i decided today, after looking at the mass amounts of reading i have for this class i just started (compared to the one i just finished), that profs who have the title "dr." are too pretentious & must assume that nobody has a life, so we can all just fill our time with reading & papers. unfortunately, this assumption does not fit well with my already jam-packed schedule, so i'm again questioning the whole grad school decision - my current measly paycheck is looking better & better every day.  i know i should be grateful for the opportunity to learn, and i am, but i'm at 22 straight weeks of classes w/o a break and have 2 left before i get a 2-wk hiatus for the holidays - time when i could be working ahead but probably won't b/c family is coming into town & i need to unwind a bit.  otherwise they're going to send me up to API soon (the psych hospital in anchorage).


our swim coach keeps joking about what i'd do if he up & left, like our last coach did & made me push back my school plans so i could help cover practices & deal with obnoxious middle schoolers.  i know he's joking & wouldn't do something that horrendous, but i really would have a meltdown.  there's no way i could do what i did last spring for the kids and work and go to school and still keep my sanity.  fingers crossed it never happens, or doesn't until i'm not coaching any more.


on a happier note, i have some more things to be thankful for!  thompson's limited edition pumpkin spice bagels - toasted w/ cream cheese.  a reliable car that isn't too phased by slick roads, even when i almost careen into the concrete wall.  down jackets and fleece-lined mittens.  advil that helps reduce aching of a messed up shoulder.  family arriving in town soon for the holidays.  the christmas season in general.  dads who take my many returns to the post office after a black friday blitz.  secret santa presents that include chocolate (even if they spell my name wrong).  coworkers who leave thoughtful "thank you for being you & being awesome" cards on my desk.  coworkers/moms of kids i'm tutoring in chemistry who leave delicious soft gingerbread cookies on my desk.  and stories like this one that make me cry & realize why i'm doing what i'm doing, even if it stresses me out.