Last week I got that warm fuzzy feeling (it could have been the Jameson) that Summer is finally here. Finally, the weather has warmed up enough and the sun is brightly shining to make activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and outdoor concerts part of our daily routines. Not quite yet for me though. While, I can still enjoy my weekends; for which I am grateful. I am stuck indoors for the next 6 weeks during the week. I work on a college campus and teach in the communication studies department. In addition to some of my other responsibilities that keep me busy during the day, the summer night classes I teach keep me on the campus for 12 hours a day...and I don't think I realized just how exhausting it would be. This is also the first time I have taught a 3 and a half hour course let alone two long condensed courses. I was worried it was going to be difficult to maintain my students' attention and find ways to keep it interesting, but it is actually turning out pretty awesome. I have a great set of students in both classes, and they all seem really eager to learn about the material; they seem interested in my insights and what I have to say. They even laugh at my jokes...well, o.k. they may just be laughing at me and my attempts to be funny, but they humor me none-the-less.
Teaching also always seems to get my adrenaline going. I enjoy teaching and discussing topics that I find interesting and fascinating in lecture, topics that send my geek pointer far off into the red
—excitement and giddiness usually ensues. Class doesn't end until 9:30 p.m., and I start my day at 9:00 a.m. (usually in a daze) for those first couple of hours. It always takes me a good 3-4 hours to wind down from the day, so my sleep schedule has been thrown into complete and utter chaos. That's o.k. though, I tend to enjoy a little bit of chaos in my life and it's only for six weeks. Not too bad.
So, no fishing or camping for me at the moment. But, there will be time for that in July. Fun in the sun will be had, and some friends of mine also reminded me that Summer is the perfect time for photo bombing...more on that in a later summer post. Summer is here and hey! Guess what day it is tomorrow!?!?
You know, if I lived in New Zealand I would be able to spoil your fun and say "Tomorrow is Saturday!" Alas, if only...
ReplyDeleteCongrats/condolences on your teaching gig. I'm sure you will be having a lot of 'drained-yet-satisfied' feelings during that 6 week stint.
As for my summer, most of it will be spent on the road. I'm starting a new job in 10 days, doing territory sales for a pet company. I'll be covering 4 states (ugh) and spending my off-time driving to California to see my boys (ugh but not). It will be fun to look at my odometer after 3 months...
Cheers!
I remember my teaching stint. I enjoyed the experience. Did I enjoy teaching? No. I just don't have tolerance for stupidity and I found that there was at least one remarkably stupid student in every class. Good luck to you though.
ReplyDeleteYour class sounds way better than Doctor Cynicism's.
ReplyDeleteI don't envy your long days, but I do hope you enjoy them! When you do get some vacation time I hope you're able to just relax and not do anything.
ReplyDelete*Stopped by from Studio 30+*
I feel so bad for you summer teachers. I know it's what you love and all, but I know I don't to go to school in the summers and I can't believe you guys do either. Anyway, good on ya for doing it.
ReplyDeleteThree and a half hours? GROSS! That's too long to be cooped up! I hope the six weeks pass by quick and you get to enjoy some time in the sun!
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