Off to MLA
I'm feeling much better after our Boxing Day relaxation, atlhough I think the day let me realize just how tired I am. I know the remainder of the week will be hectic and exhausting, but also, I think, fun, what with helping to run 16 interviews, two blogger meet-ups, trying to catch up with my dissertation director, and all the other frenetic activities of the MLA. And then a friend from grad school is staying with us on Friday night, which will be lovely. But I do expect to collapse on Saturday afternoon and not move at all for several hours. There is supposed to be free wireless in the hotel, so perhaps I'll get some blogging in, but I have to say that my experience of "free wireless" in hotels is that it only works about half the time, so we'll see.
Also, I know I sounded really grumpy yesterday about Christmas, so I thought I'd share some nicer moments of the holiday:
- Decorating cookies for Santa with Elder Niece on Christmas Eve night, and then writing the "Thanks, the cookies were delicious" note from Santa for her to find the next morning.
- Younger Niece, who is 2, singing "Santa Claus is coming to town"--oh man, that was cute.
- Seeing how much the girls enjoyed their toys from us: the Fisher-Price Little People Circus Train and Farm. Very fun.
- D. and I dancing with both of the girls (i.e., each of us holding one of the girls in our arms and swaying to the music) to James Taylor's rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain," which I think was my favorite moment of the holiday--it wasn't about presents and acquisition, and it actually was about Jesus' birth, unlike most of the other moments of the weekend.
Hmm, I realize those nicer stories are all about the girls and not about the rest of the family; but we were all really concentrated on the kids even more than usual, which is probably typical of families at Christmas. Anyway, it was a nicer holiday than I probably made it sound yesterday.
Happy continued R&R to those of you who had busy Christmas weekends, and best of luck to everyone who is interviewing at MLA this week!
Best wishes for a good conference. Safe Travels! I'm happy to get to hear the highlights of your holiday -- you deserve much happiness.
Posted by: bright star (B*) | December 27, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Children definitely help make Christmas special. Your nieces sound precious.
Hope MLA is fun!
Posted by: Rev. Dr. Mom | December 27, 2005 at 03:15 PM
Bring back some stories from the MLA!
Posted by: jo(e) | December 27, 2005 at 11:50 PM
Happy MLA! I've heard so much about this conference that it feels like a holiday to me....a nondenominational one of course--happy, merry MLA
Posted by: peripateticpolarbear | December 30, 2005 at 05:51 PM