These are a few of my favorite things

Now this is my kind of meme! Borrowed from aroraborealis

You know about pet peeves. Well, what about the opposite -- little things that make you really happy? Post 10 little happy things not in any particular order. Anyone reading this is invited to post their own!

1. The laughter of babies and toddlers.
2. Goslings and ducklings
3. The smell of lilacs and rich soil when it is damp
4. Rainbows
5. Dragonflies and tufted titmice
6. Farmer's markets
7. Compliments from random strangers out in the world. (this one borrowed directly from aroraborealis
8. Comments from students that let me know they "get" what I am trying to accomplish in the classroom
9. Listening to birds singing in the canopy while gazing at the light filtering through the trees
10. Spotting the first I have seen for the season wildflower of a particular type

Extra
11. Big, fat snowflakes drifting down

I appreciate aroraborealis posting this. I am still stuck on the paper I am trying to write. I am feeling pretty close to panic with everything I need to do before hitting the road to Oklahoma. I promised my sister I would be there Thursday evening. I was dangerously close to overload and a panic attack until I took a moment to think abouit these simple pleasures. Now I am in a better place to face physical therapy and commencement today.

Yes another post from me

I am dealing with my panic and being overwhelmed by focusing on one small thing at a time. The latest accomplishment, my Form 17 (permission to travel) for the Australia trip has been signed by the Dean and delivered to the Vice Chancellor's office. Hopefully he will sign it without giving me a hard time and it will be in the hands of the Travel Office by tomorrow. I can have them book my plane tickets.

Of course there is still the issue of whether or not the US government is going to give me a passport. They have to keep an eye on dangerous sorts like me you know. I am one small step closer to Queensland.

I also realized that two days after returning from the Australia trip I will be headed off on a 4 day pagan camp out. July is going to be very busy. Once classes end about August 1st; I think a couple of days somewhere with nothing to do but stare at a large body of water and be pampered in some way is in order.

In the history books

The 39th commencement exercises for PNC (my first as a member of that faculty) are now in the history books. 596 degrees were awarded. About 1/3 of those degrees went to students who are first generation college students. About 20 of them went to the first students to receive master's degrees (MBAs) from PNC. I only knew one student who graduated due in large part to the fact that 7 of my 8 classes this year were introduction to sociology taken mostly by first year students.

I have to say that near 90 degree temps, several thousand people in a gym without air conditioning, and wearing academic regalia is not a pleasant way to spend 2.5 hours not matter how joyous the celebration. Still it was good to remember how day to day teaching fits into the bigger picture of life.