Back to work day!

I really felt like this day would not come around. This has been a great two weeks. I will be giving the new boss a list tomorrow of how I will use my 6 weeks off for the 2008-09 school year. I talked to my youngest sister about a possible Spring Break trip. I am thinking of taking these two weeks off again this time next year. First weekend of December in North Carolina - few days before and after. Election Day to work at the polls. My neighbor is talking about a day trip to NYC for a Conan show. I will not leave any days on the table this year. I am finally handing in my contract today - first day of the new year is tomorrow. Had to give it some thought. But when I renewed my lease, I pretty much decided I would stay. Also got the news that my new refrigerator will be here on July 19. That should help with the rising electric rates to come. So here we go for a new lease, new school year, new approach to work, get more involved in projects that will make my life more interesting. Here we go.

Yesterday was a good prep day for the new year. Watched my shows and starting walking to the pool. I walked through the Farmers Market down the street on the way and ran into the high school friend who got me involved in the Historical Museum in town, my friend's daughter and Chris Murphy who was politic-ing at the Farmers Market. That was a great surprise and got my day off to a great start. Then off to the pool with a stop by a friend's mom's front porch. She and her sister were sitting outside, so I stopped by to say hi. Not very crowded at the pool and I did 50 minutes of my version of water aerobics. No laps but sort of a treading water deal that I hope will "sculpt" my arms a bit and loosen up the muscles in my legs. My thought is to drop by the pool each night after work. Another thought is to walk to work at least one day per week, beginning tomorrow. Maybe Tuesdays and Thursdays?

After the pool, I was lazy around the house - watched too much TV, but I am still trying to catch up on the news after two weeks of very little viewing. Emailed my son about two things - a feature on NBC news about free dental care for people without insurance in NYC (suggested a teeth cleaning attempt) and then an incredible CSPAN Q&A with Aaron Woolf about his film "King Corn". Very interesting documentary - goes along with the Ecology of Commerce thinking but it was also interesting in that Mr. Woolf opened a grocery store in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn NY (where my son lives) instead of making another documentary. Called it a night after that but had a couple of wake up calls during the night with all the rain and thunder and lightening.

My hope is that we have a small group at work today. Tuesday will be the first day for the 2008-09 "team"...we will see if that term ever fits the new group! We will also see if they like the "new work me" - i.e., working like a regular person versus last year. No more weekends and nights.

My day should be helped today by the fact that the dining hall is open for the summer camp kids! I am also looking forward to the British soccer camps that use our school and should be coming up soon - the coaches are stunning!!! It is those little things that keep me going as I miss all the people I have been visiting with over the last two weeks...I will also miss my favorite teacher who I used to look forward to seeing everyday...

Have a good Monday and keep me in your thoughts as I face my post vacation desk area!