Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows

Well, the adventure has begun, and it has begun with class. A lot of class.

I'm in Greeley, CO on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado. It's a lovely campus with lots of trees and probably the softest grass ever. I, however, am much better acquainted with the classrooms. I have class from 8am to 5pm every day. As a recent college graduate, I'll be honest in saying that stepping back into hours of class was not exactly the most appealing prospect. It is interesting though, and I'm learning tons (which is good considering that I'll be teaching in a few short weeks o__o).

In all honesty, it's been a great experience. I feel about a million times more confident to teach a class now than I did a week and a half ago. I know theories and after tomorrow my classroom dynamics class will be done, so I'll know how to run a class. Anyone who was ever rude to a teacher should go apologize right now. It is really hard work, like really hard. I wrote a pretty sweet lesson plan the other day- no big deal- it only took me like three hours (definitely going to need cut that time down)!

Anyway, enough about my classes!

I'm in this uncomfortable state of transition. I'm meeting lots of people at training, but none of them are on my team in Chongqing. I'm missing people at home, but I'm excited to get to China. It's a lot of transient, uncertain mishmash. I just don't know how to feel sometimes. It's been great, but every now and then I feel like it's a dream. I've been planning on this for so long that it's hard to believe that it's really happening.

Also, I think time passes differently out here. I feel like I've been here for at least a month. My roommate, Nikki, and I have been saying this since the second day. Everyone out here bonded pretty quickly (unsurprisingly, we have similar interests and we spend huge chunks of time together every day), and we've just all been close from the very start. So when I look back and it's only been a week and a half, it seems impossible.

Some days are hard. I miss everyone at home. I miss just being around people that I know really well. I get terrified about this whole teaching thing. I'm exhausted from class. It's not the most glamourous life that I lead. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so glad that I'm here, even when it isn't all sparkly and rose colored.

Well, I'll try not to wait so long to post again. A lot happens around here, and I don't want these to be overbearingly long.

Love you all!