2. Mr. P.
He's my dreamboy. It's unsettlingly easy to talk about the long term w/ him. It sucks major ass to even contemplate leaving such a good thing behind...even if the program's only 1-1 1/2 years long. (There was no way to say that w/o sounding naive & idealistic. But it's whatever. It's how I feel, goddamnit.)

3. Teaching certification.
One option is to get my teaching cert (1 yr program) and to teach high school history for a few years. My hope among hopes is to be able to intern at Quest High School or at an affiliated school (my alma mater), which former students have done. I'm really interested in education policy, and Quest has become a leader locally and nationally in the reform movement. Plus, it'd allow me to save up a fat wad for grad school, as well as give me the world experience I lack.

HOWEVER, will I have lesser chances of getting into a good grad school after a few years? My GPA is going to suffer after this semester. I'll probably end up Cum Laude on my diploma (or worse) if it's as bad as I suspect. I'll have to get new letters of recommendation as well.

4. Val's grab bag of anxieties:
-I'm going to be one of the youngest in my class. Am I wordly/mature enough to make worthwhile contributions in class or to interact w/ members of the political community?
-We're not talking dinky undergrad internships anymore. I'll be interacting w/ and learning from major players in American politics. How competent & capable am I?
-I will inevitably network w/ potential employers. What if a job opportunity forces me to set up shop on the East Coast? Am I ready to be out on my own?