3 Days & Counting

I leave for Murray on Friday, and as much as I'll miss my family and friends and pets for the week, I am so excited. In that environment, I feel like myself. This is me, this is what I'm good at, this is what I've always wanted to do. This is why I'm so happy that I decided to pursue what too many people told me wouldn't make a career. Even if I have to be a teacher, or whatever, to support myself, it's worth it. It's worth doing what you're passionate about and feeling that kind of satisfaction and contentment. This year, two books with my poems in them are coming out. Zone 3 is happening the soonest, and for this I am the most excited.

My first. My favorite poem included.

My Uncle Sings La Cucaracha.

It's only indirectly about my grandmother, but I hope she knows that she's one of my main driving forces, and I hope she's proud, even though I'll never be the vet she always thought I would be, the one she was hoping would take care of her dogs after she was gone. But this is what I need--the writing. And I think she would be proud, to know that some sort of legacy will live on, even if I'm never big. Which, believe you me, I plan to be. But you never know for sure, do you?

So here it is, three days until Murray. Three days until what's bound to be one of the most exhausting weeks of my life this year. But I am so happy thinking about it. My best work arguably comes from residencies. Maybe it's the tiny, bleak dorm room, the horrible shared bathroom that I have to run in and out of because it doesn't lock, or just the company in my classes, but it's inspiring. I think you have to really emotionally work up a writer to get their best work, and that's what Murray does. You're exhausted, you're happy, you're giddy from being around accomplished writers that are even vaguely acknowledging you. You want to be as good or better than everyone else. You're at your best, even when you feel at your worst.

So that's me. 3 days and counting, friends. =)