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Day 4 SF: Teaching?

Today has been long.  I can't really remember what I did this morning other than possibly eating a burrito leftover from yesterday and then leaving for Berkeley.  Actually, that line just triggered a bunch of memories!  Today was awesome.  I visited the UC Berkeley campus and went on a guided walking tour, grabbed some lunch at a thai restaurant, then met up with Leslie Lindo with BALLE.

Thoughts from those moments:

  • Lawrence is small.  :)  I keep saying this, but the more time I spend here, the more I realize how small it is!  I had a lovely conversation about homeless people today that solidified this in my mind.
  • Berkeley would be a nice place to come for a graduate degree.  I think I would like to get my official studying abroad out of the way before I undertake a graduate degree and do it cheaply, because out-of-state sounds expensive.  Also, I talked to a guy who just might've convinced me to work for an airline in the future.  That way I can get the travel bug out of my system for a while.
  • The UC Berkeley campus is big.  I love all the surrounding downtown areas.  College Avenue was kind of romantic, even just looking at it from the bus ride through the area.  It reminded me of a bigger Massachusetts street.
  • I think that if I had visited the campus during the school year, I would have had a much better idea of how the energy is on a regular basis.  I think I'll be back, though, for sure.  Next time...
  • Hooray for curry!
  • Mission-driven work sounds about right for me.  I should do exactly what Leslie has done in following what I feel is right for me and leave a job if I know that I will not be able to grow in the position or something is off.  She reassured me that I am on the right path and that getting to the point where she is at now is a process.  It doesn't just happen in one day.  There are certain things in your life that are out of your control, but the other part you can totally own.

The best part of my day was filled with lots of laughter.  I spent it with Rebecca, Payton, Bobby, and Chad, all housemates I met today and earlier in the week.  They invited me out to a bar and I said yes knowing that I would probably end up with some juice mixture, but happily ordered a Devil's ____ Rootbeer.  The low carbonation was perfect and it totally looked like I had something alcoholic.  :)  I find it's getting easier to spend time with people sober while they get intoxicated.  Entertaining to see how people change their behavior as the night goes on.  The conversation was refreshing.  I love talking with people who are older than me.  They have such good advice, funny stories, and really know how to keep a conversation going or move onto a new subject.  Lots of people my age sort of go through this weird awkwardness and for me it's unbearable.  It also makes things easier when the people you're talking to have intoxicating British accents.  :)

I will post photos tomorrow.  Only have five hours before I have to wake up and pick up my rental!

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