Starry Night

I feel like I've been making strides into what some might call "adulthood."  I've been trying to evade this from happening, and have considered becoming a Lost Boy in Neverland so I wouldn't have to grow up and accept the increasing responsibilities that I feel come with being an Adult.  Little steps I've taken; paying rent, getting a full time job (although "job" is a loose term for what I'm doing, especially because I love it so much), shopping for food that nourishes and sustains me.  But now I feel the time is coming for me to take leaps forward into creating a long term life that I will continue to be in love with.

One of the smaller steps I recently took was to start applying to programs for after I'm done with my AmeriCorps service term.  Well, to be more precise, I've been looking at programs and only applied to one.  However, the one I did apply for (Teach For America ) has been promising thus far.  Last year I applied and was promptly given the "Thanks, but no thanks."  This time around I really took the time to spruce up my resume to meet their preferred style, and worked hard to have my letter of intent reflect my dedication to making the achievement gap in education disappear.  When I got the email telling me that I was invited for a phone interview I was pleased to see that my bit of hard work had paid off.  In the writing exercise and phone interview, I did my best, but was true to myself and was candid in my responses.  While I was proud of myself for not sounding too rehearsed, I did not feel like I was what they were looking for.  So today, when I got the next go-ahead email (even though it's in no way, shape, or form even near being selected in the end), I felt even more proud of myself for going after something I really thought was out of my reach.  Of course now I am starting to think about where I might be placed if I am accepted and all the different placement regions I would go if offered a placement.  There is so much of this country I haven't seen, let alone lived in.  Exciting potentials for now!

The bigger step into adult-hood and more responsibility I took recently was adopting a dog.  Maise is a 5 year old female Golden Retriever.  She came from a home that didn't have enough time for her (and that was hoping to breed her with their purebred Golden male, but that never came to fruition...).  So now I have a furry child who needs her shots and to be spayed, but other than that is ready to go for adventures in her new home.  She is so lovable!  She is currently laying at my feet with a general chill-ness exuding from her.  In the mornings when I turn on my bedside lamp she immediately trots over, puts her face next to mine and wags her tail.  Having her will require me to get out and walk more, which is good in so many ways for me.  While she has enough energy to jump into the car and keep up with my fast-paced walking, she is calm as soon as we get into the house.  It seems that she is the perfect first dog for me to have.

One last way I feel myself growing.  I feel like I am able to speak with conviction, respect, and determination is ways that have previously eluded me.  I'm finding this new capability in all areas of life - speaking to my kids at school, my co-workers, a person or two who has done me wrong in recent days...  It seems to me that I am finally able to get my message across while staying true to myself and treating the recipient of my words how I would want to be treated.

Tonight as I was walking along with Maise, I realized the grey clouds of the day had rolled out and I was looking at a fairly clear starry night sky.  In California (where I lived at least), the stars were almost never as clear as they are here when the clouds part.  Tonight I gave thanks for the clear skies and the clear-headedness I've felt as of late.  I've always been one to take baby steps into new things in my life, and it seems that becoming an Adult (whatever that term may mean) will be no different.