Small Town Survival

In case you didn't know: I'm visiting Michigan this week. It's weird to think of visiting my childhood home and in many ways it still feels like I live here. I arrived Friday night (midnight) and am here until Thursday. I'm sure I have more to say about it, but I think the cool weather may have gotten to me.. that or I have allergies. I think I will go home and eat and rest. (Posts from the library since there is no internet at the house during this time.)

I owe some of you emails. I'm getting better at it, but grades were due today and I've been.. stressed to say the least. So instead of writing an email no one will appreciate, I've been waiting until I can write one you'll want to see in your inbox.

To answer some questions:
Yes, I'm really living in Arizona. I'm just outside Phoenix - the southwest side of the valley to be more specific.

If you need a mailing address, drop me an email. If you need a phone number, it's still the same cell number, but if you don't have it, lost it, never had it, forgot it or whatever, drop me an email and we'll see what we can do for you.

I teach at a high school about 10 miles north of where I live, but it's about 20 minutes in the morning to arrive.

School starts at 7am and I arrive around 6:30. Yes, this is painful. We get out at 2:15 and on Monday's there are early release days where we get out at 1:15 so the kids can go home and teachers can sit in staff meetings.

I teach all freshmen. Yes, this is painful. More specifically I teacher Communication Arts and while that sounds like speech, it isn't. Instead it is basically a reading class with a fancy name. I'm here to help kids who need help with reading. And in so many words no, I am not specifically trained for this.

I'm in AZ for a few different reasons. One is that it is easier to get a job here, they NEED teachers. And after the first few months I can see why. But the benefits are good and the weather is nice. I'm also here because I reconnected with someone from my past and it just happened to work out this way.

It's hard to say now if I will stay here for long, forever, or anything. I generally like it here, but there are things I miss (seasons for one, my dog for another) and I have not settled for life or anything.

Oh, right. I did leave indie in Michigan with my mom. He appreciates the room to run, and right now I'm not in a position to offer him anything bigger than a small square of grass. Seems unfair after farm life. Sometimes I think it's unfair after farm life.

Now I'm off to lunch... this is really as little time as I have, but I would love to hear from you and I will be writing more often. I hear it's theraputic. And I'm sure you've heard that before.