I have time in the morning to make steel-cut oats, even if I didn't pre-soak them, and I have a stocked refrigerator and pantry so I can throw blueberries in and top them with walnuts and yogurt.
The relaxed mode of summer is ideal for reflection, but I've found over the past several summers that I can easily whittle away at my free time and feel like I didn't accomplish anything. Now that the wedding is over, my scheduled class meetings are over, and I'm home for five weeks without scheduled activity, it's time to think through how I want to spend my days. One problem I have had in the past is that I let myself do things I just want to do (like watch the Sopranos) that don't have any impact on me meeting my long-term goals. I wanted to articulate some of my goals for the summer here so that I set out to work toward them. I also considered the best way to meet my goals and thought about scheduling time each day on separate components, but I don't think that's the best way to go for me. What I'd like to do instead is schedule each week on Monday that includes time for specific components. I also know that one key thing for me is to included unashamed free time so that I don't feel like I'm scheduling my summer away.
These are the general goals I articulated earlier in my notebook, by category:
Cook:
*Bake our bread all summer. There's no reason to buy when I have so much time on my hands.
*Preserve something from our CSA bounty--spaghetti sauce, pickles, corn... I'm not sure what, but I want to freeze or can something to use at a later time.
Read:
*Continue generating a list of "to-reads."
*Compose annotated bibliography for new master's research and start working through it.
*Read Canterbury Tales and Frankenstein in preparation for my M.A. Comps in February.
House:
*Deep Clean the whole place. This includes our disgusting windows that no one has bothered to clean in years.
*Make the living room, master bedroom, and porch desirable places to hang out. (They sort of feel like we just moved in.)
*Re-paint the upstairs bathroom. (Much needed as 100 years of paint is currently peeling off the walls. I believe I will tackle this next week.)
*Hang art and photos.
Write:
*I'd like to figure out a writer's notebook routine that works. I think this will involve research of different ways to work on it and seek which I like the best.
*Write a few pieces about teaching and unions that I've been thinking about.
*Polish and submit at least 3 pieces for publication somewhere. I had a student pressure me about publication this year--"It's so easy to submit," she said. "You have no excuse." She is right. I can only be rejected if I actually try to submit something.
Teach:
*Writing for Publication syllabus/plan
*Block Standards into quarters and figure out my portfolio grading system
*Work on revamping first month of lessons
*Read as much YA Literature as possible to prep for new year.
Other:
*Run a 5K sometime in September (I need to look at possibilities and sign up for a race.)
Goals for the Week:
1. Finish cleaning and putting away wedding gifts, recycle all packaging, and finish thank you notes.
2. Try writing by hand on a daily basis with sketches.
3. Go to library to pick up copies of books for comps and books about student reflection; complete as many requirements as possible for summer class.
4. Pick out paint chips for upstairs bath and research steps I will need to take to properly repair, clean, and prime surfaces.
5. Wash five windows in the house. I have to start somewhere.
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