the doors

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."-Flora Whittemore

A few of my latest "doors":

1-I'm not doing TFA. After they gave me the (real) low down, I realized the program and I were not suited to one another. While I love education, I don't want to be a teacher; never did really. The more the program unfolded, I realized what I was getting myself into was not, in fact, a stepping stone into something else wonderful but rather a two-year completely encompassed program that would only qualify me to teach for three years in NY. Long story short, they asked me to pack toilet paper (!!!???). I thought to myself, there are only a few adventures in life I will pack the essential T.P. for and this is not one of them. So, one door shut. Good door? Bad door? Only time will tell; yet, I feel so right about this decision and I truly believe it is for the best.

2.-I'm back in Walnut Creek/Danville for the summer trying to get a job anywhere! I need to save up for NY living/the wedding fund so finding work is essential! If I don't find something in the next 10 days or so I will go back to door number....

3-Idaho! Dan is living/working in his home town this summer and says I could easily work at WalMart for $11/hour at the registers! a) Who knew Walmart paid so well? b) Walmart is like Blackfoot's mall so it's pretty nice and real hoppin. c) Pay check is better than no pay check. I visited Dan about a week ago and I already miss him and his family soo much. Danville is my absolute permanent place I will always call home and it really is wonderful to be around family and old (and best) friends; still, being engaged and not being together for two months is painfully sad...no matter how lovely your separate surroundings are. And like I said, paycheck vs. no paycheck would make the ultimate decision. In a dream world, Dan would house sit here with me for the summer and we would both have well-paying jobs. Alas, as dreamlike as suburbia can be, he is in Blackfoot and I am in Danville.

4-But!, I've been having so much fun since I've been home! Brittany was in town so I got to feel her growing tummy and play with her adorable nephew Nicholas! Britt's family was my second family ever since the fifth grade and it is always great to see them! Nedda and Emily are home for summer, too so we are trying to play as often as possible...Funfetti day soon to come! Stephanie was home but is off in Greece playing camp counselor with her boyfriend (totally jealous!). My sister and nephew live just around the corner from me so everyday is a reminder why I want kiddies...not until 28-30, don't worry! (He's really good at being a reminder to keep taking the almighty B.C.) Johnny is hilarious and he mimicks almost everything...including "shit". He heard my sister say it once and now everytime he drops something he says "shit!" and proceeds to count "shitty one, shitty two...". It's a bad habit but really, it's too cute. Having my parents and family around is really great, too. Being away for the majority of four years at college really makes me appreciate the time we all spend together!

Oh, and Phil and Aubrey got married last weekend!!! They both looked beautiful and happy beyond words! It was great to run down memory lane with them and other old friends; not to mention be in awe of their lovely reception! Seeing them look at each other during their ring ceremony was such a happy moment and I am so thankful to them for having me. Quick side bar: Phil and I met back at Green Valley Elementary and really became friends during the Village Theater plays his mom organizes. When I was in 8th grade and Phil was in 9th, we "dated"...which consisted of Elliott locking us in my room and singing "Let's get it on" outside the door. But Phil was the lucky winner who got to be my very first kiss! He was playing the Tin Man and I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and one night after the show we were behind the theater--Phil still glowing from the silver paint and me still sporting the hot Dorothy braids--and we kissed. Then came the week of "dating" and (my favorite part) the "break-up"...which consisted of Phil telling me I was a bad kisser by giving me the following analogy:

"Kissing is like double dutch (think two rope jump rope games).

You have to watch the rope coming a few times and then jump in and keep going.

You, um, saw the rope, waited, jumped in, and fell."

Thanks.

Truly a highlight from my youth (my friends still tease me about double-dutch.) Sooooooo, congratulations to the couple and happy jump roping!

I'm off in search of more doors...