The end, again
Well, the school year has ended again. This time, it managed to be even more anti-climactic than it has in the past. Quite literally, I arrived home last Thursday and suddenly realized, "Oh, it was the last day of school."
Most likely the feeling of disappointment is for a few reasons:
1. I don't get to see them. In a normal school, kids would be running around, saying their good-byes, asking me to sign their yearbook (which I would do, with some kind of personal, meaningful statement like "Have a nice summer!"), and generally feeling excited about the summer. In cyber school, that is not really an option. A flick of the switch and their computer is off, forever disconnected from me. Will I hear from them again? Some of them, yes. The ones I have encouraged through family problems... the ones who sent me random Biology mysteries like the pictures of fungus growing on her brother's head or the story of the crab with one huge claw ("Is it an adaptation?!"), but for the most part they may not even know my name. Seriously.
2. I still have to work. For whatever reason, I have to work until Thursday. Yes, a whole week additional, despite the fact that I have finished everything and am struggling not to just whip out a book and read.
3. Graduation. I take pictures at graduation, which is Sat, and I know from my experience last year that it is exhausting. Photography really takes singular focus. To focus so intently on one purpose for several hours mentally wipes you out. On top of that, my weak flabby arms have to hold a heavy camera for those hours. Last year, and I am a bit ashamed to admit this, my arms hurt the next day. Pathetic.
So, yes, school is over, but it is not finished just yet. And while I have really been trying to pump myself up for Australia (we leave Sunday), it is hard to do with these other things sort-of looming over my head. We have started to organize our lives to get ready to be out of the country for three weeks: how many pairs of underwear can I get away with? how many long paints do I need? how much technology should we take? what if I die while scuba diving? what if a box jelly wraps all of its awful tentacles around my body? what if a koala scratches my eyes out? what if a kangaroo wants to box with me? what if Lily is so distraught at our absence (and because she has to live with Harvey and Sophie) that she finds a way to commit suicide?
Lots to think about.
But I am trying to gear up, and we will see how it goes... Hopefully this week will be as restful as possible so that we are all healthy and happy to sit on the plane for a day. :)
Most likely the feeling of disappointment is for a few reasons:
1. I don't get to see them. In a normal school, kids would be running around, saying their good-byes, asking me to sign their yearbook (which I would do, with some kind of personal, meaningful statement like "Have a nice summer!"), and generally feeling excited about the summer. In cyber school, that is not really an option. A flick of the switch and their computer is off, forever disconnected from me. Will I hear from them again? Some of them, yes. The ones I have encouraged through family problems... the ones who sent me random Biology mysteries like the pictures of fungus growing on her brother's head or the story of the crab with one huge claw ("Is it an adaptation?!"), but for the most part they may not even know my name. Seriously.
2. I still have to work. For whatever reason, I have to work until Thursday. Yes, a whole week additional, despite the fact that I have finished everything and am struggling not to just whip out a book and read.
3. Graduation. I take pictures at graduation, which is Sat, and I know from my experience last year that it is exhausting. Photography really takes singular focus. To focus so intently on one purpose for several hours mentally wipes you out. On top of that, my weak flabby arms have to hold a heavy camera for those hours. Last year, and I am a bit ashamed to admit this, my arms hurt the next day. Pathetic.
So, yes, school is over, but it is not finished just yet. And while I have really been trying to pump myself up for Australia (we leave Sunday), it is hard to do with these other things sort-of looming over my head. We have started to organize our lives to get ready to be out of the country for three weeks: how many pairs of underwear can I get away with? how many long paints do I need? how much technology should we take? what if I die while scuba diving? what if a box jelly wraps all of its awful tentacles around my body? what if a koala scratches my eyes out? what if a kangaroo wants to box with me? what if Lily is so distraught at our absence (and because she has to live with Harvey and Sophie) that she finds a way to commit suicide?
Lots to think about.
But I am trying to gear up, and we will see how it goes... Hopefully this week will be as restful as possible so that we are all healthy and happy to sit on the plane for a day. :)
posted by FireWithin at 5:46 PM
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