day 4.

today has been a long day, and it isn't even over yet! we have been around town doing this, seeing that, and im pretty sure we've seen it all. im still loving the city, but have noticed a few things that weren't apparent last night in and around the chilis parking lot. the downtown (where we are now staying, yep that's hotel #3 for us) is gray and tan, with few buildings and even fewer people. it doesn't look like there are any apartment high rises or anything and there is no traffic even at peak traffic times. there are no restaurants here, hardly any fast food, and the hotel we are now staying at is the only hotel (that we've seen) in downtown. so basically, people don't come to visit in Baton Rouge.

this morning after we checked out of the 5 star radisson, we went to check into the hilton. lovely staff, and my mom had a crush on the pretty cute valet who was joking with us. since we are from california, he asked if i was a USC football fan. im not, but i told him that i have to rep for california. he said that i really shouldn't say that everin baton rouge. i might get hurt. and, im going to have to take an interest in football like never before. at least i dont have any irrational attachment to BYU football (like thousands of other zoobies). after this, we drove through the AMAZING garden district. its a higher end housing area in mid-city where a lot of TFA members live. think huge tree lined streets, beautiful old homes, and green grass and flowers everywhere. it was so homey and i could see myself living there. i dont think people in louisiana have sprinkler systems or mow their lawns, because they live in a jungle!! i fell in love with the garden district, and am so excited to start looking for an old, french looking home or apartment to rent. i am such an adult, its sickening.

we continued to drive around the city (which isnt very big, at least everything we've seen) and we went and saw the school i interviewed with, Kenilworth Science & Technology, and it was in this beautiful housing area near the historic highland street. historic highland street has about 20 mansions that are old, beautiful and magnificent. this area is near LSU, where we went next. LSU is set on two lakes, big lake and small lake. there are a lot of buildings, some old and some 1970s ugly stuff, and tons of trees. it is gorgeous. i know i say that about everything, but really, LSU campus is so nice. i cant wait for those sweltering august football games in tiger stadium. i am excited to be a tiger! i saw everyone walking on campus (everyone was in workout clothes, i guess thats summer for you) and i missed school. i miss the feeling of my backpack, and having to read for class, and sitting in lecture. but luckily, only a little bit.

we then had a wonderful time putting my things into storage, searching for tape and markers to mark my stuff. it took an hour, and at this point we hadn't had any food at all except a diet coke and some cheez its. yes, we weren't in the best of moods. we were in a not so nice part of town, and i had my first run in with someone with a sad story asking for my money. i am incredibly naive (i believed that his wife and mother had died yesterday, and i still do although my mom is more skeptical than me), but my heart broke. and i feel guilty for having so much. how do i balance this? my heart will keep breaking for two years? how do i give without giving away everything? and how do you get rid of the guilt? im hoping someone will have answers for me.

after storage, we went to the Teach for America office and i registered. so exciting! everyone was so nice, so welcoming. it made me feel so comfortable! i was able to meet the people ive been emailing and who have been helping me handle all of the logistics of life in louisiana. but, i forgot that i looked FUG. haha. a little embarrassing. also embarrassing, i brought my mom in with me. and yes, i was the only person to do that. but hey, i love my mom and they all loved her too. i got a notebook full of stuff, and can i just tell you that i bought a notebook for all of my stuff before i came? TFA and i are both notebook and organization people!!! good feeling about this organization. but, i am hesitant about all of the social events this week. alexandra sullivan=not social. i know i can handle anything they can throw at me, just a little nervous about hanging out with people. its been awhile, unfortunately.

now, at our hotel. i miss my family. i miss non-humidity and my back porch. but i still love this city, and i think ill love it even more after tomorrow. all my excitement is now turning to trepidation. its finally here, after 8 months of being in the making.

and there is a severe weather warning. hope i can handle it!