This coming week is spring winter break around here, though since I don’t teach on Fridays this semester, my break started yesterday. It’s called winter break here at EMU because this semester is not spring but winter semester (spring term runs from the beginning of May to the end of June, and summer term goes from the beginning of July to the end of August), and because it is very much winter in late February in Michigan.
In any event, this winter break is and isn’t a “break” for me. For the first time in several years, we’re not off to visit my in-laws in Florida or anyplace else; we’re just hanging around the house. This has its advantages and disadvantages: going someplace warm in the Michigan winter is always nice, but not having to deal with the hassles of travel and staying in the comfort of our own house is nice too.
This week is a break in that I am not required to go into my office and I won’t be teaching any classes. On the other hand, it isn’t a break because I will probably end up in my office at least once for a variety of different reasons, I have a bit of grading to do, I have a fair amount of prep work for teaching after the break, and I’m certain that I will have some email contact with students.
And it really isn’t a break because of some scholarly projects. I’m woefully behind on a few things and I am determined (required?) to get some significant chunks of things off to various editors no later than a week from now. So it’s probably good that I have time to devote to this work this week, but it also means I am lacking an excuse for not getting this work done.
Jeesh. I guess I’m looking forward to school starting up again!