topic Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless in Community Chat

Does anyone else find these summer days endless

gellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:04:58 GMT

I am a teacher and having been off since March I am finding these summer days endless since I am not going anywhere and live alone. I few visits with friends to look forward to and that is about it. I look at the clock and it is 10 minutes later than the last time I looked. I do have things to keep me busy but not enough to fill up two months!

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

stevieb — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:12:17 GMT

To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure I'm differentiating the seasons anymore. Having been a virtual shut-in for so long, I feel I've missed spring and am missing summer. I'm reading a ton and heaven knows television is less of an appealing, viable option than ever. I'm rarely going outside, so when I do I notice it's hot and that's about it as far as my nod to summer goes, since it's not possible to head out to too many place, and the pool is closed this year. I'm not feeling so much like the days are endless as much as there's very little to differentiate between them. I'm not a big fan of summer but miss those aspects of it that I usually enjoy and certainly missed enjoying the spring. Like most of us, I miss any sense of normalcy at all. Here's to better days, I hope.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

RetRN — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:18:39 GMT

Not at all, I take my ususal walks, work in my flower bed, get books from the library (curbside pickup, I just call ahead and set up day and time to pick up), email friends, have gone through photos and recipes. I still need to cook, clean, and do laundry. I've gone through my closets and now that the local thrift store is open I can take things there. So many people are facing much more difficult challenges than I am. I am retired so don't have to worry about job loss or closure of a business. I am grateful and thankful for everyday. Count your blessings.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

lolakimono — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:23:47 GMT

@gellen wrote:
I am a teacher and having been off since March I am finding these summer days endless since I am not going anywhere and live alone. I few visits with friends to look forward to and that is about it. I look at the clock and it is 10 minutes later than the last time I looked. I do have things to keep me busy but not enough to fill up two months!

@gellen

No.

I am a teacher and I am just as busy as I was during eLearning.

While the district decided what to do about providing eLearning to all students, who lacked devices, teachers were "off" for two weeks. During those two weeks we were told that they were not work hours, but we could use the time for professional development, grading, lesson planning, providing enrichment activities for our students, and checking in on our students after the closure.

When we started "officially" it was a 10 week period of bleary eyes, brain fog, and endless messages in my inbox.

Students finished on June 18, and then we had additional days. As a compromise for telling us not to work but then suggesting that we catch up on work, we have 20 hours of PD to do. The first week after school ended I went into school to inventory textbooks, I created three (paid) lessons as a supplement to our curriculum, and I completed four hours of institutional training (like bloodborne pathogens).

I have taken countless surveys from the union and the BOE about my preferences for reopening schools. I am taking a 15 hour course this week, which happens synchronously with 200 other people over four days. When I finish that work for the day, I move on to the numerous other self-directed PD sessions that I am working on, because the district didn't anticipate the number of sessions that they would need to run so that everyone could get their hours in by the required date so that "someone" could be checking off all of the hours for about 8K teachers and staff.

Today, after my synchonous session, I worked on developing my own school-wide professional development session for staff, which I had to complete a training on first and then submit plans. I just finished watching two hours of Google tips and taking quizzes on those.I also finished one course where I earn a micro-credential, or .2 credits towards the five that I will need on my new certificate period, which starts today. In my "free time" I ordered a book for a book study that begins in two weeks. Tonight I have to do the reading for tomorrow's class session, and then I'll work on completing another micro-credential. Yesterday I spent several hours reviewing 20 resources and completing a reflection sheet for EACH resource, and I am only halfway finished with that PD.

My BF is going to the beach with his family in two weeks but I have to stay home so that I can have the high-speed internet distraction free zone that I need to participate in all of the PD sessions that are due.

I am exhausted.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Whosits — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:25:44 GMT

And I feel summer has barely started. I live alone also but have always been an introvert and so have never socialized that much. But I did volunteer about 4-5 days a week and that kept me pretty busy. Without that, it is true my days became very empty.

I devised coping mechanisms. First of all I chart the daily COVID positives and deaths in every state, every day. I have also devised charts that show me graphically what is happening in states that I am most curious about. I also read news on 3 different sites, fairly meticulously. (I never used to do that.) That takes a lot of time and unfortunately is all done sitting. I cannot muster enthusiam to do any of my hobbies, or to clean. Course cleaning was always a four letter word for me. I started out trying to walk at least three times a day but that ebbed out.

I am reading a ton and play Mah Jong online and am more active here on this forum. I talk on the phone to family and friends.

I hope you can find ways to occupy your time as well.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:32:55 GMT

I've been working the entire time so I don't have that problem. March felt like it would never end as did April but now I can't believe it's already July.

I've not been doing a ton but DH and I have been camping a few times, done some jet skiing and I've gone to a few very small family gatherings. It has been very nice getting together with people.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

kaydee50 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:48:58 GMT

Yes. Here in Chicago in the summer we would have so many events going on, there was always something to do. Now--nothing. Fortunately, at least for the time being, I've been able to get my haircut!!, get books from the library and actually eat in a restaurant. How long those things will last, who knows??? It may as well be snowing and icy outside.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Lali1 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:02:35 GMT

I have more trouble with the nights and weekends. I'm going to bed at 10 pm. I lay in bed and read for an hour or more but it's still really early for me.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

ROMARY — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:03:19 GMT

For me, it's passing by too quickly.

I was losing track of the days, so I've been crossing out days and weeks on my calendar.

I miss my routines, browsing around in stores on certain days. Talking to regular employees, etc.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

lovesrecess — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 00:04:58 GMT

I am married and we are both retired, but going out is just not what we do, the heat index today is supposed to be 108 by 4 o’clock. Saharan dust supposed to increase tomorrow. COVID numbers here are soaring....I can think of more reasons to stay inside than go out!

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:23:52 GMT

No, not really.

Other than not being able to get in the pool at the gym (because it's stll closed), my summer days are pretty much full and the same as always.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

lovesrecess — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:24:32 GMT

My heart goes out to teachers who have survived the first months of online teaching. I retired five years ago and am so thankful I did not have to do this! I taught special needs students for many years and can’t shake my concern for how they are managing and how they could possibly be making the progress they deserve. My student who must read lips when the teacher wears a mask? How will she survive if they go back in the fall? I also worry about some of my former colleagues who are only 2-3 years away from retirement. They will be putting their health at risk every day they are in the classroom.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

RedTop — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:26:12 GMT

No, I am loving every day of this West Virginia summer!

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Pook — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:27:26 GMT

For me these months have gone by so quickly. I like my own company and that of My SO. I have actually talked to more of my friends now where before it was just a quick text saying we have to get together sometime.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

gellen — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:27:48 GMT

how do you pass the time? Just curious!

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Jordan2 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:28:34 GMT

@gellen I don't know, soon enough as you get to Fall and change the clock you say it's getting dark so early! Talk about endless days, I hate Winter, it seems to last for an eternity.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Jinlei — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:44:40 GMT

This whole year has been so awful. I lost my job due to the Corona virus. While I have worked at home for the past 10 years, losing my job has upset everything. I cannot find interest in anything. I hate summer anyway, so I know what you mean when you say the days are endless. Sure wish things will get better.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

CLHS68 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 22:00:34 GMT

No I love summer & it is over way to fast it is winter that lasts forever.

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

desertrat8 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 22:08:46 GMT

@CLHS68

I'm just the opposite of you. but then I live in AZ so you can understand. Winter is perfect!

Re: Does anyone else find these summer days endless

Katcat1 — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 22:11:46 GMT

@gellen You are not alone. There are a lot of single women of all ages that live alone. I am retired and I enjoy my privacy. Right now I have to keep a low profile due to a medical issue. I work puzzles, play on the Internet, read and rest. Right now it's the best I can do so i go with the flow. I talk to friends on the phone and will see one in two weeks. Be glad you are not sick or in the hospital. I always say things could be worse. Cheer up and think of things you can do. Stores are opening in my area and hopefully they are in yours. Books stores are fun or go to a movie. And you can just shop without buying. Yes, summer days are endless because it is so hot where I live. 90 degrees this week and next plus humid.