O wait...I live here now.

Having spent last summer with MTC I had some idea of what to expect this time around. However, in the last few days I've realized how different things have become now that I'll actually be living here for the next two years. For instance...last summer, things such as not having a Target, or having everything around me (except Wal-Mart) close by 10, didn't concern me as much. But now that living here is no longer temporary, I've become aware of how many small as well as big changes will occur in my life over the next two years. 

Speaking of big changes, I'm also realizing that I'll be doing a lot of work from now until spring 2012. After 4 years of college I became somewhat of a pro at school, and my senior year was pretty breezy, requiring minimal time dedicated to actual schoolwork, and more time focused on my future. Now that I'm living out my decided future, I'm going to need to re-acquire some of the hard-working skills I let slide over the last year, because if I don't i will inevitably fail. In other words, I need to get my life together so that my students and I can be successful. 

That being said, I'm generally really excited for the next two years. I know it will be hard, but that's what's exciting to me. I'm ready for a new challenge and new experiences, and I'm certain I'll get both in a very short time. There are definitely things that I'm scared of: Will all of my students get pregnant? Will all of them fail out of school? Will I see something or someone everyday that makes me question why I chose to do this? Will I ever actually learn how to teach? All of these things cross my mind pretty much every hour, on the hour. Its pretty much impossible not to think about all of the things I will want to change and not be able to, or all the things that scare me about my choice to come here. But having been here for a week, I can pretty safely say that I made the right choice. I've really enjoyed meeting my fellow classmates, and connecting with the second-years on a more significant (and relevant) level. Whereas last summer, as an intern, I just kind of "hung out" with MTC participants, this year I've gotten to really talk to people about their life and work experiences and gather information which I'm sure will help me in the upcoming school year. Its also been great to see how the second-years have grown over the year, as it gives me hope for my year and allows me to clearly envision actually surviving this ordeal. And even though I still miss Target, and normal sized bugs, and Bank of America, and skyscrapers, and the Celtics I'm ready to take in Southern culture as well. I'm excited for football games and catfish, rifle shooting and warmer winters. And I'm excited to see how I'll change and whether I can make some changes (for someone) along the way. 

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