It's been an odd week. One of happiness, sadness, frustration. Forgive me if I ramble.
My colleague, her husband, and I went to see David Sedaris (who was hilarious, as always) last Wednesday. The reading was held at the college I recently applied to. I've been there several times, but this time, I tried to imagine working there. It's much bigger than my current college, with several buildings and parking lots. It has a real theater with a stage! It was a bit intimidating, and I wondered if it wasn't a good fit for me. They just started reviewing applications on Friday, though, and I don't even know if I'll make the cut for an interview.
I love my current college. I loved it as a student, and now as an instructor. Sure, I have issues with the administration, but I adore my students and (most of) my colleagues. It's exactly where I want to be. But even though enrollment is consistently growing, there is a hiring freeze until Fall 2012. I can't wait that long. But part of me wants to.
When I came home from the reading, I popped online to relax a little. That's what I found out about Tyler Clementi, the student from Rutgers who killed himself after video of he and his partner were posted online by his roommate. It broke my heart. I couldn't sleep that night, thinking about Tyler and everyone else who is harassed and bullied because of their sexual preference, or for any other reason. When I spoke to my colleague the next morning, we decided to try to make some changes on our campus. We're lobbying to re-activate the LGBT club and to bring speakers to campus. In our literature classes, we're going to make sure we promote diversity through the readings we select. We have big plans. Our county is rather conservative, and it may be difficult to do what we want to do. But we'll try.
All of this is also making me wonder what my son's future holds. Will kids bully him? What will I do? Is there a way I can protect him? Sometimes I look at him (like I'm doing right now), smiling and playing, and am saddened because someday that innocence will be gone. Breaks my heart.
Today, I have to get caught up on work for my online class. Which means I'll spend hours reading and responding to discussion boards posts and grading. Good times. Watching the NASCAR race at Kansas, hoping that my boy Tony Stewart wins. I'm making soft pretzels for the first time. And I'll be sure to make time for plenty of cuddling with The Kid.
