Wake Me Up When September Ends...

No, not the Green Day song. The real-live version. September has already been a rough month and it's only half over. Ugh. I am definitely in a funk... for a number of reasons.

It started off with the back-to-school blues. I won't lie to you- I am NOT one of those teachers that counts down the days of summer until I can get back in my classroom and have my life taken over by adorable 5 and 6 year olds. Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE my job. I couldn't imagine doing anything else as a career. I adore the students I am blessed to teach and guide throughout their kindergarten year. But I also love my 'me' time. This year was particularly hard, being that this past summer was without a doubt the most incredible of my life. It was really difficult to leave the summer behind and begin the fall, knowing that the best day, weeks and times of my life were now behind me. Thank heavens for the memories though, because I've relied on them A LOT so far this fall.

Along with the beginning of a new school year comes the severe sleep deprivation. Not only are my weekdays packed full with long school hours, getting materials ready, grocery shopping, fitting in workouts, preparing meals etc... I have had incredibly busy weekends. I haven't even had the chance to sleep in without an alarm clock yet this month!!! The first weekend was jam-packed with preparing first-week-of-school materials, planning, and attending football games. The night before the first day of school was the VT-Boise State game, so I kicked off the year with a mere 4 1/2 hours of sleep. It hasn't gotten better yet. The following weekend, Andy and I traveled to Charlotte, NC for a wedding. Our flights were bright and early, and of course we stayed up late following the reception. Upon our return Sunday, we drove straight to FedEx Field in Maryland once again for the Cowboys-Redskins game that night. I arrived at work the following Monday with another restless night of 5 hours of sleep. Ugh. I need a good night's rest.

And lastly, and I hate to even say it, footba.... I can't even finish it. Recall 2 posts ago?! Yeah, well, that hasn't worked out so well. And it has put me in a huge funk that I can't seem to shake. I realize football is just a game. But man, when it rains it pours. My heart was broken the first time at the VT-Boise State game where my beloved Hokies lost the game with a minute and a half remaining. A game we should have won. A game we deserved. Heartbreak #1. Luckily, we played JMU the following week. A guaranteed win. A I-AA school. Never lost to the Dukes in football history. Or so every football fan in America thought. Ugh. Ugly. Embarassing. A waste of pure football talent in Blacksburg for sure. I can't even discuss it further because it makes me nauseous. Heartbreak #2. The Cowboys-Redskins game the following Sunday night. The only Cowboys game I get to attend in person each year. The 15-rows-behind-the-Dallas-bench-tickets that I gave Andy as a wedding gift. The beginning run to the superbowl in our home stadium. But I guess when your offense doesn't show up, you lose. And once again, for the 2nd time in the span of 6 days.... my team lost in the final minute of the game. Heartbreak #3.

Yeah yeah, it's just football. Yeah yeah, there is a lot of season left. But what a dismal start to my fall. I barely even feel like myself when I wake up each day and get out of bed. I haven't read espn.com, watched Sportscenter, or looked at Hokiesports at all this week. I haven't even ventured on facebook in my attempt to avoid reading all the negative comments and status' posted about my teams. Yuck yuck yuck. I feel like a little piece of me is missing... my passion for my job, my hobbies, and my pride lacking. I know everyone goes through gray periods.... but I wish I could simply sleep through the month and begin October with a fresh start. So, wake me up when September ends.....