Sunday, March 29, 2015

Spring Break Plans

Thursday afternoon, as I finished my grades for quarter three and cleaned up my room in preparation for spring break, I realized something...I have a glorious 11 days off!

Depending on how spring break and Easter coincide, we either get 7 days of SB and then a long weekend later for Easter, or one extra-long break. That's what happened this year!
We had the 27th off in exchange for our Saturday open house early in the year, and because grades were due before we went on break, I have lots of free time to plan quarter 4 and relax this week!
I am so excited. After traveling to Houston last week, I've been dragging this week. We worked all through the weekend and didn't have a single day to recuperate afterward, so all of us were pretty wiped. I truly feel this break was earned...and I plan to spend it wisely.

Here are some of the things I hope to focus on over break.

Running. I have a 10k and a 5k in April that I need to get back on track training for. I originally wanted to PR this 10k, so if I still want to stick with that plan, I have a lot of work to do in the next couple weeks. It may be tough because it's hard to run in glasses and I'm officially out of contacts until my surgery, and then after surgery I'm supposed to take a few days off from exercise...but I need to get some running in!
Meg messaged me and Kristin about this one...we'll be running it together and dressing appropriately for the theme!
Music. There are so many songs on my running playlist I need to purge, and a bunch of new songs I can't wait to add! It's been much too long since I've made any updates to my playlist.
A few songs I'll be adding to my list.
LASIK. My surgery is happening over break! Like I mentioned before, I'm currently on a contact-lens ban until the day of surgery, which may conflict with my running plans...but it also means that I wore contacts for the last time ever on Thursday!

Passover. Matt and I are hosting Passover again this year; it will be the first time hosting it in our new house! I'm going to try my hand at brisket and hope it comes out well. I've already eaten my weight in GF matzo...I may be the only person on earth who actually likes matzo.
This was a no-brainer...why did I even ask?
Cleaning. Over the last couple weeks, I've been putting housework aside in order to grade some big projects from my students and prepare for the Houston trip; now that I have some downtime and we're having family come for Passover, it's time to give the house a deep cleaning.

Painting. Our house is pink, but it hopefully won't be much longer! Matt and I want to try to get it painted over break...but first we have to pick a color! We've been using a virtual painting tool online to get an idea; it's kind of hilarious.
Spoiler alert: we are not going for this canary yellow, much to my chagrin.
Needless to say, I'm going to be keeping myself busy. Spring break always marks an interested turning point in the year... the last quarter of the school year is already upon us! Quarter four is always the most stressful, but also the most rewarding. I'm grateful to have some time off to relax and prepare myself for what's to come.

How did you usually spend spring break when you were a student?
Do you still take a spring break vacation?

ABK

23 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you have a nice long break. You deserve it! Our easter break and long weekends are now snow make up days since we had so many bad weather days. It's okay though, it all evens out. I have a HUGE concert in 2 weeks, so needless to say this is the most stressful time for a music teacher. But once that is over, it will be smooth sailing until June.

    So what color do you think you are going to paint your house? Are YOU painting it or hiring someone?

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    1. I lived up north for 13 years and do NOT remember losing breaks from snow days. We never had enough that we used up all the built-in "snow days" in the calendar I guess. Climate is out of control!

      We're painting the house ourselves. We're thinking a brown or red-brown, but haven't actually chosen yet! We're really indecisive, which is a terrible thing when the decision is so huge!

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    2. It is! At least you have that app and you know yellow is definitely out. ;)

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  2. Enjoy the post-lasik life! I had mine done years ago, and I am so, so happy with how it all went. Also, enjoy spring break! Mine was a week ago, and I'm so sad it's over!

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    1. I can't wait to open my eyes and see things as they ARE instead of a blurry mess!

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  3. Enjoy your break! I spent my spring break shoveling out from two blizzards, not exactly how I had it planned LOL. I'm really excited to see what color you guys decide on for your house!

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    1. I cannot BELIEVE you guys still have so much snow!! Doesn't March know it's a spring month?!

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  4. So excited that it is the week of LASIK!! I don't remember having to take took much time off from running after having it done but it's been awhile so....
    That paint choosing app is awesome!
    Enjoy your spring break!! Hopefully you will have some downtime even with all of your big plans!

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    1. I think I need to take a couple days off and avoid getting sweat in my eyes. I think as long as I wear a headband I'll be okay!

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  5. I love the colors of Florida houses. I grew up in an orange house. They are always so colorful! Enjoy your spring break. I'm taking Friday off this week to go check out some state parks in Indiana. I guess that's my spring break (apparently grad students don't get spring break). ;-)

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    1. I wouldn't mind keeping the house pink, or blue, or yellow! But Matt really wants a "sell-able" color, so we're going to go a different route haha.

      I think I had a spring break during grad school, but I was still teaching at my internship during it...so that was a wash haha.

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  6. I'm so jealous of your 11 day break! It sounds like you are going to have an awesome, productive time.

    I hope your surgery goes very well and you don't have to take too much time off running. Have a great Spring Break!

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    1. I'm trying to get lots done, but my list is a lot more productive than I am!

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  7. My mom is a preschool teacher and her spring break was last week and mine was unfortunately the week before, so the rest of my family went to Mexico without me. I'm hoping that when I graduate and get a teaching job our spring breaks will align! Enjoy your break!!

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    1. Oh wow, you missed out on a family trip? That stinks! It's so odd how spring break weeks are staggered. My county has break this week, but the surrounding counties had theirs two weeks ago!

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  8. You changed the top of your blog...I like it! Try to take a little bit of time for yourself on your break...you know...to recharge! Good luck with your eyes...I remember back to when I had mine done....they got really itchy about 2 hours after I got them done...but that only last an hour or so! You are going to love it!!!

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    1. Thank you! I really like the cleaned up look.

      Hopefully I will nap through any itchiness because I am a BIG eye-rubber and I know that's a no-no after surgery!

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  9. Nice new header. I had no idea you go on a contacts ban before Lasik. Will be interested to hear how it goes!

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    1. My eyes are kind of dry, so the doc said to avoid contacts for a week to allow them to recover. Who knows! Hopefully it helps.

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  10. I can't believe you aren't going with that yellow! I think that's an amazing color for a house! ;-) You definitely deserve a break. Ours starts this Friday and I am still in disbelief that it's already Spring Break time. Not that I'm complaining. Enjoy your break! And I am sending you positive vibes for your surgery on Thursday.

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    1. As much as I'd love a yellow house, Matt has vetoed traditional Florida house colors haha.

      I need those good vibes...I'm starting to get nervous!

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  11. Woohoo LASIK a time is almost here!!
    That virtual color tool looks like way too much fun, but I love that something like that exists! It would definitely be handy for such a big decision! Sounds like you have a lot of fun things planned for break. Enjoy!! :)

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    1. We've been messing with the color a LOT and still can't agree on one! I have no idea how we'll paint if we can't even decide on a color!

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