Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition: We made it!
Spring break is a landmark for a teacher, much as it is for student, but a bit different. Even if you teach full time in the summer, there are no meetings to speak of at most universities (unless you have a dreaded administrative position* or on a 12 month contract) and it's generally just more pleasant. To a faculty member in this position, spring break means that summer is just ahead, and if we can hold out just a little longer then we have three glorious months of relative freedom.
So what do we do during spring break and the summer time? Ironically, we actually get some real work done. For instance, I am toiling on a manuscript over my spring break. And you know what? While it may seem crazy to work while you're on break, it's pretty fun working on this stuff without having to worry about meetings and such. It gives you time to enjoy life as well. I have a huge garden planned this summer. It's going to be awesome.
That's the other thing I'll be doing over the next week (no, not just drinking, the beer is metaphorical): Enjoying a well-earned academic cease fire, bringing the wounded off of the battlefield, and resting up for another push. I advise you to do the same. Take some time and take care of yourselves, even if it's just a couple of hours per day, leftover minutes from catching up with all the things you've neglected, or whatever time you can beg, borrow, or steal. Enjoy!
Btw, I know I owe you another blog post, and I have one coming. I was hoping for some response to my earlier post. Is anyone getting these still? Nobody has complained, but I'm getting the idea that folks are somehow even busier this semester than they usually are.
I think that for me spring break is just as busy as ever. Becuase I am taking 5 classes, 2 of which are graduate level, I have lots of projects to get done. I fit this in with work and my 4 year old and being pregnant at the same time. I have great support from my husband, but he can't help with my homework :) even though I wish he could! I wish I could have done more as far as homework, but I have taken a little break from the computer this week. I have been able to spend extra time with my son since he has not had pre school this week. Today we took him fishing, which was very fun. I am going to get extra busy again now and try to finish up some projects that stay on my mind all the time. I can't wait for summer and having nothing to do except spend time with my husband, son, and new baby due in June. Hope you had a great spring break and got a lot done with your manuscript.
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