Like a Dream...

I've just arrived in Colorado! Sucks that my last post leaves one wondering if I even have a job before moving out here, but let's just chalk that up to a VERY busy summer and move on! I figured it would be a lot easier for me to write now that I've had a change of pace.

The last few days have seemed very dream-like. Even as I was leaving Dallas, it didn't feel like I was moving. This change has seemed fairly quiet. That's sort of the only word I can think of to describe it. Not that people didn't know I was moving, but it just sort of happened...and in a quieter way than when I moved to Boston, but frankly, that seems to be fitting since to some degree, I needed more quiet space in my life.

I stopped in Hays, Kansas for the night after driving 8 1/2 hours on Saturday. Please take my word for it...you don't need to put "get out to Hays" on your list of things to do. The dream-like sequence started there. Have you ever had that dream where you are watching a scene, and you think maybe the people in the scene can see you and might acknowledge you, but then they never do, so you figure they can't really see you at all? That's what happened to me several times on my drive to Colorado. And even though the experience was weird in a sense, I think it was kind of good that I did it on my own...not to mention the fact that I had so much crap in the car, I couldn't fit anyone in the front seat if I wanted to.

But, I'm finally here! And even though I'm in the midst of transition (which is frequently accompanied by a bit of fear, nervousness, a little loneliness), I am seeing the beauty that it entails. One of my new teammates said today that she couldn't imagine picking up and moving somewhere completely new. That seems to be the case with a lot of people I've talked to recently, but as I told her, it keeps things interesting and fresh and allows me to remember that there is so much to experience. I can't imagine staying in one place my whole life! It is incredible here! I sleep with the windows open and it gets cool at night! My drive to school involves viewing mountains off to the west...let me repeat...MOUNTAINS!! They are an incredible sight! I was blessed to watch the sun rise on my drive to Frisco each morning. Now, I can give thanks for another natural wonder to marvel at each day.

I met two of my three teammates today and I'm really excited about working with them! They are very welcoming and friendly...I think it's going to be a good year. I have another new experience...I'll be teaching in a portable this year, which I've never done before, but the whole team is out there (as well as the 2nd grade team), so at least we're all in the same boat. My principal told me yesterday that they are voting on a new bond this year which would add another wing to the school (possibly be next year). But for now, I'm trying to figure out how to arrange my furniture and all of my teaching stuff that I shipped up to the school (wish I would have taken a picture today of a few of the boxes that had literally busted open...way to go UPS...please consider this a notice that I will never use your company again!).

Two funny things to end with...

One: As many of you know, my mother is crazy (are all mother's that way?). Before I left on Saturday morning, she told me that she wanted me to write my dad's cell phone number on a piece of paper and put it somewhere safe. At that point, she was still sane and thinking that was a good idea, I told her that I'd do so and stick it in my pocket. Apparently that's not what she had in mind. She wanted me to put in my bra. That's about the time when I kissed her, reminded her that I loved her, and immediately left the house.

Two: As many of you know, I'm a bit of a daddy's girl. :) I love my father...he is THE most amazing man...and I'm not just saying that because he's my dad. He really is. He is grounded and realistic and practical, but funny! After unloading my car when I arrived on Sunday afternoon, I found Jackie, the floating cabbage patch doll that once belonged to my older brother Ben. At some point in our adult lives, he became a family joke and we would hide Jackie in various places around the house and surprise each other (I know, we're weird). But it was a much needed laugh to find out that Jackie had, in fact, traveled all the way to Colorado with me. I'm currently planning his next trip!

Much love to all...