Just Do It

I haven't posted in a long time because I have just plain run out of extra time! As each season changes, so does my schedule and while things have become easier in some aspects, they have become more difficult in others. Yes, my kids can now dress themselves and clean their own rooms. But, they have a lot more places they need to be (9 more years before one can drive!) and I have taken on more commitments as well.

So here is my typical day:

6:30am: Up and convince a crabby 7 year old to get dressed on on the bus at 7am.

8:00am: Out the door with a less crabby, but also less focused 5 year old on the way to drop off at school. Getting ready routine has included a quick check of the e-mail.

8:30am-2:15pm: Try to jam an 8 hour work day into less than 6 hours. Teach classes, meet with students and colleauges, work on projects etc. Zip out the door at 2:15 even in mid-stream of something urgent. Occasionally get in a lunch with a friend or a colleauge.

2:30pm: Pick up 5 year old from kindergarten, race to bus stop to get 7 year old off bus at 2:45pm.

3pm-8pm: After school activities, clubs, meetings, dinner, homework and wrestle kids to bed. This is actually the most fun part of the day. Usually get at least an hour or so of fun with the kids.

8pm-11:30pm: Catch up on all of the work that I didn't get done during the day. Grading papers, working on projects, catching up on e-mail. Sometimes actually do some housework, but if you ever visit my house, you may not agree that I am successful.

This regular daily schedule is interrupted quite often with meetings and other commitments that disrupt the day and cause me to have to find time elsewhere to get stuff done. Actually writing it out doesn't seem that bad. I know many who have even more complicated schedules, and many who don't have the luxury of being able to get out of work in time to get kids off the bus. But, sometimes I feel trapped in a world of commitments. When I get to that point, I remind myself that this is the world I chose. And I've been able to work out my choices so I really do get the best of a home life and a professional life. And I just do it.