I remember when I learned that most of the world doesn’t operate on a school schedule. I discovered that it isn’t normal — at least in the business world — to get a fall break here, a winter break there, and two full weeks at Christmas… not to mention an entire summer off before school begins again. A rude awakening into “real life” as an adult.
But there’s a part of me that still falls into summer break syndrome. Maybe it’s because my husband is still on a school schedule. Maybe it’s because midwesterners are more relaxed and head “Up North to the Lake” every weekend… and make Thursday afternoon traffic horrendous and Fridays a “quiet day to get work done at the office.” Or maybe because there’s a part me that wants to have summer break syndrome for the rest of my life.
Maybe someday I will, when future children are in school and I’m teaching.
But right now, I encounter this pervasive syndrome in multiple areas of my life. To name a few:
- Dwindling blog posts, mainly because my husband has been working 16 floors above me at the same corporation and so I’ve had a lunch date for the past two months. Besides — I sit in front of my computer all day anyway. Shouldn’t I get outside and enjoy some sunshine before summer slips away and we all become eskimos again?
- Four steps to a “gourmet” dinner: thaw meat, grill meat, serve meat, and find something green to go with it. Added bonus — my husband is the griller, so I just have to set the table. Or not.
- Long walks around the lake have replaced my husband’s study time… and thus, my reading time. But I’m not complaining.
- During the occasional movie, I now repaint my toes instead of knitting or folding laundry. The result? Scrounging around for clothes to wear as we race out the door for work. At least my toes look good.
- A sudden domestic surge including, but not limited to, sewing ambitions, jam-making schemes, and a grand re-landscaping plan for the front and back. What has come over me?
But I won’t lie — I’m loving it. And I’m enjoying these few weeks before classes begin.
I like summer break syndrome. I could get used to it.
