On the verge of an adventure

Well, tonight I sit on the edge of a cliff. Hopefully tomorrow I'll fly, and not crash somewhere miserably.

Tomorrow morning I head to my new school for the first time (well, since the interview), see my classroom for the very first time, and about a half hour or so afterwards, get to meet my students too! 6th grade orientation is happening, and the principal has assured me everything is taken care of and all I basically have to do is be a body in the room, but it's certainly going to be interesting. I mean, I've never greeted my students in a strange room, feeling completely unprepared before.

From talking with the principal, it sounds like everyone is going to be very supportive and helpful, and I'm convinced I'll get through this week (one way or the other). Tomorrow, after orientation, I'll go and officially sign my contract, have the rest of the day and Tuesday to set up things in my room & look at the curriculum for the first time, and then bright and early Wednesday morning (ready or not) is the first day of school.

So, yes, this year is certainly going to start with a bang! I'm saying prayers that I'm ready and that this position turns out to be the right choice. Right now I'm actually pleasantly surprised that I'm not completely panicking (although that still might come). Instead I sit here on the verge of this adventure, feeling surprisingly optimistic and excited. It's going to be a different way to start a year—probably a little more stressful than most—but as I said at the beginning: hopefully (fingers crossed) tomorrow I'll fly.