I suck at blogging...

It isn't that I haven't had anything to say this summer...quite the contrary, I've had a lot to say, and I've said it to people, to my journal and in my head as I battle terrible Texas drivers. I just haven't felt inclined to blog...I haven't really felt inclined to anything.

To say this summer has been a total waste and completely useless, though, would be saying a boldfaced lie. Being alone in a strange place all the time certainly has it's benefits. For example, the whole point of starting this blog was to keep family and friends updated when I cross the pond for grad school in London. Well, I'm not going. So, Phase:Next really is becoming a phase that has no description but as my own personal next phase. I sat and thought a lot about grad school and about journalism. No doubt, I love to write. I want to continue writing, I want to write a book. I just didn't see myself working for a newspaper when it all came down to it.

I first thought my jitters were related to not being ready for graduate school, so I resigned my acceptance and applied for a job with the Frederick News-Post. A few nights later, when thinking about the job, I realized I'd be stuck in a newsroom on holidays and couldn't go on vacation with my family. I'd be back to approaching strangers in public places filled with the anxiety of being turned down. I kept thinking I didn't want this job. So, I didn't get it, and something came to me and I realized that what I've wanted to do all along is teach.

So, hopefully, I have a new plan. I have a house in Shepherdstown, now, waiting for me to return to it. Hopefully I'll start English classes part time at Shepherd, so in the fall of 2009 I can start a masters' program in teaching English. I want to teach high school English, maybe creative writing or journalism, and eventually move up to the college scene.

I should have done this all along, but now is better than never. I have never felt more settled in a decision I'm making for my future. Things are going to get better, and I promise, I will blog more.

Peace.