A High in the 80s.

I just talked to my brother for the last time before he lands in Kuwait. Then he will be stationed in Basra. He thinks he'll be incommunicado for at least a month or so. I am sad and am trying to figure out how to look like I've not been crying. Because I have to teach soon.

Here's Michael and Sam sharing Taco John's last fall:




In other news ... I don't really have much, I guess. The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter and as God as my witness, I will make it. (Yeesh, and I harp on my students for using cliches.) Overall, I've had a very satisfying teaching year. This was my first full year as a full-timer, so this is the first full year I've done the 5-5 load. I believe I rocked it. Soundly. And by "rocking it", I mean I am still standing, haven't gone completely gray, haven't told any in-class mom jokes, and haven't succumbed completely to carpal tunnel. Ha! Take that, 5-5 load!

I had my advanced comp students journal about this last week: "What is an important and significant change you have noticed about yourself in the past year or so?" Some students wrote about positive stuff; some wrote about really sucky stuff. I haven't addressed this yet, personally, but I think it's important to take stock every once in awhile.

Taking stock:
I still chew my nails.
I do not drink pop (save for the occasional whiskey diet).
I would like a baby. How? Oy oy oy.
I feel more secure and stable, in all ways, in the past year than I have the preceding 27.
I still have a mothereffer of a temper.
I am a helluva teacher.
I'm addicted to Facebook.
I left the Newman Center and now go to the other Catholic church that I'm not sold on.
I am pissed because the Newman Center I loved no longer exists.
I am an old gammy who can still dance your socks off, pal.
I want a house. I'll be in the position to buy one in two years, I think. I hope.
All in all, things is pretty good.

I know you will anyways, but please keep my bro and all other soldiers close.