Treats for appetites of every size
This is a big day: it’s the very last SMiLes by Meg post. I started this blog in 2013, fresh out of college and about to start a two year teaching job in New Jersey. I had no idea what I wanted my life to look like yet, and TFA was a way that I could push off that decision a little longer while doing something that felt important and meaningful. And because I was in a new place starting a new phase of my life, it felt like the right time to also get more serious about a new …
I’ve been at my summer job for two weeks and haven’t brought in any baked goods yet. Last week I was baking for a cookout. The week before I baked for school friends who were still around. This week, I’m finally bringing something into the office: Coconut Cake.
Thursday marked the end of my two year commitment to Teach for America. These two years have been far more challenging, meaningful, and transformative than I possibly could have imagined at the front end. There were days that I just wanted to go home and forget by watching hours of Netflix. There were other days that I couldn’t contain my excitement to the point that I had to call three separate people to tell the story before I could finally calm down. But most of all, TFA was amazing because of the people I met.
“Pride keeps you warm on Easter.” That’s what my mom said to me as we speed-walked to church this morning in the bitterly cold wind wearing pretty dresses meant for much warmer weather. Being back in Massachusetts for the holiday, it really does seem like winter will never end. There actually is still snow on the ground. And I’m not just talking the snow piles in parking lots at the mall. In my parents’ backyard, there is snow.
Yesterday I had the most perfect first day of summer you can dream up. I started the day with a nice long run, did some chores around my apartment, and then biked to a farmer’s market where I met a friend (Hi, Ashley!) to shop for some local produce and eat food truck tacos. After that, we wandered around my town’s stores before heading over to our school to watch one of her students compete in a skateboarding competition. When I got home, I roasted up my vegetables for a delicious dinner. All in all, exactly what I wanted to …