Life Goes On

It seems as if the school year ended just recently, and yet, here we are, ready to begin another semester. Perhaps the hiatus seemed to evaporate because I taught two classes this summer, or perhaps life is just flashing by. Whatever the case, I feel as if I have barely enough time to breathe.

I think that the hiatus from school is necessary because classes are so intense. The beginning of the semester is stressful as to getting the students ready for learning and then involved in class. As the semester progresses, then, the coursework becomes more and more difficult, until the last part of the term, when the requirements are nothing short of grueling, and the work reaches some sort of fever pitch. Teaching writing or any other English class brings its own stresses, because as those multi-page papers must be assigned, they also must be graded. As the "degree of difficulty" increases, so does the time requred to grade each paper.

The rest of this week is my class lab: I will be posting assignments for my on line classes, I will be revising syllabi and other class informational documents, and I will be preparing my grade book. I would rather READ a book, but I will do what is required instead. Wish me luck as I face this semester with something less than fabulous enthusiasm, as I continue to wonder what life has in store, and as I struggle with trying to make my classes relevant to those who really want to learn.

Time off

My college classes begin next week. I feel as if I haven't had any time off, and it's only when a person doesn't have a vacation that he or she realizes how important that is.

I remember writing a piece about taking Emily on her first trip - it was to Sea World - and how excited I was because I was fulfilling a childhood dream of going on a vacation. My family never went on vacation. We couldn't afford it. I watched "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" hungrily each Sunday night, hoping to one day sit in the twirling cups, but my first trip to Disneyland didn't come until I was almost 30. I loved it then, but wonder what it would have been like to be a child and step foot into what felt like magic.

My schedule doesn't allow for much time off. I am in church at the piano and organ bench every Sunday, teaching Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on a different bench on Wednesdays. Even when school is not in session, I am still spoken for on Wednesdays and Sundays. That divides the week either nicely or perversely, depending on how you look at it: enough time to take a short trip to Arkansas or Kansas City, but not enough time to sit back and relax and wipe the drudgery of everyday life off my mind for a few days.

When I read the word "drudgery," I am somewhat ashamed. I really enjoy the things I do. I love to make music, I love to connect with students, and I love trying to bring justice to those who are looking for it. Occasionally, I would just like some time off.