Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Manic Post-Graduation

So, the kids are all grad-gi-ated and such - And I was elected to read their names! - which means that summer has officially begun. This also means that I am now coming down off my high, the kind where you shiver in a corner, rock back and forth, eyes glazed over, and beg for someone to please, please, for the love of god, please just knock you out.

Summer is a weird transition.

I know it's not the same for all teachers, but to go from working 12 hour days for ten months to having to "find something to do" is a kind of withdrawal, or is at least an excusable life change. My brain which is used to making 100 thousand decisions per second - "Class, here's what were doing today; no, you may not use the restroom, please don't interrupt; I just received a pass for so and so from the office, no you may not go now, or yes you can; If I could just recap..; last class you didn't understand __________. I'll talk about it after the announcements are over; no you can't see your grade right now, I'm trying to teach; Are you crying? Do you need to go to the hall?; As I was saying..; Another pass; So, Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter; Wake up, you in the back; Stop talking; No you still may not use the restroom; The play Macbeth is cursed; You're tardy? Nice of you to join us. Where's you pass? Go back to the office; It is a Scottish play which means that you have to pay extra close attention to inflection; Stop throwing things; Another stray announcement; AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!; Yes, I'm fine. Only 89 minutes of class to go. As I was saying..

And so we've been doing some work around the house to cope with the de-tox:

The house is extremely clean and organized.
The fence is mended.
New curtains are purchased and hung.
Flowers are planted.
The dishes are clean.
Pictures have been framed and hung.
New furniture - a bench with cubbies and a shelving unit - for the baby's room is put together.
Baby's toys are all organized on new furniture.
Old furniture has been moved to the garage.
Baby's winter clothes have been boxed and moved to the garage.
Three boxes of books are removed from guest room and sold.
Laundry is clean.
Lawn is mowed.
Wii is played.
Bills are paid.

This all happened in two days and there was still time to watch a little TV!

I'm trying to will my body and mind to be idle for just a few days so that I don't die of exhaustion. Americans are really good at that. At the same time, sitting makes me itchy.. I have to go and do!

10 comments:

choral_composer said...

Come for a visit...that will help you relax :)

Grannymar said...

I am worn out just reading that! Do try to enjoy your summer.

Meems said...

So wait, it's been a while...are you advertising these services? B/c, ahem, I do have some things around the house... lol j/k ;)

I agree it is hard to wind down after all that but I must say you do it with such poise and class. Hope all is well. Enjoy the summer! :)

Best wishes,

Mariam

msprimadonna67 said...

Three and a half more days for me, and then I, too, get to figure out what to do with myself for the next two months. The kids will help me occupy my time, I'm sure...

Renee said...

That first part reminds me of what I do on a daily basis managing my team. Is it weird that a group of adults can often act like a group of high school kids (and sometimes Pre-Kers).
Hope you have a great summer. Maybe we can come for a visit!

Amy said...

Wow look at you go.. You can head over and help me out... I need to do some of this also.. I do it day by day. Today is cleaning the house.. Have a wonderful Summer and day.. Schools out for the Summer..

Rummuser said...

Just shift gears and do what the students will be doing.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

cute ideas..

prashant said...

enjoy your summer.
Banner Advertising Network India

Tushar G. said...

I kind of know what you mean.
The couple of days right after graduation and before, i had nothing to do so offcourse i grab a couple of book from the library, but still nothing so i divulged into the games of videogames!!!

There is always the time to think of that homeless guy at the park or ponder the great mystery of the universe :)

Try and enjoy your summer. Prepare for the next coming ;)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Manic Post-Graduation

So, the kids are all grad-gi-ated and such - And I was elected to read their names! - which means that summer has officially begun. This also means that I am now coming down off my high, the kind where you shiver in a corner, rock back and forth, eyes glazed over, and beg for someone to please, please, for the love of god, please just knock you out.

Summer is a weird transition.

I know it's not the same for all teachers, but to go from working 12 hour days for ten months to having to "find something to do" is a kind of withdrawal, or is at least an excusable life change. My brain which is used to making 100 thousand decisions per second - "Class, here's what were doing today; no, you may not use the restroom, please don't interrupt; I just received a pass for so and so from the office, no you may not go now, or yes you can; If I could just recap..; last class you didn't understand __________. I'll talk about it after the announcements are over; no you can't see your grade right now, I'm trying to teach; Are you crying? Do you need to go to the hall?; As I was saying..; Another pass; So, Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter; Wake up, you in the back; Stop talking; No you still may not use the restroom; The play Macbeth is cursed; You're tardy? Nice of you to join us. Where's you pass? Go back to the office; It is a Scottish play which means that you have to pay extra close attention to inflection; Stop throwing things; Another stray announcement; AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!; Yes, I'm fine. Only 89 minutes of class to go. As I was saying..

And so we've been doing some work around the house to cope with the de-tox:

The house is extremely clean and organized.
The fence is mended.
New curtains are purchased and hung.
Flowers are planted.
The dishes are clean.
Pictures have been framed and hung.
New furniture - a bench with cubbies and a shelving unit - for the baby's room is put together.
Baby's toys are all organized on new furniture.
Old furniture has been moved to the garage.
Baby's winter clothes have been boxed and moved to the garage.
Three boxes of books are removed from guest room and sold.
Laundry is clean.
Lawn is mowed.
Wii is played.
Bills are paid.

This all happened in two days and there was still time to watch a little TV!

I'm trying to will my body and mind to be idle for just a few days so that I don't die of exhaustion. Americans are really good at that. At the same time, sitting makes me itchy.. I have to go and do!

10 comments:

choral_composer said...

Come for a visit...that will help you relax :)

Grannymar said...

I am worn out just reading that! Do try to enjoy your summer.

Meems said...

So wait, it's been a while...are you advertising these services? B/c, ahem, I do have some things around the house... lol j/k ;)

I agree it is hard to wind down after all that but I must say you do it with such poise and class. Hope all is well. Enjoy the summer! :)

Best wishes,

Mariam

msprimadonna67 said...

Three and a half more days for me, and then I, too, get to figure out what to do with myself for the next two months. The kids will help me occupy my time, I'm sure...

Renee said...

That first part reminds me of what I do on a daily basis managing my team. Is it weird that a group of adults can often act like a group of high school kids (and sometimes Pre-Kers).
Hope you have a great summer. Maybe we can come for a visit!

Amy said...

Wow look at you go.. You can head over and help me out... I need to do some of this also.. I do it day by day. Today is cleaning the house.. Have a wonderful Summer and day.. Schools out for the Summer..

Rummuser said...

Just shift gears and do what the students will be doing.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

cute ideas..

prashant said...

enjoy your summer.
Banner Advertising Network India

Tushar G. said...

I kind of know what you mean.
The couple of days right after graduation and before, i had nothing to do so offcourse i grab a couple of book from the library, but still nothing so i divulged into the games of videogames!!!

There is always the time to think of that homeless guy at the park or ponder the great mystery of the universe :)

Try and enjoy your summer. Prepare for the next coming ;)