Lack of Trekking This Weekend

I was so looking forward to a Door County getaway this weekend. However, this damn cold/flu/virus/crud/sickness-from-hell flared up again this past Wednesday (couldn’t sleep Wednesday night and was panic stricken about feeling ill again). So, round two of antibiotics (different from the first round) and I am feeling much better (but too late for Door County).

I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this sick. When it first struck (the Friday before Labor Day) I felt like every cell in my body was miserable (even my skin hurt). My wife told me that I was not well enough to teach (two Fridays ago) and I totally agreed with her. Then she ordered me out of bed to get some fluids on board and all I could do was stare at her and mumble something about how I couldn’t even pick my head up off the pillow. Yeah, this has been a tough illness.

Why the heck have I been so sick? Maybe I’ve been really nervous about: the new semester; new classes; D1’s becoming D2’s and all their TOUGH Fall Semester classes; meeting the new D1’s and hoping they like me (a little); grading patient based skills exams; etc.

I know full well that you only get one opportunity to make a good first impression and I think I’ve been burning the candle at both ends trying to meet and greet and get to know the new D1’s. And this year I have additional pressure: I was chosen to be a Faculty Liaison to the new D1’s. So what does it mean to be a Faculty Liaison? The jury is still out regarding my role (this is a brand new role and all of we newly minted Faculty Liaisons (there’s 4 of us) are being very pragmatic about our duties at the moment). What does it mean to me in my heart and mind? DON’T BE A DUFUS AND SCREW IT UP FOREVER. So I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself. And I don’t want to a)be overbearing and force myself on folks and/or b)be distant. However, I feel like it’s hard for me to distance myself from students so I guess I’m trying more to not be overbearing.

And sometimes I feel like when I teach I am not aware of how much energy I’m using up until it’s too late. It’s like I’m withdrawing money from the ATM and don’t realize that I’ve taken out all the money I have. Maybe that’s why I’ve been so damn sick as of late. And I chuckle when I think back to last year at this time. I was tasked with directing the very first day of D1 PrezRez which included a whole lot of lecture materials and demonstrations. I was so nervous I broke out in hives (first time I’ve admitted that)!

Well, enough for now. I’m on the mend and I have another Door County trip in October. Maybe I’ll do a little staycation stuff today. Weather is beautiful and watching the sun set from my porch is still one of my favorite things to do.