.settling.

[Our new home]

It's a perfect day. It just finished storming, storming so hard the sky sounded like it was breaking into hundreds of pieces. Now all the humidity has blown away and there's that fresh air feel and smell that only comes right after a good rain. So, I'm sitting in my 3rd floor room with the windows open, candles lit, and my record player singing Red House Painters. I can hear the noises from the Italian Market and my four year old neighbor stomping in the puddles. Did I mention it's a perfect day?

I love Philadelphia. It's a city that is hurting and broken from the crime and poverty, but is beautiful. I went to visit a friend from college who is visiting her dad in center city. The walk was about 1 1/2 miles and it took me through several different neighborhoods, each of which had its own style, smell, and charm. Everytime I walk out my front door I ask myself, "Do I really live here?" I love Philadelphia.

[painting our wall, dad helped a lot, thanks!]

I start my credentialing classes tomorrow. It's hard to believe summer school is already over. I grew to care for those 6 kids so much, and it was difficult to say goodbye. I never knew teaching would grab my heart like this. I'm starting my job at Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School on the 27th. I'll be the 7th and 8th grade Social Studies teacher--whatever that entails. I'm excited and nervous, but mostly excited. Being here this week and not having to work has almost made me forget I do have a job. Wouldn't life be so much easier if you could just enjoy your city and your neighbors and yourself? Tomorrow, work begins.

Link to the school's website: http://www.rapcs.org/

My friends here are great. Most of them left this past week but last night everyone was reunited for dinner and the Olympics at our place. There is always someone laughing or telling a story; there's always a plan or a place to go, always a great meal and a bottle of wine. Our neighbors are fantastic too. They're throwing a party for the two new houses on the street on their roof deck. I have fallen in love with people again and it's an amazing feeling. My new roommates and I sat up until 3am Wednesday night telling each other who we are. It was incredible to see how different each one of our lives have been and yet we have all ended up in the same place, for a reason. These girls are wonderful. The guys we hang out with are all uniquely incredible and although I've only known them for 2months they have each proved to be integrous and charming and genuine in each of their own quirky little way. My friends here are great.

[just a few of us]

Today is Sunday and now I'm going to read a book and drink some tea until it's time to go to our friend's for a shrimp dinner. Did I mention today is a perfect day?

always,

-s

a "sharing out"

I've been in Philadelphia now for three weeks, and it seems like I've been here for months. Yet I still haven't had a Cheese Steak, made it to a Phillies game or even taken a peak at the Liberty Bell. Overall, it's been great. Which is relieving, seeing as the second night I called a friend and demanded to know why I was here.

The days are long (5am-12:30am) with no breaks except the twenty minute bus rides to Thomas Edison High School and the hour we take for dinner. The dinners are getting me through. We (at least 10 of us) have a nightly ritual of doing a "whip around." Which is saying the best thing that happened and the worst. The stories are hilarious, and talking about your challenges with people who are going through the same thing, helps keep this whole experience in perspective.

For the summer, I'm teaching 9th grade World History for an hour a day. We were put in a group of 4 to team teach, and it's me and three guys. They're great. Each one of us is so different, yet we work well together--which I didn't think would be too unusual but our "whip around worst things" prove that false. I have 17 students on my roster and only 4-6 of them show up each day. Tuesday is the mid-term, and I'm hoping my class isn't suddenly packed.

The people I'm meeting here are incredible. It's amazing how close you can get when you're going through the same thing at the same time. They're keeping me sane. Tonight a few of us girls are cooking the rest of our friends a big Italian feast so we can all take the night off from lesson planning and complaining. Philadelphia natives are great too. They can always tell I'm not from around here, because I carry a little Rand-McNally map with me and they just smile and point me in the right direction.

I do have an address though. Me and two other girls (Kate and Sara) found an adorable house in South Philly. It's a row house from the late 1800s around the corner from the Italian Market where they have hundreds of little fresh produce and pasta stands, cute little coffee shops, corner pubs and charming cafes. There's a Whole Foods less than a mile away and old city is a twenty minute walk. We lucked out. I'll post pictures when I can.

I am well, and happy for the most part. It's hard work, but nothing more than I was expecting. I'm not loving it, but I feel okay with where I am. Everything is just crazy at the moment, but once I get settled in and start working hopefully I'll find more than a moment to myself to reflect on all this.

love.
always.
-s

a preview

Well, I'm officially leaving for Philadelphia in 3 days. I was once told not to use the word "anxious" to describe the way I was feeling for the future because it signifies more nervousness than excitement. However, in this case, I think it's the perfect word to use. I am anxious. I am fidgety. I am utterly clueless as to how these next few years will unfold. It's strange to think that this is the time that I have been preparing for the past 17 years. All those career aptitude tests in high school and the "When I grow up I want to be..." essays in elementary have led me to this day. It's funny because none of them ever told me to be a teacher. I hope that's not a sign. hah.

Despite the anxiousness, I am excited. I fell in love with Philadelphia last Spring when I was there for the afternoon. Which, yes, I admit is not really a whole lot of time to decide if you could build your future in a place, but that seems to be how I make my decisions: completely randomly. I pull my hair out over what to do, think about it hourly, and change my mind about a thousand times and then when I least expect it someone says something to me (that is usually seemingly meaningless) or I go somewhere (and see one building I like) and I decide, right then and there. So, I suppose with both Philadelphia and Teach for America I am doing both of those. For I decided to move to Philli after I spent a measly afternoon on top of a Big Bus tour and I decided to do TFA after a good friend simply asked, "Now, why aren't you doing it?" Both simple moments; both yielding momentous decisions.

I hope that this blog helps me to sift and move through both the expected and unexpected "simple" moments of these next few years, and also provides you a window into my life; a window through which I welcome your comments, your advice, or simply a :). I look forward to what this page will reveal...

Cheers!

Currently Listening to: U2 "City of Blinding Lights" (thanks Christie)