Back!

Hey! I'm back! You may not have known I was gone, not just from the blog, but from the whole country, but indeed I was!

For spring break, I went to visit a friend living in China. She's only there till the end of May so it was kinda now or never. Though the trip was relatively short for traveling such a long distance, it was totally worth it.

We visited the Great Wall, learned how to make gong bao chicken (or kung pao, as I have always seen it listed, albeit apparently incorrectly), wandered around the Forbidden City, had our pictures taken by many Chinese people (some don't see a lot of Westerners and word is we're quite exciting), and just generally had a blast.

Tomorrow it's back to school. And although I could use one more day off to do a better job of unpacking and dealing with life, I'm in generally okay shape. Plus I'm excited to give my kids the presents I brought back for them - because of COURSE I got them presents. How could I not? They're getting pencil lead in adorable Chinese cases, Chinese candy, and their choice of either blank postcards, bookmarks, or money (1 yuan is worth about 15 cents and I brought back 25 or so - not a big expense).

Now I just have to get to school early enough to make all my photocopies that I didn't get around to before I left......

(Image credit to me!)

Just five more minutes, mom, pleeeeeeeease?

I love teaching.

I love my kids, I love helping them understand new concepts, I love reading their work, I love it all.

But this weekend has been delightful. I have done nothing school related except for read some stuff that I could potentially use in the classroom (some as content, some to inform my practice). I have cooked, and read, and watched movies, and hung out with friends, and walked my dogs, and slept in. I haven't stressed about our upcoming change or felt overwhelmed by planning and grading (though I sure will be come next week....) or had to help a colleague when I'm just squeaking by myself. And it has been fabulous. And I don't want it to end.

Is it a bad sign that I'm really, really, really not ready to go back?

Winter wonderland!

Y'all.

I am experiencing a teacher milestone here.

Like....for reals.

Are you ready for this?

Make sure you're sitting down.

Tomorrow?

Will be my first snow day of my teaching career.

CAN I GET A HELL YEAH? HELL YEAH!

I have a big ol' pile of papers to grade and I am not going to do any of them.

Instead I am going to read, and nap, and write, and hang out, and bake cookies, and play with my dogs, and watch a movie, and just thoroughly enjoy every.last.minute.

It's gonna be sweet.

(Photo credit to I Love Egg)