Creative Meanderings

When I arrived back ‘home’ after two months away I was disoriented and unsettled at being back. The apartment did not feel as if it was my home. Everything felt wrong from how I left it, though it was just a matter of a bit of messiness due to R being around after I left. 😉

Still, I felt strange in the space.

So, when R headed back to NJ for his mom, I spent the day rearranging.

Now, the apartment has had a few different setups since moving in because I generally feel a need to refresh the space every few months or so. However, this time the changes were new – as in never been setup quite this way before. I am satisfied for the time being, but who knows how long it will last. 😉

Here are some pics:

Living room changed

Living room changed31-Aug-2013 15:24, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 32

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Dining area stayed the same

Dining area stayed the same31-Aug-2013 15:24, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 32

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Bedroom changed

Bedroom changed31-Aug-2013 15:25, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.042 sec, ISO 160

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Bed moved

Bed moved31-Aug-2013 15:25, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.042 sec, ISO 250

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More space here in bedroom

More space here in bedroom31-Aug-2013 15:25, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.042 sec, ISO 250

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Office decluttered under desk

Office decluttered under desk31-Aug-2013 15:26, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 3.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 32

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-T 😀

It’s a strange cycle of life that we go through as teachers or maybe as expats in general. From an academic perspective, we work for 10 months with a few holidays here and there, then have nearly two months to ourselves and then return to another 10 months. While the rest of the population might envy our holiday time (2 weeks a year is unfathomable to us!) and some people might even think the only reason we chose this profession was for the holidays, I think that this cycle is just one its pitfalls as all jobs have.

It usually takes me somewhere between two and three weeks to completely relax and let go of the stress of work, thinking about work, planning for work, etc. Unfortunately, it only takes about two or three days for all the relaxation and stress-release to be mooted as if it did not ever happen. 🙁

Dealing with a roomful of semi-adults for 3 hours and 20 minutes a day without a turn-off switch and then using the 2hours and 40minutes break to eat lunch, plan upcoming lessons, collaborate with colleagues or have meetings is a lot to ask of a person five days a week. Those who get a mere two weeks off a year, generally have a lot more ‘down’ time during the day than someone like I do.

Now, I wouldn’t trade my job for anything. I enjoy my students. I like most of my colleagues. My workplace has improved for the time-being. And, yes, I love my holidays. Still, the first week back in full swing is always a killer!

The good news is that it only gets easier from here on out! 😉

-T 😀

Last night, R’s mom passed away from liver cancer. She had outlived her husband by 17 years and survived breast cancer. MJ’s outlook on life was always positive and she embraced the beauty in the world and people.

The last time I got to see her was Christmas 2011 when she came to visit us for two weeks. It was a treat for us all. Sadly, her physical presence is no longer with us, but her spirit will live on.

May she rest in peace and be with the glory of our Heavenly Father for all eternity.