One Week to my Dream

I can't believe how quickly July has passed. It seems as though I just returned from Ireland and started working in Princeville. Speaking of Princeville, I'm in love. Let me explain, I'm not in love with the little-bitty town or the long drive, but rather their Summer Migrant Program. I feel so blessed that my first official teaching position was with migrants. My passion for working with Latinos has been reinforced ten fold.

It also helped me better understand the impact that moving has on a person's life. I have lived in the same house my entire life! My "big move" was moving upstairs after Sara got her own place. My students move from Texas (December-May) to Princeville (June-November) every single year. Their lives are split in half. Once they become accustomed to school here, they move to Texas (Del Rio or Eagle Pass) and have to readjust to the curriculum and teachers. Working with them has put my move into perspective. Moving to Nashville is nothing compared to what migrants endure every year. I get to be stationary for a year, build a community, make friends, etc. With my migrant students as my role models, I am more confident that leaving Peoria won't be too hard.

I haven't heard anything more about my job lately but on Monday my students are beginning their Basics Boot-Camp under the leadership of Sister Sandra. I wish I could be with them from the start, but I'm confident my transition into teaching them will be well-supported by Sister Sandra and the other staff members. Getting my head wrapped around the curriculum will be the most difficult. It seems as though I'll be responsible for teaching World History, English/Grammar, Biology, and Alegbra I. My girls also have monthly field trips that occur on Saturdays. I really hope that I'll be able to go, too. I have so many logistical questions that I'd like answered, but am unwilling to bother Sister Sandra with things that can wait, but I'd rather know now. Oh well, JVC will definitely increase my patience and comfort with the unknown.

My final week in Peoria will be spent doing my favorite things: working with Joe, working with my migrant students, seeing friends/family, dancing, and seeing my Penguin Project buddies at the Troupe's rehearsal. The day before I go, I'll also be taking one last roadtrip with Danielle Wood. All I know is-

Destination: MO
Activity: Hiking

I'm confident we'll have a great time! Off to start my last few days in central Illinois!

ALMOST THERE (but not quite ready)

I've been having some really mixed emotions lately. I love love love working in Princeville with the migrant children. They are lively, hardworking, fun, open to new activities, and challenging in many different ways. I wish I could teach these children, these 7 kids, for the rest of my life. This is my dream job.

In contrast, I'm moving to Nashville where my students will be high school age (not really my cup of tea) and not speak Spanish. I'm a Hispanic-lover, I know. I know that I'll be able to learn about an entire subgroup of the US by working in Nashville. I find that exciting and know it'll be ridiculously challenging. I have to relearn freshman algebra, english, biology, and world history. I might be learning as much as my students.

Am I scared about moving to a big city and not have a car? a little
Am I anxious to meet my housemates and students? absolutely
Am I afraid of the challenge of living simply? not at all
Will I miss salsa dancing and Forest Park Nature Center? more than you can imagine
Will I miss Peoria/friends/family? of course
Am I ready to grow and learn in my understanding of people, service, God? YES!

15 days and counting