The longest month of my life?

Probably.

The school is making its way back to a "new normal" after the death of our colleague. The shock is over and we're all moving forward: more focused, more able to laugh and enjoy life again. In fact, just last weekend was the first time the young faculty got together for a party in 6 weeks when normally we gather every Tuesday. It felt good.

In other news, we had Blair week (spirit week) leading up to Blair Day when we battle our rival school in every single sport (from 3rds to Varsity) the whole day to win the cup. It was really intense this year and it came down to a JV girls' tennis match that would never end... We lost, but the girls had nearly the whole school cheering their every move. It was a blast.

Before that, we had French week: one event per day. Every day, French classes had a tongue twister. At family style dinner on Monday, I planned a fun fact 10 question quiz by table. The following dinner I had prizes for 1st place (sparkling cider) and 2nd place (French candies). Tuesday there was a Bocce ball tournament that no one showed up for (boo). Wednesday was "dress like a French person" contest at the school assembly. The French kid, Thomas, won, even though I successfully convinced a couple of more boys to dress up in ridiculous outfits (a Tour de France cyclist, Louis XIV, and a "stereotypical" French guy with a striped shirt, red scarf and mustache glasses). That night, the French club member made a bunch of desserts for "Taste of France" on Thursday. Friday was "guess the number of bonbons in the jar and win it" day in the library. Saturday was nothing because I was too tired.

I've been working a lot to get the word out about SYA. I put together (last minute idea) an informational table for parents' day about our students' experiences. That was successful!! One of the admissions directors came to our school and I had to put together a schedule of meetings for her. She basically gave me more great ideas = more work (that I haven't done yet).

Long weekend was taken up by the international student trip. They went to a nearby town for an outdoorsy trip. We slept in cabins heated by wood. It was an awesome weekend, but I didn't get a lot of sleep (or work done) and I missed Matthew. I would love to go back, but just by myself. :)

I think I stress ate for 2 weeks last month. I'm taking it as practice for Thanksgiving...

I have a new role this year: academic advisor. That means that I will meet with 12-13 sophomores for an interview-style meeting to try to get to know them, their interests, their strengths and to help them chart out their junior and senior years' classes. I'll fill out a report that gets send out to the regular advisor and the college counselors. It's not hard, but it's just time-consuming. I'll have to learn all of the pre-requisites for each department, which is my current homework.

This is the last week of school. There have been concerts, art exhibits, the freshman musical, the fall play all in the same week. Monday starts exams, a buttload of grading, then comment-writing.

Matt's been busy writing his dissertation, researching jobs, applying for jobs and fellowships, teaching his class, taking his seminar class, and trying to have a little fun: guitar, squash, movies, exercise.

We're doing fine, but we really need a break from work and we really need some time together, away from here, away from our computers, away from students. Thanksgiving, here we come!