I can't believe it's almost over

Summer has officially come to an end, at least for me (and other teachers). We went back on Monday for teacher prep week and have been cursed with a week full of meetings, teaching jargon, buzzwords and touchy-feely crap up the wazoo. If I hear "it was a beautiful process" one more time, I'll punch someone in the throat. Seriously. We at least (finally) got to sign our contracts today which might not seem like a big deal but when you consider we *should* have signed them back in June...the disorganization of that place boggles my mind sometimes. I mean, it's amazing that the school functions at all sometimes. However, despite all the stupid meetings this week, I do feel pretty on top of classroom stuff. My syllabi (syllabuses?) are ready for Monday, students have been reminded multiple times what I expect them to have for class that day and I have three weeks of lessons planned for my AP class. I feel pretty good about that. I probably won't mind classes starting since it means they can't keep us in stupid things like Critical Friends Groups and Professional Learning Communities all day (vomit).

However, I'm also sad that the summer is over. It feels like it goes faster every year. It didn't start off too great and definitely had some sucky moments, but I feel like I did a lot and still managed to relax.

On my summer vacation I:
-Volunteered with 826 Michigan for writing workshops and art fair
-Went to Wisconsin with Jon's family
-Went to DC with Paul, Kathleen and Shannon
-Had lunch with friends lots of times (Jon, Kelly Jean, Ben, Jessica, Sarah, etc.)
-Cooked a lot
-helped host a dinner party that was all Indian food (mmm, chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi, beef vindaloo...)
-Went to Warped tour and didn't get scorched
-Saw and photographed Alkaline Trio
-Got to be an extra for Whip It directed by Drew Barrymore
-Went to Dominick's (mmm, sangria)
-Got as much of a tan as I'll ever get
-Read over 8,000 pages and finally finished the Harry Potter series
-Went to at Tigers game
-Saw the new Batman and Sex and the City movies
-Played Rock Band
-Did karaoke at a biker bar for Sarah's going away party (she's going to Nepal for a year)
-Wrote articles for Revolt every week

Phew. When I look at it like that, I guess I did a lot this summer. I guess I'm ready for school to start. We'll see how I feel on Monday ;) Oh and the back to school tattoo? That happens on the 5th. :)