A post for the 'new' year

It's been a while since I've blogged... and I've sworn off using the phrase "I've been too busy" to anyone or any situation. The fact is, we make choices with our time, and I have obviously chosen to either work long hours, spend my evenings with friends or in front of network non-cable television or online chatting with friends on facebook or emailing. But I haven't blogged. I am now.

Time is flying - quicker everyday. January will be over soon and the hoopla that surrounds an old year passing and a new year arriving will have faded into the same memory of other New Year celebrations.

Life is good, despite it's hectic pace. Tim is presently in Scotland for 10 days for work. I wish I was with him - either over there or here for that matter. We email back and forth and IM occassionly, but it's not the same as being together. I sound needy, but oh well. I am happy for him and his new job and opportunities. He's excited and nervous and anxious all at the same time. He wants to implement big and progressive changes and make the best of what he has - my ambitious puppy.

Work is going pretty well. The school morale seems to be hovering above water, but barely. Big class sizes and a few difficult unexpected tragedies have added to the usual malaise that hits an overworked and under-appreciated profession. I still have no off switch. Second semester has arrived and we are in day 4. I continually try to redo and revamp and upgrade and reframe how and what I teach to reach more and different students everyday. I sometimes wonder if I miss the forest for the trees some days. I do obsess a bit. I need to work on that and appreciate the systems and ideas I have in place and enjoy the learning and discussions and the beautiful, challenging and unique human beings that come into my classroom everyday. Even if there are 175 of them.

I miss the pace of Scotland sometimes. I miss the freedom I had. I resent that I took that freedom for granted most days. I'll deal. I get my vacations and I'll travel back to that place - mentally and physically - soon enough and I'll revel in the knowledge that perspective has given me and use my good sense to appreciate even more next time.