Tenure.
It's funny, now that it's over I don't feel let down or anything, and as my friends and family have found out they have been effusive in their congratulations. As for me, I feel a sense of deep relief at not having to worry about this any more. I also know that after a well-deserved round of self-indulgence, I'm going to shift gears and start working on What's Next.
At work, we've just completed what we hope has been a successful search for a new colleague. I'll leave the details out, but it was a lot of work and took up a tremendous amount of time beginning in early February. I like the outcome, and I hope the rest of the process goes smoothly for the new person we're welcoming into our small, tightly-knit department.
This past weekend, it was our turn to host the yearly statewide professional conference here at Smack in the Middle University, and as the President of that organization I was the local arrangements chair. I've been sweating the details large and small for more than six months, and while it was really fun and a good time was had by all, I am very glad it is over. We paid what I think is the last bill yesterday, and we came in under budget. As I told my colleagues, "Papers were read, people were fed, so we can call it a success." Although I had to be right back at it on Sunday, catching up on my work, I feel another palpable relief. I cheerfully passed the gavel to the next guy, and will soon pass along the information that I wish I'd had to start with but had to construct on the fly.
There's even a finished knitting project! I finished the CC Beanie Knock-Off hat about ten days ago.
It doesn't really fit me -- although it goes comfortably on my head, it's not loose enough to achieve the insouciant air of the original. I even increased the number of stitches and used a larger needle! However, it's cute, and will make a nice gift to somebody. Once I got this sucker off the needles, I picked up the latest sock again (almost two years in the making so far --yep, I started them two years ago in July; I'd better get hot on them) and have been stitching away in odd moments and during movies. I really enjoy sock knitting, but I haven't done much of it for a couple of years, mostly because the light in the living room in our old place wasn't good at night, and since we've been here I just haven't felt like knitting much in the first place. I hope I get my mojo back.
Last week I even did our taxes! I used a free online tax thing offered by a website I belong to, and when I had finished it filed them for me electronically. I'd actually wanted to print the forms out and send them through the U. S. Mail, but there wasn't an option for that. I submitted them on Monday, and one week later we received a check from the state in the mail. I guess the forms were filled out correctly! Meanwhile, Dad said that he received a letter from the IRS, but it's not scary enough for him to have put it in the mail immediately. I'll have my sister check it out when she visits him later this month, and tell me if I need to do something about it.
After this week, there are three more weeks and then finals week, and then summer begins. Our plans include going out to see Dad in May (and again later in the summer), and up to 'Way Out West for a bit to see our friends. I hope to get to the Jane Austen Festival in Locust Grove, Kentucky, too. The semester flew by -- I'm hoping summer will drag somewhat so I can get some things done!
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