Back to Reality

It is so lovely being back in civilization. On Sunday, Dr. J and I slept in, had a wonderfully romantic day, and ate quite lavishly to celebrate our two years and five months of marriage. Then, we realized Monday that we must get out of summer mode. We're still going to get in a few more dates before school starts, but it is time to get back to work mode.

First up, diet. I'd never been a dieter until I married Dr. J. My first diet in life happened the first summer after we got married. It was a great bonding experience and encouraged me to start working out again. Dr. J does well on diets; I'm stubborn enough to stick it out through the goal period, but I'm miserable and cranky if I'm hungry. Since my first diet experience (which was successful--lost 7 pounds and kept it off for a year), we've done two other diets (Dr. J for weight loss; me for dealing with my regular problems with yeast). I'm kind of dieted out. I've really tried to encourage us to just change our lifestyle (eat less fast food-fried food-white carbs, eat more fruits and veggies). But when school kicks in, I always fail in prepping healthy snacks and planning out groceries. Dr. J does most of the cooking, but he's not a great planner--so if healthy stuff isn't in the house, and it is late October, it's probably fast, fried, and has white carbs. But here we are again at the beginning of the year and my honey is feeling motivated to get back on (and stay on) track. He's got a 12 week goal this time, which will take us right into the heart of the danger zone. So my first back to reality check is that I'm really focused on organizing my schedule now so that I carve out room each week for shopping, prepping, and exercise. I've want to make these things a priority over grading!! I think if I eat and feel well, I'll be more productive at work. This week, I'm starting a menu planning file (hmmm, maybe there's an app for that), and easing back into exercise and eating right.

Second reality check, the job. We have a new boss. It's needed; I haven't had any real feedback on tenure, and I'm going up for third year. Boss is a scholar in my field--I'm looking forward to working with him/her. We need structure and guidance in our department, and it seems Boss will offer that. But s/he is working me to death already. I have been given a responsibility I specifically said I didn't want, and I just received an e-mail today asking if I might be interested in a second related responsibility (for an entity that the entire department has already tried to eliminate but apparently the higher ups want us to keep). I'm avoiding the office this week so I can get my teaching materials together. This, I will deal with next week--so far there are two meetings on my schedule for next week related to this responsibility. I'm not amused.

Third, another new prep. For the 8th out of the 9 semesters I will have taught since the diss, I have yet another new prep this semester. I'm tired of new preps. I've put this one off much longer than I usually do for a new course because I really wanted to write this summer. I'm glad I did some writing (would be happier if I had done more), but now I feel yucky about putting this class together. It is not an area that my former professors or close friends in the discipline really teach, so I can't build off someone else's syllabus. I've been pilfering the internet for ideas, but have been coming up short. I've got to get moving on this tomorrow. I spent most of today changing dates on my syllabi I will be reusing and setting up my Blackboard courses for those sections.

Fourth and finally, family. Sunday marked the day I should start a new pill pack. I didn't start it. Yikes. Here we go...

Activity

This has been a week of lots of different kinds of activity. My head is spinning a bit. I've been writing posts in my head, but tonight (or this morning) is my first just me time.

This weekend we drove to the edge of our state to meet Dr. J's sister and pick up his nephew. The 2+ hour drive each way was a bit rough on me for some reason. I had been feeling sick last Thursday night, but was better by Friday evening. Or so I thought--I was quite carsick on the trip. That started off a busy week on a bad note for me, but I had to suck it up to help Dr. J entertain the world's tallest and hungriest preteen.

So it has been a week on constant food prep and cleaning, video games, movies, yard work (Dr. J is determined to toughen him up), the gym, and more food. It's been a good week so far but I'm tired already!

In the midst of this, I did find some time to do some archival research and writing on Monday. I have another group deadline on Friday for Major Article, but I don't think I'm gonna make it. I'm really dragging this week, and I need a second wind. My fatigue is pretty constant so I finally completed a saliva collection test today my doctor gave me so she can analzye my hormone levels. (I Look forward to those results.) But this week it's been coupled with lots of upset stomachs, nausea, and today (grossness ahead) I randomly puked--something I never do.

With all the recent b-word talk back home and around here lately, I'm a little anxious there could be some other activity going on with me too. It is not medically likely right now, but stranger things have happened. We'll see.

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