What's Andy Cooking?

Done

With my final sign-out yesterday afternoon, I'm now no longer an emplyee of the art museum. That completes my longest-running job to date at 19 months.

I have to say, leaving work like that is one of the wierdest things I've ever experienced in the way of goodbyes. It's all these people who know varying amounts about your personal life, who are in one sense your comerades, but they may not all be considered friends. Yet, my experience was that I held such an affinity for them, it was hard to hold back from hugging everyone as I said goodbye.

Then there's the banter. I had one co-worker, as she left, say, "I'm going to miss you Andy! I hope your program turns out fantastic for you!" My response was "Thanks. I hope so too."

That got my boss laughing. But what else could I say on the spot like that? I'm telling you, awkward.

Anyway, that leads me to my next point: I was offered a position with Teach For America! I leave June 7 for North Carolina, where I'll most likely end up with a job teaching middle-school or high-school math.

It's pretty intense. They tell me I need a car and a computer, neither of which I have at this moment. I'm also going to need a place to live by mid-August. All of which I'm going to be paying for without getting a paycheck until mid- or late-September. Yowza!

Of course, the teaching itself sounds super intense. Mark Bielecki's bro, Joe, who's teaching in San Jose right now tells me that he knew of a few different people who left the program really early-on. I figure I'll be able to hack it just fine, as long as no students pull a knife on me or anything. *knock on wood*

Until all that begins, though, I've got my trip for the next four weeks. I leave tonight for Cleveland, then after a week-and-a-half there, it's to Ventura, then to Mexico and back, and finally back to Tacoma again. All said, the trip hits four weeks almost to the hour.

I feel like that's the best way, though. I'm glad I'm leaving so quickly. I think I would just feel awkward being around here for the next month-plus.

Anyway, I'll be sure to update as much as I can while I'm gone. I realize that there are very few people who actually read my site, and goodness knows I have to update to keep them coming. Sorry for all the lapses, folks.