In which things begin and end

Garbage Man
Artist
Veterinarian
Rock Star
Actress
English Teacher
Vocalist
Art Historian
Veterinary Technician

These are all things which I was going to be, at various points in my life.  My earliest ambition was to be a garbage man, because (and I am not making this up) they were allowed to get up a lot earlier than I was. Also the riding on the side of the truck thing was pretty cool.  Some of these things I have studied to be, some I have not.

I am none of these things.

Last fall, I walked away from a graduate program I loved.  I realized that despite my love for the subject matter and people, I was asking my parents to drop a lot of money on something I wasn't sure I would ever use.  I loved it, yes, but wasn't sure whether loving it was enough.  So I did what any person with a degree in art history would do: I got a job walking dogs.  I did that job until yesterday.  Now it is over and I am moving on to something else.

Two months ago, at lose ends, I started casting around for opportunities which would enable me to move somewhere new, do something different, but weren't permanent.  I found VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).  I applied for a position which actually has something to do with decorative arts, and was accepted.  Two weeks from today, I'm moving to a small town in West Virginia for a year.  This blog will serve as my journal during my time out there.  It will hopefully be journal and correspondence both.

I am unbearably excited.  I am also terrified.

Okay.  Here we go.