I'm slowly easing myself back into writing this site after an absolute whirlwind beginning to my life as a boarding school teacher. The past two weeks are a blur, but the overall feeling is pretty good right now. For the moment, it feels important not to go into too much detail about it all--partly out of respect for the privacy and integrity of the place, partly because I don't want to become a public diarist. But I will say that so far, things are good.

Observant readers will perhaps have already noted that the University of Pennsylvania is listing me as "on leave" this year. That's accurate. Penn gave me the option of returning to my university teaching job in a year's time. Family members who are wiser and more cautious than I am convinced me to take that option rather than quit my job outright as I had planned and, frankly, hoped to do. The reasons for my making a slower, more careful exit than I had originally envisioned are at once too obvious and too personal to bear discussion here; I trust that readers will understand and respect that.

In any case, it is my sincere hope that things work out here in the Berkshires, and that this time next year, my long-awaited break with academe will be at last complete.

Glad to see you posting again. I (and probably your other readers) figured you were settling into your new life, but still, one does worry.

Congratulations on making the switch!

I second that sentiment, Rose! Hope all is well up there, Erin. Enjoy the beginning...even through the blur of it all.

Glad to see you've surfaced! I assumed that you were just swamped by the demands of the new school year. And, by the way, I'm glad you kept your options open vis a vis Penn. Always smart to leave yourself an exit, just in case.

Best of luck with the school year!

Best of luck to you during this transition, Erin.

It's true--the year LOA doesn't quite have the rebellious cachet that the "slam the door behind you" approach perhaps had, but that's a good thing.

Cheers.

Congratulations on your survival! It gets even better as things progress. I am so glad to read that you are enjoying the switch (and still have options at the end of the year--just in case).

Just be prepared for the last few weeks and monts of the year, when it's not unusual to kiss your loved ones goodbye for a while and submerge completely in school-related activities. Best of luck in the coming months!

FIgured that was it.

Many congratulations and the very best of luck in your new school!!

You might enjoy
http://www.livejournal.com/users/ozarque/

Glad you kept your options.

Wish you luck, and appreciate that you realize that some privacy is important.

As a Berkshires native, whose very first job was at a boarding school (now closed), I wish you the utmost best in your chosen area. You can't beat Berkshire County for charm, atmosphere, culture, and beauty.

Wishing you students who enjoy learning, heightened senses to enjoy the Berkshires, and a career filled with successes.