This is my second night in the enormous city of Los Angeles, on the beautiful little campus of Layola Marymount University. Actually, when it comes down to it, the campus really isn't that little - I guess in my head it just seems that way since they have a student population somewhere in the 9000's. Even still, it's a very nice campus - immaculately landscaped with beautiful facilities. Their student life/administration building could be an upscale mall. It is four stories, lined with various shops, cafe's, and student services. And there are escalators amongst the four floors, which in my mind are the qualifying factor for the mall status.
We (the Corp members) are staying in the dorms on campus. Most everyone is sharing a single bathroom between four people, but somehow I lucked out. My only campanion is the lady-on-wheels that I've ridden from the smooth streets of Phoenix, Arizona to the winding paths on the Bay shoreline. Usually she doesn't say much, but recently she's been snapping at me from the crankset - I think I need to get her serviced.
No, but seriously, I have my own room. I'm not sure by what luck that fate fell into my lap, but I welcome it gladly. Mom thinks that having a last name starting with "W" begat me that honor. However, given that my last name is a far cry from the Zanotelli, Zellman, and Zhao who round off the list, I'm a little skeptical. Plus, my bathroom-mate's (the kid who shares my bathroom) last name starts with a "P". What other theories might there be?
Everything regarding registration today was, as is customary with TFA, incredibly organized. It is so bizarre to see this organization, with the amazing things that they acomplish, and their astounding attention to detail and logistics, yet never see a person over the age of 35. The only organization that I feel comes close to their level of planning is the church, and even then, mostly regarding the MTC and Temple open houses. And perhaps one of the many awesome family vacations we've taken that Mom planned. So what I'm really saying is that it's rare to see any organization run like TFA is, especially when you consider it's coming from such a young crowd.
Perhaps the oldest person in TFA is the founder, Wendy Kopp (42). This organization started in 1990, and a majority of the alumni since then have continued in education, and have assumed leadership roles on Boards of Education, as super-intendants, and principals. Everyone that I have met on the TFA staff in the Bay, and now in LA, are people that have completed their TFA commitment since 2002, and are now working in various positions throughout the region. I mean, the Regional director for the Bay finished her TFA assignment in 2004. I'm not sure why I'm so blown away by this, but I am. Maybe you'd just have to experience it for yourself to know what I'm talking about.
Well, my bedtime is closing in on me. Seeing that I will be waking up circa 5:00 am on every weekday for the next few years, I'm going to make great efforts to get to bed around 10 every night. It'll be a struggle, since I've somewhat accostumed myself to a 12-1 am bedtime over the last few months, but I figure heck - I did it on the mission once, I can do it again. Although this is 1.5 hours earlier than I ever did back then...
Tune back in here for more updates soon - I have a million things to write about. I'm actually starting to make a list of things that I want to write on here about, and it's growing quickly. Some of the topics for my future posts include how TFA has stolen its organizational and growth model from the Church (not really, but boy it's scary similar), how engineers probably make the best teachers (obviously this is biased), an experience with the SFUSD HR representative regarding benefits paperwork, and STRS. Ooohhh, that last one gets my blood going just thinking about it. I know, thrilling topics for sure. Just you wait...
