The Party's Over

You know the old saying, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." Well, that is my life in a nutshell right now. I've spent the last 23 years of my life in a constant state of familiarity and carelessness, mixed with irresponsibility and a heavy dose of laziness. I don't feel I've ever really "grown up." However, I think moving to China will dilute these qualities in a big way. This is the first time I actually feel like I'm "doing" something...do you know what I mean? I don't really know either. But all I know is I will no longer be able to veg-out in front of the TV for 59% of the day and sleep til noon, only to clean-up so I can go to lounge by the pool the rest of the afternoon. Granted, that sucks to give up all these perks, but it's long overdue. It's finally time to use my knowledge and energy for something productive. I know China will change me, I just hope I can make my family, friends, and future students proud of me. So, the party's over, and the Peace Corps is my sober-cab home.

A Day at the Zoo

During my brief stay with Ella and Eric, we crammed quite a few activities in--one of them being a visit to the San Francisco Zoo. It was the perfect day for a visit: a breezy 68 degrees, sunny, Ricky was able to meet us, and they were shooting a film the day of our visit. So, if you see our pretty mugs in the next Hollywood blockbuster, don't be surprised.

We got to see some pretty sweet animals, including some lemurs, giraffes, sunbathing gorillas, a depressed rhino (who was recently moved to a new cage), some sleeping lions, numerous hyperactive penguins, fighting grizzly bears, countless freaky insects, some temper mental flamingos, and--my personal favorite--a really pissed-off peacock (the tourist train ran right past his cage; thus, he had to endure an incessant "toot-toot" all day long). The crowds were a little brutal, being as they were mostly under the age of five and were strung together in a long, chain-link "buddy system." But I was able to maneuver myself to the front of crowds to capture some great photos; nothing that a few elbow-jabs couldn't take care of. So, all-in-all, it was an excellent day! I'm so glad I got to spend the day with my old cronies before taking the slow boat to China.

Bon Voyage Party

Well, my going-away party at the Creamery was a night to remember. Along with my best friends and family members, I enjoyed great food, great conversation, and great laughs. I was so happy to see that most people could make it. Once the "adults" left, my friends and I sampled the local flavor by moving the party to Cubby's, a rustic tavern with top-shelf liquor at rock-bottom prices...you can't beat that combination with a stick! But--as they say--all good things must come to an end. I hope everyone had a nice time in Downsville; I sure did.

Memorial Pics

Somber Summer Vaca-

Well, it's my second day of summer vacation, and I already miss Memorial High School. My life seems vacuously empty without my "sauna-esque" classroom, a steady stream of late homework, the occasional classroom meltdown, a poupourri of funky body odor, alliterative morning greetings ("mundane Monday" was my favorite), inappropriate jokes, and--most of all--Mrs. Franklin and our students. I miss all of you very much, and I truly treasure the relationships I formed with you all.

In addition, I'd like to thank Mrs. Franklin and her students for their overwhelming generosity during the semester. Thanks to you all, I was in tears multiple times during the final day of school. And trust, evoking tears from this stone-cold pessimist is no easy task! Along with the individual gifts I received from students, Mrs. Franklin presented me with a custom-designed necklace. It was not only gorgeous, it was loaded with meaning and symbolism (a "must" for English teachers). I will keep these gifts forever.

Finally, I'd like to wish all my students the best of luck in the future. You all have extremely diverse personalities and talents. Whether it be through art, writing, interpersonal skills, humor, athletics, music, etc., etc., you all have wonderful talents to contribute to this world; I hope you choose to exert those gifts in positive ways and for worthy people. I am extremely honored to be the recipient of many of these talents in my classroom. I've been completely transformed by this experience.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

My First Blog

Well, this is my first blog. I've officially entered the 21st century. Although technology isn't the most ideal way to communicate, it's certainly the quickest and easiest!

As most of you know, I will be leaving for China in June, and this blog may be one of the few ways to contact my loved ones. I encourage all of you to email and post messages whenever you feel the need; I will certainly savor these messages from home.

I'll post many pictures, and this picture of Arkansaw Creek is my test run. I hope it works! Plus, it's perhaps my favorite location in all the world...at least for now.