This is a horrible expression, but I couldn´t help using it. Yesterday, I finished my 14 month long work for Masorti and started a new life of a person who has just one job. Naturally, I started the day by approximately 90 minutes of phonecalls and emails dealing with Masorti issues, but I sincerely hope that this is really the last day when this happens. Tomorrow I have to go to pick the last Masorti bill and settle one more issue with the orthodox community and then "ze hu, gamarnu:-)" The new coordinator is Katka Vyzvaldova, an excellent substitute, a very nice and sophisticated girl, who - I am sure - will do her job with grace and dignity.
Tomorrow a new school year starts. I have spent the last 3 weeks trying to get ready for the classes and by now, having most of the crucial stuff prepared, I am anxiously waiting for the year to start. What a difference it makes this year to know already a lot of the material I will be teaching, to know basically all the students but for grade one and to work in a tandem with my great co-worker Shmil! Before Shabbat I called my 8th graders to let them know I am waiting for them on Monday and to ask how they have been. I realized that it is a great treat to start another year with kids I aready know - moreover kids I really like. I am proud to be the class teacher of these kids and I am glad that this year we have somewhere to start with and that we do not resume from zero like last year.
I do hope that this year I will spend less time getting ready for the classes and will have more time for developping more after-school activities for the school and personal study. Also, I really hope I will have more time for myself. I have already bought a pass for the local swimming pool. Let´s hope it will get used well. :-)
