Today is the last day of my "vacation." (Yes, it deserves quotes b/c even though I've been off, I have spent a lot of time planning for fall term, moving into my new office, and re-potting plants. Alright, so the last one's not school related, but it's work nonetheless.) Tomorrow is the faculty start-back (translation = 2 days of meetings) and classes begin on Monday.
Therefore, I spent today shopping for my back-to-school wardrobe. (Before I get too far here, I do have to pause for a moment to say that, yes, part of the reason I became a teacher was because I just luh-ved being a student so much. With the exception of the first 4 years of my life, I have experienced the thrill of going to school every single fall of my life, and I honestly don't know what I'd do with myself if it were August and I weren't preparing for the fall semester. Granted, here in FL, we don't have the glorious autumn that the northern states enjoy -- I miss that most about living in MN -- but I still get the same excited feeling before fall term. It's like Tom Hanks' character in "You've Got Mail" says, "It makes me want to buy a bouquet of sharpened pencils." I could elaborate on why I love autumn the most -- the holidays, the weather, the feeling that each new school year is really the beginning of a whole new year -- but perhaps I'll save my poetic rhapsodizing for another time.)
I feel like it was a pretty successful shopping trip: I came away with 2 new pairs of pants and 4 shirts, plus a new pair of running shorts. I actually got a new sports bra and another shirt as well, but after getting home, I decided I didn't love either much, so I think I'll return them. I could've spent far more money and gotten loads more, but let's face it, I'm not Rockfeller here, and despite what you may hear, community college instructors are not rollin' in the dough.
I am particularly pleased with the 2 pants b/c I am kinda in a weird place in terms of size right now -- in other words, I'm between sizes. In some stores, I'm an 8, in others, I'm a 6, and in others, neither works (plus, with pants' waistlines getting lower and lower, if I sit in some of these, my tat is on full display, and if that is true, then ya know my ass is hanging out -- not school appropriate; I don't care if they are college kids). So, to find two pairs that not only work, but fit in a totally tubular way is, well, tubular.
I would've liked to find some shoes as well, but finding shoes for these munchkin feet is hard and that really deserves a trip in and of itself (I was briefly in DSW, but there was a screaming toddler in there and I just can't handle that, so I exited right away). Shoes will have to wait for another trip.
But, shopping wears me out (had to take an Excedrin Extra Strength when I got home -- I love those, they're a delightful little cocktail of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine), so I think I will rest up a bit before this evening's 8 miler and enjoy the last few fragments of my time off.
11 comments:
Oh, you make me miss school! I hear every word you're saying about fall - it's August, and you'd think in a state where we're lucky to get 3 full months of summer I'd savor every minute, but inside, I'm secretly pining for autumn.
I had thought about being a teacher - but the parents sent me off to the Navy. Oh boy! anyway, I'm back "in" school when I can, and do wish I'd pursued some degree all that time I was goofing off.
I can totally see that you're probably your students coolest teacher, though!
Man I want to go to school just for the shopping experience. Well, I get to school shop for my 3 yo (for preschool) so that kind of counts . . . .not really LOL
Actually Mendy's comment got me thinking of another question . . .are you ever worried any of your students will come across your blog? LOL
your school stories always make me nostalgic for my school days. I was an awful student pre-college so I missed out on the first 13 wonderful years.
do you ever find pants that are the right length - that's the most annoying thing about shopping to me? why can't women's pants have waist and length like mens?
hope you enjoyed your run...
Marcy!!! I was thinking the same thing - but didn't write it.. I was wondering if her students saw it too.
So?
I did a bit today as well... shopping wears me out though. I usually would rather to do it by myself, as shopping with others is even more tiring. I am no typical girl!
I love living in ND for that same reason... back to school, change in seasons, etc... I can tell it's changing already with cooler temps in the morning.
P.S. Sometimes, I worry about my co-workers or parents of my students coming across my blog!
First, I just love reading your blog. Anyway, I like that you gave a drug tip, i'm not supposed to be taking Advil with my BC pill because it elevates potassium so I was just wondering today (while i had a headache) what I should be taking...i'm gonna look into that little excedrin gem.
hope the 8 miler goes well!
"...part of the reason I became a teacher was because I just luh-ved being a student so much. With the exception of the first 4 years of my life, I have experienced the thrill of going to school every single fall of my life, and I honestly don't know what I'd do with myself if it were August and I weren't preparing for the fall semester."
You and me both!
I LOVE back to school shopping!! Every year in college I started over with shiny new supplies. It was part of my draw to teaching, LOL. Imagine my bliss when I got to pick out all my own pens and the school paid for them! :>)
I love school shopping! I did a little yesterday too!
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