I got the oil changed in my truck this morning.
Yes, as a real man I know my way around the dealership.
This is what a manly man does. He drives his vehicle across town and waits patiently in the lobby as someone fixes his truck. And just to prove that I can multi-task, I watched the Today Show as the project was being completed.
Who says all of the good ones are gone, ladies?
Something struck me as I waited. I overheard a couple of employees talking about their upcoming vacations.
At first I was a little confused as I wondered how long they were shutting down the car lot.
I felt badly because I assumed they had to close because of the economy.
Were they closing for a week? Two weeks? A month? Forever?
That wasn’t it at all.
They were simply talking about being off for the next day and a half. That’s their vacation.
And they were excited. Really excited.
They get off today, Christmas Eve, at noon. And they don’t have to return to work until 7:30 am on December 26.
A whole day and a half. Did I mention they are thrilled?
It reminded me that my dad used to be the same way. When you work 6 days a week all year long, a short vacation is valued and appreciated.
And here I am just beginning two entire weeks off, in the middle of the school year, with days that don’t even count against my regular vacation days.
Did I mention we just got back from Thanksgiving Break?
As an added bonus, we were off 3 days in a row for snow last week. Plus, on most days I am off work at 4 o’clock.
How excited would the guy who changes my oil be if he had my schedule?
And more importantly, I question my own appreciation of my schedule and career.
As an educator, I sometimes think we spend too much time wallowing in our own self pity about how hard we work, how little we get paid, and how parents don’t respect us.
Working in a school is far from perfect, but on the other hand I don’t come across a lot of people who are in a hurry to change careers.
I am 100% sure that I wouldn’t switch jobs with the guys at the dealership (mainly because I am incapable), but I am fairly certain they would like to have my job.
If they are this excited about a day and a half off, how excited would they be with my schedule?
So on this Christmas Eve please take a moment to be thankful that as educators, you have the ENTIRE day off (plus at least another week) to spend with your families.
On second thought I am counting the days until I can get back on my much needed regular schedule.