For the past 3 days I was up in the mountains of Southern California with my 8th grade class. They go to camp every year at this time before they graduate and head their different ways, and it is always an awesome experience for them and for me.

This year was no exception. I had the opportunity this year to see my students cheer each other on, face fears, support one another, and really work as a team. The first evening we were there, we hiked to the top of a mountain where you could see all the way to the ocean, each took a seat in a meadow, and watched the sunsent. It was pretty darn cool.

I was tired, though.

It's interesting doing things pregnant that I have done not-pregnant and noting the difference in my level of endurance. I wanted to be able to do exactly what I've done before, but that just wasn't plausible. The last day we were there, I really just needed to sit around. I was exhausted. My back ached from camp sleeping accomodations, and despite the great time I was having, more than anything I just wanted to go HOME.

The whole thing was bittersweet. I don't think I'm going to have any trouble walking away from my job or my school at the end of this year. The lesson planning and grading and disciplining? The marathon staff meetings, the incompetence of leadership, the complaining teachers? I will wave sionara to all those things and not look back. But the students? Them, I will miss.

On the other hand, I happily announce to you that as of today I have officially taken that giant leap into my 2nd trimester! Goodbye 1st trimester worries! All the websites and books say that I can expect to get my energy back and to start feeling less morning sickness. This morning I woke up raring to go. I even went into the backyard and did some work on my much abandoned pool. But right around 2 pm the exhaustion hit and I just had to lie down and take myself a nice afternoon snooze.

Well, maybe my energy will come back tomorrow. :)

In any case, the word about my pregnancy is out now. I've passed the news on to friends, family, students, parents of students, co-workers, even facebook... so it's all starting to feel more real than ever. Not to mention that fact that my belly is actually starting to pop... though I wasn't quite skinny enough in the first place for it to be obviously a pregnancy belly. At this point, it could still be mistaken by the general public as an "I ate too many jelly donuts" belly.

Things are exciting and moving fast. I can't wait for the end of the school year so that I can close that chapter of my life and eagerly begin to write the next chapter.

In any case, I will keep you posted.