One Month Mark

Today is officially one month that I've been home. Yep, it's only been one month. Somehow it feels like it has been so much longer! I've been thinking a lot today about what I've done in the past four weeks, and the overwhelming feeling is that, while things haven't all gone exactly as I thought they would, I'm still so glad I am here!

Sure, getting registered as a substitute teacher turned out to be a total pain in the ass -- please, Lord, let me get that certificate this week! -- and fewer restaurants than I thought are actually hiring. But all of that feels very, very small compared to everything I've been able to do. Like, send in my application for grad school (still have to edit my writing sample -- stupid Mom's computer), or spend a lot of time with my friends, or have the comfort of curling up in the Big Bed with Mom and Margaret to watch Dancing with the Stars. Getting to see my dog whenever I want, getting to see my lovely ladies at the drop of a hat, getting to gorge myself on Oriental Gardens multiple times in one day -- these things are what I am all about.

Plus, there is the fantastic feeling of freedom that I thought would subside after a while, but honestly hasn't. I can change my mind three times in one day about what I want to do after I get my Masters and it doesn't matter at all. Maybe I want to get my Ph.D., maybe I want to get a second Masters at a school overseas, maybe I want to teach English in a third world country, maybe I want to work at the UN or the CIA or the State Dept. It's all wide open, and the only person I have to make happy or accomodate is me. And Snicket and Draper, but they are really surprisingly easy to please if you give them adequate food and cuddle time.

I have the joy of feeling like anything could happen, which is a feeling I absolutely love. I could move to New York, have some fantastic diplomatic style job, and meet a Ted Mosby. I could live in Virginia, in some cute small town, and be an analyst. I could fulfill what I'm sure is my destiny of meeting and falling in (reciprocated) love with a Kennedy. I could go overseas and be that quirky American girl everyone finds a little strange, but very charming all the same. The possibilities are endless, and I positively love it!