Earth to Moon

15 December 2024: "How do you heal? You make a decision. Mine is this: no more bullies allowed" (344). 

I am really glad I decided to pick Earth to Moon for our little book club. I knew I was going to read it sooner or later after hearing Moon Zappa talk about it on Depresh Mode. My life has been so very different from hers, but so much of what she wrote about rang (sometimes painfully) true. 

Work Cited

Zappa, Moon. Earth to Moon. Deyst, 2024.

Herndon WinterMarkt

14 December 2024: Had a delightful day with Jane at the Herndon WinterMarkt. We didn't buy much--just a couple of things (both from the same booth!)--but wandered and people-watched. We got lunch at booth selling various waffle-products on sticks, including waffledogs and dessert-y flavors. And despite me saying, "We have to take a picture this time," we didn't. But it was a good day.

Christmas shopping...

13 December 2024: Amy took the day off work and we spent the day shopping, having lunch, and seeing a movie (The Order, which was great). So much fun from start to finish and got me a bit more in the spirit!

Fall 2024 Grading: DONE!

12 December 2024: Just hit "submit" on the final set of grades, always a good feeling, but it's even more special when I think about how it started (COVID), what came in the middle (the election, a student's death), and the aftermath of all of that. 

Unfortunately, there's still non-grade-related stuff I need to get done in the next couple of weeks. And the new semester starts pretty soon. So there's that.

But for now? Chair-dancing, of course!  

  

Dinner with my favorites...

11 December 2024: What an absolute delight to have dinner tonight with Tim, Kevin, Hannah, Cory, and Amy. We went to the new Greek place in town, exchanged gifts, and just laughed and laughed. Perfect way to end hte day!

Nikki Giovanni

10 December 2024:

i hope i die
warmed
by the life that i tried
to live

— Nikki Giovanni

RIP to this legendary woman. 

English Teacher

9 December 2024: "A dying profession chose us." -Gwendolyn on English Teacher

Really enjoying this show after (finally!) starting it last week. There isn't much--just eight episodes--but I hope we get more of it. 

Nursing a pain in the neck...

8 December 2024: Somehow managed to do something to my neck last night and have been uncomfortable all day. Went for my walk before the sun came up, hit the grocery story right after it opened, and have been taking it pretty easy since then. Graded, rested, graded some more, read my book club book. Still hurts about the same, but at least it's not worse. (And I'll still hit 10,000 steps because walking doesn't hurt--just moving my head/neck certain ways.) Just really trying not to get down about it and hoping it feels better tomorrow. 

Nurse Jo has once again been on duty, feeling especially cuddly today.

Farewell reception...

7 December 2024: Some bittersweet emotions this evening at a farewell gathering for my friend and colleague, Jim, who had taken a position at the University of Richmond. He's just such a special person: smart, kind, hard-working, and just the best person. I'll miss him and his family so much. 

Just what I wanted...

6 December 2024: Yesterday, I was literally one click away from ordering a new knit hat for my cold-weather walks. Today, a student I am quite fond of (yes, that's almost all of them...) came in with a wrapped Christmas gift. "What's in the box?" I asked, and he handed it to me.

What was in the box? This hat he made for me. 

Once again reminded of how absolutely blessed I am to have this job. 

Just try...

5 December 2024: Found this on a chalkboard when turning off the lights in the classrooms this evening. Got me a bit emotional.

Last 101 class...

4 December 2024: My ENGL 101 class met for the last time as a group today. Their final portfolios are due on Friday and we aren't meeting during the final exam period. They've been an interesting (and, of course, great!) group: quiet, not at all flashy, and making me work for every reaction and engagement--but not in a rude or aggressive way. I don't think I've ever taught a class like them before.

It's also been such a pleasure to see their confidence and abilities grow. 

I told them today that I know I'll remember them and what they taught me. 

Hearsay???

3 December 2024: Here's a moment from today's GWST class that will stay with me:

A (really bright, really cool) student was talking about having to confront ignorance and used an example of talking to a male friend about going to the gynecologist. She said, "You know, it can be really painful..."

And the friend said, "That's hearsay."

The way I burst out laughing!

Buddy Dinner

2 December 2024: After a good first day back from break, it was extra-nice to end the day having dinner with Hannah. Ostensibly, we needed to talk about some work stuff, but of course we lingered much longer. So grateful today and every day for her friendship. 

Last week of classes: here we go...

1 December 2024: Tomorrow marks the start of the last week of classes (followed by finals week). I said to Amy tonight that I have a feeling the students won't be returning from break especially rested or in much better shape then they were before break, but we'll see. 

As for me? I can do it. Most of the grading is now behind me and what's still coming in will be relatively staggered and manageable. 

So, here we go!