Have been extraordinarily busy lately with work; I am teaching an intermediate/advanced level Word class where I designed the curriculum. The problem is, I only had time before the term started to create an outline for the course, but did not have time to create all of the handouts and exercises ahead of time. That I'm having to do as we go along, and since we meet 3 times per week, that's a lot of work. Sometimes I have to teach myself first because I haven't used a particular feature much, or don't know exactly how it works in Office 2003. It's a challenge and far more interesting than the basic level courses that I normally teach, but the timing is poor since right now I have so much else that I need to be doing (like updating my resume, doing job searches, etc.) Classes wrap up within the next 3 weeks, and then it's still a few more weeks after that before I leave, so I'll be able to concentrate more on that soon - that and the task of figuring out how to fit all of my stuff into 2-50 pound suitcases.

Clifford asked me if I feed Farley, if that's the reason he's always hanging around outside my door. I said, "Not really. I pet him. I'm the only one who ever pets him." Yesterday I removed the 2 fattest ticks I've ever seen from his back. Poor Farley dog, who will take care of him when I leave?

I taught my last class on Friday and graded my last paper today. These were for my advanced word processing class. I've decided on a new mark scheme for research papers - the papers will be graded according to how much they make me suffer when I read them. Papers that are well organized, well researched and documented and an overall pleasure to read get an A. The others, well, torture is a matter of degree.

I have been entirely focused the last few weeks on getting things wrapped up with my classes, documenting my work to pass on to those who will follow behind me, and generally taking care of business. My assumption was that I'd have 2½ leisurely months after my return, while my tenants' rent covered my mortgage payments, to look for a job. I've just learned that they will be leaving early at the end of this month and my home will be vacant and available to move in immediately! I'm very excited about this new development, but suddenly finding employment has become a much higher priority. Last night I got busy and completed the first draft of my resume and today I revised it, then this weekend I will launch the official start of my job search.