The Year of Opportunity

Last January I couldn’t come up with any resolutions, so I decided to call 2013 the Year of Opportunity. So whenever I balk at the idea of something new because it’ll be too hard, too risky or will take too much time away from Felix, I make myself consider it anyway.

Ride-Along Fitness was my first big project, but it never really took off. I handed out nearly 200 invitations to our opening class, but that night was windy and 55 degrees and only one person showed up. The well-connected trainer I hired later admitted he didn’t even know how to share a Facebook post, so he wasn’t able to help advertise. Then I ran a Living Social deal, but it appeared next to a deal for an indoor kids' gym, so everyone went there and not a single person came to my website. Around the same time, the trainer’s mother became very ill and moved in with him and his family, so he had to bail. I also heard every excuse in the book from people who came to class and loved it, but wouldn’t commit to a regular exercise program. (The saddest was an overweight mother and her overweight teen, but I won’t get into that.) 

Anyhoo, the universe repaid my risk-taking with some fun and lucrative freelance projects, so it all evened out. And last week an even better opportunity presented itself. I applied for an adjunct teaching position at the local U, and was offered the job within about a week. I’m really excited about the opportunities to reconnect with my professional network (guest speakers!), boost my knowledge and performance in my full-time job and of course, spend time in the classroom. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed.

I almost didn’t apply for the class, assuming the hours would be inconvenient and the workload would be unmanageable. Fortunately I had an SMC friend to turn to for advice – thanks Jen! The class hours turned out to be perfect and will only mean a little extra time away from Felix, and he’ll get to spend most of that time with family. I’ll also have near total autonomy over my class, thereby controlling the workload as needed.

Ironically, my dad’s going back to school this fall for his PhD and we may see each other on campus on Wednesdays. And as excited as I am for another first day of school, I rejected my mom’s offer of "a new outfit" and I will not be taking a photo of myself wearing a backpack standing by the front door. Sorry! :) My backpack has become a diaper bag and I don’t need to increase the odds I’m mistaken for a student. (It’s a bit awkward when you’re at the front of the room and a student assumes you’re just up there waiting for the teacher.)

Do I have to shop here now?

Classes start in just over three weeks, and we have a trip to Seattle and another camping trip before then. Time to get busy enjoying what’s left of summer! I’ll leave you with a picture of Felix eating yogurt from a tube.

He kept flipping it over to see if he could eat from the closed end.