Grading

I'm back at it, three classes in the Spring Term.  Right about now the grading is wearing me down.  So far the class preparation (recycled from courses from the past two semesters) isn't so bad.

I want to do a better job of grading, offer more advice and counsel.  Yet the time pressures build up and it's hard not to just assess.

Back for More

Our Spring semester starts tomorrow.  I'm ready for my classes. The committee work is still hanging over my head, but things are basically going okay.  Just have to keep my head down and plow through the next three months.

Joint Mathematics Meetings

I'm off to the JMM in Seattle this year.  I've enjoyed Seattle the two times that I've been there, but it's been years, so my memories are both hazy and outdated.

I'm looking forward to seeing my friend Doug who lives there and whom I haven't seen for many years. The conference should be good as well, and it will be good to connect with colleagues.

The greatest thing on a personal level is to go back to being an individual instead of the most responsible member of my family.  Choosing for myself instead of what's best for someone else will be nice, especially after family visits over the holidays.

Always hard to come back---

Wrapping Up

We're going to spend a week on the road visiting family.  I'm in my office doing little things to lessen the mental load while I'm gone.  It's quiet, and I'm constantly asking why I'm here given that the things I'm doing aren't important.

The End Times, Again

It is finals week.  I am still working on the final exams for the end of the week.  Otherwise I'm in pretty good shape.

It's been a hectic semester, with four preparations.  The classes have been good.  It's going to be hard to decompress.

I do feel as if I've been much more efficient than I usually am.  I wonder if that will fade with the panic-Adrenalin.

Finish Line, or One of Them Anyway

There are two weeks of classes left this semester, with a week of Thanksgiving Break in between.  There are final exams spread throughout the week after.

I am teaching four preparations this term. I don't know anyone else who has done that.  I'm enjoying it greatly, all four classes, but the pace of work has been strenuous, not something that I can do easily or should do again.  So far I think that the classes have gone well, although the 8:00 class is short on energy so I could be wrong about that.

All my fears and insecurities of doing poorly with the classes are proving false, as I thought they might.

Midterm in Sight

Midterm is one week away.  So far so good in so many ways, but I have had a chest cold this past week and my stamina is greatly depleted.

I am keenly aware of what I have yet to do but I am greatly satisfied by what I have accomplished with my teaching overload and other responsibilities.