Spring Break (and I am lame)

Today officially begins my spring break, and I couldn't be more excited.

In talking with the kids in my class, I find out that they're planning travels to Florida or Cancun...anywhere warm. I remember those days. They also inevitably ask me what I'm planning, and inevitably look at me like I've suddenly sprouted a second head when I respond with "nothing" and I look immensely satisfied with my response.

When the semester began, I wasn't even that excited about spring break. I mean, I still had to work, I wasn't planning on taking a vacation. I just couldn't see the reason for the hype - at least not at this point in my life. It's not like much was changing at all except that I didn't have to go to class during that week.

About three weeks ago I came to my senses. A WHOLE WEEK WITH NO CLASS! Suddenly the hours between 5:00pm and 11:00pm seem so...expansive! So FREE! I mean, I honestly can't wrap my head around what it will be like to go home on Monday night and be able to cook dinner for the boyfriend. AND I DON'T EVEN COOK! I'm going to have my haircut on Tuesday evening, and I'm beside myself with excitement. Thursday night, I get to have dinner with women that I don't think I've seen since October. And here's the best thing. Even though I have those things planned, I'll still have free time in the evening after they're done. It's not like I'll get home at 11:00pm exhausted from chem lab, or 9:30pm after trying to cram Biology lecture into my oversaturated brain.

But the crown jewel in this fabulous week is this: I get to sleep in on Saturday morning.

Let me say that again, because I don't think you fully understand the gravity of that statement. I. Get. To. Sleep. In.

Before I explain how holy that sentence is, let me lay out my schedule for you. I work 40 hours a week with my regular hours being 8-5. On Mondays and Wednesdays I work 7-4 so that I can get to class at 4:30pm. My MW class is from 4:30-5:45pm. On Mondays, that is immediately followed by lab from 6:00-9:30pm. On Wednesdays, it's followed by recitation from 6:00-7:15. (Wednesdays are my early days.) My Tuesday/Thursday class is from 6:00-7:15pm. On Tuesdays, this is followed by a lab from 7:30-10:20pm. On Thursdays, class is followed by reciation from 7:30-8:20pm. After class, I have to drive the 40 minutes home. Fridays I don't waste one second thinking about class, and sometimes I drink wine. Saturday mornings I volunteer at a low-cost veterinary clinic from 7:30-11:00am. The rest of the weekend is for studying, and this could take all day Saturday to all day Saturday and Sunday.

It's definitely a busy schedule, but it's doable. Sometimes I feel like all I do is eat, sleep, study and work. (And drink Starbucks. Lots and lots of Starbucks.) Sometimes I feel like my dog (and the boyfriend) probably won't recognize me anymore when this is all over. But it's doable. On good days, I think it's a great exercise in time management, and if I can escape from this semester with A's in both classes and both labs, I will really have accomplished something exceptional. On bad days I think I'm insane for doing this to myself, and I consider settling for the desk job where I make absolutely no difference and that I so abhor lately. Either way, there's definitely no room for sleeping in my current schedule.

My first hint of excitement about spring break came when I found out that conveniently coinciding with my week of no class is a vacation that the veterinarian of my low-cost clinic scheduled with his family. So I'm off the hook for volunteering the Saturday that begins my week of freedom. When I heard this news, it's like the clouds parted, the angels started singing, and this gift was God's way of rewarding me for all this hard work. With a morning to sleep in. What a great gift. (yes, I'm lame.)

So last week I began laying the groundwork for my morning of sleep. Casey usually goes to doggie daycare on Fridays - especially in the winter when she doesn't get out for long walks or exercise much. (Because, let's face it, her mom doesn't like the cold.) This means that on Saturday mornings, Casey is about as mellow as Tyson is. In fact, the only animal who doesn't seem to realize that weekends are for relaxing is the foster dog Azul (since re-named "Blue.") If he doesn't get out to walk and/or play at 7:00am, he's fidgeting and making little barking noises to let everyone know that he is not pleased. Since the boyfriend could apparently sleep through armageddon, the only one who is disturbed by this is Emily. When I thought about this, the solution seemed simple.

Today, both Casey AND Blue went to daycare. Last week I collected Blue's shot records from the rescue and had all the paperwork in place for his first visit to dog-frolicking-madness. When I arrived, we noticed that he had no records of his bordatella vaccination (to safeguard against kennel cough.) Around multiple dogs, this is non-negotiable, so Blue couldn't go play. I was dejected for a second but then rememberd the "sleeping in" goal and thought up an alternative plan. I do happen to volunteer at a low-cost clinic. I do happen to administer vaccinations on occasion. So I called, got the vaccination, administered it to Blue, and returned to daycare about 20 minutes later with a perfectly vetted dog. Done! Blue went in, Blue met the other dogs, Blue seemed ready to have a grand ole' time frolicking all day long while exhausting himself in preparation for Emily's morning o' snooze. (Casey, the veteran of daycare, was already running around like a maniac.)

Step one, peace and quiet - check!

We're supposed to get snow this weekend. Lots and lots of snow. The bedroom has an outside wall. Flannel sheets went in the washer this morning.

Step two, warm bed - check!

Tonight is the first round of playoffs for my dodgeball team. (Yes, I play dodgeball on Fridays. I know, I'm insane.) The games are at 8:00 and 8:45pm. I contacted the captain and asked if anyone was going to the bar afterwards. They usually do, but I can't becuase of the aforementioned volunteering/studying. However, it's SPRING BREAK! I can go! She agreed that we would go out and drink some beer.

Step three, ensuring deep sleep - check!

I'm nervous because, except for the small hiccup with Blue's vaccinations, everything seems to be falling in place so perfectly. I can only imagine what's going to come out of the woodwork to spoil my glorious morning where (to steal an idea from Nyquil) I'll "sleep like before I had dogs and a boyfriend." I'll keep you posted. Just don't call for updates on Saturday until after.... Well, for safety's sake, just don't call at all. Wait until Sunday.