...Realizations...

Ok. So, in a store, and as the words came out of my mouth "yeah I have to change facewash alll the time, my face requirees I switch regularly, my skin is like that..."

I realized, wait, does my SKIN do the requiring, or is it that I constanly am changing stress fluctuations, diet, excercise routine, work routine, environments...? I think it's me. J-Mac, in light of the conversation, I have to say this came out of my mouth and then I had a sort of "ohhhh" moment. It's me. I do the changing of everything, and I put my body and my skin through it all.

Thursday, I have a day long Teach For America interview. I am really excited, the more I think about it, this and the Peace Corps have become very important to me as prospects. I did the shop for the perfect attire thing, and am continuing to prepare for my lesson plan and for the interview. I am not so much nervous, it's just, well, this current uncertainty in life is really intense. I am learning patience and am being challenged to question whether uncertainty is so bad, or if societally we just don't respect it. Ohhh everyone, myself...I keep picturing both scenarios, Eastern Europe with the Peace Corps, Teaching in Houston or elsewhere...just realizing how much I love these two options and how each has something so wonderful to offer, and knowing I want to offer so much too.

I realized today, I might be a dog woman. I love cats, but I realized if I stay in the country...If Teach for America accepts me, (ifs ifs ifs)...then I want to get a dog and just love and treasure it. As I thought about it, and have not ever really considered it, it was another serious realization that I am ready...if. Haha.

Realizations. Well, as I sat in the state of mid anxiety the other day, I realized, "shucks, I am like this a lot lately, what is going on??" Well, I have to say I am in the most bizarre stage of my life, uncertainty, graduation, growing up considerabley, being challenged in new ways, attending interviews to jobs that include helping people by returning my efforts and my knowledge of theory, contiunuing to see God in my life, and realizing what it means to be a twenty-something.

BeAcH DaY

Today, as spring break has kicked off, mom, my beautiful niece and I went to Stinson. It was chilly but Leah and I ran around and kept warm while mom's allergy medicine kept her pretty sleepy. It is amazing, I was talking with my niece and just the conversation and the insight, and the curiousity that she has is so beautiful. I think as I listen to her how much I might really love to work with children, and well, that might be it for me, not having any, but maybe working with them. I love children and I do not think that any one has the patience to constantly reassure them of their potential and their greatness, so maybe if I were there with them for a period of the day, I could really try to do that.

Hmm, so today...ran a lot, found lots of sand dollars, had some great conversation, ohhhh and just let the ocean water race across my feet, and while watching the enjoyment on my nieces face, just really soaked in a better understanding and less fearful view of the ocean.

Mom, I really enjoyed your company and I loved having you and the little one over last night. I know we did not get to talk too much today, but I always appreciate you and I really appreciated the effort you made in getting to me. Love you =)

*-Mr. Obama made a little visit to Oakland-*

And Kira...well, she was simply blessed as every piece of getting there and parking and seeing him, worked out. So I instantly thought of the politics of the past, Hillary Clinton working on campaigns, simply put..Americans being able to go and see the potential person who would like to be their elected leader. I was so thrilled to be able to go and see Barack Obama because of this, I mean with past elections, we NEVER see candidates as the simple public in California. Wooo hoo for primary changes!

So his speech was great, focused on The war in Iraq and putting forth a new solution that would actually work, and he focused on Universal Healthcare, saying by the end of his first term we would see it. He touched on the environment, and education that focused on students and teachers needs-not just the standardized mess that No Child Left Behind has brought us to ( he did not state the name of the legislation directly, he was referring to it though, or the federal govt's attempt to help in education and failing).

My friend and I stood there and listened and I saw some attractive, and may I add, politically charged, young men.... = :) . The thing is, there were also older men and women, young men and women, kids on shoulders, teenagers, twenty somethings, white, black, latino, french (seriously)... = A diverse crowd of real people wanting to hear this REAL candidate talk about REAL and IMPORTANT issues that we are no longer willing to, nor no longer satisfied with as they stand.

Ohhhhh, what a day, and what a great message from Obama to come to Oakland and share with us.

Post Grad. Updates

So, here is some info.

*Greenlining Academy: Did not respond by indicated date if chosen for interview= NOPE.
*Senate Fellowship: Blah, they do not even contact you until mid April.
*Teach For America: Had phone interview, invited to full day interview, March 29th, wooo!
*PeaceCorps: Had Interview: Nominated, awaiting medical packet.

I have spring break next week, and let me tell you, even though I will be working a lot, there is one beach day where moms and I are just going to lay around on the beach...I might roll over to get food, or sit up to put sunscreen on, but I am going to be laaaazy and I will relish in my laziness. Mom, is you are reading this, I fully invite you to be lazy as well, but this time we are double teaming to help me with sunscreen, that sucked last time.

Gaela!! So I have not talked to you and J since the visit. I know school is sort of crazy, and this week it has sloooowwwed down so much, but I just want it to speed up again. When do you have to make some final decisions for schools? What are you doing for St. Patty's? Barack Obama is coming to Oakland!!!!!! I am leaving work in a mad dash and hope to be able to hear him speak, ohhhhh this is fabulous news, I cannot even tell you =) Then I will most likely proceed to a pub and indulge in green beer, yeah! Haha. Anyways, more about you please!

Ok, I have a giant midterm tomorrow and need to mentally process = Go for a run around the lake. Jolly good!

Black and White Ball, =) and Midterms

So, this week ahead is a really important week with three midterms. I am shocked at how quickly this semester is going by!

Last night we had "Black and White Ball" at Mills. I stayed for a short while, and mostly I was just excited to be able to get dressed up for a change haha. Seriously. So, the ball went down at a hotel located in Jack London Square, in Oakland. As I was listening to Jazz on my way there, the rap to dance to did not really get me excited to dance. Nothing against rap, except most of it was really degrading lyrics and that just makes me uncomfortable.

Hmmm, I love living in Oakland still, have a pretty groovy job, a great view of downtown Oakland at night, and am working to complete my BA, soon my friends, very soon I will walk across that stage.

Midterms are upon me, and after this week I am taking a day off to go the beach, woo hoo! Lastly, post-graduation options are going to become much clearer this next week, and I will keep an update on that. ;)