It's been two weeks since I stepped into my own office!
First, I took a week of vacation with my family. We rested, played, and generally did what families are supposed to do on such occasions--we reconnected and enjoyed long stretches of time with one another.
Then, I immediately headed to California for four days of visits with alumni and supporters. It was a whirlwind that included dinner by the Bay and a lunch at a lovely hillside home in San Diego, time spent with a record producer/alum at "the" Capitol Records in LA, and even a visit to the set of the Dr. Phil show with an alum who works as his producer!
Today, academic administrators from the Coast and Hattiesburg joined forces to talk about the short and mid-term needs for programming on the Coast. We all were asked to engage in open and realistic self-evaluation AND even had to share specific goals/plans with the group a-la a twelve-step program ("I pledge ... "). It was refreshing to spend that much of my time and attention exclusively focused on the Coast and its needs.
Monday, I'll be back to my regular schedule. Refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to go!