Texas is a big ass state

10 hours of driving later . . . we're still in Texas. How depressing. We're staying in El Paso tonight, and we have another 10 or 11 hours to go tomorrow to get to LA. Driving actually isn't that bad. West Texas is surprisingly beautiful, and the speed limit is 80, which means that I can do 90 and still be in the spirit of the law. sweeeeet.

I can't wait to get back to LA, but after spending the last few days at home, I'm nervous all over again. As excited as I am for my program to start, I'm kind of freaking out about meeting the roommates on Saturday. Even after loving everyone I met from Chyrsalis and EUIP last week, I'm a little worried about what my roommates are going to think when I drive up in my big gas-guzzling SUV with Texas plates and a sorority sticker on the back. hmm... on second thought, maybe I'll lose the Chi O sticker before I get there. Also, I think I'm going to keep the fact that my mother is insisting that we stay at the fucking Ritz tomorrow night to myself. uggh, about that living simply stuff...

Superficial concerns aside, though, I really am looking forward to meeting everyone. My job with Chrysalis seems perfect (as long as I don't totally suck at it), but I think that the relationships I build with my roommates this year will be key to how much I get out of this experience. As difficult as living in a house with 5 other people will be, I think I'll learn a lot from it, and hopefully it'll be a lot of fun. The JVs I met at Chrysalis last week are all loving their houses so far. I just hope we're as lucky.
Alright, long day of driving tomorrow. I'm off to bed.

Quote of the day:
"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends" -Robert Earl Keen

Freakoutness

So. I'm leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow. Craziness! This isn't the big move yet, but it's definitely a huge first step. I'll be there for a week to do job training, then I have a few more days in Houston to pack up my life, shove it all in the Jeep, and drive back out to Cali for good. I still don't think I've managed to get my mind around the concept that this is actually happening. I haven't even started packing yet... I don't even know what I'm supposed to wear! Yikes!

So I'm definitely excited, but I'm also completely freaking out. I can't wait to see the program house and learn what Chrysalis is all about, but at the same time, I can't say that part of me isn't wishing I was just packing up for another year at Duke. I do think it's cool that most of my best friends from Duke seem to be starting the next phase of their lives right now, too. I mean, Char just moved to Mexico on Wednesday, Carrie's going to be in charge of a classroom full of 5th graders next week, Mary's getting ready to start her first full semester of grad school at BC, and Carolyn's getting all settled in at flight school. My friends are so cool. But seriously, as scary as all this is, it's kind of comforting to know that we're all going through these huge transitions together, even if we'll be thousands of miles apart while we're doing it. lol, when did I get so cheesy?

Anyway, I do wish that the other interns were going to be around next week because I'm very anxious to meet them, but it's kind of nice that I'll get this preview of the house and everything before the program actually starts. This way I'll have a much better idea of the kind of space I'll have and how much stuff I'll be able to cram into it (and I'm sure my future roomies would really appreciate that attitude). Plus, apparently the intern who worked with Chrysalis last year has just accepted a full-time position with them and will be living in the house with me while she's apartment hunting, so at least I won't be in this strange new house in Inglewood all by myself.

Alright, I think that's all for now. I'd promise an entry when I get there, but it dawned on me when Carolyn asked me about it last night that I have no idea if this place has internet access. So that could definitely put a strain on the blogging... Ha, I'm sure you're sooo disappointed. lol. But feel free to call me next week as I'm sure I'll be wanting to hear some familiar voices. Peace.

Quote of the day:
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life - Fleetwood Mac

If one more person calls me brave...

... I'm gonna f-ing body slam them.  I am NOT brave, which is why I'm totally freaking out at this point.  And I'm also not all oblivious to the fact that by "brave," at least 90% of you mean "crazy."  So save your patronizing f-ing flattery for someone else, k?  Awesome, glad we've clarified that. Thanks.

(note: okay, I'm officially a horrible person, but do know that this rant is not directed towards anyone who actually reads this blog, nor, probably, anyone who even knows what a blog is )