Pros:
- There are lots of smart people around who say smart things. They are usually funny too, so commiserating is improved by levity.
- Teaching freshmen writing is an excellent reminder that: a) actually I learned a lot in college; b) actually I would way, way, way rather be 23 than 18; c) actually my students, those little punks, are working pretty hard in my class without even realizing what a phony I am.
- Weight gain is avoided even when ice cream is a staple for dinner -- hooray for misery-induced lightning metabolism! Or something. Anyway, ice cream for dinner is always in the pro column.
- Teeny tiny victories make me feel like Michael Phelps.
Cons:
Well...
- I miss sleeping. I miss the planner that was not so full of lists I can barely read it. I miss evenings that were my own and not a constant battle between my students and my professors, my lesson plans and my papers.
- I miss watching Hulu. I miss being informed about important national and international events. I wish I could say I miss a more than b. Not sure that's true.
- Being around so many smart people is a quick and easy way to realize that you are not, in fact, very smart at all.
- JAS is away -- and that's not grad school's fault, but I have to list it because it's a major life con.
- Perpetual caffeine buzz makes me reasonably certain I am shortening my life with every fizzy sip.
Coping mechanisms:
- Ice cream for dinner (see above).
- Nice people who let me complain.
- Skype.
- Ballet class.
- Mumford & Sons, soothing my soul.
- Angry Swedish ladies, pumping me up with their Europop.
- Escape trips to Salt Lake.
- Daily mountain viewing.
and headed toward Germany, and family (including a very pregnant seester and growing little niece/nephew), and Jamie, and chocolate, and Christmas.
And no college freshmen in sight.
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