Spring Break

It finally has arrived... Spring Break!  Excluding the first few years of my life and the 2.5 years I worked at Aon, I always have looked forward to this week during the spring semester when I have the opportunity to "recharge my battery."  Even though I usually spend the week catching up or planning ahead, it's always nice to know that I can sleep a little later each morning and stop working at a decent hour each afternoon.  Although I'm not teaching this semester, I'm very much looking forward to Jay being on break next week.  He's been working long hours for several weeks and definitely will benefit from the extra rest.

During my time working at home, I've realized how much I am connected to academia.  I do not think of the passage of time in terms of seasons or months.  I think of it in terms of semesters.  More than once, I have caught myself telling someone about a certain event and mentioning that it occurred "last semester" even though the event was not academic in nature.  Although I am enjoying so many things about my time at home, I often find that I feel like a "fish out of water."  It is no surprise to me that I miss teaching quite a bit.  What is a surprise to me is how much I miss the busy schedule that comes with the job of teaching.  This semester, Fridays are like any other day of the week.  I no longer need the weekend to rest, grade papers, and prepare for the upcoming work week.  Like Fridays, spring break has lost some of its pizazz.  I haven't been counting down the days to spring break because I need time to be refreshed... I already am.  I find that I'm already feeling the same way about summer break.  Having time to recharge is much more appreciated when it's actually needed.  I do hope that I remember this when I return to academia!