Da da da DELTA!

YEAH DELTA! Basically, that is what I screamed as I was leaving Moody and everytime I talked to a new person on my drive. So, I passed/survived institute. Who would have thought. Okay, really it wasn't the worst thing ever. It was hard, it is supposed to be. Duh, pretty sure we didn't sign up for a stroll through the park here.

Anyway, the last few nights have been maddness...I feel like I've gone out or just spend the evenings hanging out because never again will all of my institute friends be in the same location. It's crazy to think that we just bonded through something incredibly difficult and then leave each other for opposite parts of the country (or even in to the middle of the ocean). I was sad to leave my class at Browning, but almost more sad to think that I will never get to see these kids in 10 years and hope that they continue to "make good choices" as we say in Kindergarten! We decided that it is probably realistic to think that they will not remember us come fall, although, maybe it's a good thing they don't remember Kaitlyn and her crazy dance moves ;) Totally kidding. At least I have quite the list of places to visit: Hawaii, Denver, Houston (couldn't get enough the first time I guess)....

So, a recap from the last few days. We had a closing ceremony on Thursday. Each school was responsible for coming up with a cheer. Well, in true Browning fashion, we changed our cheer 3 minutes before the ceremony started. The cuipd shuffle is and will always be a reminder of Browning Elementary and the infamous Ms. Johnson. Wednesday night we had our CMA dinner and brought the fun back to the Hilton Bar. My friend Gina took a lemon drop shot the size of a martini glass...she's a rockstar. Pictures from this night have me laughing to tears, not much else is new. Thursday night we went to Alabama Ice House and got miserably lost on the way there. Thank goodness our curriculum specialist is such a nice person and answered the phone when we called her multiple times as we were lost and needing assistance. This place was DEFINITELY a place I could have worn mesh shorts to. Word on the street is that there are random dogs around this place, wtf gross. Friday we ROCKED O.U.T to Browning's entry in the end of institute talent show/celebration. Basically, the girls who sang were incredible and the audience participation (i.e. the 12 of us in the crowd) acted a fool.-->trying new lingo...I don't think that is exactly how it is supposed to be worded! Friday night we also went to Christian's Tailgate and made fun of the awful karaoke acts and sang dramatically with the ones we liked. Thought of the day...why on EARTH would you pick a karaoke song that is ALL screaming. Some people and their bad choices.

That was it. Institute was Ohhhh-ver! Hard to believe I moved in 5 weeks ago scared out of my mind. Since the first week, I've been so excited to get to the Delta, to have this seem real. Browning was real, but in a temporary fish-bowl like setting. I drove the 8.5 hour trip with two friends in their own cars behind me. Thank goodness for the love of my life, my cell phone. It kept me occupied from 10:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Minus the 15 minutes that I was out of service...it about killed me too. We only stopped once the entire time, and my credit card refused to work in the gas pump and the worker thought I was incompetent, rude-o. Welcome to the present. Sitting on the floor, of my third college dorm room in the last 6 weeks, sick. This one does have running water, warm showers, toilets that flush, no need for an elevator so no need to worry about it being broken, and no pigeons waking me up every morning! Delta State is the home of our orientation activities the next couple of days, then it's time to head out and find a house, unpack when Jeannie, Cassie, and Trevor get here and then get back into teacher-mode with professional development. Really, was I planning intramural activities just 3 months ago?!

Hard to believe I am going to be teaching in a classroom this fall. TFA would call me the "instructional leader" of this room, I prefer teacher but whatev. If anyone would like to donate any low level books, games, toys such as blocks, costumes/dress up stuff, crafty supplies, etc. to my class, I would greatly appreciate it! Jeannie has been busy tearing apart the basement storage coming up with all sorts of things to bring down to me. They are leaving Amboy on Wednesday, July 16. If you want to pawn anything off on her, I would be happy to take it!!

Headed to bed...yes, actually a bed, no more bouch! Tomorrow is the start of orientation, catching up on two weeks of laundry, and some annual Delta party/dinner in the evening. Holla!