Happy Academic New Year's Eve!
The past two weeks came to a crashing halt yesterday. I graded papers nonstop over the last two weeks. The lines separating memories have become blurred; it is somewhat of an academic haze. One five-paragraph persuasive bleeds with the next. There is a cadence to the opening statement, three arguments, and thesis method to formula writing. This is the literary equivalent of prefabricated culture - just insert statement "here"; the fodder standardized tests thrive on. At times I was amazed by my students' ability to transcending the five-paragraph with a writer’s voice begging to be heard. Other times their writing was so bland that no amount of Cluck U. hot wings sauce could spice it up. And I do mean hot.
The past two weeks came to a crashing halt, but barely. Two words: burned out. I am work-hung over from this past school year. Every single minute of the working week and week end was accounted on the part of teaching, coaching, and graduate school; not one second of “leisurely leisure” downtime. Even time off was calendar-slotted get-togethers of various degrees: family, friends, band, etc. That is all about to come to an end, at least for a little while. There are two half-days left in the public school year – think I’ll survive this one. As of last Friday, the fourth quarter marking period grades were submitted; I can breathe for now.
Today was a ME day. Unselfishly a ME day. Caroline went to the beach with a close friend, leaving me alone for the day. At 90 degrees hot, there was little other activity but to squeeze my five-mile run at five at sunrise, and then to lounge out from there. Unfortunately I was too sweaty to play / practice guitar; my sweat would have rusted the strings in a few minutes. I cleaned the house, folded laundry, and cleared all of my mental clutter. Literally vacated my mind of all worries, due dates, etc. Called my dad. Called my brothers. Drank lemonade. Napped on the couch. Basked in the silence of mind that has been a long time coming.
This is the Academic New Year: tie up loose ends, reflect and reminisce on a year gone past, and resolution for the year to come. There will be a countdown, in customary fashion: the last end-of-class bell to ring. Children will exit, only to return next September one step closer to maturity. Oh, and the teachers? What other way is there to properly celebrate a New Year other than to come together on that last evening, drink, telling teacher stories throughout the night. Trust me, the stories get better as the night gets underway.
Here is to a Happy Academic New Year. May you make the most of 06-07. Cheers.
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The past two weeks came to a crashing halt, but barely. Two words: burned out. I am work-hung over from this past school year. Every single minute of the working week and week end was accounted on the part of teaching, coaching, and graduate school; not one second of “leisurely leisure” downtime. Even time off was calendar-slotted get-togethers of various degrees: family, friends, band, etc. That is all about to come to an end, at least for a little while. There are two half-days left in the public school year – think I’ll survive this one. As of last Friday, the fourth quarter marking period grades were submitted; I can breathe for now.
Today was a ME day. Unselfishly a ME day. Caroline went to the beach with a close friend, leaving me alone for the day. At 90 degrees hot, there was little other activity but to squeeze my five-mile run at five at sunrise, and then to lounge out from there. Unfortunately I was too sweaty to play / practice guitar; my sweat would have rusted the strings in a few minutes. I cleaned the house, folded laundry, and cleared all of my mental clutter. Literally vacated my mind of all worries, due dates, etc. Called my dad. Called my brothers. Drank lemonade. Napped on the couch. Basked in the silence of mind that has been a long time coming.
This is the Academic New Year: tie up loose ends, reflect and reminisce on a year gone past, and resolution for the year to come. There will be a countdown, in customary fashion: the last end-of-class bell to ring. Children will exit, only to return next September one step closer to maturity. Oh, and the teachers? What other way is there to properly celebrate a New Year other than to come together on that last evening, drink, telling teacher stories throughout the night. Trust me, the stories get better as the night gets underway.
Here is to a Happy Academic New Year. May you make the most of 06-07. Cheers.
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