I forgot to mention that I'll be staying in the Fort for the summer, and most likely after that, working and the like. I've been thinking of taking a Spanish class at Front Range . . . it's something I'd like to (and should) know.

I'm at my apartment now, and the internet is working. I also got a sweet pair of Rio Birkenstocks for $44, $66 off their regular price, ganz toll!

I got this email the other day from another fellowship in Miami:

Each year, 50 new Miami Teaching Fellows participate in a rigorous five-week summer training Institute, and enter their classrooms in high need schools across Miami-Dade County prepared and dedicated to impact the lives of their students. This is your opportunity to apply to this highly-selective teacher training program -- specifically designed to increase the academic achievement of students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

50? I'm assuming that's how many they were looking at hiring for Philly too, which had 1,200 applicants. I really don't think it's worth my time scouting these things out across the country.

If I was to do Peace Corps, I would have to wait for a while. The timing on this thing isn't what I expected two months ago. Is it what I really need and want for both personal and professional development?

My plan is this: I'm graduating in three years. I'm going to take a fourth year to work, get out on my own, save some money, figure out where I'm going in this life. It's not the most exotic agenda, but I think it's wise. There's a lot I need to consider.

I'm going to live in an apartment next year, ALONE. I've had enough roommate drama to last me a lifetime. I'll work as much as is necessary to afford it, although I don't expect that to be a problem. Besides, I think I'll like living on my own: I can clean up my own messes, turn off my own lights, put the Hambone wherever I want, leave my coat on the kitchen chairs without someone intentionally throwing it on the ground because they don't want it there.

I had to learn the hard way about how disrespectful people can be, and I have absolutely no desire to risk putting myself in another bad situation where I'm bound to deal with the bullshit of people I hardly know all that well. So, there's that.

Andres is in Texas right now, his favorite place to be in the ENTIRE world (he'll wince when he reads that). I'm more than looking forward to our reunion on Sunday!

The internet at my apartment hasn't been working for the past two days. I'm at the library now. My internet has never been fully functional, and it is a paaaaaaaaaaiiiin.

I'm going home this weekend for my sister's 19th birthday. Fun shall be had with the animals and whatever miscellaneous events are going on in the house.

Enlightenment

India Arie- Slow Down

So far from where I started out
So far from where I wanna be
Listening for answers in the wind
But can’t find a rock to plant my feet
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Down on my knees and now I’m praying for patience
I know there’s gotta be a better way
In the back of my mind I hear my momma say

Slow down, baby you’re going too fast
You got you hands in the air
With you feet on the gas
You’re ’bout to wreck your future
Running from your past
You need to slow down before
You go down baby

Thinking the faster that I go
The faster (that) I will reach my goal
The race is not given to the swift
But to the one who endureth
I thought that all my obstacles were behind me
Walking around like I’m made out of diamond
I tripped and fell and it reminded me
Move over and let my angels guide me

Slow down, baby you’re going too fast
You got you hands in the air
With you feet on the gas
You’re ’bout to wreck your future
Running from your past
You need to slow down before
You go down baby

Sometimes you gotta be still
Before you can get ahead
Be still
Ask the universe for help
Be real
You can’t do it all by yourself
Ah, no no
Sometimes, sometimes you gotta be still
It take some time to reach you and they
Be still
Take some time to clear your space
Be real
Chaos isn’t good for your health
Ah, no no, ahhh
Cuz I’m breaking things and losing things
I lost my cell phone again the other day
Now, I don’t wanna live this way, no
In the back of my mind I hear my mama say

Slow down, baby you’re going too fast
You got you hands in the air
With you feet on the gas
You’re ’bout to wreck your future
Running from your past
You need to slow down before
You go down baby
(slow down baby)
Slow down (baby)
You’re going too fast
Slow down (baby)
Feet on the gas
Slow down (baby)
Run from your past
Slow down baby (4x)

There's an interview for another fellowship in California on 4/22.

I don't feel like chasing this anymore, though. How many $500 plane tickets and $210 motel bills will I have to drop before one actually comes through?

1,200 applicants. Another candidate told me at the interview day that they were hiring about 70 new teachers for this fall.

I know what I want to do, it's just a matter of finding another way to pursue it now.

Things happen for a reason. Cliche, yes, but I think that's true.

The verdict is in.

Thank you for interviewing with the School District of Philadelphia through the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows. We greatly appreciate the time and energy you devoted to this effort. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a position.

As you may know, we have received nearly 1,200 applications for the positions available, making the applicant pool for the Teaching Fellows extremely competitive.
Due to the size of our program, we regret that we are not able to offer individualized feedback on our selection decisions or re-evaluate individual applications.

An official letter will also be mailed to the address you provided on your application.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

- The Philadelphia Teaching Fellows Staff

Backup plan: Following the special education/ teacher route via alternative means.

I almost transferred to Greeley after my freshman year at CSU to do the former. My internship has made me realize this is the path I want to take in my career.

Still no word from PTF. I've been logging onto the status page more than I should, for the sake of my own sanity.

I applied to the Mississippi Teacher Corps also, and received this email from them today:

Thank you for your application to the Mississippi Teacher Corps and for your patience in waiting to hear from us. We regret that MTC is unable to offer you a position for this year.

MTC selects less than 3% of all applicants. The vast majority of these applicants would have been great assets to our state's teaching force. Therefore, MTC hopes that the size limitations of this year's program will not discourage applicants who may still be interested in teaching in Mississippi.

Sometimes, I wish I had an extra year to get this all in order. Coming to college with credits from high school saved me money and all, but you know . . .

This is what I'm applying for: http://www.philadelphiateachingfellows.org/

I've been in Philadelphia since yesterday. I found where my interview is going to be, and I've done all I can think of to prepare.

I will kind of feel like I've failed if I don't get accepted. I really think I could do a good job as a teacher, even in a high need school, especially with a mentor and training. From what I've seen so far, I would like living in this city.

Acceptance letters are mailed March 22. Please . . .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6444145.stm

In other news:

Spring break is on until 3/18, both for PTC and CSU. I'm in the Springs now, and have routine doctor's and dentist's appointments lined up for the next few days, good times!

I've been working out as much as I can on the bike, since I don't want to hurt my knee any further. The 100 mile ride is May 19, almost two months away . . .

I graduate May 11. In some ways, I'm wishing I had a little more time to figure out what I want to do with myself, but I'm working with what I've got.

I'm going to see some laaadies from the Fort on Wednesday, and Andres is bringing much happiness into my life. Huzzah!

The bittersweet part of the week is that it's been a year since my grandma died (3/9). Also, my uncle would be 58 today (3/13). It's hard not to think about what we would be doing if they were still here.

In keeping my options open, I've been applying for some teaching fellowships across the country.

I have an interview for one of them in Philadelphia during spring break: http://www.philadelphiateachingfellows.org/

My tentative assignment is special education.

I'm going to see how this interview goes, and then perhaps seek other opportunities if it doesn't seem like it will come through.

I have a friend, who I've known since freshman year, who is upset because "I never hang out anymore." He told me that he doesn't care what I do because he probably won't see me much after I graduate anyway. Ouch.

If any of my other friends feel that I've been neglecting them, I apologize. In between arranging things for after I graduate, going home to see my family from out of town, and the usual, it's been a big past month.

Two days ago I went running, and then went and shot baskets with Andres. I jumped to throw the ball back at him, and I felt something in my knee come readjusted near the front. I had no idea what it was, and after about a day it cleared up.

I tried to run yesterday, and didn't make it around the track once. It felt like something in my knee readjusted itself again, near the front. I tried to ride a stationary bike, but that didn't feel too pleasant. I walked on the treadmill and that probably wasn't a good idea. It hurt for almost half the night.

Last March, I had issues with the OTHER knee. Has this ever happened to anyone else? If so, what could it be?

I called the Peace Corps recruiter in Denver on Tuesday, as I was supposed to call him if I hadn't heard from him by 2/26. He told me the following:

- There aren't a lot of community development projects for the summer. There's one in Central Asia that departs in August. Community development is one of the harder programs, as it's very unstructured.

- There aren't any youth development programs before February 2008.

- Even the most basic teaching positions require experience. There are some programs in the mid to late summer, but he would recommend I start volunteering 10-15 hours/ week in a teaching position.

I'm in limbo with it now. Andres and I went to the PC open house in Denver yesterday, and it would definitely be quite the experience, but I'm still deciding.

I wish I would have caught the Teach for America deadline. I've found some teaching fellowships online, and I'm going to apply for those. My internship supervisor also said he'd send some more teacher job info my way. Apparently Montana has a lot of openings, given the teacher shortage.