The back story

Many people have told me that sometimes my life is a joke. This is very much so one of those times. What's so funny, you ask? Well, I'm living in a van....DOWN BY THE RIVER!! Ok, ok, not really by a river, but I am living in a van. And, it is pretty funny. So far. I've only been attempting it for a little over 24 hours. I'll keep you posted on how funny it is after it's really set in. I've never blogged before, so I can't promise I'll be good at keeping up with it, but I feel like I have to try it out. After telling family and friends about my van living plan over the past month, way too many people have suggested writing a blog as a way to keep them updated. I don't think half of them even believed that I would actually move into my van, but here I am. And here's your blog.

Now, if I haven't told you already, you're probably a little curious as to why I am living in my van. Here it is, the back story:
Even though I walked at the graduation ceremony in May, I'm one student teaching placement short of technically graduating. The lease at my old apartment ended in July, and with my current financial situation AND a world wide economic crisis, signing a new lease (by myself or with roommates) was out of the question. Most of the time I'd have my family to fall back on in a situation like this, but alas, my family lives 3 hours away from where I HAVE to do my student teaching. I have wonderfully, amazing friends in town and MANY of them offered for me to stay with them for the 10 week duration of my student teaching. Sounds perfect, right? Not to me. I don't mooch. As wonderful and amazing as they all are, nobody wants a friend crashing on their couch for 3 months. So, back to the drawing board. I'm a simple person. I enjoy the frills of life, but I don't NEED them. So...a van and a plan is all I need. I'm lucky enough to have parents who own a large van. It was coined the "vacation van" as a child and was large enough to transport 9 people and all of their crap around the U.S. Who's to say it can't house 1 person and her essential possessions for a few months?? People have not only survived, but have thrived on much less. So there started the "plan." Last week, I downsized my possessions, moved in, and hit the highway. No turning back now. I am officially homeless and now a van dweller. I start student teaching tomorrow in the 5th grade. I'm excited to get back in the classroom. Let's just hope my kids don't ask where their teacher lives...

And so I have started what will surely be one of the greatest, albeit craziest, adventures of my life, but I'm up for it. I'm not going to pretend I'm not nervous. I'm terrified actually. But you know, you gotta do what you gotta do. I've encountered more challenging things in my life and have come out on top. It's 3 months. I can do it. Who's with me?? (cricket, cricket)

Either way, if you want to know how your favorite nomad is doing in her creeptastic van, check back every once in awhile. I'm thinking the next few posts will be about my first few days, an explanation of the blog name, a "You Asked It" Q&A, and an introduction & picture tour of my new home. Any other suggestions, send them my way. And, I don't really want to write this if nobody reads it, so let me know or leave a comment at some point if you're reading. Off to find a shower...

Thanks for sharing a moment with Mo...