It dawned on me Friday that I only have ten more school days until I am done with my placement. The kids won't be in this week until Wednesday, so I will only see them three days. Then there is a full week after, followed by a measly two days before the Thanksgiving holiday.
I'm not sure what the plan is for after that. This is the first time in a year and a half that I haven't had something full-time and steady lined up between the park and teaching. I suppose daily subbing will have to do until I find something else.
I will certainly miss my kids. I may have mentioned, but we finally hit our comfort level a couple of weeks ago. They finally got into the groove of school, things have been flowing...now things will be turned upside down when they get a new teacher for the remaining 8 weeks of the first semester. Ah well, that's how it works, I suppose.
I have spent a little time this week thinking about other long-term goals. I really enjoy teaching, and I think you all know that, but what else is out there? I am starting to gather some other ideas as well...
Anyway, besides the teaching aspect, I had some miserable mornings this week. I think I woke up with a nasty headache/migraine 5 days this week. Blegh. Today was by far the worst, but not it is just a dull throbbing, so at least I can function. I did miss out on a family party, due to the nausea aspect of the nastiness. Bummer.
I have been neglecting the blog. And I know I am. What, I had one or two posts last week? Not good. I have taken to handwriting thoughts and impressions while I read, but coming on to type up posts, read blogs, and comment just hasn't happened. Since tomorrow is just a PD day and Tuesday is off for elections, I am planning on getting caught up here, at least so I have no more posts to write and are lingering over my head. I think school just had to take priority for awhile and since it is coming to a close, I am sure my main focus will transition over here once I am only daily subbing.
My reading did pick up a bit this week. I read the marvelous Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. It was one of the "modern classics" on my list, and I find it wholly deserving of that classification. It was moving and a little gruesome. But I really did love it. The new problem is deciding what to read next! Any suggestions?
I am also working on some ideas for events for the new year. I am planning on a Shakespeare themed month in January, and some Faustian works in February. Once all the details are hammered out, I'll let you all know.
On that same note, I don't know the future status of readalongs or Group reads in the new year. While I really like them, and while the new format is working, I don't think I am going to plan them out like I attempted to this year. I only made it about 6 months before having a meltdown. Perhaps I will host as the mood strikes, but I am getting to the point in this project where I need to make some progress. I'm not even to the halfway point and I have been doing this for over two years. The original plan was to finish in three, and that is so not happening. Anyway, I'm thinking about things for the new year and what I want this to be, so any feedback or advice is welcomed.
In Nano news, I decided to jump in rather late. I wasn't sure if I was going to participate this year, but had an idea and I'm running with it. I broke 10,000 words last night, so I am on pace. I may do some more writing later if the headache disappears. I'm feeling a little weird about my novel, since my writing is much more personal than it ever has been, and I am writing in a genre I haven't written in before. I have a lot of nerves about what this story will turn into. But for now, the writing is flowing and I feel like it will be something to be proud of.
I hope you all have a great week. Read wonderful books!
You must, must, MUST read Testament of Youth. It is Vera Brittain's account of her time as a VAD nurse during WWI. I read it this summer, and it literally changed my life. Here's the link to my review: http://bookreadingbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/08/testament-of-youth-testament-of-pain.html
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know you are reading/just finished The Inferno. I just read Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly, and there are some nice parallels on and connections to The Inferno. Let me know what you think if you read it!
I fell apart on my own War & Peace Readalong about 6 months in! I still plan to finish it by the end of the year, but it came down to updating every two months, or putting it aside for school -- and school won. I think there are only a couple stragglers left, and all but one (who is incredible and updates every week) seems to be in my boat: planning to catch up quick before the end of the year. It is what it is. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm am really, really looking forward to the Shakespeare Event!! But no pressure, Allie. I plan to read Shakespeare in January, or something Shakespeare-ish (like a biography of Elizabeth I), whatever happens on your end. I'd love to participate but hate to think of you tying yourself up in obligation. Just know I'm willing to join if the mood strikes you in January. :-)
I hope you feel better, and best of luck with NaNo!
PS - You should read Sense & Sensibility next. :-)
Best of luck with NaNo! I always want to try but I never feel like I'm going to be able to do it for lack of time!
ReplyDeleteAlways do what you want to with the blog - and what you can! This year has been horrid for me for blogging, but I'm refusing to feel guilty. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually join read-a-longs and then fall apart. I've been more successful this year with them but I'm too hesitant to start my own for fear that I will drop the ball.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNo!
Like Trisha said, do what you want with the blog! We'll all be here to see whatever you decide to do and at whatever rate feels comfortable. :)
ReplyDeleteOnly 10 days left? Wow, time is really flying!
ReplyDeleteYour Shakespeare event sounds really intriguing; I look forward to hearing more about it.
Good luck with NaNo, and enjoy your week!
I think everyone who blogs for any length of time gets to a burn out stage when life suddenly seems far more important. Two years sounds about right. I've been struggling since that point myself. We just have to find new ways of making it work because blogging IS fun when we do have time for.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so impressed by everyone's ability to do NaNoWriMo in the middle of every day life and still check in on their blogs every now and then. Wow. I have no ideas or I'd jump in too...Way to go!
Wow, you had quite the week. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, I hope you get better soon. As for the blog, I'm echoing what everyone in here is saying. Don't feel guilty about not blogging so often- hell, I'd feel proud of myself if I wrote two reviews a week. I always admired your dedication and perseverence, and the fact that you are still writing despite everything that's going on in your life says a lot about you and your motivation.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNo and get better soon!