Mid semester slump cleaning

It's common knowledge (at least between my friend Briana and I) that students (and teachers for that matter) experience the phenomenon of a mid-semester slump.  Ladies and gentlemen, it's in full swing here at UNT and I dare say I've been convinced of that ever so popular saying: Everything's bigger in Texas.  Yes, including the mid-semester slump......it's only supposed to last about two weeks but I'd argue it's been in full effect for the last five!

Anyway, I had decided that I would kick that slump in the butt a few times, make it cry, call for it's mommy, and then give it one more nudge just to show it who's boss.  So, last night I graded three classes worth of exams (teacher friends, you'll appreciate the amount of time and self-loathing went into that) and even cleaned out my super secret teacher shoulder bag.  I will not tell you what I found inside....you might not be my friend anymore.

This morning I got to school early (read at the same time as every other day), BUT I did not spend my usual forty minute "warm-up" checking facebook and all of my non school emails.  I went right to work: Ticket streaming radio on, UNT email checked, grades entered into gradebook.  I even double checked all of my grades for the whole semester.  I know, I deserve teacher of the year award.  Then I finished planning my three hour film class, tracked down the video (a little more of a challenge than weeks past), wrote a short quiz, copied that quiz, dropped off a packet to study abroad, talked with Laetitia and all before 11:30!  It's a record.

The most amazing part is that I actually cleaned off my desk!  Now, by cleaned off my desk I mean I went through the piles, put made some new ones, and transferred the stuff on one corner to the other.....BUT I now know everything that was on this desk and I will share that with you now.

2 pictures of Cefalù
6 white erase board markers only 1 of which works (and I can never remember which one)
1 unopened bottle of water that has been in the same place for three weeks
14 business cards from publishers and other "important" people
3 black pens
1 red pen
1 bottle of white out that I've been rocking since colelge
An address from a person I don't recognize
A dentist appointment reminder card
1 hair tie
1 glasses case
1 pair of glasses who never make their way back into that case
16 sticky notes in assorted colors
An email address that I don't recognize
A list of availability for my committee members that has about 1 inch of dust on it
1 color ink cartridge (aka the holy grail)
UNC readmission applicaton
Abstract for a conference I'll present at in April x 2
6 sponsor letters for my committee
3 oral interview sign up sheets
Wintergreen sugar free breath mints
My phone
Computer and printer
Clock
Flashdrive that has a bunch of files I don't recognize on it
Unopened microfilm of a 1937 dissertation on Giovanni Verga
Staples catalogue
Information for someone in the athletic department but I'm not sure why

And that's just on top!  But it's all organized now.....and maybe three weeks from tomorrow I'll tackle the inside of my drawers, the bookshelf, and the "extras" box.