Getting settled...

I'm here! It's official! I've been welcomed and greeted as a Teach for America corps member!

I got to spend a wonderful weekend visiting Leann and Dawn, shopping with more of the Holcomb clan in Birmingham...(and dreaming of making Tuscaloosa my new home). After a tasty breakfast at City Cafe this morning, I hit the road, Livingston-bound. Aside from some minor traffic, I got here incident-free. Then, I ventured onto the UWA campus...

The University of West Alabama does not post road signs or directions well. I felt like a dang fool navigating this place. After my many, embarrassing three-point turns, I made it to check-in and my dorm safely. I'm all unpacked and set up now! Here's hoping I learn the campus layout quickly...

I'm so excited to be here! I've met my roommate and a couple of other girls, none of them from around here. They're so brave! One drove all the way to Alabama from northern California! Quite the change of pace.

I am, however, starting to get nervous about the Praxis and the placement interviews. I was flipping through my binder of materials for the week, and I found the Hiring Fair prep. I'm now supremely nervous about my preparation! I've read so much, but I'm starting to question how much I truly internalized and how prepared I am to apply that to my own classroom. Much studying to do!

Anxiety

Tomorrow, I will pack my car full of all the belongings I will need for the next six weeks and drive off into the sunset - or at least to Tuscaloosa. TOMORROW.

I like To-Do lists. I like to plan and check items off my list as they fall neatly into place. I have never made a To-Do list like this before... I imagine I feel a bit like Santa Claus. I completely understand now why he checks his list twice! In fact, I think he's a bit mad for not checking it three or four times!

I'm excited about Teach for America, don't misunderstand. I just hate to feel underprepared! Especially after I've put so much time and work in already. I feel like there's still miles to go. Or, maybe, I just really, truly loathe packing. One or the other...