In medias res

I love being surrounded by jazz music and espresso at the Starbucks on Colorado Boulevard. After a weekend spent at a Teaching Convention in Indianapolis, I knew I needed the encouragement of crowds and caffeine to get me through the writing assignment that was due. I hadn't slept well in Indiana. Hotel beds never squeak or give in the right places. My down comforter was the welcome home hug I relished in last night. Ten hours. That's more sleep than I got Friday and Saturday night combined. Sweet rejuvenating sleep. But then the inevitable happened.

My body starts to object after two nights of less than six hours of sleep; it's a curse I can't escape. So when Sunday morning arose and I felt a tickle in the back of my throat, i knew I was doomed. After a full night's rest, my body was in the clear to declare war. Mucus, headache, fatigue; they sent in all the troops.

So instead of doing my daily duty of working out, I went to the epitome of franchise.

Starbucks' hard back chairs kept me alert throughout most of the afternoon. Christmas music was already playing, but I didn't mind. Bing's voice is an instant tranquilizer to my anxiety. So I sat with the love of my life, doing homework, and feeling warm and safe.

My parents are coming out in a few days for Thanksgiving. I desperately want to finish all the necessities of life, like cleaning the bathroom, before they come, but it's hard to motivate myself. A vacation is trying to sneak into my life, and I'm fighting it off. Just a few more assignments, is what I tell myself. But when I look ahead in my planner at what's due next week, I laugh nervously and think boy that's going to suck.

The most hilarious part is how easily frustrated I get. I can't screw the cap onto my water bottle right, I throw it across the room...still full of water. Spellcheck neatly reprimands me with that little red squiggle, and I think If you're so damn smart, fix it yourself, you piss ant! Ah, the joys of stress. Just imagine what I did when my school's student teacher placement program put me at Northglenn HS after I specifically talked to three people in charge about placing me at Thronton HS. It was beautiful. Flames and steam were involved. It was a good time.

So now I'm winding down for the day. Ready to return to my lazy comforter, the only place where I that sneaky vacation can keep me company for a few hours. Tomorrow is another day.