College of Liberal Arts Building, Towson University

When I walked through the university parking garage; the old anxiety reared its head for a heartbeat. I breathed, walked on.  I am back on campus, but this time to pick up a key for my new office.  When I envisioned my perfect job more than a year ago, I’d imagined teaching writing full-time in the English department in the beautifully new and light filled College of Liberal Arts building. It would mean teaching with colleagues who love reading and writing in an open, free environment.  I would have weeks to myself in the summer where I could be in my beloved Adirondacks. I would have time and energy to think, to write, to be.

And here I am sitting in my new office, real wood furniture, no window but next to an old friend and colleague I’ve known for 15 years. Surreal to make this circle back to where I began teaching 14 years ago.  I check out my classrooms in this huge  290,000 sq.ft building.  Three out of four classes will meet in small conference room style rooms with tables grouped in a large rectangle and ringed with comfy, swivel office chairs. I smile. The intimacy and dynamic I’ d imagined right before my eyes.

Next week, we begin a 15 week journey together — these 84 students and I.  Joyful anticipation!