Homebernation

I write to you, sluggish, from the Calgary airport. I am currently en route back to ...good ol'(?*) ...GP. 

The past 2 weeks (exactly) have been a much-much-much-much-needed holiday from an exhausting first 4 months of teaching.  As you may have guessed from the lack of posts over the past holiday, it was a whirlwind of "home" activities, visiting with friends and family, and enough R&R to hopefully last me til spring break.  In the thirteen days I've been home, it's been surprisingly easy to slip back into the home life.  Comfortable, simple.  Much like a bear would do, a part of me wished I could have hibernated there until winter in Grande Prairie was over (when even is that? June?); until my job was easier; and until I had some prep work done. Hibernate until I was ready to go back. Homebernate.

Homebernation is:
-Seeing my sisters! Both of them! At the same time!!  
-Visiting with family in Toronto and Kingston (including, of note, ALL the Jones-side cousins!)
-Enjoying mom's cooking.
-Partially due to the above: Eating so much food that I forgot what hunger feels like. Seriously. Partially because of waking up after 11am every day and partially because of the surfeit of food constantly surrounding me, I wouldn't be done digesting lunch by the time dinner came around.
-Not having skin so dry it looks like tree bark.
-Catching up with Rachel, Nicole, Erin, Sarah and Amanda, my remaining close (partially-)Kingston friends left.
-Not checking any of my 3 email accounts for the entire time (and rarely even facebook!)
-On that same point, not even THINKING or WORRYING about checking my email or facebook...
-Feeling no need to take pictures or document my stay in any way (including this blog, until now). Just doing my own thing, enjoying my time, and not wanting or needing to share that with anyone.
-Hot tubbing.
-Watching the Hobbit with sister and dad, in 3D, OBVIOUSLY.
-Actually reading a book. In fact, finishing one and starting another. WOOHOO!

Homebernation is a comforting idea, yes.  Especially now, as my butt aches from uncomfortable airport/airplane seats; my conscience aches from all the work that did NOT get done over the holidays (If I learned ONE thing from my time in Scotland, it's to take breaks seriously!!); and my mind aches at the stress that is inevitably to come in the next 6 months.  Ahh, can't I just homebernate at least for another week?  But then, what's the fun in that?  No pain, no gain, right?  For the good of my career, my students, and my colleagues, I must forge on! 

I can hear you screaming now, "WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLDDDDD, BECKY!". 

Oh, shut up.  Sooner or later I'm going to find my dream job, and then I'll be laughing at all you fools who think stress has to be a recurring, normal part of life and work. 

I really am looking forward to seeing my students, though, even though I can almost guarantee that 95% of them didn't practice a single note over the holidays. Ah, well, I can't be mad. I didn't practice during the holidays when I was in school, either -- nor did I do anything this year for Back-To-School, until a few days ago.  Don't get me wrong; I'm not burnt out or dreading my job or anything like that. I, like any other fun-loving person, simply prefer relaxing to working! I do have some cool ideas for my classes in the new year, and I am feeling refreshed.**

Fortunately, the journey back to GP hasn't been nearly as taxing as the one home in December. So far, I've caught the first flight possible form both Kingston-Toronto and Toronto-Calgary.  Even if I don't get on this flight, at least I know people in Calgary and won't be stuck with another sleepless night. If I catch the next flight in just over an hour, I'll be back in Grande Prairie shortly after 8pm. So far, 2 seats still available, so I'm optimistic. Here's hoping both I and my luggage arrive promptly.

Hope this suffices for a holiday update - creative juices are flowing slowly with this lack of fresh air.

Until Next Time,
B.

*The question mark simply denotes my hesitation using the phrase "good ol' ", when Grande Prairie is neither old, nor, in my current opinion, good.
**I am refreshed, yes.  Not nearly as refreshed as I was coming to GP in August, mind you...but not nearly as scared, either, which must count for something.  Plus, I'm already regretting the laundry I didn't finish and the grocery shopping I'll have to do tomorrow; nevermind all the work.