whoa been a while

It has been a busy summer. The day I got out of work for the summer, I also started summer institute for TeachNOLA. I will be starting in just 2 weeks as an official 1st grade teacher with my own classroom. I want to say that I feel ready for this, but when push comes to shove, I can't believe that they're putting me in charge of a classroom. I guess we'll see what happens.

I was digging through some ollllld photos tonight. Pictures from the Garf and the summer after graduation. Pictures of old lifegroups and my internship at Blackhawk. Pictures from Brewers games and weddings. Pictures from running through the Arboretum in winter, spring, summer and fall.
We will be returning to Wisconsin in just a couple of days for a little vacation before I start school. I feel like every time I go back, I go back to a different world. People have gotten married. People have had babies. People have moved away. I sometimes pine for the old life...for those days that used to be so easy. I miss friends who were always there to piss you off and support you. I miss chilling at the Terrace and on the porch. I miss runs to Trader Joe's and playing pranks on Becca in the office. I miss a lot. Sometimes, I miss it so much that it actually physically hurts.
But there's no way to go back. My life is not what it was. And even if there was a way to go back, I'm sure it wouldn't be better. I wanted to get away, remember? I wanted my life to be uncomfortable.
Well, I got that wish. Don't get me wrong, the life I have down here is very fulfilling. But sometimes I long for the ease of those days.
In Wisconsin, I was Rae. I knew everyone. I did everything.

In New Orleans, I am Rachel. I am married. I have a real career.

What the heck happened???

In a year, I made every huge transition possible. I am not sorry. I am still, however, a bit overwhelmed.