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Summery stuff

Every year it amazes me how quickly I'm able to adjust to summer time. At the end of the school, it seems like I'm never going to get used to not going to work every day and not seeing my students. But after a couple days, I adjust to summer mode and it almost seems hard to remember getting up early every day and teaching.

I've seen a few of my students this summer so far, which has probably been the highlight of the season. I've been keeping busy helping out our Head of School playing secretary and whatever other jobs she needs help with, and one of the camps meets at the school building. Two of my students that were in my class this year go to that camp, and five of my former students are there. It makes my day every time I see them. This past weekend, I took two boys to a Blue Rocks baseball game, and we had a great time. Plus there were good fireworks at the end. One of the boys had never seen fireworks, so it was really neat to get to experience that with him.


Other summer highlights include:
  • My birthday and a fun karaoke get together with friends
  • My Ssekos! Oh I just love them so much!
  • Wearing dresses
  • Seeing college friends
  • Reading (just finished The Help and now reading Water for Elephants and Born to Run)
  • Going to Chincoteague! OK, that one hasn't happened yet, but we leave in two days
  • Tutoring and reading Number the Stars with a great girl from Urban Promise
  • Going to the gym when good stuff's on TV
  • Watching Dexter
  • Listening to my Frank Sinatra Pandora station
  • Traveling, sometimes making spur of the moment plans with friends, just because it's summer and I can
All in all, I can't complain. Part of me is feeling sad that I won't be going back to teaching in the fall. Since I've been basically volunteering full-time at Urban Promise, I keep forgetting I won't be back for the school year. When I was helping to make the school calendar, I kept thinking about how long I wanted Christmas break to be and thinking I wanted to be sure to be done with school by my birthday. But then I remembered I don't work there anymore! I'm really thankful I have the chance to still be involved in the ministry and stay in Wilmington and hopefully maintain a lot of the relationships I have with kids, families, and coworkers here. I keep thinking of things I want to do if I'm able to volunteer in the fall, like start a book club with the middle school girls and help teachers with teaching literacy and plan fun and special stuff for the students.

My classes start early in September. I'm pretty sure grad school will be overwhelming to begin with. I was at UD yesterday evening for a workshop about doing research, and I didn't know where to park and I couldn't find the library, and I felt like a college freshman all over again! I had to ask TWO people for help to find where I was supposed to be, which if you know me, you probably know is a really big deal. So I know I'm in for an adventure. I guess it's time for a change, but I'm glad I don't have to jump right in and that I have a couple months to make a gradual transition. For now I'm focusing on enjoying summer, spending time with people, reflecting on lots of things, getting back to the basics like being sure I'm reading the Bible and praying each day, and appreciating this little break from busyness.
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