June 3, 1997

As I still try to inspire and excite my students with language arts and social studies as well as try to grade last-minute papers and 87 student portfolios, my mind fills with thoughts of summer vacation. The final countdown has begun. There is a paper link chain hanging in the counseling office window proclaiming the number of school days left until vacation. I doubt that there is a single person in this building who doesn't know that crucial fact at any given moment, including me.

This has been a very challenging year, physically and emotionally. The highs have been exhilerating, the lows debilitating. I have seen students develope amazing research skills and show profound knowledge, but I have also had to deal with extremely immature behavior. Many of my students have mastered beginning essay skills and shown the ability to analyze good literature, but getting some to remember to do and turn in homework has not been an easy task, so I'm tired. I love the kids, but I'm ready for summer. I think they are, too.

Of course, the fact that I have such exciting summer plans might have something to do with it. I have a trip to Scandinavia, visitors expected from all parts of the world (including my former exchange student from Denmark who is returning to live with us for 8 months), and the pleasure of doing fun things with my own family to fill up those few days in between. Is it any wonder I want June 20th to get here fast?

The trick is not to count the days but rather the "get-ups." Once you've forced yourself out of bed and into the real world, consider it a done deal. The day is counted. You have one less get-up to go. This is the optimist's approach to count downs, and it works exceedingly well with me. To be honest, I've been using it since there were 179 get-ups left. Time flies when you're having fun.