Transitions

A new chapter. Possibly a whole new book. A new blog.

The summer is ending, and it is really starting to sink in that I am not going back to school. I always knew that school was a big part of my life. When people asked me what I did, who I was, student was always at or near the top of the list. I guess I just never knew just how much of my identity was wrapped up in being a student until the reality of not being one hit me the last week or so.

I know that being a student doesn't require that you are in some sort of institution. I'm learning so much just doing five shows a week for months at a time, and I'm learning to play the guitar, and the ukulele, and I'm going to start violin lessons in a couple weeks.  But at the same time, I really do love being in school. Having classes. Buying books. Meeting new professors. Even studying for exams.

I love being a student.  Which makes me think that I want to go to grad school as soon as possible. Although, at the same time, it also makes me wonder if I should wait a while longer for grad school. I know I will always be a student of life, but perhaps if I jump into my MFA and PhD too fast I will always only be an academic student.

I want to travel. I want to make mistakes. Have strange jobs. See strange things. Meet strange people.  I want to do the things I can only do when I'm stupid and in my 20's. I suppose I could do those things later too, but it seems people are more forgiving of rash decisions and foolishness in youth.

So in these last few weeks of summer I will try and not let my melancholy and jealousy take over as I watch my friends return to school. I will find new teachers and new things to learn this year. I will be my own teacher. I am planning a road trip through Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington this fall, and I know that taking that trip alone will teach me a lot about the world and about myself. I hope I can spend this year learning who I am besides student. Artist? Lover? Gypsy? Writer? Reader? Woman? Songwriter? Who knows what possibilities lay open at my feet?

I have generally not been a very good blogger in the past, but who knows, maybe without college I will be a bit better at recording some of these thoughts and dreams that percolate through my post grad brain.

So here goes. New blog. New day. New me? Maybe not, but new version...

As I wander and wonder I will greet each day as an opportunity. Live from a place of gratitude. Look for, and expect, miracles. And treat each day with the reverence it deserves. I get to live, I get to breathe, I get to dance, I get to sing. Today is a good day.

namaste
be love