Today started with the familiar unrest of waking from bad dreams, a pattern that’s been lingering lately. My morning routine was disrupted as I couldn't take my dog for a walk due to lingering leg pain from yesterday's slip. This minor injury has been a frustrating reminder of how quickly plans can change.  

Also, teaching 1st graders took a lot out of me, as usual. It’s challenging to bring high energy to the classroom, especially when my natural introverted nature craves quiet and solitude. But I managed to fake enthusiasm for their sake, even though it left me feeling drained.  

The evening didn’t begin any better, as I had to wait 30 minutes for my extra-lesson student who overslept. It was a test of patience, but I managed to keep my composure.  

Despite the hurdles, I made an effort to be better today. I consciously avoided sugar, a small step towards healthier habits. Though I couldn't jog due to the rain, I pushed myself to complete a short home workout. It wasn’t much, but it felt good to stay consistent. I also start to do some reflection. Though it's an assignment, I think it's nice and fits well with my plan to use this blog as a space for rambling. Oh, I also learned something new today! It's about how frenetic the new US president is. Looking at how he quickly enacted so many policies in just one day after his inauguration, many of which seem like a direct juxtaposition to the former president’s stance, it makes me wonder where the US is headed. Though many of these policies appear advantageous to Americans, some—especially those affecting foreign relations—seem excessive, bordering on authoritarian. It feels almost like fascism in the way they could enforce dominance over other countries. But who am I to judge, as I'm just a citizen of a third-world country, one that is much more troubled, both by its government and its citizens?

Anyways, each day has its challenges, but I’m learning to focus on small wins. It’s these moments of effort that keep me moving forward.

Label: Reflection