Closing the School

Today was school closing. I've now completed 2/3 of a school year (if I had the energy to stand, I might actually do a happy dance). I made a promise to myself at the start of this term, and I only just managed to keep it. We'll be closed for most of this month, but not really, since I actually have to come back in 2.5 weeks to teach lessons for the third and fourth years. It will be nice to catch up with the syllabus a bit, but I really need a proper break.

Today was a bit frustrating. My day started at 4 AM when I woke up to finish grading exams (I had stayed up pretty late grading them too). I spent a large fraction of the weekend grading them as well (the scores were only rewarding in a few subjects, though some of the responses definitely made me smile). This weekend was the first migraine that I've had in some time. Then, a few of the teachers didn't bother to show up today. They were the ones with the least work, so I guess they figured it wouldn't be that inconvenient if they didn't come. They were wrong. I was also annoyed because the other teachers were harassing me about how long it was taking me to finish my grades. The main reason it was taking so long was that I was helping them with their work and getting things done that the absent teachers had left behind. Then they started telling me that I was lazy because I wasn't doing even more of their work.

Still, I finished, gave back some graded exams and report cards and imparted some inspirational words (or at least trying to be inspirational, though my coherence may leave something to be desired) to my third years before they went home for break. I also made sure to have one-on-ones with a few students (had to discuss cheating with a few of them, and general behavior with some others) before they went home. I still have to track down my leatherman (letting a student borrow that may not have been my brightest idea).

I'm just about to head to the local bar with a couple of teachers. I'm getting the first round. My plan after the bar is to sleep for the next 4 days or so. Hopefully that will be enough for my brain to recover. On the plus side, my stomach has recovered nicely. (I decided to omit the details of the stomach problems I had most of last week. You're welcome.)

Also, I should put up a post about books later this week (once I finish writing it), though it will be posted on July 31 at 11:59 PM, to keep up with my formatting. Thanks for being patient with all these posts from the last week.