Meet Me in St. Louis

I finally made it to the Lou, and officially have a Saint Louis zip code.  My job has been keeping me pretty busy, and will continue to do so until I officially start classes.  It makes me sad because I can't blog as much as I would like until things slow down at the end of the month.


So far, so good though.  I love St. Louis and everything that this city has to offer.  There are so many neighborhoods to explore, my apartment is approximately 12 minutes walking distance from campus, and I have a gorgeous park that goes on for six miles right around the corner.  I really do think I have the best of both worlds because I live right by a major and very busy street with lots of shops and restaurants in an artsy/entertainment district, but my neighborhood is also really quiet.

Just discovered there is a music festival in early September called Lou Fest! It's super affordable and three bands I want to see are all playing on the same day at different times!

Busch Stadium - Cardinals Game! 

I love my job, it's so fun working with the undergraduate population at WashU and really getting to know the campus as if I was experiencing my undergraduate years again too.  The staff in residential life here is incredible, and the students I get to work with are so amazing and brilliant.  They inspire me.  I know we will learn a lot from each other this year.  My favorite part of my day is my walk to and from campus, the weather is perfect (much like Texas in the early fall) and I get to see lots of dogs on the way, which I love.

STL Staple: Frozen Custard :)

Excited for the lineup! 

My bedroom is coming along well 

This is also a great city to be studying social work in.  I cannot help but notice the makeup of the undergraduate population at WashU, diverse in ways, but at the same time crucial similarities.  Similarities that make me question the education systems they were brought up in and why less than 20 miles away are students experiencing some of the worst school systems in the country.  I will continue to explore and offer insight into this.

For now, let me share my gratitude for this transition, for wonderful roommates, and for what's to come in my new city.

The beautiful sunset I get to see on my walk back from campus!

I'll be back as soon as I can!

Transitions // Dignity // Forgiveness

I'm getting SO excited as the summer comes to a close.  I remember getting anxiety, sadness, nostalgia, and about a thousand other not so great feelings last year and the year before that around this time.  It truly makes me thankful and eternally grateful for where my life is going.  I am attempting to appreciate every day and the little things that come with preparing for my new journey to St. Louis.

More than anything I'm excited to start my new part-time job as a graduate fellow with the office of Residential Life.  I've always loved mentoring others and working with young adults.  The excitement of starting college as a freshman is contagious and I cannot wait to share it with incoming students at Washington University.  Second, I just LOVE the program I have enrolled in and it excites me that my hands-on learning begins in the spring semester.  I have the ability to customize my own program based on my future career goals, which if I haven't talked about are rural education and non-profit management.  I also plan to explore the idea of school social work.  The possibilities are endless...

On a different note and a little something more personal I'd like to touch base on apologies.  I think those of us that are most prideful (I am guilty of this) understand that apologizing is hard to do.  A good apology, one that comes from the heart, swallowing that pride, whether a year or five years after should always be appreciated.  Sometimes people don't realize they need to apologize and sometimes it takes time for that apology to be honest.  In my eyes, a genuine apology deserves forgiveness, and forgiveness requires vulnerability and grace.

I am referring to all of this here because recently someone that I used to know reached out to me for reconnection and most importantly with a much needed apology.  I almost considered not opening the e-mail and simply deleting it, but after reading it I was thankful and am eternally grateful for that apology.  I think it was the apology that gave that chapter in my life the closure that was necessary.  The reconnection however, is something I cannot do.  The reconnection is not about a lack of forgiveness or about pride, but about dignity.  Six months ago, or even eight months ago I may have considered accepting reconnection out of politeness.  I have realized, however, that for my own mental health and self-respect I choose to not reconnect.  To this person: thank you, sincerely, for the apology, and I hope you can respect my decision.  

Thoughts From My Porch...

I never thought I would get so attached to the state of Louisiana the last couple of months being here.  Today I felt so at home in my life here.  I started to think about the transition I will very likely be experiencing next fall.  The last transition in my life was here to Louisiana and it was the most difficult I have experienced yet.  Now, I feel so at home here, I feel attached to this place.  I feel protective of it, of its people, of its culture, of its education.  I never thought that I'd find myself saying how I would be interested in coming back to Louisiana one day to establish an organization and/or work for one that aligns with my professional values and life goals (what?!) Crazy, huh?

May of last year I remember how I didn't even look back as I left the state for Texas.  Texas is not on my mind these days.  As a loyal Texan, I do love my home state, but I'm pretty good with not going back there to live and establish myself for a good while.  May of this year, I am starting to have uneasy feelings about how I will handle leaving.  Many tears, many memories, it will surely be difficult.  I cannot say goodbye, it will be a see you later.

This evening, I contemplate my graduate school decision.  I have been honored to receive a very legitimate scholarship to WashU.  This scholarship is placing a heavy weight on my pro list and leaving University of Washington in Seattle a bit behind.  I am highly impressed with WashU's marketing, University of Washington simply seems to care about whether I send them a check with my deposit to secure my place.  I have received one measly letter from Seattle, nothing impressive, with an envelope to submit my deposit.  No welcome packet, no information about the school of social work, no post card, that's it.  Depressing, and not very convincing?  You are telling me this is a top program? SHOW ME! I am deceived.

On the bright side, I have completed my FAFSA (phew) and am awaiting to find out what the rest of my financial packages look like for both schools before making a final decision.  But, as of right now, St. Louie is lookin' pretty good.

Current favorite things:
- Sitting on my porch in the cool and warm evenings until the sun goes down
- Yoga
- Eating Grapefruits
- Afternoon coffee
- Country music

What's your vote for me, WashU or Seattle? Explain your answer and support with evidence. 

The Corners of Your Mouth

Guess what?! One guess...

I feel so blessed, thankful, grateful, and truly humbled that the University of Washington in Seattle has accepted me to their MSW program.  I have neither accepted nor denied either offer.  Both schools are incredible, and I am in the middle of making pro/con lists.  St. Louis is looking pretty good right now, but ideally I would LOVE to live in Seattle.  I can't say the same about St. Louis because I've never been, but we'll see come April when I go visit.  

Friday I should know something about a possible scholarship to WashU in St. Louis, and hopefully I will be awarded something.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, send prayers/good vibes my way.

I am currently sitting in Brew Ha-Ha in Baton Rouge listening to an Open Mic night.  Tomorrow I don't have to go to work (YAY!).  Instead I am attending an excellent school visit in New Orleans.  I am excited to see what a well-functioning school looks like. A school that fully supports their staff and students, and a school structure that doesn't have the issues of most schools in our rural parishes.  I will miss my kids tomorrow, but who doesn't love a four day week, right?

Life is busy, busy, and full of things to do lately.  That's a good thing, most days...I keep toying with the idea of staying in Avoyelles next year, but deep down I know that's not where my heart is leading me.  I love the kids I teach to death, and if I continue my life elsewhere I am very excited to return next year for the graduating class of 2014.  Most of the kids I taught last year and this year are graduating next May.  I already have some asking me about coming back for their graduation.  The answer is, "ABSOLUTELY!"  I will shed tears of sadness and tears of joy.

Other updates:

- I went to my first crawfish boil this past Friday(!)
- I may or may not have met someone who is worth talking to and spending time with(!!)
- I will be spending some days in Austin the week before Easter! Let me know if you'd like to meet up, more than likely I'd love to see you ;)

-

Ain't it true...

Dear University of Washington...

Dear University of Washington (Seattle),

As I sit here at 10:53 PM (CT) with no response as to whether or not you have denied or accepted me to your school of social work, the thought of moving to St. Louis is sounding extra appealing.  I am currently reading the WashU Brown School of Social Work blog and daydreaming about the possibility of living in the midwest.

I am frustrated, growing impatient, and cannot conceive how your "by February" decision turned into "sometime in February" and is quickly turning into "last day of February."  I do not mean to sound whiney or ungrateful, but please do not let me wait until March....

Signed,

- A Very Anxious and Ambitious-Possible-Husky

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

What are you doing New Years Eve?

I'm spending it at home with my family--a good group of them that came in from Mexico.  We are drinking, and eating barbecue, and being a big, loud, Latino family :)

I discovered this video last year and thought it was absolutely darling.  It combines three of my favorite things: 1. good music, 2. Joe Gordon-Levitt, and 3. Zooey Deschanel.  Are they not just beautiful?

A little something I discovered yesterday...I may or may not have the honor of attending Hogwarts next fall.  Check out this incredible view of the Suzzalo Library at the University of Washington:

The silent reading room at the Suzzalo Library AKA: basically Hogwarts 

If studying there is wrong, I don't want to be right :)

Happy New Years Eve y'all! 

A Cajun Christmas

Hi there, 

I'm sorry I've been distant.  I sure have missed you.  Hope you're glad to have me back.  December has been all sorts of crazy with the end of the school semester and parties and to-do's.  Don't worry, I have a whirlwind of a post to catch y'all up though. 

In the past weeks, I've...

Attended one too many Christmas parties and indulged in lots of goodies. Proof below.

My beauty of a friend, Lizzie and I wearing our Christmas Cracker finds.

Some of the beautiful ladies I have the honor of calling my friends! 

At our Teach For America holiday party

I may or may not have worn this scandalous number

I experienced quite a treat and understood what a Cajun Christmas means.

A Cajun Christmas means alligators instead of reindeer

A Cajun Christmas means having an alligator in your Christmas card

I applied to Washington University in St. Louis for their Social Work program.

I find out about admission by the end of January/Early February.  I'm so scared, that's also when I find out about University of Washington in Seattle.  Believe me when I say it was quite eventful when my recommenders got the schools confused because of the similarities in the name.  WashU in St. Louis offers two annual scholarships to former Teach For America corps members, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed there.  Both schools I applied to are incredible, and being accepted to either would be an honor.  In the end it may come down to cost...we'll just have to see. 

At some point in December I made the not so smart, but incredibly fun decision to have a Teachers Night Out with my roommates on a Thursday night.  Didn't make for a fun Friday teaching though.  My poor little post-grad body can't handle a glass of wine and a peach martini unfortunately.

Sometimes it's necessary to not follow the rules...it keeps life interesting

I got an awesome secret santa present, and gave an awesome secret santa gift.  More on what I received later ;) 

Part of my gift to my roommate was a hand painted mug, thanks to Pinterest. Here's a sneak peek of it.

I free handed the state of Louisiana myself 

She's a tea drinker! 

 My teaming group at school got matching Monogrammed sweatshirts, and we took a Christmas picture to prove it!

(L-->R) Ms. Leta, Mr. Mac, Mr. B., Ms. Pat, me, and Ms. Marcy

One of my first groups of students on our last day together! I get new babies next semester. LOVE them.

It has been such a blessing to have my students two years in a row.  I'm going to miss them so much.  I'm so excited to see some more of last year's students next semester and for a new bunch that I will have as well for Spanish I.  These kids have taught me so much more than I ever expected, and at times I think they taught me more than I taught them.  

On a final note, I have a student playing matchmaker...which will potentially lead to a blind date in the near future.  Gotta keep life interesting, right? 

;)

Merry early Christmas. 

XOXO

Gratuity // Thankful Post

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am sitting here, drinking my hot cup of coffee deciding who I should declare thankfulness to.  It has been a blessed year and I think last Thanksgiving I just wanted to be at home more than anything.  I wanted to be surrounded by all things familiar and love and step away from the new life that I had established for myself in Louisiana.  It was a hard year, a year of growth, and for that I am eternally grateful.

For my profession I am thankful.  For the wonderful students I have the privilege of calling my own I am thankful.   I only hope that they have learned as much from me as I have learned from them.  For the community I have become a part of in central Louisiana.  I am thankful for being welcomed with open arms and open hearts to learn from these people and to give a piece of myself to their children.

For the education I have received, and that I hope to continue to receive every day.  I never stop learning, and everyone I meet teaches me something valuable.  Even you. 

Thank you to my supportive and loving family, for caring about me, encouraging me to pursue my dreams and trusting my instincts...even when they're crazy and involve possibly moving to the Pacific Northwest.

To my friends, new and old. Those I may speak to every day, and those I may speak to once a week.  Those who think I forget about them...I don't.  Those who have come into my life, out, and back in. Those who I never thought would touch my heart after high school.

Love you, Sarah

I'm thankful for Molly Denim Lupo and her loving parents

"Miss you Auntie Laura" 

To all of you, I sincerely thank you.

Update:

My University of Washington School of Social Work application is officially submitted! Now comes the wait. Come February I should hear a response.  I think about this every day and even had dreams about it the other day.  Sometimes you just know in your heart you're supposed to be somewhere.  I knew I was meant to do Teach For America.  I knew I was called to work for a greater cause much larger than myself, and when I stepped off that plane last Labor Day holiday in Seattle I knew that the next chapter in my life would begin there.

Send me positive vibes! 

Deadline: November 12th

That is the deadline I have set for myself. Today I looked again (because I have been checking obsessively) and the UW app is out and ready. I want to submit an early decision application to the school of social work. I have approximately a month to finish the application.

I can do this. I need enlightenment. I need inspiration and I need to put my thoughts into words. My words are worth everything in this application and I really need to shine.

May it begin..

Tick Tock

I took another step towards my future today.  I made a phone call to University of Seattle's School of Social Work graduate admissions.  I have officially scheduled a visit with the school...EEK! I was also given permission by a professor to sit in on a class.  It makes everything seem more real now that I have officially talked to someone.  According to admissions their application will be coming out by the end of the month.  I am so excited to apply for the early deadline in December, and also incredibly nervous.

My to-do list starts with updating and perfecting my resume and also starting my essays as soon as possible.  If the deadline is early December, that means that I only have about two and half months to complete my application.  The clock is ticking, my friends.

Shrimp Primavera in a Greek Yogurt/White Wine Sauce is what's for dinner tonight.  

Dub Steppin' to my future

Let's begin with something semi-impulsive I did like...yesterday...

Seattle bound next month! 

Yes. I cannot get enough of the Pacific Northwest and Seattle is on my mind.  I have a couple of things on my list for this visit in late October:

1. Spontaneity

2. Roof climbing 

3. Official visit with graduate admissions at U-Dub (moral support, Lisa?)

4. Zero Dead Nazis

Questions on my mind:

1. Can I handle the lack of sun for the fall/winter season?

2. Can I handle the misty rainy days year round?

3. Will the above affect my mood?

4. Am I being overly pre-cautious?

I really hate to think so far ahead about this U-Dub graduate program, but I am truly floored by this opportunity.  It kills me trying to wrap my brain around it and I'm just simply going to go with it.  I'm excited, but I'm extremely nervous about the application process.  The school is highly selective and more than 25 percent enter the school with a deep commitment to service.  Although I do feel qualified and the mission statement resonates with what I care about, I want this to be evident in my interactions with admissions and in my application.  I promise that I spent about 15 minutes before going to bed each night thinking about getting into U-Dub and where a Masters in Social Work degree can take me.  I also miss learning in the classroom setting, but also doing hands-on service.  Okay, so I am working for social justice every day, but still...JUST SEND ME GOOD VIBES, ALRIGHT?!

On a different note, the girls and I wined and dined on the town Saturday evening.  The evening weather was perfect.  It was crisp outside and I could smell the start of fall.  We got dressed up and walked to the best restaurant in town.  Yes, we walked in our heels and felt beautiful.  

That porch will soon be filled with pumpkins and halloween decor

What I Wore Saturday: Dress - Marshalls
Necklace - Strut in Austin, Texas
Shoes - Nine West
Bag - Antonio Melani 

"Cheers to the Freaking Weekend" 

The eight beautiful corps members that reside across the street from one another in rural central Louisiana 

We had some Bacon Wrapped Dates stuffed with Brie  

The Baked Oyster Trio

Barbecued Shrimp in a heavenly sauce I would gladly bathe in ;)

My beautiful roommate and birthday girl!  

And lastly, if you need an indoor workout, never underestimate the power of Michael Jackson: The Experience. 

Just prepping for Thriller 

Don't doubt it for a minute...

Stars Aligned//Salmon//Seattle

Before you read, do yourself a favor and let us feel the nostalgia of the 90's with this classic:

I think my life was just made complete.  Can I tell y'all why?!

Wait, wait, wait...let me SHOW y'all

Look at the bottom right hand corner.

and this...

NUMBER THREE!!! 

Obviously the stars have aligned and this is almost too good to be true, but I am way too excited about this graduate program that sounds perfect for me.  Can it be any more of a coincidence that it, A. doesn't require a GRE, B. is in Seattle, and C. is top-ranked?!!  

I am trying not to get myself too psyched, but it's official that my application for graduate school begins NOW.  I am calling my career counselor from college and focusing on this so that I can make the December early deadline.  May have to take a human biology course next semester, but SO WHAT?!!! Seattle is becoming a bigger and better possibility for my future.  Oh, Pacific Northwest I just have the best feeling about you.  

Also, I called my mom and I think she can accept this.  She sounded happy and excited for me.  I need to prepare her psychologically for this possibility.  Prayers, prayers, and many prayers for this opportunity please.  

On a different note, my dear sweet Lisa posted the first photographs from our shoot this past weekend.  She did an INCREDIBLE job, go take a look and leave her a comment.  Seriously hiring this girl for my wedding one day.  I cannot wait until the film shots come in.  

Final thoughts: 

• I made some Salmon in a bag for my roommates tonight
• Easiest and most delicious way I've cooked salmon
• Thank you, Pinterest for the idea
• Check out the play by play below...

Fresh lemon slices, salmon, drizzle of EVOO, Earth Balance, Salt & Peppah, and topped with Cilantro! 

All wrapped in a bag made of foil

Ready to go into the oven at 350 degrees for 25 mins 

Turning out like this :)

Paired with Basmati Cilantro rice like this...

And a class of wine to celebrate!