First steps

It is time. I have finally committed to a path for my future. Yes, I admit I made the decision over a week ago. Much has happened in the meantime, though. This includes a whirlwind trip to New Orleans (literally less than 48 hours, which is not much time to absorb all that comes with the city), and graduation from college. I have some rather ridiculous pictures and a substitute diploma to prove it.

The trip:
New Orleans is unlike anything I've ever experienced. The culture is entirely foreign and different than what I've lived in before. It's beautiful and intricate and honestly overwhelming. The variety of architecture is stunning. The city itself is not the only attraction, though. Flying in over the bayou was incredible. I couldn't at first figure out what made the landscape so colorful. I would have been highly disappointed if I am supposed to be teaching and I'm not smart enough to distinguish swamp from solid ground. I did get to eat a wonderful variety of native food and drive down St. Charles Street (where the Mardi Gras parades pass, and the trees look as if they are growing multicolored moss as evidence).

I also visited a school in a district outside of Greater New Orleans. I went to work with the Teach for America corps members who had offered me their home for the night. This visit is what finally convinced me. It was nothing spectacular. Just regular, goofy middle-schoolers desperate for attention and assistance. I had the pleasure of sitting with several of the students and helping them figure out some of their math assignments. I got to be a tutor for a few hours, and I loved it!

Graduation:
One big party. Family from across the country came to celebrate with my sister and me. Parents, aunts and uncles, even my older sister and brother-in-law found room in town or came for the day. I am thrilled that my family uses any excuse to get together. Though we didn't have long together, I could not have asked for more love and laughter. It ended too soon, and we headed back home, far away. Far away from friends at school, friends at church, friends now also across the country. I will truly miss them, and I pray our paths cross again some day soon.

Dear friends, for those who actually made it through this post, I thank you, and I hope you know how much I care about you. Please say hi. Please.

Now on with the journey.