The breaking down of winter break

This vacation has gone far too quickly. Somehow, it's Thursday night. Somehow, I have to drive back in about 36 hours. Where did the week go?

I'm really hoping I get a ton of work done tomorrow because I'm not going to be getting much done when I return. I work 9am-3am (that is not a typo) on New Years Eve, the biggest day for waiting tables that we have, then again at 9am on New Years Day for New Years Brunch.

The relentless calendar of Baltimore City Public Schools has crept its way nearly to the top of my gripes with it, just after the lack of a 12-month contract. Most school districts have a couple weeks off for the Christmas holiday. Each year since I've been teaching, they've given just the least amount of time necessary - usually one week. That, on top of not getting off many national holidays, such as Veterans Day or Columbus Day. I have no idea how, for example, St. Joseph Public Schools can start after Labor Day, have two weeks off at Christmas, and still get out on May 31. I could really use a bit more time this year, which has been my hardest working year so far.

By the same token, I wonder what the chances are of us getting Tuesday, Jan. 2 - the Gerald Ford National Day of Mourning, during which all federal offices are closed - off from school? I've actually been googling relentlessly to see if school might be cancelled that day.