Up, up, and away......

And so it began. That Saturday in late June when I ran away from home and family -- ran or rather, flew to a place where I could relax, reflect, and think about where it is I want life to take me. ....At least that was one of the things on my agenda. Later, as my agenda overtook me, I realized that to relax, reflect and think I really should have escaped to my lovely Redneck Riviera instead of -- New York City. So....I started another agenda -- to be accomplished at the beach in a month or so. We'll talk about that later.

That Saturday in late June I set off from Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. I thought it fitting to begin my journey of self-renewal in a city that is trying to do the same. Yes, I thought, everything about this plan of mine has just fallen in place -- pulling me along with it, so the fact that I was to fly out of NOLA was just more proof that what I was doing was meant to be. (Okay. The fact that New Orleans has direct flights to NYC, and Baton Rouge doesn't, did play a part -- but that's on a different realm, so to speak....)

My preparations for this trip were surreal. Each step along the way, as things kept working out, I would tell myself that I was in control and could pull back any time I wanted. The only time I actually thought, I can't do this! was before I sent off my college transcript and the required essay. It's been so long since I've been in school, so long since I've worked, so long since I felt I'd done much of anything, that I really and truly thought my application would be laughed at. But, something pushed me to send off the paperwork. My thinking was -- This is supposed to be a liberal institution. A liberal institution just might be open-minded enough to consider someone like me. We'll see how liberal they really are.

Well, I don't know if my line of reasoning held true or what, but Teachers College (Columbia University's graduate school of education) decided to allow me to attend a seven week intensive course they offered. And....when they say intensive they mean intensive. Sheesh! I think they tried to kill us. There was not a free moment for the entire seven weeks. I still don't know how I made it. But, I did. At least I hope I did. We'll see if that certificate shows up in the mail....

But -- back to that Saturday in late June. Typical of me, I kept thinking, "I don't have to do this if I don't want to. I can change my mind. (And lose one hell of a lot of money in deposits....)." Yes, I kept thinking this as I sublet an apartment. I kept thinking this as I bought my textbooks online. I kept thinking this as I bought a few new suitable clothes and a new suitcase to carry them in. I kept thinking this as I reserved my flight. I kept thinking this untill I told my kids. Then I knew I'd have to go through with it.

So, on that Saturday in late June, all of a sudden panicing and believing I'd been scammed and wouldn't have an apartment waiting to welcome me, and armed with addresses and phone numbers of a couple of hotels I figured I'd try if worse came to worse, J (hubby) and I set off to NOLA. J. knew I was not in a good way (and hadn't been for some time) so he was more or less (mostly less) agreeable to let me have some space.

On that Saturday in late June, I was dropped off in front of Louis Armstrong International Airport -- with luggage I didn't think I could handle, headed for an apartment I was becoming more and more sure every minute wouldn't be there, attempting to mentally prepare for a program I was trying to convince myself wouldn't/couldn't really be that bad.

As it turned out, my beloved New Orleans was waiting to give me the the sign I needed to remind me of how this was supposed to be.

If you'd like to join me on my journey, you're more than welcome to come along as I attempt to chronicle it in my next few posts....