Small update

Not sure whether anyone cares, but I thought I'd give an update on my situation and therapy.

Old T is doing really well. Trigger warning for health stuff:
.
We're still seeing each other, though a bit less. I'm also not struggling with his absence anymore if it happens, he currently took his longest vacation yet in our 7 years of work together, with which I'm doing just fine.

As for flipper, I'm still seeing him, and I really appreciate him. While he clearly lacks some experience from time to time (he recently told me in the last minute of our session that he'd become a dad next year and might take some time off in like a year, which of course immediately led to a crisis for me), he really tries and I appreciate how he brings a lot of "new" things to my therapy. It's different from T and that's exactly what I've wanted. Sometimes he brings a therapy dog with him (which he doesn't own but sometimes takes care of), which is also fun. Thanks to flipper, I've managed to recently move out of a longterm abusive relationship, and while I have to still convince myself to not go back, he's a real support in that.

As for myself, I'm now one year into teaching high school physics and absolutely love it. I couldn't wish for a better job, nor better students. I feel part of a community both with the other teachers, as well as with my classes. It's hard to even pick a highlight of the year, maybe being invited to one of the classes christmas parties (not normal at all for teachers to be invited there), maybe when a student dressed up as me for her final day at school? Or just the accomplishment of making them laugh in most lessons, it's all real rewarding.
I'll be going to japan for 10 days in fall, accompanying about 40 students there with two other teachers. If I manage to stay out of the problematic relationship, I'd like to get a dog some day, I've been looking at shelters in my area. However, I think it will wait until at least winter, so that I'd have some weeks off when he/she first arrives so we can bond properly and figure everything out.

I hope to find you all well and am sending hugs to all who want or need them.

Hey CNS,

I'm glad to hear that Old T is doing OK - thank you for the TW, as I'm not in a position for specifics right now.

Flipper sounds like a good fit overall, even if he does drop the ball occasionally.
I'm glad to hear that you are safe now, and that you've found community.

I hope you can add a dog to your life at some point.

Hugs,

Lost

Thanks for the update, CNS.

I’m glad for the most part everything seems to be going well. I’m glad your old T is doing well all things considering. I wonder if you being okay with his vacation is a sign you’re coming to terms with things? Like when L finally went on leave, it was hard, but I had 7 months to prepare so I was kind of ready.

I’m glad flippers working out too. I always bring my dog to therapy and she helps a lot. Most the times she just sleeps, but she’s always near by when I need her. Therapy animals can really help. I really hope you can get a dog one day. My main ESA has been a lifesaver. Have had her for almost 11 years, since ex-T. She’s been there ever since.

It’s good to hear that you’re enjoying your job. I bet that makes a big difference in the quality of your life: having purpose, being appreciated, being able to contribute and see the fruits of it. I know when I tutored in college, my most favorite part was the look on their faces when they finally learned something. That pride inside them was so beautiful.

I hope that things continue to go well for you!

CNS - great story about the kid dressing up as you! And making your class laugh every day? In physics? Reminds me of in Dinosaurs, the science guy kept blowing up his assistant kid with the tagline, "We're gonna need another Timmy!"

I could never understand the concept of moles. Wait, that was Chem II.

I unfortunately can't find the lecturing emoji, but a mole is the volume 6.022 times 10^23 particles of an ideal gas fill. Think inflating a balloon to about 22 liters/ 8.5 gallons. How many air particles are in that is approximately one mole.

Isnt that Avogadro's number? <<you

the Avogadro number is the number of particles in a mole

Glad to hear your update and that things are generally going well. Also love how the student dressed up as you! So sweet.

Sending good thoughts.