playing with Dad and Smithbauer again.


UPDATE:

Here is something that always inspires me...Thanks to Taylor Mali for this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU