Saying Goodbye to Summertime

Summers seem to go by more quickly each year. Someone once told me that the older you get, the more this happens. Years seem to fly by, days seem to pass quicker and quicker, and before you know it…your life has passed by a little sooner than you anticipated. I believe this more than ever now.

I love summers. I love waking up into my own routine…and that being not having one. For 190 days (workdays included) I am in my professional world. I wake up with the sun, get to school, teach to the best of my ability, grade papers, plan, come home, think about what lessons tomorrow will bring, catch a couple winks, and begin my schedule all over again. Please don’t get me wrong…I enjoy this routine. I am a creature of habit. Not a creature that is consistent…but I like my school schedule. However…I do enjoy a break from the everyday and for 2 months (exactly) I get just that.

This summer has been really nice…really busy…and really fun. I have had my breath taken away in California. Been kissed by the sun at the beach in SC. I have laughed with my best friends. I have taken almost 800 pictures. I have gotten to help one of my best friends with her wedding. I have been able to meet with mentors and talk about life with them. I have gotten to take a break from my regularly scheduled life. And…I have loved it.

Everyone needs this. Everyone needs to be able to take a break from their usual life. I am very blessed that my career allows me to do this. I love my job for what it brings to my life. I love that I get to serve through my career, but I’m not going to lie. The perk of having a summer makes it just a little bit better.

I know that getting back into the routine of waking up is going to be hard. I expect this, but am also ready for it. I’m ready to get back into the grind of the everyday life. I look forward to meeting new students and I hope that the “third year is the charm”! I am anxious to get back into my classroom where learning is (hopefully) exhibited everyday.

This year comes with a lot of goals and hopes. I feel, and have told many people, that this might be a defining year. I will teach the last possible ‘new’ thing in NC. By the end of this school year I will have taught all four high school level courses. English I, II, III, and IV. I welcome the journey I am about to begin. My GOAL is to become a better teacher; my HOPE is that it actually happens.

I will miss the summer though. Who doesn’t? I will miss waking up in Morganton with my parents close by. I will miss the phone call that says, ‘I’m in town, lets meet for lunch!’ There is a bit of dread knowing my alarm clock will be chiming at 6 instead of…not chiming at all! However…it just makes me anticipate the fun that will accompany my next summer.

So…welcome back school life! I’ve missed you…kind of… And summer…thanks for everything :)