TFA

Most of you who know me know that I believe in Teach for America with all my heart. If you don't know what Teach for America is, go here. Today I found out that as of the 2011-2012 school year TFA will have an Appalachian region. I'M SO EXCITED!!!! Reasons? These:

1. I love Teach for America

2. I love Appalachia

3. Appalachia has areas of intense poverty and TFA is needed there greatly

4. When my sister lived in Portsmouth (outskirts of Appalachia) she fell in love with the cause of saving the children.

5. When I moved to Portsmouth, I caught the bug and too developed a deep desire to save the Appalachian children.

6. When I worked for juvenile court, that desire intensified even more.

TFA is going to save the children of the Appalachian area one child at a time! I'm so excited for even the few children they will reach to be given the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives and know that they don't have to live in poverty forever. Most of all, I'm excited for the Appalachian children to know they're worth it.

Teach for America is one of the things on my after graduation possibilities list. That and a mission are at the very top of the list. And I could go back to Appalachia and help in the work that I love so much. But, if the big man upstairs has something else in store for me, or has a different TFA region I need to be in, I'm just happy to know they are in the region I love with the children I love.

Pathetic? Oh Well. I'll Spill My Guts Anyways

I rarely talk about my love life on here. Partly because I think my blog is already giddy-little-girlish enough without talking about boys. But the other part is because there's not much to talk about and I don't want to sound pathetic.

But here's my idea. If I publicize the extent of my patheticness and the far reachingness of my creeperism, it makes both of those things ok. Right? :) Well, correct or not, you're about to read my story.

So I've never really liked a boy that didn't like me back. (I know, I've been lucky, or just conservative with my crushes). This was true until three months ago. Then the rejection began. Don't worry. There was no awkwardness. Just the realization that he doesn't know how AWESOME I am.

Since then, it's been weird. I found out, via facebook (hence the creeperism listed above) and a couple close friends that 1 of my ex-boyfriends is getting married, and 2 are moving in that direction very very quickly. Really? All 3 of these guys wanted to marry me at some point, but for one reason or another things didn't work out and now they all want to marry someone else. Honestly, its normal and that's the way life happens, but it stings a little. And I'm willing to admit that.

I think there's something inside of all of us, that no matter how long its been since we were with someone, there's this need to say "Hey, my life is awesome. And you're not a part of it." Something in us wants to show that we're good without them. We wish them the best, but secretly hope that when we run into them we will be able to say things about our lives that will make them think for a minute. What's that you say? You don't think these things. Oh. Me neither. (Head down in embarrassment).

So I have a confession. You know Miranda who is really independent and has a hard time really letting people in because of it? You know Miranda that loves being single and free? You know Miranda that wants to travel the world, and save the children, and do tons of amazing things? Well, Miranda also has developed a secret desire. I'm embarrassed to say it, but here it is: I think I actually want a relationship and even to get married someday. I don't know why I'm embarrassed. Getting married has always been a part of my plan eventually. Maybe my feminist roots have just dug down too deep.

So there you have it folks, my deepest darkest secret. I want a relationship. And I like a boy. Those words are like vinegar on the tongue, but they're true. I hate that I want this because I feel like I'm turning my back on the things I could do (even though I know being a mom is the best thing I could possibly do). But on a larger, and more shallow scale, I hate it because its typical. And I hate being typical.

So until I have this relationship that I not-so-secretly anymore would like to have, I plan to continue living my single and carefree life (except for the whole grad school and therapist thing).

Shame, you just got attacked! Take that!

Shame Attack!!!

So my old roommate and I are really into these things called shame attacks. Basically, we all have things in life that we are all afraid to do because we fear it will bring embarrassment, awkwardness, disapproval, and feelings of shame. So, to do a shame attack, you participate in the very action which would bring about these feelings. Thus, after doing the action, you learn that not its not as bad as you thought, or it is as bad as you thought, but now you know you can do it. And then you can yell "Shame you just got attacked! Take that!"

I LOVE SHAME ATTACKS.

A couple weeks ago I told a boy I liked him as a shame attack. It was fun.

But here's the deal. The reason why I explain the concept of shame attacks is because, I'm going to use my blog as an opportunity for shame attacks. I'm going to talk about things that I usually would be too afraid to talk about. Get ready to hear some embarrassing stuff. Its gonna be great. And by the end of the summer, hopefully I'll be next to shameless. Like old people in the locker room at the gym. No shame. Let me tell you.

Going Home

Going back to Oakcrest is like going home. Something about it just reminds me of who I really am and who I can be. I just love that place. And I love the people I served and served with while I was there. We had lots of fun on our hike after friends and family night, and we may have gotten lost. It was great. Once again we experienced Oakcrest miracles, and we were only there a few hours.

As soon as I saw last years staff members I started to cry. And a few of them cried when they saw me. It made me happy. I just can't explain the love I feel surrounding Oakcrest!

Here are some pictures from the adventure: