Induction Week

I signed my contract today, so I guess that makes it official. I felt like such a grown-up, reading about benefits and retirement plans and the pros and cons of joining a union. These were all things that seemed so distant until now: induction week.

Induction week is essentially a preview of my experience in the Bay Area. Teach for America booked the beautiful Double Tree Hotel on the Berkeley Marina for all of its 2009 Bay Area corps members in hopes that we'd all get to know each other and get a lot of work done, too. My time here has mostly consisted of paperwork, but I've made a few new friends too. There are a lot of special education teachers, and we have a really great team leader which I think will make the next two years a lot of fun. As an added bonus, she's from Oregon!

While I don't have much to say other than how excited I am to begin my adventure, I will begin with a funny little story for your enjoyment. My week began on Monday morning with a delayed flight and a slight financial crisis. However, I finally boarded a tiny plane with my two giant suitcases (49 pounds each, thank you) all packed for a summer of learning. I arrived at SFO and boarded a shuttle to our beautiful hotel in Berkeley with three other corps members. We scooted across the Bay Bridge and were finally at the hotel. After a long day and a complicated check in process, I finally got to my room (on the fourth floor of the furthest building away from the lobby...). All I wanted to do was collapse, but upon my entrance I was greeted by a slightly strange sight. While my roommate wasn't there, there were boxers, swim trunks, socks, huge basketball shoes and ties spread out all over the bed. There was a razor perched on the edge of the sink and men's AXE body spray on the counter. While I didn't want to be judgmental or presumptuous, I suspected that I might be in a room with a guy. Sure enough, moments later, a handsome (but too short for my taste) man walked in. Surprised, he eyed the purse, bra and women's running shorts spread across my bed and then saw me, already on the phone with the front desk. While Jason was a terrific guy, I decided that he probably didn't need to sleep in the bed next to me--after all, we'd just met! As it turns out, the front desk had failed to note my gender on my room assignment sheet and instead based my assignment off my first name only. As it turns out, the exact same thing happened to another girl, Tyson, on the floor below me. It turned out to be an easy swap, and Tyson and I get along great. I have to say, it was an interesting first few hours here at induction!

I hope everyone is doing well, and I can't wait to update you about all my many adventures soon.