Summer's End

It's finally here - my last week of summer break. I imagine that most teachers feel like I do every August. The wide open days of June and July were blissful. I had time to deep clean my house, catch up on my favorite tv shows, carve out time to exercise, read just for the pure pleasure of it, and have lunch dates with good friends. Yet August always ushers in the excitement of possibilities: a better way to teach a course, a new batch of incoming freshmen students, shiny pretty school supplies! In the spirit of leaving summer behind and moving into another fall semester, here is my update on the summer goals I set for myself back in June.

1. Actually post new blog entries. Is once a week too ambitious of me?

Well, I didn't write an entry per week, but I got a few in per month. Not too shabby.

2. Read approximately 1200 pages of rhetorical theory in preparation to teach rhetoric to high school juniors this fall.

I totally bombed on this one. I haven't even cracked a rhetoric book! Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me during in-service next week...

3. Get some concentrated vitamin D a couple of times per week.

Didn't get this one done either. I feel completely justified blaming the oppressive North Carolina humidity.

4. Read at least four fictional books purely for pleasure. Any suggestions? The last exciting and no-brain-power reads I devoured were the three Hunger Games novels.

Finally, a goal I not only met but beat! I read eight novels, six of which belong to a historical murder mystery series I highly recommend. It's the Nell Sweeney series by P.B. Ryan.

5. Start and successfully complete the workout DVD I purchased today: Jillian Michael's "Ripped in 30." She does look pretty intimidating! I think she'll frighten me into submission!

I loved this workout system so much that I completed it once and started it over again! I had forgotten how good it feels to be in shape! This is a goal I want to continue into the school year.

6. Choose the next play I'll direct at school this fall (this one's not really an option).

This fall we will be producing A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, by Agatha Christie. It's a classic British parlor room mystery that should be great fun for the cast and their director.

7. Cook some of the 256,347 scrumptious-looking meals I've pinned on Pinterest.

How embarrassed should I be to say that not only have I not cooked any meals on Pinterest, I also haven't cooked hardly at all this summer? Just checking. Salads and sandwiches are pretty tempting dinners when it's just me and the hubs!

8. Go through all of my clothes and make an extra special trip to GCF.

Done. Three trash bags' worth. That was a good feeling.