What I want for Christmas this year is to, for once, not have to spend most of the kids’ two-week winter break trying to somehow squeeze in more time to work. I just want to do what I imagine normal state employees with vacation time do — take the time between Christmas and New Year’s off and actually focus on family or travel or getting some rest.
I want to, for just a little while, not constantly feel the guilt because of the looming mountain of work. I hate it that the only time to make significant strides in research or writing papers is between semesters, which makes it impossible to ever take a vacation. I love my work, but I hate it that there is never enough time for it and that I dread stepping away from it, because it just means that more work awaits my return.
Dear Santa, I wish I could have a winter break that is actually a break, without there being hell to pay once it’s over.
But, I know it might be too late to ask for it this year, especially because I have deadlines coming up and a ton of travel. I hear you are quite the globetrotter yourself!
If it’s easier, you could just talk to the Federal Grants Fairy, the Tooth Fairy’s second cousin twice removed, and put in a good word for my outstanding proposals. That would be swell! I have just the space under the Christmas tree for a notice-of-award printout, all rolled up and tied up with a pretty red ribbon…
Love,
X.
xykademiqz 
May Santa get your letter in Time!
Happy holidays,
Ho ho ho!
I put an autoreply on my email yesterday. I’ve never done that during a break. Felt really good. I can’t say I won’t look at it (I just did!) but I don’t feel obligated to.
My stack of grants to review are not getting sent until after the holidays. Is it wrong to feel just a little grateful, even though I KNOW it will be a disaster when I get back?!
What would actually happen if you just didn’t work at all for the week between Christmas and new years?
This is a really bad year for holiday chilling. I need to get a lot done by Feb 1.
Yeah, but what would happen if you simply didn’t allow those “needs” to determine what you do between now and. New Years.
Love it…
You know Santa doesn’t exist, right?
Are you taking song requests for the new year? It seems you had your kids spaced well apart … pluses? minuses? Esp. now that they are potty trained?
dafs, sure, I can write about it later this week (I have a deadline tomorrow). Thanks!