Going back to work

Long after the Back to School Sales start, and before the kids enjoy their last few moments of summer; I have to go back to work. I have a classroom to clean and organize, meetings with other teachers, and lessons to consider for the first few days of school. However, I am ready. Well… I wish I could still sleep in every morning, and continue to casually sip coffee while I catch up on email, news and celebrity gossip. But when it comes down to filling my days up, I am getting a little bored. And honestly, I had one of my best summers ever, so I guess its time to start earning a living again.

When the schools bells declared that summer had begun, a warm rush of relief and excitement swept over me as I considered my time off. So many people may never understand how after 10 months of teaching, a teacher’s mind, body, and spirit become fried and the few weeks off in the summer ensure that teachers will be ready to do it all again next year.

At first I lapped in my luxury of time by eating long lunches with friends, going to the movies during the day, or to the outlet mall when it was crowd free. I resented the fact I committed myself to 2 weeks of summer camp. How could I give up such valuable time? I complained everyday, until the last day, when the counselors shared beers and we opened our paychecks, and we all agreed to do it again next year.

Then came my traveling. I got to see my family at a surprise birthday event in Wisconsin, extend a conference trip to San Diego with my sweetheart and met my parents there, had my first trip to Poland where I attended a Polish wedding, explored Warsaw and hiked around Zakopane. Then back in California I met up with my family again for a wedding at the Firestone Winery on the Central Coast and soon after had a Big Sur Surprise of my own! As one last fling, I flew out to Chicago area to celebrate my sister’s bridal shower and bachelorette, while also spending time with some friends I have had forever.

Whew.

So yes, after an amazing, productive, entertaining, celebratory summer, it is time to go back to work, and I am ready.