Monday, June 13, 2011

Back to Pushing Literacy

Well, I tell you, it was a nice week off work.  I think I needed it more than I knew.  I could tell after...maybe the first half of the week...how tired I'd actually been without realizing it.  I felt, and feel, much better.  Anyway, just thought I'd throw out a few little thoughts for the day.

- It was really hard to return to work today.  Now that I'm here, I'm fine.  But this morning I was feeling a bit desperate.  I'm going to try and take better care of myself and not let myself get so run down.

- It was definitely right back into the fire.  The kids are all out of school now, so instead of an intense rush from, say, 3-6, it is pretty much steadily busy all day long.  Makes the time go fast and it does feel good to know so many people want to participate in our activities this summer.

- I did watch a bit of tv during my time off.  I was watching some reruns of The Wonder Years, which I haven't really seen since the original run around 20 years ago.  Weird thought.  Anyway, I have developed a retro crush on the guy who played the dad, Dan Lauria. 

- I went to the movies once, with Girlie Girl and Handsome Lad.  They chose Super 8.  It was pretty good.  Not quite my kind of movie with all of the explosions and chasing, but I loved the kids and the sort of retro (that word again) Spielberg vibe.  It has been compared, of course, to E.T.  and that wasn't hard to see.  I wouldn't recommend it for younger kids.  It is PG-13 and had some parts that were quite scary. 

- I did a LOT of reading while I was off work.  Disappointingly, none of it really blew me away.  I feel like I've had trouble lately finding things that I love.  That could be me being difficult to please, or me making poor choices when I pick things up.  Or I guess a combination. 

- Handsome Lad started summer school today.  He is taking a sort of booster math course to get him ready for the Fall.  At least he'll have an activity in the morning. Girlie Girl is expected to be looking for a job.  WTG says she can work with him and make some money, but the way they bicker I find it hard to imagine that actually working out.  And boy, is he in a mood lately.  (WTG, that is.)

- Long distance relationships are hard.  Just saying.  I mean, in a way all relationships are hard at times.  But I'm weary of this state of feeling only partially wanted or needed or whatever.  It's just...hard.

That's it.  Seems like more than a little bit now that I look at it, but there you are :-)  Thanks for sticking with me.

10 comments:

secret agent woman said...

Long distance relationships are indeed hard. Hope you continue to enjoy the summer, even if not officially on vacation.

Nikki Neurotic said...

The thing with long distance relationships is that more than ever, it has to be an equal partnership. You both have to invest a lot in order to have a functional relationship. Its not easy for most couples...and I imagine its ten times harder when there are kids involved. Unlike my own relationship, where I can take a few days off work and go up to visit S.D. or vice versa, I image there would be A LOT of planning involved with your relationship. That's tough.

silly rabbit said...

I am not sure who WTG is, but am guessing her dad? If so, I worked for my dad and could not wait to work for anyone else!

When my vacations ended at the school where I used to work I'd be excited about going back, but then on the morning of return... I kept thinking how much I did not want to go!

I think the hardest thing about my semi-long distance relationship was the lack of physical confirmation between visits. I'm not talking about sex here... the eye contact, being able to see his face, holding hands, etc. I was fortunate enough to live close enough to visit often. I can see how difficult it is for you!

BTW, I loved The Wonder Years!

NoRegrets said...

Of course we're sticking to you like glue! Good to know what's happening in your life, really. And vacations are a great thing. I can't believe there are some people who just don't take them. Like in years. Amazing.
Do you skype? I think you do... It's better than just phone conversations. My friend who visited showed her boyfriend our apartment via skype. Pretty weird!

Churlita said...

You are stronger than me. I really can't do the long distance thing at all. I think I'm just too insecure and it always seems like both people are having a different relationship in their head than the other and since you don't see the other person, it's hard to mesh them. I hope your long distance ends soon.

Coadster saw Super 8 and loved it.

Tara said...

I'm glad you were able to relax on your vacation! Working a movie in during that time is always fun. I probably won't see "Super 8" until it comes to DVD, but the next movie I want to see is "X-Men: First Class". Probably this weekend, because I actually have some of that stuff called money for a change.

laura b. said...

Secret: Thanks! I am definitely a summer person, and I will do my very best to enjoy it :-)

Silver: Yeah, I admire the way you two have obviously worked things out very well! In my situation, we are further apart...and there are the money and kid considerations...but hopefully the long distance part of the relationship will be over before too much longer.

Silly: Oh, yes...WTG (Wind Tunnel Guy) is the kids' dad. Pretty sure that won't work out :-D
You have hit upon one of the very hardest things about distance. The comfort and context that being right there provides. *sigh*

NoRegrets: Thank you!!!
Unfortunately, no skype. DR lives in a rural area and has a...get ready for this...dial up connection! Sucks. So we talk on the phone and that's about it. It is certainly not the ideal situation to be in.

Churlita: You're right, I do worry about that very thing...that we are having different relationships in our heads! Wow. Yeah. Hopefully it will all be over soon.

Tara: I would say Super 8 can certainly wait, although it is one of those films that is probably much more impressive on the big screen...but otherwise...
Let me know what you think of X-Men. I've heard this one is really good! And congrats on the money...what's that like? haha!

BrightenedBoy said...

I'm glad you had the time off. Hopefully your daughter will have luck with the job search; I'm in the biggest city in the country and I've been struggling to find work.

laura b. said...

BB: Thanks, it was nice to get a break of sorts.
There are not many jobs around...and she is not looking very hard :-)
I hope you're able to find something as well!

dmarks said...

I also remember Dan Lauria as a heat-charged villain in "Smallville". Sort of like a real-world Heatmiser.