TTSP

Mom, if you're keeping up with my blog and reading this, then that title is for you.

For everyone else, I probably have some explaining to do. A good place to start is to say that originally, the title was going to be "Sending out an SOS." As most of you know the 5th week is one where things begin to get hairy in a semester. The excitement of the start has worn off, the end is barely in sight, and the projects and assignments start coming due. Oh, and my master's comprehensive exam is a mere 3 weeks away. And that's just from the student perspective.

From the teacher perspective, it's the week where I assign grades on first papers, dashing hopes and dreams. It's the week where paper one and two overlap. It's the week where students realize they should be visiting during office hours. It's the week where my teacher and student roles collide. It's the week I feel overwhelmed.

Hence, the call for an SOS. So, why did I change my mind about sending out the distress signal? Well, for one, let's be honest... it's really over dramatic. I can admit that. I'm not drowning or in imminent danger. And secondly, as I stared at the SOS signal and thought of my post, I heard my mom's words in my ear--"This too shall pass". Boy, do I hate it when she says that. Not because she's wrong. But, because she's right. Okay, I also hate that she says it whenever I call to vent about school (I'd rather her feel sorry for me). But mostly I hate it because she's right. It's become such a joke with us that now, in emails or texts when she knows I'm particularly stressed, she simply writes, "TTSP." Now, it makes me laugh and does put things into perspective.

And so, even though I would love for someone else to come rescue me from the papers waiting on my desktop to be graded, or the homework waiting to be done, I realize I should reserve the SOS signal for if I am ever in real danger. (Admittedly, that might be in three weeks while I take my 48-hour-long comprehensive exam). But for now, I can rescue myself by putting on my big girl panties and dealing with it.