Tuesday, May 22, 2018

These Days Are ________!



These days are ________!

As a teacher, quickly nearing the end of the school year, the blank could be one of many things. "Heavenly" probably isn't your guess, yet that is exactly what I find myself exclaiming over and over. 


With a list longer than I have time to write about of things that could be weighing on me amidst the normal chaos of the end of the year, add to that our school closing and my family moving 1,000 miles to our new home - you might think I've lost it.

So why the jubilation?

It is Ramadan and in this country that means the working day must be shortened. This is not the first year I have experienced this, yet it is the first time I have ever had a school day starting for students at 10 a.m. Let me tell you, it is lovely.

It is amazing what that 90 minutes does. I am still getting up at the same time as I did before Ramadan began, but it is no longer a dash to see if all tasks can be accomplished prior to our needing to walk out the door. 

Our afternoons aren't too shabby either, often with playdates in the pool outside our villa. And, with the later start time we have been able to relax bedtime for our daughter a bit. The dominoes continue as dinner can be within a 30 minute window. 

All in all, it nearly feels like summer vacation has already started with the more relaxed pace to our family life. So, as I was saying, these days are heavenly!

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

How Does This Happen?


I do not know how this happens. I have every intention of slicing. My week is spent noticing small moments, drafting ideas in my mind, and thinking how nice it will be to return to the regular practice of writing.

And then I wake up and realize I did it again - went to bed without posting a slice. I have a few minutes until it is Tuesday midnight on the East Coast and I better get some words down. Generally, at that point, I think "What's the point?" and mentally berate myself ending with a vow to get back on the slicing train next week.

Sigh.