Today's the last day before Spring Break. If they haven't already, the kids are starting to desert campus. As much of a hassle as it is when they scram early, part of me can't blame them. Heck, part of me envies them a tiny bit.
They're ready for a week off. So am I. It's not that I don't like being around them. I love my kids. Sure, they can tax you, but when things are good, they're really good. On the other hand, spend enough time around anyone and you'll need some time to yourself. I don't care how close your relationship is, or how much you love them. Sometimes you just need to get away for a bit.
For my part, it'll be nice to have a week without getting up way too early, driving through the dark so I can get into the office and have some time to get my head together and catch up on tasks before anyone can come by and want something. It'll be nice to not feel the need to get my work done two days in advance so I don't have to fret about whether it's done. It'll be nice to not put in a string of really long days when I've gone in before sunrise and gone home after sunset. It'll be nice to be reminded what direct sunlight is like for more than a few moments. It'll be nice to come back home after being out, not feeling like my body and mind are like a cigarette that's been smoked down to the filter tip. (Bad analogy, I know, but that's the way I feel most days.)
And it'll be nice to take care of some personal matters that have gone undone. There's some housework that's gone undone, a project or two I'd like to resume. I'd like to get in the car one day next week, take a little drive, and renew some old acquaintances from too long ago.
Above all else, I'd just like a little time to get my head together. There's a lot coming up in the second half of this semester: big assignments, a bunch of meetings (they always come just before the end), two more newspaper layouts, and the guaranteed drama of seniors realizing that no, they won't graduate unless they overcome procrastination.
There's going to be plenty enough for everybody come the second half. For next week, though, my brain's going to enjoy the quiet.
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