Catch you down in New Orleans.

[katernater]

Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those naps that's, like, "Hello, I'm going to fix everything that was wrong about today that you totally didn't know about, so you're welcome"? I have gotten out of the habit of taking naps. It's my schedule, I'm sure: get up in the morning, go to work until about three or four in the afternoon, come home, run, eat dinner, plan for the next day; there's not a lot of room in there for napping. Well, today I took a nap for the first time in months. 'Did it "classic style," too: I pretty much just faceplanted on the couch and didn't move from that position for an hour. It was awesome.

The term is clipping right along. We're already into the middle of Week 6, which leaves just three weeks until the end of the term. I finally feel like I'm hitting my stride with this research paper class. Last week was so revealing: I just let go of a lot of expectations and started focusing on what my students needed. I was putting a lot of (unintentional) pressure on them (and myself) and it just started to burn us all out. Last Thursday I brought in donut holes and green tea and we all sat around for the first part of class, discussing the research paper and fielding questions from one another. It was fantastic and I think it really helped overall class morale. I'm learning (sometimes painfully) that this whole process is really a complex balancing act and that, in the end, it's impossible to control everything. I've got to let some things go. I've got to give my students the information they need, but it's up to them to follow through on it.

Things are going well for me. Without getting too into it, I continue to develop myself spiritually and see daily improvement in my overall attitude and outlook on things. I'm learning to trust my instincts and to rely on my emotional barometer; if something upsets me, I allow it to upset me. If I'm happy, I'm comfortable saying that I'm happy. I am not doing as much free writing as I would like, but I think that's probably because I'm stacked to the ceiling with work stuff right now. My plan, by the end of summer, is to put some serious time into the rough scratchings of my novel. I would like to put together an outline by the end of August so that, if possible, I can do NaNoWriMo this year. I've always wanted to participate and I feel that the structure would compel me to write on a regular basis. Even if I end up missing the 50,000 word goal I will still have made some progress in the right direction. Is anyone else planning to participate this year? Can we be NaNo buddies? I can ply you with Oreo Balls and iTunes playlists.

Right. Off to grab a bite to eat and then grade some papers.

Comments

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

LOL I did know this was the "classic style" but I approve. ;) Yay for glorious naps.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Indeed!

How are you doing? Has your week gotten any better? I've been sending positive vibes your way.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

I drowned myself in productivity today, so it was better. I was having a good week in general, aside from that crazy period of anxiety. So I want to say it's on the up and up, and whatnot. ;) I'm just not a good one with anticipation. The waiting. Once school starts, I'm sure I'll be better. I'll have something real to focus on, not all these maybes and what ifs. Thanks for the positive vibes! <3 I'm sure they helped!

[antiquitea.livejournal.com]

Classic style naps are the best. I'm fond of them myself, although I absolutely loathe naps.

I will be participating in NaNo, this year, as I always do. Whether or not I'll finish remains to be seen, but we shall see what happens! This is my author page, if you feel compelled to friend me over there. :)

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I used to be a naptime champion, especially when I worked for the ad agency. Nowaways I feel guilty if I nap. I've become one of those people who's too tightly wound to relax. Why don't you like naps?

I've signed up and added you over there. Thank you for the link!

[antiquitea.livejournal.com]

I'm weird. I know. I have no problem with kicking back, relaxing, and being extra close to napping, but I find when I nap it's either for too short, or too long of a time. It's never planned, so I never set an alarm or anything, and I tend to wake up feeling grubby and kind of cranky. Grrrawrargh naps.

Suhweet! I look forward to being your cheerleader as you kick the 50,000 word goal's butt! *\o/*

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I think there's actually a mathematical formula for the "perfect nap." At least, I've heard that you should nap for no longer than ninety minutes, max. Anything longer than that and you interrupt a sleep cycle and/or your blood turns into marshmallow fluff. SCIENCE.

It's about time that I got started on this thing. Are you starting with a new idea this year, or will you be revisiting old characters!

[antiquitea.livejournal.com]

Blasted science interfering with my ability to nap! Haha! I'd heard that as well ... I guess I've just never had the perfect nap!

I'm thinking of revisiting some old characters, but a story I've never fully fleshed out involving the zombie apocalypse and whatnot. We'll see what comes of it! I've written bits and pieces of things, but never really tried to write a coherent story. How about you? :)

[farstepper.livejournal.com]

I've been debating doing NaNo, although I'm not sure I "can" as I'm not particularly interested in a traditional novel, so much as a series of essays.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested to see what you'd come up with, regardless of format. :)

[farstepper.livejournal.com]

As I would like to see yours.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

A well deserved nap! <3

[katernater.livejournal.com]

It was indeed!

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking about jumping on the NaNo bandwagon with you. <3

[highlander_ii]

\o/ naps!

Does it count as a nap if it happens 30mins before you were planning to go to bed? =)


And, I will not be a NaNo participant for a couple reasons - a) I have zero ideas for anything that lengthy and b) I did 25k in 3 months and nearly didn't manage that! However, I make for a good cheerleader! *g*

[gracielu.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what Oreo Balls are, but they might just be enough incentive for me to sign up. =)

[eumelkeks.livejournal.com]

I loooooooove naps! They're the best thing ever and I couldn't do without them.