Break Time!

School closed four days ago and graduation was three days ago. I didn't realize how much I needed a break. I had noticed that students were telling me to "chill out" more often so I guess they noticed how my stress level was rising.

Today I actually laughed myself! (I was looking the other way and ran into a door that is usually opened.) It did feel good to laugh, I guess I don't do it enough...especially toward the end of the school year!

I guess I'll have to try harder to rest more during the next Christmas break because the second semester just had too many stresses: curriculum revisions, bombings in town, increased security concerns in town and at school, classroom challenges, and more.

Somehow I survived it all, but only by leaning on God. Without him I could not have held on to the end. The way the challenges just continued, crept up on me, and drained my energy so that I had little creativity kept me from fully recognizing how much I was ready for a break.

Now it is here and I pray I can find a pace that is refreshing and can re-invigorate my teaching for next year.

We don't have any big plans these next two months. I hope to read several novels, do a few things in the house, watch Food Channel and some detective shows, read some history books for fun and brainstorm ideas for next year. I'm teaching African History again and I need to get a fresh approach in my other classes too. We'll get out of town for a few weeks when we spend time in our own home in Adamawa State.

I also hope to start walking again. I fell a few months ago and have only been walking once or twice since then. Now my toe and knee have healed, but it's hard to get in the habit again.

Well, it's time to take a break from the computer and do something else. I don't think I have time for a walk since it will be dark soon, but I do have a novel to finish reading. See you later!