Two weeks vacation - yippee!  Actually, while I enjoy time off, I enjoy working just as much.  It's nice to get a break, but also nice to come back afterwards.  I love my job.

A big part of the reason is the school itself, and especially the kids.  I've got such nice kids in my classes; they're really fun to be around and they keep me young.  Most of the sophomores are starting to figure out that my gruff exterior and strict standards aren't the whole story, and we're making some good connections and personal relationships.  The seniors - many of whom I'm teaching for the 3rd year now - know what the deal is, and we have a mutually-respectful, yet relaxed and friendly relationahip.  Very much what the idea of small schools is all about.  The juniors in my TOK classes - well, they're somewhere in between.

But it's the time of year to give thanks, and so I want to give a shout out to all my kids for making me happy to go to work every day.  (Extra special shout out to my Nerd Club regulars!)  I'm gonna keep giving you crap when you deserve it, but you know it's because I only want good things for you in the long run.

Have a great vacation, guys, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again in 2013.