I never thought I would be a teacher, especially a high school teacher. But I cannot believe how much I love it and my students. This past year was tough teaching chemistry and my brain is still recovering, lol. Some days, like today, it was nice to just paddle into the harbor, sit on my board, and feel the water slip through my fingers like liquid magic. As the light streamed across the ripples down to the ocean floor, it was both heart and head time to enjoy doing nothing, being grounded, together, and home. In a moment of peace and belonging, a harbor seal swam up five feet away from me and stared at me, thoughtfully and curiously. "Hey, buddy." We just chilled together for a while, bobbing in the water. Then he went his way, and I went mine.