Google Image Search

As the school year comes to an end, I’m left wondering what I’m going to do during the summer.  After all, everyone in education gets summer off to party and relax in that awesome teaching money . . . It’s play money we use to help our students learn currency and shopping.  So, what am I really going to do?

Working!

I’ve signed up for summer school, but not in the way you think.  Being a life skills TA, I continue working with the students I just spent 10 months with.  A more relaxed atmosphere with shorter days, trips, and a focus on skill retention.  That doesn’t mean it’s easy though.  Add summer heat to the other school stuff and you get a similar challenge, but with sweating.  Plus side is that I can wear shorts and graphic t-shirts as long as they’re kid friendly.  This is why I bought so many sassy Snoopy shirts and one lazy Garfield shirt.  It should be fun.

Parenting

My son will have camp for the same amount of time I have school.  So, I’ll be enjoying the usual days with him.  We get July 4th together, which will be cool.  Not really planning a big trip since we already went to Oswego in April.  More of a laidback period after camp and school ends.  Some day trips like going to the zoo.  Might take an overnight trip to a place nearby.  Depends on what we feel like doing.  After a crazy school year, I think we both need some lazy, non-planned time.

Writing

With a lot happening in regards to work and parenting, I don’t think I’ll be tackling Darwin & the Joy Path this summer.  I still have Darwin & the Angry Elf, Darwin & the Demon Game, and Darwin & the Beast Collector to edit too.  I’ll have more time for those and probably more energy.  So, my writing goal will be to get all of that done and start writing a new book in September.  Is it smart to tackle a new book at the beginning of a school year that is filled with changes?  Probably not, but the summer isn’t much better.  At least editing all of the finished books in a row will get my mind ready for the new one and maintain continuity.  I’ve already found a few issues that I’ve fixed and made notes to avoid repeating the mistakes.

In regards to Darwin, I think I’m going to keep the inconsistency of his spells.  Not at an extreme level, but the degree of power won’t always be the same.  The visual aspect might change at times too.  Almost like he subconsciously gets bored with or forgets how they look, so it looks different.  This goes with the degree of power.  For example, his ‘ice barrage’ spell has taken out half a building at one point and created a small pillar that can be used as a water source.  Sometimes it explodes violently from the ground causing damage around it while other times it pops up almost gently.  It seems to connect to Darwin’s mood, which I’m still trying to figure out.  Why am I writing about this on a summer plan post and not a goal post?  Oh well.

Friends

I do want to take some time to visit some friends.  Need to plan that out better.  Probably should get on that now.

Lego Sets

Once I clear an area and set up a display case.  I have a pile of Lego sets like the Dungeons & Dragons set that I want to make, but need the space.  The biggest issue is that I have this giant DVD shelving unit that I need to ditch after I sell most of my DVD collection.  I don’t use it, so I should clear the space.  Not easy finding a place to take them and we’re still trying to work out a garage sale time.

Conclusion

That’s really it.  Hope everyone has a good summer.