No wet clothing permitted.

Day 1: Madison to LAX to Institute

Today's Big Goal: Arrive at Institute unscathed and ready for the hardest five weeks of my life.

Success? YES!

The day started at 6am, with a firm knock on my bedroom door by Timmy. Up, showered, dressed and packing up the last few things, we headed out the door at 7:15am. My flight was scheduled at 9 and I checked in the night before, so we weren't in a huge rush to get to the 8-gated Madison Airport. A quick stop at Starbucks nourished us with scones and assorted beverages and we arrived at the airport at 7:35am. Before checking in, I ran into my high school yearbook teacher, Dandi, who was there with his son. Timmy weighed my bags while I made a pit stop and discovered that both bags were only a little over 50lbs. I did some shifting and successfully checked to bags weighing in at 49.5lbs. Off to a good start.

Timmy wished me well and sent me off to security, where I ran into Joy Baumann, my youth group leader from what seems like eons ago. We caught up and chatted through the very long security line- only one of two lines were functioning so early in the morn. I got through security at the perfect time to walk on to my plane to Minneapolis. A forty-four minute nap later, I jaunted to gate G18, met up with Mariam and yes, I confess, had a very early and quick lunch of a 6 piece chicken nugget Happy Meal with chosen apple slices and apple juice.

The plane out of Minneapolis was a bit delayed in leaving, but with good headwinds (whatever that means- maybe my pilot dad can fill me in later), we made it to LAX on time. Mariam and I found a bathroom and then the baggage claim. A long wait later, we had all eight bags (for two people!) in our possession and proceeded to find Becky, who graciously arranged a shuttle for us. Thankfully, there were five of us so the cost was manageable.

Zoom zoom and we made it to California State University at Long Beach, found our check in site and proceeded on the 12 step process of signing and giving our life away to TFA for the next five weeks. I had to sign a form that said I was aware I might be dismembered or die during Institute, such a wonderful way to start this experience. Found my room, got my linens and my transitional loan check (yay for FREE money!) and only had enough time to plunk down my bags and find my purse before we were off to the first of what I forsee as many trips to the nearby Target. It's about a mile-long walk, but nice and a good way to get away from this place. I purchased some tasty snacks, laundry detergent (unlike K, no free laundry in the dorms!), a longer ethernet cord that will actually reach my computer, and a soft, plush blanket to replace the awful wool, scratchy one lent to me by the very hospitable CSULB. After a long, sunny walk back, it was eatin' time: burgers, beans, and pasta salad followed by very moist yellow cake topped with white frosting and coconut. YUM. The best meal all day.

I came back to unpack and organize room J101, which I share with Lyndsie, a fellow (half) Wisconsinite (she went to Marquette). I'm pretty sure that I brought the right amount of clothes; if anything, I brought too many professional outfits, but that just means more options for work and the kiddies won't be bored with my attire week after week. I brought along the framed picture of myself, Laurel and Carrie to spice up my room, and to have as a reminder of wonderful friends and fun times. I read through the 'Operations Manual,' which inspired today's title: you can't eat in the Parkside Commons Dining area wearing wet clothes. Note to self: do not shower with clothes on and go to breakfast, lunch, or dinner! I felt grimy from traveling, walking to Target, sitting on wet grass for the picnic dinner, and generally settling in, so I decided to shower. The shower heads are about at my chin, and brilliantly, I brought along two kinds of conditioner instead of a shampoo and a conditioner. Remember what I said about the first of many trips to Target?

The whole day has felt surreal. The only panic attack I almost had was when my bags were the last ones to come out of the luggage shoot before it stopped. Travel was easy, meeting up with people made the day that much better, and CSULB so far has been picture-perfect with its grassy lawns, palms, and close proximity to Target. It doesn't seem real that tomorrow, I will wake up at the butt-crack of dawn, load a bus at 6:40am, and be at Gompers Middle School in LA to learn how to be a teacher. In November, this day seemed a million days away, and in the past few days, it has seemed like a whirlwind. Saying good-bye to Kyle and Kels what felt like so abruptly and not well enough, to packing up not only my bags for LA, but my whole room so it is ready to move on the day after I return to my favorite city. My room looked so sad with none of my stuff in it, and the pile in the basement is daunting. I will be in Madison for less than 12 hours when I return from Institute. That is the hardest part about this whole thing. I just wish I had more time to adequately leave the place I called home for twelve years. I have to go start this new adventure tomorrow and I'm hung up on leaving home. There are more important things to think about! Like STUDENT ACHEIVEMENT!

Now to figure out exactly how early I need to get up to allow myself adequate time to eat, dress, make a necessary pit stop, and load the bus by 6:30am. Wow, real-world life starts tomorrow.

Hold on to your hats kids, it's going to be a wild ride.