Books

I love summer. I think the only way teachers can recooperate is through summer~ and books. I have to admit, I had high expectations for myself regarding the summer. You know... clear out the old important information box and reorganize, actually "clean" the wood floors- instead of water and towels, work out in the morning everday, and white wash the baseboards. Hmm...

I have done this instead:
- Read 6 books since June 1 (May not seem cool- but I never have this much time)
- Got a new job handed to me (I am moving to high school theatre and LA in a different district)
- Went to Mexico with the beloved husband, which you already know
- Watched awesomely bad movies (Can anyone say Dreamscape with Dennis Quaid?) just because I have that much time
- Actually worked for the 1st 3 weeks of summer- scoring State Writing Assessments and then directing a summer children's theatre camp
- Moved out of my old classroom (all the stuff is currently in our house- awaiting its new home)
- Got to hang out with Danny and Mere a lot

Suffice to say, I am enjoying the break. I go back August 24th. So, still 3.5 weeks to go. How many more books could I fit in that time?

In case you are wondering... I know some friends of ours are always chatting books- I have read the following this summer:

A Storm of Swords- George R.R. Martin (Book 3 of a fantasy series)
A Feast for Crows- G.R.R. Martin (Book 4 of a fantasy series)
Lost- Gregory Maguire
Lord of Snow and Shadows- Sarah Ash (Hey, I am going through a fantasy phase)
Til we have Faces- C.S. Lewis
The Dark Tower- C.S. Lewis
The Man Born Blind- C.S. Lewis short story

There are many still on the "need to read" list.

Katie

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

We just got back from our summer vacation. This is the first real vacation we've had in several years. Mike is starting school so we won't have this much free time again. Neither of us had ever been any place tropical so enjoy the pics. And I have to admit, it's nice to be home in the rain. What does that say about me?

Seasons

For the first time in a several years, I'm remembering the rhythms of the seasons. Having just finished her first year of full-time teaching - as well as a two-week drama camp that concludes today - Katie will finally enjoy the two best things about being a teacher: July and August. Her having some down time reminds me of how rejuvenating summer always seemed growing up. The long days, the random friends coming back into town, traveling a bit, etc. I've really been enjoying the extra sunlight and have been getting less sleep as a result, but feeling fine. And for the first time since we were overseas, we're going on a proper vacation starting next week. I'm counting down the hours.

I know that I'll miss the sense of endlessness of the summer once fall rolls around...probably even more dramatically than in years past. I've made the decision to go back to school year-round while working full-time. Staring down the barrell of two and half years worth of seventy hour weeks has got me feeling pre-emptively tired. But I have to say that I'm excited. I got into the MBA program at Portland State that I was really hankering for and am still surprised that this subject matter actually interests me. The classes will also give me an excuse to make it downtown more often...



Okay, I'm depressing myself. Time to remember that there's still a good chunk of summer left and it still has its high points...like drinking beer. After nearly three years in the micro-brew capitol of the world, I've finally been formally introduced to home-brewing. My buddies Travis and Dustin have done it a couple of times and I had the pleasure of taking a small part in the two-month long process of producing an as-yet untasted IPA. I stole the snazzy picture below of the previous batch from Kobie's blog. We pumped out 49 bottles with this batch, eight of which are currently in my closet, finishing the final phase. I hope to taste this week.