So, I said to myself, Self, it is TIME TO GET BACK TO NORMAL. This Christmas season, while wonderful and fun, has been exhausting! I now have been back to work, teaching, for two days, and it feels like it has been a MONTH. The first day back was the toughest, due to the need to "retrain the students," but also, in particular, because of not being able to graze all day on snack foods. I found myself arriving home with the best intentions of just having tea or something, and instead noshing on chips and dips in an almost visceral way. I HAD to have them. I also am craving sleep like nobody's business. By nature, I am a night owl...not a crazy one, but left to my own devices I like to go to bed around midnight and sleep until 8 or so. Over vacation, a couple of days I slept until NINE - as did my daughter, aka MiniMe. Now, as we arrive home each night, my daughter plays with her new dollies endlessly, and I can't help but be envious. They sit up, their eyes are alert, no struggle with the snooze button, no need for undereye concealer. They lay their heads back, they are asleep, with not a care in the world, no worries that they didn't water the Christmas tree, or forget to pay the cable bill. They are played with, but then left in their beds, sometimes for DAYS on end. "Vacation" should come with a buffer zone time at the end, maybe some half days back to work. Or,even better, practice days...where you are required to "keep" your normal hours, but aren't actually asked to teach any kids. Maybe an item to throw on the old contract negotiations table - yeah - like that'll fly! I'd probably have a better chance of getting to live the life of my daughter's dolls, if only for one, sweet, sleep filled day! Dream On!
-Cheryl