End of Year Plans

Tonight I have to attend an end of the year faculty party. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Jenny, what do you mean you have to attend a party. Aren't you a party person?" The answer is, of course, a little complicated. I have to attend because I have to pay off a bet. Tonight's keynote speaker is a fellow teacher with whom I was discussing the text of his graduation oratory. We decided that with the bad economy, poor job market, lack of educational funding, and a host of other world difficulties, students would be better off not leaving high school. We also decided this should be a major theme of his farewell-class-of-2010 address, and then we made a wager (which I lost). Thinking this was all in good fun, and that he would never dream of saying "don't go" to the kids, I bet him the first round of drinks that he couldn't work it into the first two paragraphs of his speech. He did - and quite admirably, too. I read the final draft yesterday, and tonight I owe him a drink. Luckily for me he's a pretty cheap bet - Coors Light - and we're partying at a faculty member's home instead of a bar. Thus, I have to provide some beer to get the festivities started for at least a few of us. Plus is gives me a good excuse to go!

Tonight's kick off symbolizes the official end of our duties for 2009-2010. Sure, we all have to show up for a little while tomorrow to turn in some paperwork and pick up our final pay check for the year, but there are no kids, no classes, no watching the clock to contend with. Thus, teachers begin to consider how we will spend our summer break. Jeff and I both will put in some work time over the next few weeks taking professional development classes, leading curriculum teams, planning for new courses next year, etc. But one thing there will be plenty of time for is cooking. I've been contemplating what to make first. Should I put together a feast on Saturday because it is the first day of vacation or should I wait until Monday when the alarm doesn't go off for work? Should I make something decadent like potato-yeast donuts or something light like teriyaki shrimp kabobs on the grill? So many choices abound! I've spent hours over the last few months dreaming of interesting food, and now I'll have some time to cook it. Of course, finding something interesting is another challenge, so I've decided to wend my way through some of the smaller gourmet groceries in the area in search of inspiring ingredients from far off places. Ahh...at last summer has arrived and adventure calls!