Fabulous!

I am so excited! Truth to be told, however, some of the initial excitement has worn off and the adrenaline ceases to pulsate through my veins, but excitement still lingers under the surface.

The cause for such excitement? I have been accepted to the Folger Shakespeare Library's Teach Shakespeare Summer Institute (with a grant from the National Humanity For the Arts).

Here's where I show my true geeky-ness: I am overjoyed that I get to spend July and part of August in Washington, DC at the country's most esteemed Shakespeare research facility. In the mornings, I get to attend lectures by Shakespeare professors and researchers, as well as participate in seminars with the other 10-12 participants (yes, I am one of 10-12 chosen!). In the afternoons, we are to spend our time using the museum/library's vast array of primary documents to assist in creating lesson plans for four plays: Taming of the Shrew, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing and Richard III. Yes, Richard III. One person in particular can guess how excited I am about studying and researching Richard III makes me. Plus we get to put on a small production from one of the plays.

Woo-hoo! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Plus we get to go see a Shakespeare production at an esteemed Shakespeare theatre in DC, get taken to various socials (including a Nationals baseball game... hopefully one of the games against the Astros), and spend time with other Shakespeare geeks.

Ok, my initial excitement is coming back.

PLUS, there are extras to this good news.
1) ROAD TRIP! I've decided to drive to DC instead of flying, in order to get some miles on my new SUV and to see the Atlantic coast. Mom's going to ride up with me on the way there and fly back, and then Sam is going to fly up when I'm almost done and ride back with me. Finally, I get to see Charleston and Savannah and I get to see North Carolina again. And yes, I'm fully aware of the rising price of gas, but I am going to save and starve in order for this to happen. Plus see below:
2) The money. Yes, I'm getting paid for all of my excitement. And paid well.
3) New York! Due to the fact that I'm getting paid well, I will be taking a small weekend trip to NY to see Christine and the new baby (and hopefully take in at least one musical).
4) Washington, DC! It's DC! Land of free museums, the National Archives, running parts of the routes of the MCM, subway.

I am so flippin' excited. Two years ago I applied and was an "alternate," so I didn't get to participate. Last year, the Library didn't receive a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities. This year, I got in. I'm sure that the fact that I'll be teaching the Shakespearean Studies class at my high school next year is a big perk.

YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!