What I’m Reading
Jan
2
Welcome, 2012!
Filed Under Uncategorized
You guys! I’m so glad we all made it through 2011 together. There were definitely a few rough patches along the way and I was a bit worried, for all of us really, but it looks like we survived the worst of it. Luckily I feel really good about the way things ended and 2012 is already shaping up to be a great year.
Still, the dread of having to return to work tomorrow after having an amazing week off for the holidays has definitely set in. The next few months are probably going to be worse than ever, since tomorrow starts our big union fight for a contract. Picketing is now mandatory. Every teacher is walking in and out of the school building together at our exact contract hours. We’re not allowed to bring any work h0me with us. Normally this kind of workplace stress would send me into a frenzy of anxiety and worry- how will I get everything done? What will I do with the kids? When will I plan lessons? But somehow I have this feeling it’s all going to be okay.
Plus, I printed out the forms for a year-long sabbatical before I left for break.
What would I do with a year off? Right now I have no idea. All I know is I’d really like some time away from school and this district and the stress it has brought me. It still remains to be seen if I’ll ever fill these forms out, but just the physical presence of them in my work bag makes me feel a little better.The possibility is there. It’s tangible. I could do it.
The other reason I feel like it’s all going to be okay is because in addition to having amazing and supportive friends and family, I also have this amazing guy. I guess in the era of Facebook I’ve never really “announced” being in a relationship, so I didn’t fully realize that people would be ALL up on it when I did. But the comments and likes on my relationship status change were hilarious and lovely, so I thank those of you who saw it. Plus, I think he’s one of the best people I know, so I’m pretty sure that those of you who come to visit me will dig him. All we do is laugh. Besides my really close friends, I don’t think there’s anyone whose company I’ve ever enjoyed so simply and purely. Basically: he is lovely.
So that’s that. I hope the first few days of your new year have been as joy-filled as mine. Cheers.
Comments
11 Responses to “Welcome, 2012!”
Leave a Reply
I missed the relationship status change! Congratulations!
I think a year-long sabbatical sounds so very, very lovely.
That penultimate paragraph is just oozing with happiness! Hooray!
My own union did a work to rule last year, and I think it felt not so bad since we were all doing it together. It’s kind of ridiculous how much work we do on our own time, isn’t it?
My thoughts are all over the place:
- YAY on the status change! I remember you dithering over it via Gchat, so I was glad to see that pop up.
- BOO on the union crap. I hope that it is not too ridiculously cold on the picket line and that you get everything done that you need to. And I hope that the kids are not negatively affected by everything.
- Unrelated: JG is constantly foiled by your mad Hanging with Friends skills. So, you have that going for you, right?
Yay for the great guy! You deserve it!
My teacher friend is going through the exact same thing in her school district right now. She’s currently looking for another job because they are getting so screwed with no contract. I hope it turns out OK for both you guys!
Yay for Mr. Lovely! I am so happy you found someone amazing to laugh with! Seriously, my dear, this made my whole day.
xox
Cheers! And congratulations!
If you go on a sabbatical you are taking me.
I’m so happy that you got such a great ending to the year (on that one part.) Sometimes all it takes is just one thing to go right to make the crappy things not so bad. And I hope those crappy things resolve for your sooner than later!
After that, you can pick up a hobby so the biggest issues you face will be those of not enough yarn, or pests in your garden, or some other first-world issue!
What what WHAT?!?! We obviously need to catch up!
I should ask my boss if I can take a year-long sabbatical. I can hear the laughing already.
That is awesome about your fella! I hope I get to meet him sometime.
Happy New Year, Lady!!! Congrats on the new guy! I totally understand the good feeling of carrying those forms around. Sometimes all I need to push through a situation is the feeling that I have an out if I need one.