Womanhood

Hey guys,

I am here blogging from my new office (well let's be honest, it's a large closet really) at the Women's Center at the University of Virginia. Sorry you didn't know Holland! I moved here on Sunday, and started work yesterday. Monday was mostly orientation related-stuff like a tour of the college and such, so today is my real first day as a woman! (Camille, so far so good! I am wearing black pants and black flats... but my across the front purse gives my youth away).

All is well and halarious... My boss is awesome! Kind of hippie, but SO SO nice and really passionate about kids and equality and respecting diversity and such. I am quickly learning that that's one of the biggest problems here in Charlottesville. The neighborhoods are really segregated and the socio-economic gap is huge... basically there are some really rich people and some really poor people, and not a ton inbetween.

Well, I am now one of those inbetween people, and (even though I didn't know it) apparently will be living in one of the few semi-integrated neighborhoods. To say that I live "in the hood" is an exaggeration, but it is definitely the most diverse street I've ever lived on. There is a "corner store" about a block from my house that I can't wait to start buying diet cokes from. Picture downtown Charleston I guess, with old black men hanging outside all day. hah. It's gonna be great! Don't tell Shug yet though. You know how she'd be about that sort of thing. The area is called Belmont and is this typically low-income neighborhood where in the past few years young families, graduate students, and artsy folks have moved in and renovated houses. And 3 blocks away from me is its new downtown, which is only a coffeeshop and a few restaurants, but they are awesome! And I can walk there which is way cool. I live pretty much in downtown so I can almost bike or walk anywhere! I'm hoping that I won't drive to work, but will be able to ride or walk and then take the trolley.

But yeah, all is well, though I have definitely already had a few "no seriously, what the heck am I doing here?" moments. It is SO beautiful though. And my roommate is nice. And I made friends at UVA orientation with this real cool girl named Emily who is going to work in landscaping on campus. haha. She's all organic farming and stuff. And she's sort of my neighbhor, so hopefully we really will be friends!

Sorry for writing so much! But this is so cool! Will post pictures of my house and stuff when I can.

Hope all is well in MP, CO, and Columbia this week!
Love you all a ton.