Toilet Paper, or Part 1

The past month was eventful, with several key events: swine flu, goodbye, search for toilet paper.

Swine Flu

Affectionately known as H1N1, Swine Flu swept Harvard’s senior class at the tail end of senior-week.  After the week of drunkenness (much of which I opted out of), I was sick.  And so was an incredible number of my fellow soon-to-be-graduates.  All of our ceremonies were decorated with germs as we coughed, sniffled and sweated our fevers.  It was really gross, but ultimately, it was great.  I haven’t really been able to unpack all of my feelings about Harvard (especially since my current situation feels like summer camp… I’m getting there), but it felt good to graduate and celebrate.

Goodbye

Leaving school was pretty simple, as I thought it would be.  The hardest part of that was really packing all of my things into my parents’ tiny Volvo.  Leaving people in Boston was much harder than I anticipated, but I’m optimistic about everyone’s future, be it in close relation to me or across the planet. This part is upsetting and I’m still getting used to being away from one of the most important people in my life, so I’ll write more when I actually have something intelligent to say.

Toilet Paper

Today was the first day of Teach for America induction, and the only thing that I could think about for the first few hours is where I can find toilet paper.  I moved into St. John’s University into an intense roommate situation, and I was the first to arrive.  And there was no toilet paper.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with New York, or Queens, please google St. Johns and then look for the nearest CVS, Duane Reade, RiteAid, Walgreens, or anything.  They’re far.  I settled for the dustiest roll of toilet paper in the world from a nearby corner store.  I’ll just count this as my first adventure.

I’m apprehensive about training, although I know its super necessary.  I think that the last month has just had so many changes that I really would have loved to have another month to relax and just figure life out.  Instead, I’m in a really intense situation that will probably leave me little mental space for anything else.

Overall, I’m excited to get started but also really sweaty because there’s no ventilation in this room.  I hope the circumstances don’t become suffocating.

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