The Teacher Needs an Intervention

My name is Jestine and I'm addicted to diet coke! Here is my story. I do not drink coffee, I cannot stand the smell, and find it nauseating. So, instead of drinking coffee for a caffeine kick, I took up drinking Diet Coke. Not a school day tends to go by without me having Diet Coke.

This past weekend my running season kicked off, my goal is to complete the Grand Prix series of races in my area, along with year two of running the Rock and Roll half marathon. The Grad Prix series consists of 12 races: 1 wild mile, 5 5Ks, 1 4miler, 1 5miler, 1 8K, 1 10miler, 1 15K, and ending with a half marathon. Last running season, I finished my last race 4th in my age group. This years ultimate goal is to place in the top three of my age group, in at least one race. I really want to improve on my running times, so I'm making small changes, for example this years New Years Resolution was to give up doughnuts for the entire year. My latest goal is to cut back on the amount of Diet Coke that I drink.

Last week, I went my entire Monday without Diet Coke, towards the end of the day I realized this and said, "Wow, I did not drink diet coke the entire day!" The children cheered and Regina made me a certificate of achievement. Agnes, who was in Walmart the weekend before, purchased me a four pack of 2 liter Diet Coke, because I loved Diet Coke and hid the soda out of sight. I have now managed to be able to go most of the day without Diet Coke.

Today however, I had a craving in the afternoon for Diet Coke and when I went to have some my students were trying to talk me out of drinking diet coke. Regina told me if I didn't drink the Diet Coke she would make me a certificate. Celine, so cute, used one of my reward methods on me. In first grade, I had Ms. J. Dollars for good behavior. Celine made a Celine dollar to give me, if I could go the entire day without drinking Diet Coke. And in true Catholic fashion Magdalene told me that I should take the Diet Coke Agnes purchased for me and give it to the poor.

As I sit here after a full day school, followed by Spelling Bee club, and piano lessons; I realize that I need to stop drinking Diet Coke, it is what my students want and it is healthier.