vacation | BulgingButtons

June 25, 2015
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

One More Day

Nineteen down, one to go. Days of summer work, that is. Not that it’s difficult work. It isn’t. In fact, it’s very rewarding work that come fairly easily to me, especially since I’m part of a terrific team.

We’ve been running a writing camp for kids at our local university. I did it last summer too, and enjoyed it. It’s fun to be with kids, teaching, in an environment where the strongest “discipline” that you ever dole out is a raised eyebrow, and the kids are all there because they want to be. Oh, and there’s no grading, no worry about common core, and no tests. Cool, huh? The kids think so. I have to agree.

Still, the alarm clock goes off each morning, and there’s a commute to deal with, made longer by summer construction (which is absurd where I live – do it during the cooler months, people!). Then there’s the trek from the parking lot to campus and back. Not so bad in the morning, but grueling in the afternoon heat. All in all, not a bad gig, but I’m looking forward to a few weeks of NO obligations. What will I do? Read. Write. Sleep. Swim. Visit family and friends. The usual. I can’t wait!

I’m looking forward to days where the biggest decisions I make involve which flavor of fudge to sample and which bathing suit to wear. Should I read another chapter now or wait until tomorrow morning? Do I want to cool off in the ocean or in the pool? It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it. This time, it’s going to be me. One more day. I know it’s going to be a good one.

June 3, 2015
by BulgingButtons 6 Comments

My Real Fear of Flying

I’m going on vacation in a few weeks, and I’m very excited about it. I’ll see friends and family, and I’ll go to the beach and a couple of parties. I’ll celebrate my birthday and the Fourth of July and generally have a great time. I know all of this. But I’m dreading going.

Why?

The flight.

The last time I was on a plane was back in January, on my way home from London. It was a glorious trip, but the flying was not fun. I was squished, and I’m sure I squished my sweet, ever-patient son, who was stuck next to me. He will once again be stuck next to me, and we will both, once again, be squished, but this time it’s not just the discomfort that has me worried. It’s the seatbelt.

I’m afraid, that for the first time ever, I won’t be able to buckle it.

I was hardly skinny back in January, and I’m even less so now. What if it doesn’t fit? What if I have to request an extender? Will I die of embarrassment? Will my son?

I have a couple of weeks. Maybe there’s time to make a dent. It’s worth a try.

May 27, 2015
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

The Price of my Starbucks Addiction

I was so excited this morning, because it was my first real day of summer vacation. Yes, I had the long weekend, but I spent one of those days miserable (darn stomach bug) and didn’t really do much the rest of the weekend (except see Pitch Perfect 2 for the second time, omg, I love that movie). Then yesterday I spent the day with my wonderful team, planning for instruction. Not exactly summer vacation mode.

Today, though, was different. Today the day was mine. Yes, there were some things I wanted to do, but I didn’t have anywhere I had to be or anything I had to do. What a wonderful feeling.

Naturally I was up early, because I’m in the habit. That will change soon, though, as I stay up later and later.

I was sorting through the wonderful end of year gifts from my students, and decided that I would download the Starbucks app to consolidate my gift cards. I congratulated myself for figuring out how to do it, then got to thinking about how nice it was to have a bank of free Starbucks treats waiting for me.

I know, this has been an ongoing issue for me. I go cold turkey, then I go back. I’ve done it several times now. Why? Empty calories and lots of money, but oh so yummy.

How much could it add up to? Well, I recently went through my bank statement to figure that out. In a thirty day period I spent exactly $123.45 at Starbucks. That works out to nearly $1500. a year. We could take a vacation for that!

I’m back to thinking that I need to stay away from Starbucks, but my phone is always with me, so if I do find myself there, at least I have credit, thanks to my wonderful students and their parents.