Reality check.

I am starting a new full time faculty position this week.  It is at the same place that I have been working part time for a couple of years, and my course load is relatively easy (keyword: relatively), especially since this is the first year that I'm teaching only classes that I have already taught before.   The big difference will be in the other things that I am supposed to do.  All of a sudden my inbox is inundated with requests for faculty volunteers for various events and committees.  I feel singularly unprepared to help the undergraduates as they move in, as I have only worked in the graduate program and barely even know where the dorms are, let alone any other important information (other departments on campus?  They exist?). Nonetheless, I am excited about working on a college campus, as I remember my days in college very fondly and I always enjoyed the academic environment.

And then this morning I realized that the freshmen entering college this year were born the year I graduated from college.

I didn't even read the rest of the article.

UPDATE:
I told Greg, and he laughed at me and said "Old Lady".  Then he grew silent.  Perhaps he remembered that he is older then me.

UPDATE #2:
Apparently there is a complementary mindset list for faculty born before 1980.  This article does not make me feel better.  However, #9 was great.

Playing house.

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the coffee is hot and the day is blissfully devoid of any responsibilites.  While the girls were still sleeping, I took Pippi for a walk, made my coffee, showered and dressed. I wandered down to the kitchen to start the day, and soon after they came running downstairs and gave me big warm fresh from bed hugs. I made them breakfast.   I am now flitting around the kitchen, wearing an apron and my purple latex gloves, scrubbing and cleaning and organizing.  I made a pretty fruit basket, and then staged my wine rack, aerator and some wine glasses as if to say "Welcome!  Come in!  Enjoy some wine and fruit!"

I feel as if I have traveled back in time to the 50's.  The husband is out at work, the children are playing, the wife is cleaning and planning dinner. One of the girls favorites, and well within my skill level:  tacos!

What fun.  It feels like playacting because it sort of is.  Usually my house is somewhat disorganized, I'm frantic with 20 things to do, and I am not at all excited about cooking.  Today, I am playing house!

When a chicken comes knocking.

You must read this. It offers a Very Important life lesson about picking your battles. But mostly, it is just really funny.  Man, I wish I was that clever. Tee hee hee.

Disclaimer.

When I bake  or craft or wrap presents, I have an ideal in my head of what said baking or craft or wrapping will look like.  Delicious, perfectly decorated baked goods; crafts with no extra globs of glue, presents with crisp corners and coordinated bows. I am not an artist, and I am an amateur baker; but I can often achieve pretty decent results.

Until my two children decide to help.

I want them to help, I really do: I want to foster that sense of confidence, that feeling of involvement, and that happiness that they get when they achieve a goal. But that ideal in my head?  That gets immediately erased and morphs into something that is more grammar school that culinary school.

Baked goods still taste delicious... even if they are lopsided or overly frosted.  Crafts are made with love, if not skill.  And forget a crisp corner on a wrapped present.

So in your minds eye, imagine what it was supposed to look like.  And in your hearts remember that all those extra sprinkles and folds are made with a child's joy and unconditional love.

Summer vacation

I am still on summer vacation.  And yet, people keep trying to pull me back into work.  Requests for letters of recommendation.  Requests for information about the textbook and syllabus.  And now, since I am officially a Full Time Faculty Member, I get to do all the fun Faculty things which so far seem to consist mainly of Going To Meetings. Whoopee!  Meetings!