Happy Memorial Day!

For me, this weekend was not about war and soldiers nor was it about beer and grilling. No. My weekend was a return to sanity. I slept late, did menial things like laundry and until this morning ignored lesson plans and any sort of school work. Today I was able to complete everything I will need to teach my art class this summer and on top of that did everything I needed to do for school tomorrow AND even complete a presentation I have on Thursday. It’s amazing how productive I can be when I am not stressed.

And that’s what it is, right now I am not. I actually feel well-rested, I don’t feel tense or over-worked and for the first time this summer, I feel as though everything I have to do is completely manageable.

I’m zen. I’m sane. I’m good. I have an entire art curriculum and a speech on Spenser’s Faeire Queene under my belt. I’m still not turning on my cell phone until I leave for work tomorrow morning, though :).

Somehow I am halfway through my first round of summer classes and on the brink of a real break between this session ending and the next beginning. I am also slowly getting caught up with my column that has suffered from finals, teaching and the start of a new semester. It’s a good night.

Happy Easter!

Slava Isusu Christu! Slava Na V’iki! Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

I am finally happy to be over the strep throat that pretty much killed the last part of March for me. I was told repeatedly that during your first year of teaching, you will contract every ailment, virus and infection that you come in contact with. I didn’t believe ’em until it happened to me, but I am happy to be subbing, so I digress.

I am happy to be on my last week of antibiotics and am looking forward to the conclusion of classes next month. I really can’t believe how fast it all went – wasn’t it just January? Wasn’t this all just starting for me? Wow.

I am gearing up for a summer of teaching art and its history, traveling below Mason Dixon at least twice and enjoying the summer months. I am also hoping to finish editing my manuscript and releasing it by the end of August.

I can’t wait to finish writing my art curriculum. I am so excited to get to share a subject I am so passionate about with elementary school children. I hope I will not only get through to them, but also really make a difference this summer.

Christos Voskrese!