Running amok

December weekend number three is here! Tonight: Work Christmas Party. Tomorrow: Drive to Detroit for Paula's rehearsal dinner. Sunday: Paula's wedding and driving home from Detroit. Monday: Back to work I go. 

'Tis the season for running amok. 

I didn't get my weekday run in this week. I taught an extra Jazzercise class on Tuesday. Wednesday I went out to dinner with Shannon and Jacob. I meant to run last night before Jazzercise, but didn't get it squeezed in, which worked out well since I had my annual monitoring and would have started class with a red face and post-run sweat. And today, today I will be celebrating with wine and pasta, so a run won't happen tonight. I have to run six miles tomorrow, preferably in the morning, preferably outside. Sunday I can run at the hotel. 

One of the main reasons I'm looking forward to this weekend is that I will get seven hours in the car where I can sit, grade, plan, and not move around. Heaven, I tell you. 

I know it's the season to run amok, but the schedule seems extra full this year. Does this just happen as we get older? There are more commitments, more responsibilities, higher expectations, and less down time. For those of you with kids, or hell, even spouses with the same time constraints, I commend you. 

Another school gem this week: My coworker Judi has organized a fantastic program with many of the area elementary schools. The elementary students write letters to Santa and our high school students respond as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or a various elf. This year, my classes were paired with kindergarten students from Crichfield. The letters came in the form of a fill-in-the-blank letter, mostly completed by parents (or children with impeccable handwriting!). Some of the things asked for this year by the children included one girl who wanted a driver's license and another child who wanted a baby sister. 

By far, though, the best parts of the letters were the section where the kids asked Santa a question. Highlights from this year include, "Is there grass at the North Pole?" "What kind of food should I leave out for the reindeer?" and the winner (in my book) for most creative, "What is your favorite kind of sandwich?"

Good stuff.