welcome!

I contemplated how to begin this blog. should I start with an ever-enthasiastic 'hello!' or 'hey ya'll!' or simply just say 'hi friends' which seems to be a popular phrase in my life right now? instead I vowed to simply just begin the blog with 'WELCOME!'

as you can tell by the tagline or whatever the line in red at the top of this page is called, I'm literally packing everything I own, along with my cat, and moving it to the great state of South Carolina to join Teach for America and become an Elementary school teacher. yay! it's quite terrifying, yet there is something unique and fantastic about it as well.

if you don't know me, the one thing you need to know before we even get started is that I'm a planner. everything in my life is planned out to save anxiety, stress, and fear of the 'unknown.' being a planner can be a great thing for someone who worries consistently (and for those of you who do know me, you know that I worry way too much about everything). but for the first time in, I'd go as far to say, my life, I don't have a set plan. I have yet to panic about the fact that I have no idea where in South Carolina I will be living or what grade I'm going to teach, or even when exactly I'll be moving to South Carolina. it's a strange feeling to for once, not be worried. my mom, on the other hand, has taken all the worry I've left behind and consumed it for herself. I suppose that's what moms do, but I feel bad. perhaps I'll become more concerned as time goes on, but for now I'll focus on the fact that I have less than a week in the great state of Pennsylvania to figure out how to say 'see you later' to my best friends and family. (I refuse to say goodbye because I will see them again. I mean, who won't want to visit South Carolina?!)

I have already had to say 'see ya later' to my PAL kids, which was one of the most difficult things to do. three years with some of these kids to build relationships, create memories, establish ground rules and now I'm finished. they are, of course, skeptical about my return to visit them during breaks, despite my every effort to persuade them otherwise. as with most things, I've learned in my life, actions speak louder than words, so I will have to prove it to them. they hold a special place in my heart as I've watched them grow. I can only hope I've had some postive influence in their lives.

I haven't had to say 'see ya later' to many other people yet, as I'm still in town for the next few days, but as Friday quickly approaches, I've realized who has really made every effort to see me before I flit off to my other summer destinations. I'm blessed (to say the least) that I have such a strong support system here in PA. I cannot imagine making it through these past 5 months without them. the transition to SC will definitely be difficult, but I have a feeling it will be well worth it.

you will learn in this blog that I love music, even though many will attest to the fact, and I do mean FACT, that I cannot sing a note, despite all my efforts in the shower, car, my room, at work, etc. I will undoubtedly end or begin each blog post with lyrics.

but I know something is coming
I don't know what it is
but I know it's amazing, can save me
my time is coming
I'll find my way out of the longest drought
-Rascal Flatts Feels Like Today

good night,
A