Category: Teacher Life

Blog, Books, guardians, LGBT, LGBTQIA, News, Teacher Life, Writing

Take me home, country…plane

Greetings, friends. As usual, it’s been a while, so I’ll attempt to bring you up to speed on recent developments as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Having (a) just wrapped up a 12-week 5th/6th grade after-school teaching gig, and (b) gotten myself fully vaxxed (woot), I now finally feel comfortable making good on the Secret Plans I’ve had for quite some time: namely, moving back to Chicago after two long years away. There are many things to love about Virginia, but sadly it just doesn’t seem to be a place I “vibe” with, and thus I’m returning to a locale that feels much more like home (and trying to ignore the nine-month-long freezing cold winters for the time being).

Continue reading “Take me home, country…plane”
T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Blog, Chosen, General Weirdness, LGBT, Teacher Life, Works In Progress, Writing

How could I sneak with this fine physique?

Greetings, friends. Greetings and hello and hello and also greetings.

I find myself with a bit of time to spare this evening, so I thought it was about time I posted an update. So to all those readers who have been weeping bitter tears into their pillows at night wondering when I would return, you may now rest easy. Your prayers have been answered.

Continue reading “How could I sneak with this fine physique?”

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Cooking, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Vlog

VEGAN VLOG 27: Cravings, exercise, and delicious junky junk food

Today, a discussion of my struggles to eat healthily and get enough exercise, plus a tragic tale of egg in my rice. Additionally, my microphone has betrayed me yet again, so the sound isn’t as crisp and clear as last time. Alas. Someday I’ll sort this stuff out, rly. Continue reading VEGAN VLOG 27: Cravings, exercise, and delicious junky junk food

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Cooking, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Vlog

VEGAN VLOG 25: In which Chicago is cold and I try some raw vegan (non-)cookin’.

So, news flash: Chicago is cold! Also, I’ve been experimenting with raw vegan dishes in an attempt to avoid post-meal regret and general suffering. Hurrah! Also, I’m not sure the camera app on my computer actually uses the headset microphone, as the sound quality on this video is less awesome than I’d expected. Sadface, etc. Continue reading VEGAN VLOG 25: In which Chicago is cold and I try some raw vegan (non-)cookin’.

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Blog, Chinese, Cooking, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian

In which I walk around the couch a lot and try to eat healthier (also, Chinese!)

So, as it turns out, working from home when it’s freezing cold outside is pretty nice. :D Unfortunately, this pleasant new development also results in me not getting much in the way of exercise, so I’ve had to improvise. In my previous job, I was both incredibly stressed and receiving a crapton of exercise (lifting children, chasing children, chasing and lifting children at the same … Continue reading In which I walk around the couch a lot and try to eat healthier (also, Chinese!)

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Chinese, General Weirdness, Japan, Teacher Life, Vlog

Interlude: Basic Chinese phrases and some whining in Japanese (and English!)

INTERLUDE! In which I demonstrate some truly awful Chinese and a brief whining tantrum in both Japanese and English. Also, to give this the authentic feel of a Chinese film badly dubbed into English, I have arranged for my video editing program to randomly refuse to sync my lips to my words. So very much to enjoy in this video…! Continue reading Interlude: Basic Chinese phrases and some whining in Japanese (and English!)

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
LGBT, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Vlog

Vegan Vlog 21: Vegan Thanksgiving, The Good Place, and Darla vs. the Christmas Tree

Today, I discuss such riveting topics as my failures at time management in online ESL lessons, what I ate for Thanksgiving, queer representation (or lack thereof) on “The Good Place,” and Darla’s new gnawing target, the Christmas tree. Also, I talk about grocery shopping, because I work from home now and grocery shopping is apparently a major highlight of any day. Bonus (?): Photos of … Continue reading Vegan Vlog 21: Vegan Thanksgiving, The Good Place, and Darla vs. the Christmas Tree

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Cooking, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Vlog

VEGAN VLOG 19: Homemade Cashew Milk, Thanksgiving, and Darla Eats It All

In which laziness leads to my making homemade cashew milk, I reveal my true feelings on the presence of peanuts in muesli, and Darla tries to eat everything in sight, including a used tissue and a soggy tea bag. Also, there is **natural light!** Though now, less than an hour later, the sky has gone gray and disgusting again, so…thanks for that false hope, Chicago. … Continue reading VEGAN VLOG 19: Homemade Cashew Milk, Thanksgiving, and Darla Eats It All

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Cooking, Japan, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Vlog

VEGAN VLOG 18: Sadness in the Japanese Food Court and a review of the Beyond Burger

In which I venture to the Japanese supermarket and experience Great Sadness, then discover a wealth of vegan items closer to home + try the Beyond Burger. Also, miso ramen and vegan tonkatsu! Kind of. Continue reading VEGAN VLOG 18: Sadness in the Japanese Food Court and a review of the Beyond Burger

T.J. BaerLeave a comment
Blog, Cooking, Teacher Life, Vegan and Vegetarian, Work

Conferences, food, and drowsy catnaps

I thought I was done waking up at 3:45 AM due to the time change, but alas, this morning marked another early wakeup and general refusal from my body and brain to return to sleep. As today was Parent/Teacher Conferences and my last day at work, I took advantage of the extra time to (a) write thank-you cards to parents,  (b) cook up some goodies … Continue reading Conferences, food, and drowsy catnaps

T.J. BaerLeave a comment