Definitely miss going back to the university, obviously. One of the highlights of the change of seasons is heading back to campus as the days cool down, with the colors just beginning to show. There’ll be none of that this year. What a letdown. It’s the best part of the year.

New semesters are great, though. That “fresh start” feeling — there’s nothing like it… syllabi shiny and new, everything still possible. So there’s that, at least.

Life is good.

Many people are without jobs or income right now; I know how fortunate I am to be working. And not just working, but working from home. And not just working from home, but doing something I love. And not just something I love, but something rewarding.

And not just rewarding to me–teaching language builds communication ability, its benefits extend beyond individuals, beyond teacher and student, beyond the international classroom on the other side of the world to allow us to cross borders of not only nations but minds and mouths and homes and centers of experience, into each others’ cultures and lives; the intimate levels where we’re all the same in all the ways that matter–heart and health and spirit and the knowledge of love… things which need no translation.

That is a worthy thing, and I am grateful.