Author: Roni Noone

It has been a CRAZY two weeks!

I don’t want to repeat myself from last week, but I will… every semester, when classes end, I think it’s going to be this great big relief, and it is, to an extent, but then meeting and planning season begins.

Unlike last week, however, I’m energized, not fried. I presented on something yesterday that I’m super passionate about: online course design. And it was really well received! Here are a couple of quotes from the end of my session:

Every semester, when classes end, I think it’s going to be this great big relief, and it is, to an extent, but then meeting and planning season begins.

I gave a presentation yesterday (photo above). I’m preparing for another next week. Summer classes start in two weeks, and I’m working on some materials for the department.

I’m trying to muster up the energy to write, but it’s just not there. I’m going on day three of grading final projects and replying to desperate student emails about how they MUST pass this class for one reason or another.

I’m proud of myself, though. I’ve been crafting supportive but firm responses. The effort I’ve been making to call out my negativity bias is working. Yes, I have a lot of audacious, apathetic students, but I also have quite a few hard-working, attentive ones.

I’m popping in real quick because I’m really trying to get back to my scheduled Wednesday post day. The end of the semester has really bogged me down over the last couple of weeks.

That said, IT’S THE LAST WEEK OF CLASSES!!

I’m sorry, did I share that a little too excitedly?

I’m flying by the seat of my pants this week. I’m not going to get into why because I’m really trying not to focus on the drama or let negativity bias dominate my time and energy.

I’m going to do what I can when I can, and it is enough.

Now, with that out of the way, let me share some fun stuff!

Two weeks ago, I hosted a dinner party, and I really wanted to share the menu because I’m proud of it.

I wish I could say I painted that photo, but I didn’t have time to paint this week, so I stole it from Freepik.com. I will, however, use it as inspiration when I paint this weekend.

Anyway, I was initially going to call this post “Rollercoaster”, as in the rollercoaster of emotions I’ve had this week, but that seemed too drastic. Because it wasn’t really a rollercoaster ride. It was more like, well, rolling hills. I’ve been happy, sad, angry, content, frustrated, and indifferent in some way, shape, or form every single day this week.

Ha! Remember how happy I was last week? Well…

Let me just put it this way… I literally called The Husband from work today just for a sanity check. Within the first two hours of teaching, grading, and interacting with students, I was losing my mind.

Part of me wants to rehash it all, but I’m not going to let myself. My husband did what partners are supposed to do: he listened, let me vent, and made me feel better.

What’s the first thing you do when your computer starts lagging or responding slowly?

You reboot it.

Right?

I’m popping in early this week before heading out of town to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary a little early.

We originally planned to escape to an all-inclusive in Mexico, but we couldn’t swing it financially, so a fun road trip to our favorite cabin in Virginia it is! The image above is from our stay there in 2022.

So yes, I’m on spring break… but we’re taking another break and going off-grid for a few days.

I’ve been trying to start this post for the last three days, but life has been a bit messy.

First, yesterday I had nerve pain in my neck that nearly put me out of commission. The image you see above was what I picked up at the drugstore on my way to work, just to get through the day.

I don’t want to get into it too much, but I’ve had neck problems most of my life. About fifteen years ago, I noticed I had fewer issues once I started lifting weights, and frankly, that’s one of the reasons I am so committed to weightlifting.