marathoner452

I have free parking for my car in the school parking lot, just blocks from Endymion.  I can fit 5 in my car including me.

Only in New Orleans...could you finance the 8th grade spring trip to DC by selling parking for Mardi Gras.  At our faculty meeting this afternoon when we were discussing logistics I could only think that they'd never be able to have this conversation in Chicago.  And that is yet another reason why I don't think I could ever leave.

Last year for Christmas I'd been training for 2 marathons for 6 months and asked for almost all running gear-socks, shoes, clothes, gels, training diary, race entry fees, heart rate monitor.  It's amazing how much stuff there is to buy for a sport that is supposedly so simple, one foot in front of the other.

This year I asked for a Saints hat, fleur-de-lis earrings, a Poppy Z. Brite book, and Fats Domino and Dirty Dozen Brass Band CDs.  I got my first digital camera and my first thought was that next time I go back in February for Mardi Gras and gutting houses I'll be able to take more pictures than last time and maybe start to impress upon my family and friends what's still happening down there.  In March I let the New Orleans bug bite me, and now I'm infected and there's no not going back.

January 13th I take the PRAXIS I.  February 14th I fly back to New Orleans.  Next fall, I move down there for good and start with my teacher education coursework.

What a difference a year makes.

~~~

roadwarrior220, I can't get my mom to make up her mind about a good day for Bahama Breeze/hanging out, so let's tentatively say the 26th because that's usually a mellow day in our family Christmas.  Let me know if that doesn't work for you, and I'll let you know if I hear different.

ratkrycek, I got your text message from Dulles.  I want to hear all about your trip as soon as you're ready.

This is as much for my future reference as for anyone else.

I'm planning on going back in February for Mardi Gras. My sister leaves for school up in New York on February 12th (Monday), and I'm thinking I'll fly down to New Orleans on Wednesday or Thursday, whenever I can get the best rates. I'll stay for about two weeks, volunteering with Hands On to gut houses or whatever else they need at that point. I'm thinking fly home on or around March 1st-once again, date to be determined by when I can get the cheapest flight.

I'd love to stay for more than 2 weeks, but I need to be subbing to keep the money coming in. Also, I'm really hoping to get started on teacher education classes this winter/spring, so I won't be able to take unlimited time off from school. And once I become a certificated teacher, maybe I can move down there for good. Maybe.

I'll be there for Mardi Gras and the Mardi Gras Marathon. You're welcome to join me for any portion of that time. Not only can they still use your help, it's a lot of fun. This'll be my third trip in the past year, and it'd be more if I didn't have to work (silly work).

~Bethany