Because I didn't go into work today. This morning when I woke up I felt a little bad about not going in and thought "man, I feel fine, I should have gone to work" And then after I get up, eat something, take my antibiotics, and put the drops in my ears I feel like shit. Ugh. I can handle a cold, but this is insane! I'm so freaking dizzy all the time (unless I'm lying in bed perfectly still) that it's making me feel nauseous. I also can't hear out of one ear. I'm going in to get my ears cleaned out today and I hope that helps. The doctor told me to take off today, and then take off 3-4 more days after the cleaning. Which seemed excessive at the time, but I'm starting to realize maybe she was right. I feel bad about taking off all this time. A month ago I took off a day for my dad's visit. Then the week after I took off a Friday when our car got broken into. And now I'm taking off again! I hope they don't think I'm lying. Last year I didn't call out sick even one day!

So, today I'm doing my random thinking.

I just read this article about how kids who graduate from high poverty level schools have a hard time in elite colleges and universities. As someone who not only graduated from a high poverty level school, but then taught at one, it really hit home. As a student, I see what they're talking about. I never studied in high school. Not even once. I didn't even try and I flew by on Bs, Cs and an occasional A. Which was enough to get me into a mediocre college with enough scholarships to pay my way. And that first year was insane! I was like "holy shit! I actually have to put effort into classes!"

As a teacher, it rings differently. It makes me go "well if we didn't have to teach to the test so much we would have time to teach students to think" and "if class sizes weren't so big, maybe we could have more one-on-one time with kids" and "if administration would actually have teacher's back's and remove disruptive kids from the classroom than maybe we could teach those who want to be there"

Anyways, it makes me (again) feel how lucky I am with my current job. Lots of things suck and I complain about them constantly. But man, I am given the freedom to teach what I want. I do so many projects and presentations and activities and writing that maybe these kids will actually learn something. Not just memorize it.

(teacher rant over)

Also getting psyched about Cuba!!! Leaving in just two weeks. EEEEEE! Our previous plan was to go to Havana, Trinidad and Varadero. But now I'm thinking just Havana and Varadero. Trinidad is a 6 hour bus ride away and I don't want to waste basically an entire day in a bus. Instead, I think we'll take a day trip to Vinales which is close to Havana and has caves and mountains as shit. That way we at least get to see a little more of the country than just Havana and all inclusive resorts!

I found a nice little casa particular in Havana. They're houses that people live in and rent out rooms. Sort of the Cuban version of a hostel. It's in a great location and has AC! I want to reserve it, but my SO still hasn't got his credit cards back yet and my card is linked to a USA bank account so I can't use it. Since there's only one room in the house, I hope no one else reserves it!

My SO is all sorts of excited to move back to the USA. He keeps saying "I can't wait to move home" He's started to grow very critical of CR, I mean he's always been critical of CR. He doesn't even vote! I always dog him for this but he'll be like "if you had to choose between Rick Perry and Donald Trump, would you vote?" He's excited about having a better job, working less and earning more. He also really wants to start some small businesses. He's interested in starting a medical tourism thing in my hometown. CR is known for medical tourism (especially dental work) because it's cheaper to fly to CR and have work done, than it is to have it done in the USA! And the doctors are just as good. So my SO has been talking to some people and he wants to start that. He's also talked about doing construction stuff, owning different properties and renting, all sorts of stuff. I think he's mainly excited that in the USA, he'll actually have the opportunity to be able to develop all his ideas. Here, they really just stay ideas.

Since I have nothing else to do today I've been looking at how to make cloth pads. But man the ones you make are super thick! I thought I would go to the fabric store and get some fabric to try out, but just walking out to the laundry machine has made me feel drunk so I should probably wait until later.

This week a new season of Project Runway starts! (I think) I love that show! Evidently one of the models is from Costa Rica, so that's all exciting. I suppose.

So tell me about your day/weekend/random thoughts, however mundane so that I have something to read while I sit here perfectly still and do nothing all day.