Officially Accountable

Another whirlwind holiday celebrated and gone! Hubby and I headed to Indiana to see the family this Thanksgiving. As usual, it was a good restful trip, but seemed to go by too fast. As one holiday is buried and another one is being born, somewhere in there is the end of a semester. One more week to teach! Two more weeks of classes! Then, a blissful month off. As winter approaches, and approach it does--we had snow today--I have a few goals set for the winter break. I am writing them in blogstone so they become more real, and so people can help hold me accountable.

Goals for Winter Break

• Read the last Harry Potter book (Sshh--I don't know what happens!)
• Write poems for my thesis
  
• Correspond via written letter with some pals
• Finish editing a friend's book
• Learn how to relax
• Seek a more intentional relationship with God (Hmm... what is the state of my life when Harry Potter is first on the list!?)
  
• Plan a syllabus for the two courses I'm teaching next semester
• Read ahead for one of my grad courses: The Comic Novel
  
• Try to stop making lists

This is not a complete list since I have about 15 other inane things swirling around in my consciousness that are begging to be added. However, those are the big things I've listed. Now, it's official: I'm held accountable.

Another Birthday...Gone!

I remember a few years back; I was living in Bloomington, Indiana enjoying the change in my life and happily welcoming that big and bold 30th birthday. My 20's were nothing to celebrate. They were rough. I guess it didn't help that I spent four of those years struggling in New York City.

Nonetheless, when 30 came to me, I claimed it even before the day hit. I was so ready to shrug off all that had come before and start anew. Now, a few days ago, I've realized, I'm not sure I'll ever welcome a birthday again!

Maybe, just maybe, I'll be excited by the decade changes, but the in between birthdays-- I can't say they do much for me. I can say that I received some beautiful cards, wonderful gifts, and many birthday messages, including the walloping age jokes from Hubby. He earned it, I suppose. He did get out of bed early to make me breakfast and took me to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in Fayetteville later in the week.

My dad tells me (and as every woman over 30 has the right to confess) "Kiddo, you can be forever twenty-nine!"