"Summer" - This one word brings me so much relief. The knowledge that I have no papers to grade, no whining freshmen or sophomores, and no nagging parents for the next 74 days (yes, that is when I go back to work, August 22, 2011) makes me so incredibly happy. One does not truly "get it" until they either (a) become a teacher him/her self or (b) live with a teacher. Teaching is a very rewarding profession, but it is so incredibly stressful. With the current economy, stress of our current governor's less-than-caring attitude toward teachers (SB 5), and the pressures of preparing kids for the future, I can tell you that THIS educator is ready for my 74 day break...a chance to recharge my batteries, do things for me, and get ready for my 14th year of teaching.

What am I doing this summer, you wonder?
* Tomorrow John and I are going to meet with the adoption attorney for our "A to Z" meeting. If all goes well we hope to get the ball rolling ASAP. :)
* Sunday I head to Dallas, TX for the National Speech and Debate Tournament with my co-worker and four of our male debaters (I'm the only estrogen in the group). We will be gone a week.
* On my birthday I'll be in Cleveland celebrating the marriage of my co-worker and her sweet fiance. I can't wait for this day ~ my first Indian-Korean American wedding!
* Mom and I are taking a road trip together in early July to visit my grandparents. Sadly I haven't seen them since September and their memory is declining more and more each day. I hate Alzheimer's!!!
* On July 23 I get to stand in my best friend Lori's wedding to her sweet fiancee Jeff. I remember when the two met over 13 years ago.
* In late July John and I are headed to Arizona to meet our newest niece, Sofia (who, although not here yet, may be making her grand entrance into the world before July 6). John will be there for a week and I'm staying almost two weeks longer to help my sister-in-law care for Rebecca who is a rambunctious 1 1/2 year old.

Whew! That's enough, isn't it? So here's to summer!!! CHEERS!