I'm still not good at updating. I promise this will change once I move. And that is happening in 21 days. Twenty.One. I'm so excited I could spit! Last we spoke, I had no idea where I would be working nor living. I am happy to report that I will be living here, and I will be teaching here. Overjoyed and overwhelmed is where I am right now.
The school year wraps up in 7 days. It seems like we stay in school forever, but this is the first year that I have not been looking forward to the end. It will be so hard to say goodbye to my coworkers, and the anxiety of preparing for this move is far more thought-consuming than ending a school year. Our last field trip is tomorrow. We have a school-wide assembly Thursday. I'm taking off Friday for my daughter's graduation. And that leaves all of Monday and the half-day Tuesday to pack up all my stuff and take down all the bulletin boards. I'm less than thrilled.
This move has started to feel like the beginning of a new era for me. Almost as if life doesn't start until I get there. I know that's not the case. And I know that if you're depressed, you are living in the past; if you're anxious, you're living in the future; and if you're happy, you're living in the present. I am definitely living in the future. To calm my nerves, I've discovered this website that keeps me on top of all the little crafty decorating ideas I have. Follow me (Hella Fine). It has made me have really creative thoughts of late, but it sucks because I should be packing up all my stuff, but I just want to pull it out and make stuff!
This move has been on my mind largely because I miss my community of friends in Atlanta, and also because I wanted to save money. New York Board of Education doesn't even provide a living wage for a "single" mother with champagne taste. I like to travel throughout the year. I like to buy scrapbooking materials. I buy yarn for my many lofty project ideas. I like to purchase new camera equipment often. And I like to eat...well! This meant something had to change. After 12 years, I'm clearly not getting out of this profession (although my heart yearns to) so in order to create the life I want for me and my child, moving was my option.
I have thoroughly enjoyed New York. I have possibly enjoyed it too much, but it is not the place I want to raise my child. And with my salary, I couldn't even live it up the way I wanted to. So this move is absolutely necessary at this point. And I don't want to just move to a place where the cost of living is cheaper just so I can blow my money. So I have enlisted the help of this chick here. Because my goal is to own my home and car some day in the very near future.
I've been reading your blog off and on for a while now and just wanted to say congratulations on your move. As someone who has relocated a few times I know the anxiety, stress and excitement that it brings. I too am a teacher and a scrapbooker! Can't wait for your next post! Check me out at http://donnienicole.com
Posted by: Blkgrlunmasked | 11 July 2011 at 10:15 PM
So glad to see that you're back! And welcome back to Atlanta!!!
Posted by: DondreaB | 28 July 2011 at 12:29 PM
Hey!
Your blog got me through some really rough times! You were a blessing to me at a time when I really needed it. Thank you Maria.
Anyway, I'm glad to see that things have worked out, and that you will be back in Atlanta soon! I am in Atlanta now (from NJ via NYC DOE in the Bronx...) I wish you and your daughter nothing but the best, as your deserve!
Best,
Rebecca (Gwinnett County Teacher, formerly of NYC DOE)
Posted by: Rebecca Smith | 30 July 2011 at 12:48 AM
Can't wait for you to update with pics and funnies of what's going on in good old Hot Lanta!!! (Signed Melanie Liz! :0))
Posted by: Melanie | 24 August 2011 at 04:34 PM