pause for cheers, applause, general hoopla
Agreed. I'm pretty much crazy-excited.
It's not all roses and song, though, you guys. I've been placed with K-6 education (in Diana's timeless words: "Um, do they KNOW you?") and in Baton Rouge, when New Orleans is much more glamorous. Further, I have to pass PRAXIS general knowledge exams. Shudder.
Primarily I am so terrible you guys with kids! We do not hang out.
But several things must be noted.
- I officially have a JOB. It is SALARIED. Also there are BENIS. Plus a SALARY.
- It is in EDUCATION. Which is awesome. My mom (fifth straight "Teacher of the Year," btw) cried a little
- It is for a NONPROFIT. Make your silly little "Blue-collar people are so liberal!" jokes, but holy jeebus I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be working for a nonprofit org in a low-income community. Like a real liberal.
- LSU actually knows how to tailgate. Unlike SOME tiny little MidAtlantic colleges. (I don't blame you, W&M. You do the best you can with the 1-acre stadium you have.)
- They give you a 40 page pdf guide packed with details re: your new community. In my case, Baton Rouge. And in my case, between pages of crawfish boils, shots of the languid bayous, jamabalya recipes, and shout-out after shout-out of my favorite restaurant, The Chimes ... it is a little like coming home. TO AWESOMENESS.
So New Orleans may have the glamour, but Baton Rouge is an old soul. And NoLa is like AN HOUR from BR, NBD you guys.
And, um. I'm really, really excited. Come join me in shucking graduate school aside for a hot second to celebrate this weekend!
(WHISKEY AND SODAS FOR EVERYONE)
[BONUS POST ADDITION!
My first trip to Baton Rouge ever was in 2006. Enjoy these rare shots of 19 year old me getting my bayou on:]
Welcome to Baton Rouge! From the Capitol Building
This is a BEIGNET. Strongly. Recommended.
This is also the State Capitol. Note the moss-covered trees and lush otherwise vegetation.
I look forward to the subtropics after Philly winter.
THIS IS A CRAWFISH BOIL.
Oh. Em. Gee.
That is me on the left, tearing it up. It is like the BEST BARBEQUE EVER.
You would be horrified if I told you how many pounds of crawfish I can (AND HAVE) put away in a single hour.
LSU's macot, Mike. He was really boring.
But intimidating on game day.
Also the first time I ever met Barack Obama was in Baton Rouge.
To Sum: Baton Rouge is awesome. I will be moving there in a little under four months. If you want gumbo and étoufée airlifted get your orders in now NOM
Also: will you still love me if I move to a red state? I'm serious.
1) I believe it's spelled "bennies," not "benis." The latter is dangerously close to another word it shares all but one letter with, an item that (most of the time) is not generally included with a salary as a, ah, "competitive sweetener," if you will. (Whew -- talk about a statement of financial position. Ba doom chh.)
ReplyDelete2) CONGRATULATIONS!
Your friend,
Fitz
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA um, SOMEONE is preoccupied.
ReplyDeleteListen, Fitz. You taught me the etymology of "bennies" but neglected to explain its spelling. This English major made an educated guess?
AND THANKS. Come visit: you can eat alligator and andouille gumbo with me on a swamp boat. It is JUST AS AWESOME as it sounds!
ME
Annie,
ReplyDeleteMany CONGRADULATIONS!!! I can't say it enough! You are awesome and i'm freaking proud of you!! You're pursuing what you are passionate about and its SALARIED with BENIS!!! haha Get it girl!
You know me and my timeless commments! Didn't mean anything by it! haha You can borrow my son anytime for practice :)
I cannot wait to come visit you in Baton Rouge!! It will be awesome!
Hope you had a great weekend of celebration! Sorry I couldn't join you but, next time :)
Love and miss you girl!
Diana