Coming to a Close

Hi all...
Quick update since I know I've been slacking and, amazingly, my year here is almost over!

Everything is pretty much the same old deal around here. I have only 4 weeks of work left. School's out for summer here in 'cuse (who thought the last day of elementary after-school program would ever actually come??) and our summer program starts July 6. The last couple weeks and the upcoming one have been and will continue to be time for crazy amounts of planning in order to pull off a 6 week summer program (that my JV co-worker and I leave halfway through) for over 100 kids and about 30 summer staff members without a hitch! Okay, so, it won't be hitch-less, but if it can happen with as little chaos as possible, we'll consider it a job well done! Lately, I've just been so overwhelmed at work because my to-do list seems never-ending and this makes it impossible for me to focus on one project at a time because I'm always getting distracted. I think we've been pretty good at delegating many tasks out to our summer AmeriCorps staff members who will be the actual ESL classroom teachers (in the morning) and group leaders (in the afternoon). It's been a strange and interesting experience to be the boss of other people at a place where I still occasionally feel like a newcomer (especially when it comes to summer program, as we've never experienced it either). I don't necessarily think I'm great at being in charge of other staff, but I guess I've done an okay job. Also, I was finally van-tested and can drive our 12 and 15 passenger vans! They're surprisingly not that scary (especially considering I got my license almost exactly a year ago), although I definitely avoid having to back up or park in them. I'm extremely excited because if we get everything done early, planning- and organization-wise, for summer program, then I'll be getting some time off this week. I already have Friday off for 4th of July observed and I'm pretty much definitely not working Thursday and probably only a half day Wednesday :) Mike will be coming for what will most likely be his last visit to me here in the 'cuse sometime mid-week to enjoy my time off with me!

I have very mixed feelings about my leaving Syracuse in just 5 short weeks. I'm saddened most about leaving the people. I feel like I've become a part of Syracuse, especially the Northside, and I've met so many great people. It will be so hard to leave my community members, co-workers, new friends, and, definitely the hardest goodbye, the kids and teens I work with everyday. I am extremely saddened at the thought of never knowing what will happen to them or who they will become. I want so much for each of them to be happy and successful in their lives and I wish I could somehow stay in touch with them forever. On the other hand, I am excited most about returning to other people who also mean so much to me - my family, friends, boyfriend, and co-workers. I am torn between these two groups of people, but, ultimately, I know I will keep in touch with the people who really matter to me and I am excited to move on to the next step in my life (I'd say these are the exact same sentiments I felt when finishing up at Fairfield as well).

I'd say that's everything of note that I wanted to share. Feel free to contact me if you want to catch up more!