Things Are Happening

 School is wrapping up in just a couple weeks, but somehow it doesn't feel like a slog like May can sometimes feel. It feels fast and good. So many things are changing, and it's making me feel really grateful and really excited. I have felt so, so much love for my students this week. We had our ML (Multilingual Learner) award ceremony this morning (at 7 am, don't ask me why that was the time chosen). But I just love these kids. I've learned SOO much about teaching this year. I will miss them. A lot of them are pretty offended that I'm leaving them. Some of the teachers too. It's so nice to feel loved by people. 

I'm also incredibly excited for the future. So many things have been falling into place. I got my official school placement this week, and it's everything I've been hoping for. It's little more than a 17-minute walk from Cristian's apartment. I don't have to go to two different schools for a few hours each or take a long bus ride every day to a small pueblo. It's a high school. I also found the girl who has been there for the last two years. She was so excited to tell me how wonderful the school is and how lucky I am to get to work there. I'm very excited. It's weird because I'll only be there 14 hours a week. Compared to 40, that's like nothing. I am excited to teach lots of private lessons (hopefully). I already have two students I found from an old aux. That's what I will be. An "auxiliar de conversacion." So it's shortened to "aux" . . . not to be confused with "ox." Lol

I also found a roommate. She's only 22 and is just graduating from college with an accounting degree. She's traveled a lot and has intermediate Spanish, so I think she will be perfect. We talked on the phone for almost an hour. I answered all her Visa questions, because, let me tell you, I have STUDIED about that Visa process. It's a big, big thing. I have to go to LA TWICE this summer. My mom asked me if I would drive or fly. I said, "Maybe one of each for variety."

Cristian is getting so, so excited. He realized that he will meet my parents in like six weeks, and he is feeling the urgency to improve his English. He bought this cool online course with on-demand video classes with a teacher. He has also been sending me lots of apartment listings although I don't know how many will still be available in September. 

I will MISS Savannah. It's gorgeous and warm and has so much personality. But I'm getting ready to leave. I got my car detailed and it looks like new so I can try to sell it, hopefully to a dealership, but we'll see. I have a girl who is going to take my room. My roommates like her, but said that she will never be Clarissa. I LOVE those girls. They are coming to visit me in Utah/Nevada in August to experience the West and the mountains and all. I'm very excited for that. 

I will miss my branch. This awesome guy Darenne is getting baptized next Sunday. We are special friends because he's super musical. We have Institute in the lobby of this random hotel downtown (we have permission), and while we were all sitting at this big table, he just started crying with the spirit. Soon he made me cry. The gospel is so good, and the people who live it need each other so much. The gospel is always in action in the Savannah YSA Branch. 

I will also miss my therapist, lol. She's only registered in Georgia, and she has been so life-changing for me. I want us to be friends in real life. She is Latina and lives in Atlanta, so we've only ever met on Zoom. I wonder if I can ask her to be social media friends as long as I promise to not call her with my future problems. Seriously, therapy is for winners! I have made so much progress with my self-concept, relationship trauma, and all the things. 

The weather has been gorgeous, people are wonderful, and life is good. I can't wait to see my family in three weeks (except Carolina *crying emoji*)!