DAY 1

I have a begging suspicion that I could get used to this type of life. I was lying on Sunset Beach, drying off after a swim in the light blue surf. It was about six and the sun was beginning its descent on the horizon. The only logical choice was to stay another 45 minutes or so to witness the first of hopefully many Hawaiian sunsets. It was spectacular.

The flight wasn't exactly perfect. My window seat got JH'd (taken) by some woman, so I spent the six hours trying to sleep and do TFA "homework" in the middle seat. Every time I woke up from my nap, the couple in front of me who was probably on their honeymoon was making out. I was pretty happy when the plane finally landed.

Alyson Gamache picked me up in our snazzy rental car, a light blue PT Cruiser, and we headed directly to the North Shore to see some beaches. First we stopped at Waimea Bay, a beautiful white sandy beach nestled between two jagged points. After swimming and laying out, we experienced our first tropical rain, so we headed back up to the car, which Aly had parallel parked immaculately along the highway above . We headed further north away from the clouds to the gorgeous Sunset Beach, a seemingly endless strip of narrow white sand wedged between clear blue water and leaning palm trees. It was one of the nicest beaches I've ever been to and I hope that I can make it a regular attraction.

Tonight we're staying at the house of Kyle Bond's, a Gonzaga alum who is just finishing his first year as a TFA Hawaii Corps member. He and his roommates have been incredibly helpful to us. Their house is perfect- it's in a nice neighborhood a block from the beach with mountains in the backdrop. Kyle provided us with a ton of information on what we're in for. I'm clearly aware that I'm standing on the edge of what will be the two most challenging years of my life. But tomorrow we're going to scout out the Winward Coast to see what beaches it has to offer. So for now, like I said, I could get used to this.

A New Chapter

Back in April of 2007, over a year ago, I was perched atop a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean during a beautiful Ligurian sunset. As I watched the sea and ocean merge together to become a warm orange fire, I wondered what the future would bring me after Europe.

It's been about a year since I last posted something on this blog. Senior year was an incredible rollercoaster of events that flew by at light speed. I could probably write a book on it (take a look at my Florence posts for proof), but I'll give you a quick summary instead: Great friends, great house, great times. I love my roommates at 803 and Spring Break in San Diego was tight. With the ups came downs as well. My older brother Pete spent three months in intensive care clinging for his life after pnemonia and ARDS ravaged his lungs. Now he's home and still working hard to recover.

The reason I'm finally posting again is because now that college is done, I'm about to encounter yet another new adventure. I'll be teaching Special Education in Hawai'i at a high need school for the next two years through the Teach For America program. I want to keep everyone posted as I find my way through what will definitely be an epic, challenging, and rewarding journey.

So make sure you're strapped in and all your belongings are secure. The ride's about to start.