December 13, 2007...11:53 pm
The Three Week Break
Well, today I finished my final paper for the semester ending my first semester here in seminary officially. It’s strange to think that I am now 12 hours into my seminary career and I can burst my own bubble to think I still have 84 more hours to go for the MDiv.
After writing more papers than I care to admit in the past few months and spending more time in the library than any normal human being ever should, I’m ready for a break. Now, for most people a break would come as a welcoming moment in life. A chance to rewind, to recharge the batteries, catch up on some reading for entertainment, perhaps see a movie, go to a play, or even finish Christmas shopping. No, for me it brings anxiety.
I’ve gone five years without a decent break and rest. In fact, I’m going to have three weeks of rest and relaxation. The last time I had this much time off was right after I graduated from college in 2002. It’s not that I’m going to be totally without things to do, as I have some responsibilities during the Christmas recess, but for the most part I’ll have more than three weeks of relaxation.
I’m going to use it wisely.
Next week, I’m going to be in Wilmore trying to determine how many Law and Order reruns one person can watch in a single day. We may add in episodes of MASH and some PlayStation 2 to be on the safe side.
From Dec. 23 until Dec. 29, I’ll be at my grandparent’s in West Virginia celebrating Christmas. This year, Christmas will be a little strange. My great aunt will not be there as she just passed away at Thanksgiving and one of my youngest cousins will not be either as he is at a residential school for autistic children and may be unable to come home for Christmas right now.
Then it’s what I’ve long waited for the return of Seminary Student to the adopted home of North Carolina from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 or 2. I can’t wait to get back. This may be what I am looking forward to the most, seeing some friends, dropping in at my church, seeing if I can buy a bottle of water without the cops arresting me because of the drought. I’ve longed to get back, but it’s going to be great to see everyone.
Then it’s back to either Charleston or Wilmore to watch the Fiesta Bowl. We’re not going to talk about that for right now. We’re fearful to say the least.
So all in all, it’s going to be a busy break, but a relaxing one. I can’t wait. I really can’t. As much as it freaks me out to have this much time to myself, one of the things a seminary student - or anyone in ministry - needs is relaxation time. Time to recharge the batteries and get refocused on what lies ahead.
2008 promises to be a busy year and with no caffeine allowed, I need all the rest I can get.
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