Well, that didn’t go as planned.
My summer, that is. It’s been a while. And there are reasons (sooo many reasons) for that. But just as a quick interim update, here’s what the plan was:
- Finishing up my summer course (4 weeks to go!)
- A visit from nibling #1 in July
- More fun with Engie! (not a bad thing, just adding it to the list)
- A legal name change
- Dealing with the ramifications of a legal name change: social security, DMV, work, insurance, credit cards, emails, subscriptions, financial accounts, passport, etc. etc. etc.
- Moving to a new apartment
- Going on vacation with my parents
- Going back with my parents (i.e., not home) because
- My dad is having back surgery, 5 days before
- The fall contract starts.
Instead, my summer looked like this:
- Things that actually happened:
- Finishing up my summer course (a slog, this year, sigh)
- A visit from nibling #1 in July (wonderful)
- More fun with Engie! (also wonderful)
- A legal name change (done and done)
- Dealing with the ramifications of a legal name change: social security, DMV, work, insurance, credit cards, emails, subscriptions, financial accounts, passport, etc. etc. etc. (ah, bureaucracy, how I love you…).
And then, the day after my name change hearing, life decided that I should add:
- Have a major health emergency!
I did move to my new apartment, which is a saga all its own. So, put that on the “done” list.
- Moving to a new apartment
But the rest of my summer? This part?
Going on vacation with my parentsGoing back with my parents (i.e., not home) because
My dad did have his surgery, but I was not able to be there. Instead, I modified my list to include
- Move back to my old apartment. Right after
- Summer term ends and fall term starts.
I know I need to write more about these things, but I haven’t even found the time to journal about what happened after July 15th, let alone process it enough to write about it here. I’m hoping that some time to myself in the mornings (now that I’m further along in my recovery from said health emergency) will help with this.
And about that name change. I will not be sharing my new name on the blog, but if you would like to have it, please email me and let me know. I’ve missed you all so much. It will be challenging showing up this fall (two days after my health emergency, I was handed a brand new course, which makes two courses this fall that are new to me, plus the two I usually teach), but I feel such a pull to be back in this space, with all of you.
I’ve been trying to keep up with all of your blogs, commenting sporadically, and, well, just generally lurking as per usual. I hope the end of summer is treating you well.
Another major health emergency? Moving back to your old apartment? What happened to your new apartment?! Yes yes I know you said you should write more but I just started worrying about you. And don’t worry about commenting on blogs… at least mine because after a week in Italy we had a server crash of sort and I had to rebuild (on the old server for now) using an incomplete backup and the place is a bit of a mess (although back up and running).
Aren’t you ever allowed to be on sick leave if you have major health stuff going on? I’m a bit upset with your workplace.
But I’m glad you at least got to have some fun with Engie!
I think the apartment saga deserves its own post… Short story is that it just does not work for me. I like the quiet (courtyard side, not street side) but the closets are not big enough, the kitchen and LR are TOO big, and I can’t make it work. I’m sure if I had no other choice, I’d adjust, but, well, I do. So back I go! Next week, to be precise.
I wondered about your blog and was thinking it was probably the server. I tried to click through to a post you must have put up either while you were away or just before and it wasn’t there. I guess it was vaporized by the crash? So sorry.
Well, my summer course had ended just the day before the health emergency (no really) and so, here I am. Back at it. (That’s a whole story on its own, too, sigh.)
Hope you get the server straightened out, my friend. <3
Yes, 1-2 posts disappeared with the server crash because the backup was made before I wrote them. I was sure I had made a newer backup, but no. It’s a bummer but I can live with it. We’ll get a new server up during the autumn but for now the blog is what it is and at least it works, but our internet here in Italy doesn’t really work so I won’t post until I get home (or I may post some small update with photos I have already uploaded).
Oh! I’m glad you are still in Italy (or at least you were 2 days ago). I’m living vicariously through you – hope that is okay. I’d rather be in Italy than here and dealing with all of this… stuff. If I can make it to next Friday with everything working out okay then I will be very, very happy. Fingers crossed. Have a wonderful (remaining) time in Italy – don’t think about server crashes for now; there will be plenty of time to deal with that when you get home
Oh dear, a major health emergency! Your summer was already going to be intense. You poor thing. And a move back to your old apt? That is a lot of shuffling of things.
Take care of yourself as best as you can!!
Thanks, Lisa. It’s a lot of moving parts, and I’m just aiming to get to September 1 mostly intact. Mostly. 🙂 Being back here helps.
Ughghghghg. It should be forbidden for major health stuff to happen in the summer – especially if your summers are as short as ours (I am bad at geography and remembering where people live, sorry). I’m so sorry this torpedoed the rest of yours, also happy the first stuff was fun.
I hope you’re able to slow down enough to heal, I know you have a stressful job. I always love seeing your comments pop up, sporadically or not. I would love to know your new name, but when I click the email link Gmail goes weird for me. Would you be able to email me? I think my email is on my blog, if not just let me know in a comment and I’ll figure something else out. Healing thoughts!
Thank you, Allison. I just emailed you – or, rather, I sent an email to what I hope is your email address. If nothing comes through, we’ll try something else! 🙂 The name is a bit of a doozy but I am happy to have it back. Still going through All The Steps and ugh, it’s tedious.
The health emergency was not great, Bob, as our favorite Nicole says. But I am actually hopeful that what they did to address it will help resolve some longer standing issues. Fingers crossed.
And yes, summer is all too short. We are already seeing highs in around 70 F in the forecast, so ~21ish C? Lovely but verging on fall, not summer. Too soon we will be complaining about the snow! Eeks.
Thanks for the healing thoughts. <3
Oh no, I hope you’re going to be okay! A major health emergency? Well my imagination is now running rampant and I hope so much that you are okay. Ahhh but it sounds like you aren’t??
Did I read that right – you moved into a new apartment and then back to your old apartment? Or am I confused.
Take care, my sweet friend. xoxoxo
Oh, I am sorry to worry you – I will be okay, and as I just said to Allison, I’m hopeful that what they did to address it may take care of some longer-standing issues. Fingers crossed on that one.
The apartment saga will get its own post, but the short answer is yes, I moved (8/1), lived here a week, and realized that no, this was not going to work for me. I apparently value closet space more than I value living room space. So while it’s bigger, it’s bigger in…the wrong way? If that makes sense? It will all be over in a week, thank goodness.
Thanks for the sweet thoughts. <3
I vote that we remove July 15th from the calendar. I’m sending healing thoughts and love.
Hm. Can we add the 16th to the list, too? Or is two days too much? 😉
2025 has been A Lot all ’round. My big wish right now is that 2026 is much improved, for everyone. <3
Um, wait, what? You moved back to your old apartment?
I’m so sorry that you went through such a health issue, and am hoping things are improving.
I hope your father’s surgery went well.
I’m sorry you did not get to go on vacation with your parents.
Congrats on getting the name change done! What a PITA!
I hope your fall classes go well.
The more we see you here, the better (for us) but do what you can. WE GET IT, we’ve all been there.
<3
The surgery did go well, thank you! I’m so glad – I was so worried. Parents. Health issues. Ugh.
And yes, I moved and now I am in the process of moving back. This space just does not work for me, for multiple reasons (distribution of the larger space is the big issue). So, back I go! Just one more thing in what is turning out to be a very complex summer.
Things are improving on the health front. Now it’s just going to be getting through the AY. Ugh. Higher ed is not a lot of fun right now.
<3
Anne, I’m so sorry to hear about the health emergency and that it meant you couldn’t get the time with your parents. I know that with a teaching schedule it won’t be easy to get something like that on the calendar again easily. I hope you feel back to good health soon.
Thinking of you and sending good energies as you gear up for the Fall term. (Two new preps, one of them sudden is also a lot, as is moving twice.)
I’m glad the name change went well and all the related changes have gone over well. Good for you!! I’m so behind on getting the SS and DL changes made for Nu after their legal name change!
Thanks, Maya. The health emergency was not great, but on the other hand, it does seem to be helping some of my long-term issues. I can only hope that those changes stick around! I’m definitely not 100% yet, which makes getting back to academic year mode a lot more challenging. I am just trying to get through right now and hoping my energy comes back sooner rather than later.
The SS/DL/passport changes (plus the moving back and forth) are making life pretty complicated. Fortunately, Engie and Dr. BB came today and helped a TON with moving a lot of stuff back to my new-old place. What would I do without the blogging community?
Hope the kid-out-of-the-nest transition is going as well as can be expected. As a kid, I never thought about it from my parents’ perspective. It must be really hard to suddenly NOT have someone who was always there, not there all the time anymore. <3
Oh no it sounds like a lot has been going on. And not just some random small stuff that gets annoying.
Moving itself is a hassle but then going all back. And a name change. wow I guess there is a story there which I totally get you will not share online.
And then on top a health crisis.
I am sorry. I hope things will settle for you.
Thanks, Tobia. It’s been a bit overwhelming, to be honest, but (fingers crossed) I think I am coming to the end of it. If I can make it to September without a major crisis, then I’ll feel pretty good. 😉
The moving is basically done, though! Yay!!
Hopefully reentry into classes being offered will be smooth and your health will turn around and it’s all going to be great! (Can you tell I’ve been working on positive self-talk?)
The moving is now DONE. Thank goodness.
Positive self-talk is nothing to sneeze at. Please share your secrets, because I stink at it. 😛
Oof. You’ve been having a rough time as well, my friend, but I am glad that at least *some* things are going as planned. You’re also getting good at this pivoting game, I suppose. Sending you hugs and positive vibes for your recovery!
Pivoting all over the place here, San. It’s been a YEAR for you, and I am feeling rather out of sorts, as well. Let’s ope that we both get to face in the same direction for a while now. <3