Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Spring Sagas and Estrogen Depletion (I Guess)


I'm tired.

One son -- been looking for months for a summer internship, to no avail. He's really discouraged.

Other son -- avoiding the entire employment dilemma by going back to Spain for the summer.

The lovely daughter -- changing colleges. A saga of its very own, which I am without energy to relate. I'll just say that I'm proud of the young woman she's become, and leave it at that for now -- except to add that she will be home Saturday night and I can't wait to see with my very own eyes the young woman she's become in the four months since I kissed her good-bye.

I'm in charge of AP Testing at my school. It requires a tremendously tedious amount of organization -- not one of my strengths. I was there till almost 7:00 tonight (I finish teaching at 5:15) getting ready for the next round. Two tests down and eight to go.

Today I taught eighth graders about the Bill of Rights, eleventh graders about the collapse of the Soviet Union, and ninth graders about the American entry into World War I, and fielded two parental phone calls about the SATs and two about grades. Best teaching moment of the past week or so: hearing a 9th grade honors student, the one who had lodged the most vociferous protests when I announced that we would be looking at World War I British poets that day, mutter at the end of class that they were "pretty good."

I'm listening obsessively to the Dvorak's New World Symphony. That usually means something's going on in my life. Which it is. I'm having what I would describe in as understated manner as possible a spectacular Ignatian retreat. At least this week I am.

But this business of waking up at 4:00 every morning is making me really, really tired.

16 comments:

Virginia said...

Love Dvorak's New World Symphony! Sorry you are sleep deprived. That makes every part of the day harder.

Peace,

Virginia

Jody Harrington said...

The flowering tree photo is gorgeous. Hope things get better for you soon.

Anonymous said...

You certainly do have your hands full!
Judith

Anonymous said...

4AM is part of the Ignatian Exercises?! I don't believe I could do that -- tired wouldn't begin to describe it.

The picture is a beautiful reminder of May. The month when college ends and summer begins. Best wishes to your children on both!

Theresa Williams said...

What a gorgeous photograph! Your schedule is scary! I have every respect for you. I couldn't do it.

Lisa :-] said...

Spiritual revelations are said to come as a result of prayer and fasting. Maybe you aren't fasting food, but it looks like you're fasting sleep. Nothing good comes at no cost...

Paul said...

I'm telling you, Robin, this spirituality business is just wearing you out.

Vicky said...

Love the photo - as ever! Hang in - AP time is almost over (and it's keeping me from having easy access to my office, which is Very Annoying!) As for the World War I poets - ah, that Wilfred Owen and his pals... How romantic, how sad, how beautiful. Hope the nutsness eases up soon, m'dear.

Love, Vicky

Waterfall said...

Yeah, the ridiculous early-morning hours are killing me, too. But Dvorak is always good to listen to--I just checked out a CD of his string quartets the other day.

Anonymous said...

Hope you get some rest soon so that you can enjoy your daughter's visit.
Ninth graders- we use to be called Freshman (dates me)! Happy to hear that you had a refreshing moment.
Hopefully I can actually post today, had trouble yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Another beautiful photo, as usual! Our redubds and cherry trees bloomed for only a brief period this year as we went through an unseasonal heat wave while they were blooming. The dogwoods were beautiful for about a week and then bad storms knwocked them all out.

Sorry for the sleep deprivation. Sadly, I can relate to it. These power surges are quit a pain.

Anonymous said...

It sounds as if you are both physically and emotionally exhausted with all that's going on in your life. Give that girl of yours a big hug this weekend and do something relaxing with her.
Marian

Anonymous said...

photo is lovely.
changing colleges? oy. poor mom--that makes 3 schools for mom to get used to (let alone daughter)

V said...

Wow! You are busy! When I was in Grad School, I was in charge of administering the ETS testing program. It really helped make ends meet!
V

emmapeelDallas said...

I love that symphony. He completed it in Spillville, Iowa, where there was a community of Czech immigrants, and I've gone there and walked around and thought about him.

Judi

Anonymous said...

You teach THREE different subjects (shaking head, long sigh). It's been a few years since I did that and always felt like a hamster on a wheel. Now I do one subject, with a 'seminar' every other day; so much more sane. Summer is coming!
*debbi*