Ch-ch-ch-changes....

Here we go - time to make another change in my life!

Remember last year when I was SO excited that I was doing SO much teaching?  (need a refresher - go here)  Well, that wore off.  I am not against working hard, but crap, grading essays is harder than hard.  It takes a lot of hours to grade a stack of essays.  If they're written well, it's not too bad.  But more often that not, the majority of the essays are poorly written, and those take much longer to grade.  Of course, then there are the cheaters.  It takes time running the document through Turnitin, tracking down original sources to compile the evidence, and finally reporting the student to the program director or dean.  And once I've caught a cheater, I'm so mad that I have to stop grading for a while.  The process takes up a good chunk of one weekend day for one class.  I had 4.  Essays have been consuming my life.

But no more!  I still have 2 classes at the local community, but I am taking time off from the business school to get control over my own life again.  I get to be home and take care of my house again.  Actually fold the laundry and put it away, not just toss it on the living room floor.  Clean up the piles of various school-related papers that have been accumulately for 2 years (can I finally get them organized? O.M.G!).  Do some home improvement projects, plan a garage sale, cook real meals!  There is so much I can do now that there will be time!   I also get to be home and take care of me again.  Anyone want to get to the gym with me?!  I've got to get back in the pool.  I can take time to plan menus and cook healthy meals.  I can go for walks.  All without feeling guilty that I should be grading....  Last, but certainly not least, I get to be home to spend time with the family.  Arts and crafts with the little princess.  Movies with the teenager.  Date night?!?!?!?!?   Is it really possible?

I will have TIME.  Can anyone ask for anything better?

(I have to give so very much gratitude to my wonderful significant other who provides for this family, sometimes being away days or weeks at a time.  Without him, this change would not be possible.  Thanks, honey!)