day one.

the day began inauspiciously, with me oversleeping my alarm by 45 minutes (typical) and my mom getting fully ready in order just to drive 8 hours. i of course, opted for my boyfriend jeans that are way too loose and an ill-fitting plaid shirt. this ensemble was topped off by my new short hair (think soccer mom 1999. i dont think im exaggerating) and my face that has way more freckles on it than i remember. we finally got out the door an hour behind schedule, but feeling good about the trip. i, for one, am finally excited, as opposed to nervous. there were no butterflies in my stomach this morning, just happiness. i think this is a good sign. my dear mother and i decided to take a short cut to the freeway. somewhere between domenigioni parkway and san jacinto we got lost. very lost. and then turned around by incredibly deceiving "detour" signs after we found out the road we really needed to get on was closed. 40 minutes later, and we were finally headed in the right direction. then another omen (good or bad depending on who you are and your criminal background), a billboard with two very large eyes on it that read, "Sex offenders BEWARE! We are watching you!" Really though. at this point all we needed was a stiff diet coke, which we got at the local mcdonalds.

we kept driving. my little car (renamed Betsy as of this morning) just chugged along like a champion. we listened to NPR, i think i got my mom hooked, and then a little KFI (couldn't stomach too much of it). we talked. we laughed. we enjoyed each other's company. and before we knew it, we were in Casa Grande Arizona eating at the friendliest Cracker Barrel ever. my mom and i shopped around (i gazed at the bedazzled old womens clothes and had to ask my mom if when i was older if i would just gravitate towards that sparkly crap. she said no, i probably wouldnt. yes.) and then got accosted by a very friendly older female employee. she was a total sweetheart and told us that it was so nice to see us. it made me happy on the inside. im not kidding when i say this particular employee would sneak attack us at the randomest of moments and talk to us about the lovely merchandise in the store. so, i just had to pretend to be like her and i sneak attacked my mom, and yes, i did scare her good. my mom and i had a delicious breakfast. i enjoy spending time with her because we just seem to get each other. and plus, shes awesome. and, as of late, my sister and i have rubbed off on her and she has been saying things like "that hotel is an STD waiting to happen" and "only in tucson would you see a freakin dinosaur eating a street signal." it is fun. and i really appreciate and love her company and support. i could go on and on about her, but i'll continue with our stories. i think arizona is a neat place, and i say this because a man in cracker barrel was wearing a rather large handgun in a holster on his waist. i had to applaud his use of his second amendment right to bear arms and i might have snapped a picture. come on, i HAD to. my mom and i were busting up and her phone camera made a loud "click" and flashed, all in this armed (and potentially dangerous) man's face. my mom riles me up and this kind of thing results.

fast forward about 45 minutes. we are full, happy, and excited because we rented a new john grisham audio book. this happiness quickly faded as we drove through the absolutely lovely outskirts of tucson. we pass hotels for as low as $24.99 per night, and as we drove by them we laughed and said, i bet the people staying there wish they were staying at the fairfield inn! yeah...fast forward again another 10 minutes and we got off the freeway and made the turn towards our hotel. the area is deserted, brown, overgrown, and glaringly desolate. we tremblingly turn at all the right streets and finally arrive at the destination. besides the fact that there were only 2 cars in the parking lot, the lot was fenced in (gate closed at 730) and there were large signs everywehere that read "Do NOT let thieves in and bring all valuables into hotel." at this point, my mom was hyperventilating and saying "no" over and over again, and my "this is a very bad place" radar was going crazy. needless to say, we promptly cancelled our hotel reservation and called my dear aunt who was familiar with the area. luckily, she gave us some direction.

i say some direction, because tucson is the most illogical and confusing place in the history of man. the next three hours (yes 3 FULL hours) were spent driving in circles, loops, to the local jiffy lube, and sometimes even squares trying to find a decent place to spend the night. we tried 4 hotels before we found one that was even decent, and even the glass blocks that serve as our window and the bar that is over our sliding door dont really give off the safe vibe. i was carsick from looking at mom's map on her cell phone (internet connections on phones is such a blessing), my mom kept freaking out that the one QT gas station we saw wasn't open for business yet, and we almost got into a couple of car accidents. word to the wise- do not, i repeat do not go to the south side of tucson. unless you are in the mood for a desert adventure, or seeing dinosaurs that look incredibly realistic at the local mcdonalds.

once we were safe and sound in the radisson (white bedding- SCORE), we cooled off, and then finally went to grab dinner at Boston Market, where i'm pretty sure i ate an entire farm (chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and corn bread...just thinking about it makes me salivate). and that brings us to the present. this day has been so memorable- from our first bathroom stop in blythe (do not try to go into the taco bell at 8:45 am. its not open), to discussing of serious topics in the car, to gaining a better appreciation for one another (gotta love my mom), to gaining a greater appreciation for what I have and where my family has had the opportunity to grow up- im already learning! last night was a hard night because i realized how much i was leaving behind in california. i have an amazing family- immediate and not so immediate. i have amazing friends. i have a beautiful view of a lake. i have a jack in the box right down the street where i can get diet cokes whenever i want. this list goes on and on. im hoping that this teach for america experience will actually teach me to value these things more, to never take them for granted. this experience isn't about me, and yet it is in important ways. this adventure is really starting. my real like is finally here. this life ive made for myself (with a ton of help from family, friends, and Heavenly Father) is a good one. here's to hoping i'll have the kind of experiences i need to have to better serve all of Heavenly Father's children, so I truly can serve and love with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I am already being humbled by this journey. i need to get in the right mindset, because it isnt about what you have, its about what you GIVE. right? For right now, i think i'll get some much needed shut eye and dream of a tomorrow without tucson (armpit of america- ps i have very new views on arizonas controversial law because of this visit. john mccain step it the freak up) and full of driving with my wonderful mother to San Antonio Texas- home of the Alamo! don't worry, "this one's for all the homies."