This past week has been so intense. I didn’t even really have time to write. I also was so busy that I couldn’t allow myself to think about anything else during that time.

Last week, I was in Philadelphia for a summer teaching conference. I did and learned so much. I never imagined being so immersed in the Constitution, but there I was. And not only did I learn more about the history of the United States, I also learned things about myself and some things about how to be a better teacher. I am excited to enhance some of those things and ideas to influence my teaching. My notes were extensive, and (you can ask the people who were sitting next to me) there were times I was typing furiously.

However, that conference, as amazing as it was, is not the subject of today’s post. I returned from Philadelphia late Wednesday night but was gone again by Thursday midday. I had a second trip planned. I spent one night in my own bed. Before I left for Philadelphia, I made sure that I was packed for both trips that way I wouldn’t have to worry about it with that one night.

But that trip ALSO isn’t the topic of today’s post. Instead, it’s more of a general description of goings and comings. Much like Bilbo Baggins, I too have been on an adventure that has kept me away from home. And while my adventure was nowhere near as long as his, there’s still so much to do to get back on track. My last post was about Starting Again (read it here). It felt (and still feels) hard to get back into my standard routine.

This summer has been so busy for me. In fact, it’s probably been one of the busiest summers I can remember. But, coming back home is its own adventure. Your story doesn’t end just because your “adventure” does. Your life is the story of all of your adventures. And adventures can be mundane, or they can be wild. But when you return from an adventure, or if you are waiting for a new adventure, life continues to happen. The adventures don’t define every part of your life. Can you use the things you learned? Can you share the experience you gained to benefit either you or someone else? Did the adventure change you in any way?

Adventures are great, but do they stop when you get home? It’s not a bad thing either way, but it’s definitely something to think about. I love being able to use things I learn on my adventures and experiences. Going back to my Philadelphia trip, every person there was put into a group that had to give a presentation on the last day. It was extremely cool for me even during that presentation to pull evidence and reference to some of the historic places we saw on that trip. That’s something I still will think about for years to come. And again, my adventure didn’t end when my plane landed back home.

I learned so many things and I’m so excited to share them with my students. I know that I still have many things to learn both for teaching and for myself. I know that I still struggle to be back on track. I kind of feel disoriented and out of place. I have things I feel I have to make up. I let some of my goals slide. I’m evaluating some new choices and decisions as I get ready for another school year. But I hope to be able to take these experiences and adventures I’ve had this summer and transform them into lessons and memories I can look back on for years to come.