It Is What It Is

Life Happens

2011-07-18T13:28:00.000-04:00

Since 2002, I have been on a fitness roller coaster. I've lost weight, gained it back, lost some more, and gains some more back. Since January 3rd, I have been focused and dedicated to living a lifestyle that is focused on health and fitness. My mantra is and has been "No Excuses". Whatever happens, there is no excuse for not taking care of my body. This mantra has helped me to workout four to five days a week since the beginning of the year. Even when I went on vacation, I worked out twice to make sure I hit my five days for that week. Since my start, I have lost 55 pounds. I have between 10-20 more to lose; I'm not really sure because I don't want to look anorexic but I do know what size pants I would like to wear & that there are a couple of inches to go off my waist.

Today while I was sweating to Beyonce on the elliptical machine, my former trainer walked by and said, "you can't lose it all in one day." I laughed and told him that I was making-up for the good weekend I had (lots of food & drinks). He laughed. Later on he came back and asked if my weekend was worth it. I told him that it was. It was then that I realized the difference between the weight loss ups & downs I've had in years past and the success I'm currently having. In the midst of fitness goals, life will happen. There will be parties, BBQs, vacations, and nights out to dinner where there will be food & drink that I may not eat as part of my healthy lifestyle. Do I not attend these gatherings or attend and not eat? No. I've realized that these wonderful times of fellowship are just as important as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In the past, I would have beat myself up for eating a few wings or some chips & dip, but now I don't. I eat and fellowship. I workout. If I fall off the wagon at a weekend BBQ or wine & cheese party, so what. I get back on program the next day and press on.

Understanding that life happens is truly the key to success at attaining any goal.
"Failure is never final and success is never ending. Success is a journey, not a destination." ~Ben Sweetland

31 day reset...more like 2-3 month reset

2011-02-22T17:10:00.001-05:00

I am so behind on the 31 day reset. After day eight (which I haven't finished yet), the tasks became much more intense and time consuming. It's not like I don't have the time to complete the tasks; it's just that work, the gym, & my love of television have occupied most of my time. I would normally work on the assignment of the day before going to bed, but the tasks have become a little longer than the 15-30 minutes I'd allotted before hitting the pillow. I will continue & finish the reset, but it's just going to take me a little longer than 31 days. Some of the assignments that I have glanced at will be a breeze because they do not pertain to me. There is a day where the assignment is to go 24 hours without television...UMM, we'll see about that one.

Day 10: Bucket List (things to do before you "kick the bucket")

Travel to Europe (Italy, France, Greece)
Become a published author
Take a photography class
Complete a 1/2 Marathon
Own a vacation home
Drive cross country
Visit all U.S. beaches
Create a scrapbook about my husband and I for our unborn child (kinda like "How I Met Your Mother")
Teach a college course
Learn a second language
Take a spontaneous trip
Pay for someone's gas
Visit Yosemite
Overcome fear of heights
Climb a rock wall
Attend a black-tie charity event
Learn to sew
Teach a fitness class
See all of the Great Lakes

Day 7: Ideal Life Narrative

2011-02-06T17:51:00.003-05:00

These past few days of the 31 Day Reset have been highly intense.

On day 5, Rosetta asked that I write the mission statement for my life. OMGoodness!!!! I am still working on this. It seemed like I was writing FOREVER, and then what I wrote didn't seem as connected to day four as I would have liked it to be.

Day 6 was awesome because I had to create a Life Map in regards to all of the areas discussed on Day 2.

Now here's the task for Day 7:
Your ideal life narrative is basically you telling a story about the life you want for yourself. It answers questions like:

What are you doing on a daily basis in your ideal life?
Who are you spending your time with?
How are you earning your living?
Where are you living?
How are you spending your leisure time?

MY IDEA LIFE NARRATIVE (a work in progress)

I am living in an urban/suburban area in a four-bedroom, brick home owned (debt-free) by my husband and I that is designed and decorated to my liking. This includes a kitchen with an island and stainless appliances; there is an open floor plan that creates an easy flow for the dinner parties and family gatherings that are hosted here. There is a custom closet system in which there is more than enough space for all of our clothes & shoes. The backyard is designed for family BBQs, relaxation, and the dogs. We are the parents of an intelligent, healthy, and gorgeous child that amazes us on a daily basis. My husband, child, and I take week long vacations each summer away from all of the hustle & bustle of our lives. My husband and I take at least one mini (long weekend) vacation each year to ensure our quality time together. Our family eats dinner together at least four nights per week. My husband and I have date night once a week to remember that the strength of our marriage is the basis for a strong family. Because of our savings and minimal debt, our child is not limited in his/her education by district boundaries. We also have established a college savings fund, so that our child can attend the university of his/her choice. My sister circle takes a trip every other year as a way to escape from the daily grind, our children, and our significant others. I visit the spa twice each season for facials, massages, and body scrubs to keep my skin fresh and my muscles relaxed. I am in the best health of my life due to clean eating and exercise. My body fat is less than 20%. I teach a fitness class at the gym once a week. I am an educational consultant helping teachers become more effective in their delivery of curriculum, student engagement, and classroom management. I consult with multiple districts within the state. In addition, I teach education courses on the post-secondary level. I have a network of teachers, principals, and other educational leaders that I consult with and receive guidance from on a regular basis. I am a published, best selling author of both fiction and non-fiction. My husband and I save 20% of our annual income and contribute the maximum to our IRA accounts each year. I have been blessed to earn a six-figure income doing what I love-helping people become the best they can be in education. My husband is the owner of one of the most successful granite and marble businesses in the metropolitan area as he continues to increase profits each year and stay in the black. My husband and I live with minimal debt, only choosing to purchase a newer, used vehicle every five to seven years. I visit my nieces and nephews at least once a month and participate in family reunion activities. I am a lifelong learner in multiple fields (education, business accounting, photography, and writing); I continue my learning through professional development seminars and continuing education courses both locally and online. I am an active, tithing member of a local church. I read and mediate on the Bible daily and stay connected to God through continuous daily prayer.

For me, this has been the best day thus far because I love to write and writing what I want my life to be like makes it easy for me to see.

"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." ~Habakkuk 2:2 KJV

The vision is written, and I'm running with it!

~Selah

31 Day Reset: Day 2

2011-01-31T21:18:00.040-05:00

On day 2 of the 31 Day Reset Rosetta of Happy Black Woman has asked me to assess my feelings about certain aspects of my life: Lifestyle, Work, Education, Finance$, Health, Family, and Relationships. In thinking about each of these areas, I had to dig deep and think about the things that I love and hate in each area. I will not share all of my assessment, but here are some of the things I came up with.

LIFESTYLE

Photo by Marius Muresan

I love that I live in an urban area that has easy access to local freeways and is pretty centrally located.

Photo by Maha Rashi

I hate the negative image that my city has. Working with people who live in the 'burbs, I feel like I always have to defend our choice to stay in the city and even one day raise a child here!

WORK:

I love the kids I work with on a daily basis. I even love those that others (parents, teachers, society...)have given up on.

HEALTH (Mental, Physical, & Spiritual):

For the past five years my health & fitness has been a rollercoaster. Since the beginning of the year, I have been getting back into the grove. I love the gym and I love eating healthy food. I am truly a health nut, and there's no need for me to keep denying it. I am not into dieting, but I believe that eating healthy, REAL FOOD and physical activity should be a way of life.

I thank God for peace of mind. In the world in which we live, I cannot say how grateful I am to be of sound mind. "Hakuna Matata" is my second mantra which truly comes from the Bible. Don't believe me?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6 NASB)

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials." (James 1:2 NASB)

I love Jesus. He is my Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Provider, Confidante, Healer, Counselor, Protector... The husband and I are still trying to find a church home that we love (with its flaws) as well. Sometimes I think my previous church home has made me a church snob, and this is something that I am working on day by day.

EDUCATION:

There is nothing I am not happy with in regards to my current education. I'm in pursuit of my second Master's degree with plans on attaining a certificate in Grant Writing when I'm done. School is awesome. Oh...I do hate the cost.

FINANCES:
I wish I had learned what I needed to know about money management and credit before I had credit and had to manage money.

FAMILY:

I love the fact that I have a wonderful family. There is no drama amongst family members. Everyone gets along. My in-laws are very similar to my immediate family, so everything works out well there. The fact that I workout with my sister-in-law coupled with the fact that my dad and husband hang out together should say it all.

There are some family members that I wish I saw more often than I do.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Awesome Husband

Photo courtesy of Penny Matthews: http://www.credos.us/zoofythejinx

Awesome Friends

Photo by Hilde Vanstraelen / http://www.biewoef.be/

'Nuff Said!

Day two obviously took more thought and introspection than day one. It was good to journal and force myself to admit some things that were not at the forefront of my mind. On to day 3...

~Carpe Diem

Happy Black Woman 31 Day Reset

2011-01-29T16:40:00.000-05:00

I just started the 31 Day Reset Your Life Challenge. It is designed to provide participants with 31 days of virtual life coaching to reset, refocus your life.

Today is day one for me. The task for today was to choose a notebook and a select a personal mantra.

I have selected my notebook--a lovely gold and red journal I received as a gift from my mother-in-law a few years ago. Selecting a mantra was very easy because it has been my mantra since the beginning of the year: NO EXCUSES.

As I go on this journey of self-discovery, redirection, and empowerment I hope to learn more about myself in order to be the best me that I can possibly be.

~Carpe Diem

Ignorance is Running Rampant

2011-01-29T09:48:00.000-05:00

This could be the Imbecile of the Week award, but I think this is far beyond that award.

Martin Luther King, Jr. has a national holiday in this great country. Since he has a national holiday, it would make sense that every one in the country knew why he had a holiday (especially people who have the day off or who have children who have the day off). Well, it seems that not everyone in this county knows why Dr. King was given a holiday (whether they are in agreeance with his ideals or not).

Case #1: My husband's business partner.
Mr. A's business partner received a text message on MLK day that read "Happy Lee Harvey Oswald Day". There is so much wrong with this.

1. Lee Harvey Oswald did not assassinate Martin Luther King. James Earl Ray is the convicted assassin on King. Lee Harvey Oswald was the convicted assassin of JFK.

2. Said business partner laughed and showed the text to my husband. My husband had to explain to him that the text was not funny.

3. Said business partner did not even know who Oswald was so he was just laughing for no reason.

4. Husband had to explain to him that Oswald killed Kennedy and that the friend who sent the text was severely stupid because he couldn't even get his racist text message correct. [Proof that ignorance breeds racism]

5. Husband had to explain who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and how his vision was relevant to all people not just those of color. The business partner had no idea who MLK was. This is a grown man (mid thirties) who did not grow up out in the wildernes with no access to media. A grown man with kids!!!!!

6. Business partner said "oh, I didn't pay attention in school". WTF?????

Case #2: Husband's former co-worker

A grown woman in her early thirties had no idea who Dr. King was. How do you not know who Martin Luther King is as a citizen of the U.S.?

Case #3: My place of employment

I work at a school
The school has a large African-American student population and a black principal
My school had no MLK program, project, announcement, lesson...

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T16:09:00.000-05:00

Almost everyday a friend of mine from high school sends out a list of five or more things for which she is thankful. These messages are truly a blessing because they remind me to focus on all of the wonderful things that God has done/is doing in my life instead of the hurdles that show up on the journey. So today on this nationally acknowledged day of giving thanks, I have my own list of just a few of the things for which I am truly grateful.

1. I am grateful that I know the love, mercy, favor, and kindness of God.

2. A wonderful husband (with whom I will celebrate one lovely year of marriage this Saturday) who loves me unconditionally, supports me in all areas of my life, and encourages me when I focus on the hurdles that occur instead of the beauty of the journey and the amazing blessing at the end of the path.

3. An amazing immediate and extended family that is functional, loving, supportive, and successful.

4. The opportunity to be placed before great men and women on my job because of the new position that I've been placed in this year. I've met so many people in the district this year and I'm known by more people as well because of this new gig.

5. An awesome network of girlfriends that spans from the Midwest to the West Coast to the Dirty South and to the East Coast. I am so fortunate to know so many fabulous, successful women.

Facebook...LOL

2010-11-17T22:08:00.001-05:00

This sums up why I deleted my Facebook page.

"...if I had a Facebook page or the desire to share intimate life details with people I'd avoid on the street." ~Shawn, Psych

Out of Dress Code = Out of Class?

2010-10-18T10:57:00.003-04:00

This past Friday a young man at my school spent the entire day in the office. Why? Not because he was so sick that he could not get any work completed. Not because he had committed a violent act against another student or teacher. Not because he was disruptive to the learning process of his peers (even though some may argue this point in pleading their case). This young man spent the entire day in the office because he was out of dress code. He was not wearing a Speedo or a G-string. He did not have on Prince's butt-out leather pants. No, this young man came to school in a pair of pajama pants. A pair of designer pajama pants that he coordinated with a designer shirt; to him it was an outfit. He even referred to the pants as "jump" pants. Now, don't be confused. I do not agree with people wearing pajama pants outside of the home. However, I find it ludicrous that he did not get a chance to learn that day. His mother and grandmother were contacted, and they were supposed to bring him some clothes (they never did). So why not let the young man attend his classes while waiting for someone to bring his clothes?

I remember when my younger brother was in elementary & middle school he had to wear a uniform. A key component of the uniform was the bow tie. If students did not have their bow tie, they were considered out of uniform. They too had to miss school or have a parent bring this integral part of their education up to the school.

In a time and age where a lot of kids are checking out of school by the seventh and eighth grade, why is there so much foolish emphasis on dress code? I'm not saying that there should not be a dress code in school, but the consequences for being out of dress code when it does not distract from the learning process need to be reconsidered.

Just my opinion, feel free to share yours.

Who am I?

2010-10-12T22:26:00.002-04:00

These first six weeks of school have caused me to ask myself "Who am I?" I ask this question of myself because I feel like I'm in a state of transition. I'm on the road between Good and Great, and I'm learning a lot about myself as travel down this path.

When I first began my career in education, I really did not have any clear career goals. I knew that after my first year I would only be in the classroom for ten years. There was no way I could imagine teaching day in and day out for thirty years as many as my colleagues do. I always found myself saying that there had to be more to life than being trapped in the classroom teaching the same lessons year in and year out for more than a quarter of a century. When I started teaching at my current school last year, my department head could not fathom being outside of the classroom. She really had a difficult time grasping the concept of me wanting more than lesson plans and lunch in the teachers' lounge. I knew that there was more to being an educator than what was starting to become the mundane routine of perfecting the same lesson from first to sixth hour.

This year, I have been given the opportunity to test my desire for being outside of the classroom. In being given a position that has not clear description, it has been up to me to define my role in the building amongst my peers and my superiors. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work on my own schedule and to go to various meetings where I have been the only non-administrator in attendance. This year has been both amazing and tiring. And it's only mid-October.

In addition to having a new position on my job, I have also started a M.S. in Ed Leadership program. In my past academic endeavors I have done my breeze through class with minimal participation. However, I have found myself participating in class discussions on teaching and learning theory. Who is this person I'm becoming? I sat through my first Master's program hating all discussion on theory because I had absolutely no interest in it. Now, I'm reading articles on education that have not been assigned by my instructor. I believe this is called intrinsic motivation! I'm motivated by my own desire to become a better educator and leader! This is nuts because this is not who I was five years ago! I even led a part of the Professional Development at my school. I HATE talking in front of people; at least I thought I did. Who knew?

I cannot wait to see where this path to greatness end up and how many more revelations about my true self will show up on this journey.

I am not my hair...or am I?

2010-01-04T16:44:00.004-05:00

My hair. My crown and glory. These illustrious locs that sit atop my head are driving me nuts! Why do you ask? Well, I am in the middle of a moral dilemma. Okay, it's really not a moral issue, but it sure feels that way. I am debating whether or not I want to grow out my relaxer. It has been almost twelve weeks since my last relaxer, and I am not sure whether or not I want to let the pressing comb lead me to a chemical free life or retreat to the safety net of my toxic straightener. I've been here before. A couple of years ago, I went without a relaxer for ten months. It was the most interesting time of my life. I grew to embrace the 4A/4B tresses in their natural state. I sported half wigs, cornrows, and twists in the interim. I learned to love coconut oil and co-washing. Protective styles were my friends. Then I couldn't do it anymore. My hair yearned for the white concoction to smooth my mane, or was I just tired of dealing with my hair? October 2007 is when I went back to my comfort zone. However, I decided that I would only allow my roots to be relaxed every three months or twelve weeks.

So now, here I am nearing the end of my twelve week stretch...unsure of what I want to do. I love the versatility that natural hair provides, but I hate the transition.

Friends. How many of us have them?

2010-01-03T17:12:00.006-05:00

I did the unimaginable, the unthinkable, what no one man has done before...I deleted my Facebook page. Why on earth would I do such a ridiculous thing? Where do I begin? After I deleted my MySpace page some eons ago, I vowed that I would never get a FB page. However, in my weakness I was lured into the trap of reconnecting with friends from elementary, secondary, and post secondary school. I was consumed with status updates and photographs of old friends. I had to know what everyone was doing and with whom they were doing it. Why? No reason in particular; I just had to know. I could not open the Internet without logging in to my social networking account. It was an obsession. I even accessed the Facebook application on my cell phone. I had a problem, and something had to be done to stop me from spiraling down the rabbit hole.

Hello, my name is...and I'm addicted to Facebook. I can't eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom without finding out what my friends, most of whom I do not associate with in real life, are doing.

There was only one thing I could do. Delete my account. Easier said than done. After deleting all of my "friends" (there should really be levels of acquaintanceship) and photographs, I searched for the option to delete my account. Ha! My efforts were futile because there is no delete option under the account settings. I had to Google (yes, this is a verb) "how to delete Facebook account" in order to get out of the matrix. After following the long drawn out instructions, I received an email that stated my account would be deactivated then permanently deleted within fourteen days. Erasing me from the matrix that is Facebook would only occur if I did not login to my account during that time period. The craving, the shakes, the mental anguish, and the anger all took me to lows I've never experienced. However, my withdrawal did not push me back into my addiction. I let it go. I filled my time with reading, writing thank-you notes, and watching endless hours of television (I refuse to go to Couch Potatoes Anonymous) and before I knew it I was over it! And I was out of the social networking matrix also known as crackbook.

Many could not understand why I would leave such a wonderful place where I can keep up with the lives of so many friends, both old and new? It's simple. I did not use Facebook as a networking tool; therefore, my time on there was futile. Why? Because I do not need a login name and password to keep up with the people that matter to me and vice versa.

Imbecile of the Week

2009-08-21T14:02:00.005-04:00

This week the award will go to the media. I mean for real real. There's nothing else going on in this country-- where the education system fails those in the inner cities, where there's a serious gap (and always will be) between the upper and lower classes, where children are killing each other, where there's so much drama with health-care reform, where there homelessness and the people owning multiple properties are parallel--besides the first lady and her shorts? You've got to be kidding me. Leave it to the media to take the focus off of what's really going on and place it on something that in reality no one should care about. Imbeciles of the week. Take your award with honor because you truly deserve it.

Guilty Pleasures

2009-08-20T10:42:00.010-04:00

Last night I got together with a couple of good friends to partake in the drama and foolishness that is "the Real Housewives of Atlanta." It is obvious that Bravo has not gathered this group of women for their views on politics, the economy, or environmental issues. I mean, really, none of the shows in the Housewives franchise are filled with women discussing these more global issues. The last time I checked the ladies in Orange County, Jersey, and New York are full of themselves and drama that the average woman I know does not encounter.

However, it is only the women of the Atl show that receive so much more attention for their foolish antics. (I have my reason as to why this is so, but it's just speculation :) Anywho, it is as I watch this particular group that I feel somewhat ashamed of myself for viewing. It as if I, a black woman, should not participate in the stereotypes that this network is perpetuating about a demographic that includes me. On the other hand, I find the antics of these women to be quite entertaining which is why I turn on television (95% of the time )in the first place.

There is something in me--the same thing that compels me to support the ridiculous mouth of Chef Gordon Ramsay, the spending habits and outlandish egos of the other housewives, the crazed demands of brides-to-be, and the antics of the spoiled brats on NYC Prep and Super Sweet 16-- drawn to the drama. This same lure made me sit and regularly watch Jerry Springer during my freshman year of college. This same lure draws me to watch a variety of judicial shows during my summer break.

What is it that draws me to watch the foolishness of NeNe, Sheree, Lisa, Kim, and Kandi even though I don't agree with their behavior? Is it the fact that their actions are so far fetched that I find them hard to believe? Is it the fact that I find them entertaining-as most drama is (hence, the reason why soap operas stand the test of time)?

What is it about the drama and idiocy of reality television that draws us (yes, us because I know that I'm not the only one out there indulging in "reality" t.v.) in week after week? Plain and simple it's our love for all things dramatic from Shakespeare to Big Brother to the Real Housewives...

~Selah

the Pursuit of Happiness

2009-08-03T23:34:00.001-04:00

Bill Cosby once said, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

As we get older and develop our own ideas about our life should be, we may find ourselves pursuing a life that was not a part of the vision someone else (parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc) had for us. Making a decision to follow our dreams or those of others, can be a difficult decision to make. We often want to please parents and the like so that they will be proud of us. However in trying to please them, we make ourselves miserable. Yes, we want those closest to us to support our endeavors, but those closest to us are not responsible for our happiness. They are not responsible for us waking up in the morning and feeling at peace with life. That peace with life feeling will only come when we are happy, and that happy feeling will not ever come from doing what everyone thinks we should/should not to.

Know that sometimes the road to happiness and success will come with more naysyers than cheerleaders, but that's okay. Just remember the words of Frankie Bevely "I've got myself to remind me of love..." and encourage yourself to do what will bring you that ultimate & consistent happy feeling!

-Carpe Diem

Growing Pains

2009-08-01T16:59:00.001-04:00

As we get older, the decisions we have to make often become more difficult. Long gone are the decisions of our youth: "do I want a cheeseburger or a chicken McNugget Happy Meal? Should I ride my bike or jump rope?" Now the things we have to choose between could affect or families, our health, our bank accounts, and most improtantly our peace of mind.

Recently, I had to decide whether or not I would take a slight pay cut to get out of a charter school in no man's land to take a position in a public school less ten minutes from my house-no freeway/highway travel required. After going back and forth with myself, I took the position because in the long run, it is the best decision for me.

As my fiance and I plan our wedding and life together, we are making decisions that will not only affect us but our future children. In selecting wedding vendors, do we chose the most fabulous person or the person who can get the job done without us going into debt? Do we plan a platinum wedding and have a financially unstable first year of marriage? When we decide to buy a home, we have to ask ourselves if the neighborhood is somewhere we want to raise a child not just make a purchase because we love the house. We have to decide if this home would be a great investment and yield a return when we sell in 10-15 years? Decisions, decisions, decisions...

In addition, the decisions we are faced with take us out of our comfort zones. Being in a new place causes us to learn more about ourselves and our character. When I left the school I'd been at for six years to go to a school on a completely different side of town with a very different demographic, I could feel the pains of my intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth. I felt like a brand new teacher because I was in a completely new environment with a totally different style of administration. And regardless of the fact that I'm not returning to that school on the fall, the experience did what it was supposed to. It taught me a lesson about people, corporate America, and myself. In addition, I was able to meet some fabulous people :)

When making life altering decisions, there's a four letter word that will always creep up and stop us from experiencing what could possibly be the best thing we could've ever done. That word is fear! Fear=false evidence appearing real. Fear that is nurtured will override the peace we feel about taking road X and make us select road Y. We can't let fear and its offspring, doubt, keep us from experiencing the long term joys of growth because of the temporary pains it brings.

~Selah & Carpe Diem

Imbecile of the Week

2009-06-08T21:16:00.004-04:00

As we approach the end of the school year, many of my colleagues are finishing up their own classes. Well, as one of my colleagues is trying to wrap up one of her spring courses, she has been forced to deal with bafoonery. Now, I know as an educator the big thing is cooperative work and that's fine for the kids. However, as an adult I hate cooperative work. I don't want to depend on anyone else when my grade is on the line. Here's a prime example of why cooperative learning is stupid when it comes to graduate school and things of the sort.

My colleague and her cooperative group (there are about 4-5 members in this group) are smart enough to divide the workload amongst the members of the group. They have a final exam to complete. There's more than enough work for each member of the group. Sunday they e-mailed each other just to make sure everyone was on task. Group member one replied~on task! Group member two: on task! Group member three: on task! Group member four: finished! Group member five...

Oh, I'm sorry I won't be able to get to it today because I have a lot on my plate today...

PAUSE for a commercial break from our sponsors

Here you think that this young educator has a valid excuse for not being able to finish her portion of the assignment. Valid excuses: death in the family, broken limb, electrical shortage, house fire, etc. Are you ready for the reason this dingbat provided for not being able to complete her portion of the FINAL EXAM that was due today? Hang on to your hats...

...is my birthday...

Her birthday...what in tarnations do you mean that you can't finish your work because it's your birthday? You are not five years old? This is pure bafoonery!

Happy Birthday dingbat, and I hope you accept your gift from me: the Imbecile of the Week Award.

Triflin' Makes a Comeback

2009-06-04T21:39:00.006-04:00

Picture this..
The beautiful island of Mackinac in Northern Michigan. The crisp spring air awakens the senses and brushes against the calm of Lake Huron. An array of tulips in full bloom devour every flower bed on the island. Free from motor vehicles, the island pulls you back into the days of yesteryear before cell phones and the Internet made us less neighborly. Perfect right? It was until a few triflin' seventh graders forgot to take advantage of the most wonderful gift God has ever blessed us with...common sense.

Let's start with student J. Student J is a young man about the age of 13. When we arrived at the school student J was wearing a basketball jersey with no shirt underneath it. Let me remind you that we were traveling to an island in Northern Michigan not the Caribbean. Student J did not bring a jacket with him for this excursion. TRIFLIN' FLAG #1. After settling into the hotel room, Student J realized that he had failed to bring a change of underwear for this trip. TRIFLIN' FLAG #2. Thankfully, one of our dad's informed him that he should wash out his one pair of underwear for days two and three of our trip. Unfortunately, we chaperones do not believe he took this father's advice. TRIFLIN' FLAG #3. Day two of our end of the year trip, Student J came to breakfast and sat with a few of his peers and a few of the chaperones. A few chaperones noticed that Student J had a smudge of dirt on his arm a clear indication that he had failed to shower prior to breakfast. TRIFLIN' FLAG #4. Another male parent took it upon himself to address the importance of hygiene to Student J. Aware of the grime clinging to his skin, Student J preceded to lick his fingers and use his saliva to cleanse his skin...just as a cat would do. TRIFLIN' FLAG #5. Student J went swimming along with his peers for a bootleg pool party and informed one of his chaperones that he did not need to bathe because he had been in the pool and the hot tub. TRIFLIN' FLAG #6. Here's what took the cake: One of our neurotic female students likes Student J, and informed one of his clean friends of this. When Student J learned of her crush, he told her that he only likes classy girls.

TRIFLIN' is overconfident and on the rise...take cover.

More to Come

2009-06-03T22:52:00.002-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've blogged. However, I will have lots of interesting things to share with you within the next couple of days. I just got back from our seventh grade trip, and please understand there is so much to be discussed. I suggest you pull out your M.C. Hammer tapes and put "Pray" on repeat...

Imbecile of the Week

2009-05-19T23:01:00.002-04:00

Since I haven't blogged in a month of Sundays, I'm going to give out two awards this week.

The first award goes out to one of my sixth grade students. They are currently working on a power point presentation of their future career. They have to research certain aspects of the career such as the education/training required, salary range, opportunities for growth, etc. Well one of my young men wants to be a professional football player. When asked what his back up plan was and what he would major in, he responded football. After being informed that their is no "football" major in college, he said that he would major in "college stuff." He was then instructed to investigate Wayne State University's website to find out some actual college degree programs...SMH...this is our future people...

The second winner of this week goes to this woman who was sitting outside of Fairlane Mall. As I walked out of the gym at ten this evening, I overheard this woman on the telephone ranting. She was frustrated because her job (at the mall) changed her hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Within the next day or so she will work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Now if I'm not mistaken, nine to five is eight hours of work while five to ten is only five hours. In this economic recession isn't it better to have more hours? Her issue was with her transportation. She was concerned with whether or not her ride would be able to get her to work on time...doesn't the bus still run to Fairlane? Fool...complain when your hours are cut and you can't take care of your family not when you're being given more hours!

What is the world coming to?

It's Been a Long Time

2009-05-19T19:49:00.002-04:00

So...I really haven't been blogging these last few weeks. However, now that I'm back I will try to do my best to bring you news of the good, bad, and ugly at least twice per week. With the summer quickly approaching, I'm sure there will be plenty to discuss.

In today's news...

I went to sixth grade camp at the end of April, and it was a great experience. However, there was one evening program that boggled me. It was the night of the Underground Railroad evening program. Campers, cabin leaders, and teachers took on the role of escaped enslaved Africans traveling towards Canada for freedom. The camp staff portrayed the Europeans who enslaved the Africans, abolitionists, land owners, and so forth. In the very beginning those portraying the enslaved had just arrived to the auction block and were getting ready to be "purchased." Those interested in "buying" us walked around talking down to us and asking asinine questions as those ready to exchange money for a human being would ask. We held our heads down careful not to show any signs of perceived disrespect...We were bought. We escaped. When asked who we were and why we were out of our "master's care," we informed our interrogator that we were a traveling choir. We sang "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Wade in the Water." I had a very difficult time holding my head down and being talked down to by the characters. It was difficult for me to pretend to be enslaved when my ancestors were the ones who experienced this firsthand. I know it was so the kids who are so disconnected from the past could get a minuscule glimpse into what life was like during the time, but for me it was too much.

I'm probably being too sensitive, but I don't want to reenact the most horrific experience in our nation's history. That's just me...

~Selah

No Child Left Behind

2009-04-25T13:47:00.003-04:00

If No Child Left Behind was doing what it's supposed to do and leave no child behind, how do we explain the drop out rate in this country especially in the African-American, Latino, and Native American communities?

~Selah

Imbecile of the Week (IOW)

2009-04-15T22:00:00.010-04:00

This week I'm on Spring Break, so I don't have any candidates among my students or parents; therefore, I was going to search the news and give the award to a deserving citizen of this world. I could always distribute the award to the leadership in my city, but the media already does that. However, in my quest for an award winner, I received a text message from one of good friends. Her car was stolen from the parking lot of her job. Knowing that she works in Highland Park-a lovely, yet slightly unsavory historic city filled with character (and quite a few characters) that is nestled in the middle of Detroit-one might say okay it's expected. However, upon further investigation, it was clear that an imbecile is the cause for this violation against my friend. And the fool is not the thief, it is her dear co-worker.

The parking lot of this agency where my friend works is gated. Hmmmmmmm...how does a thief gain access to a gated parking lot, yet alone steal a car from it? Interesting question. Well, there seems to be an incompetent person working at the front desk of this agency. A person who buzzes people into the building even though she is not 100% aware of their purpose for being there. A person who cannot multitask. A person who buzzed in the man who stole my friend's vehicle. When she buzzed him in, she asked why he was there and then she let him peruse the premises. Don't forget that this agency located in the historic, but slightly unsavory Highland Park (a city that does not have its own police force; a city that was considering shutting off the lights in the alleys to save money...). Why in the world would you let a someone that you know is not a client coming for services into the building? If he was coming to pick someone up (his modus operandi), why not call for the client and have him wait outside? This makes sense to the intelligent people reading my blog, but obviously we're talking about someone with a little less intelligence here. Well when it comes down to it, the stranger walked around the office space and picked up the keys to my friend's car and the cell phone of another co-worker.

So now, due to the idiocy of one person, my good friend is without the her vehicle--the vehicle she paid off within the last year. This clearly could have been prevented...

Poppin' Pills

2009-04-09T21:33:00.004-04:00

In my seven years as an educator, I have never had so many children on prescription medication as I do this year. I have at least one student in every one of my classes on meds for either A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. This truly blows my mind because when I was in school ('80s & '90s) I didn't know of anyone who had any abbreviations attached to their name besides L.D. I know times were different then. We didn't have as many things available to shorten our attention span. We had parents who didn't plop us in front of the television to keep us busy. We played outside which caused us to use our imagination. Now kids have Wiis, Xboxes, and Playstations. Parents have two or three jobs to keep the lights on. Some parents are overly consumed with their lives and give their children no attention. And as a result, in my opinion, our pharmaceutical crazed society has picked up on these things, and there are an abundance of children being diagnosed *side eye* with A.D.D./A.D.H.D. Children who come to my class doped up on Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta. Children who sometimes appear to be zombie like after they take their meds. Children who are not themselves because of a chemical reaction caused by the medication in their systems.

Now the question that I pose to you is will these children grow up to become pill popping adults? Will they become dependent on these drugs and others that alter their character? Will they ever learn to deal with their A.D.D./A.D.H.D. and manage their inability (boredom) to pay attention? I wonder...

~Selah

Note: I'm not saying that A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. don't exist. I just think there has to be a better way to deal with it than prescription medicine.

Practice What You Teach

2009-04-05T12:18:00.005-04:00

I'm an English teacher, so I'm always teaching my students to use the writing process. You know-prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. However, the writer in me sometimes tries to jump around the steps of the process.

For the first novel I started, I skipped the prewriting stage altogether. Then when my critique group would get together and give feedback, I'd go home and start the revision process. This is probably why it remains unfinished.

For my second unfinished project, I did some prewriting. Actually, I started prewriting after I began drafting. When I realized that I had no idea where I was going, I started to outline. But not the whole novel, just the chapters I'd already written and a couple of chapters ahead. However, I failed to do what I believe is the most important thing-develop my characters. I had no idea who my characters were, what they did for fun, or what made them tick. Not having a clear grasp on this, how could I develop a story around them and their problems? So once again, I have put another project on the shelf.

Now as I begin my third project (yes, I know I should finish the others, but I can't right now because I don't know who the characters are or where they're going), I have started to get into the minds of my characters. Even though I drafted my first chapter, I'm forcing myself to go back and fully develop my two main characters then outline. I hope to have a skeleton of my story (definite beginning, middle, and end) by the end of the week so that I can rewrite the first chapter by the end of Spring (Easter) break.

I wonder how much further I'd be in my writing career if I'd follow the process I teach my students everyday.

~Ciao

Imbecile of the Week

2009-04-05T11:40:00.011-04:00

The other day a friend of mine (MGP) reminded me of a lovely word in the English language that is not used as often as it should be. That word is imbecile. Webster's defines an imbecile as an usually offensive word that means "a person affected with moderate mental retardation." Well, since we live in a world where foolishness will never cease to exist, I feel compelled to give weekly awards to those who contribute to the bafoonery of the world. The Imbecile of the Week Award is an equal opportunity award; therefore, if anyone exhibits ludicrous behavior and I catch wind of it, this person will become an instant candidate.

This week's award goes to the mother of one of my seventh grade students. My students had a project due on their class novel a little over a week ago. Being a fair teacher, I presented students with a plethora of ideas to choose from. Well, when I graded Timothy's* project, I realized that a portion of it had been plagiarized from Wikipedia.com. Being an educator, I could not give little Timothy credit for that portion of his project. I informed the child and life went on. WRONG! His mother showed up at my door Friday morning before school started-hence I'm already ticked off because this is my time to woosaa before the children arrive, and I knew why she was there. She proceeded to tell me that it was not fair that her son didn't receive full credit for this portion of the project because the project guidelines did not clearly state NO PLAGIARISM! WTF?!?! She helped him with his project, and she thought it was okay for him to copy from Wikipedia because he's only in seventh grade and once again it didn't say NO PLAGIARISM! Get the bleep out of here. Don't come into my classroom early in the morning with that bafoonery! Oh, then she goes on to say that she-oops, they- spent a lot of time on this project, and she paid thirteen dollars to print out the project-STUPID. Where the heck do you go and pay thirteen dollars to print ten pages? Ever heard of FedEx Kinko's?

As an adult she should know good and doggone well that her child is not supposed to copy information from the Internet and turn it in as their own original work. As an adult she should know that I as an educator could care less about her sob story when it comes to this issue. As an adult should she should also know that her son will forever be dependent on you or some female to take care of him as an adult because you are enabling him to be irresponsible for his actions. She might as well set-up the basement now.

For the reasons stated above, the mother of Timothy X is the recipient of the first ever Imbecile of the Week Award.

*Names have been changed to protect the idiotic and their known associates.

Family Matters

2009-03-27T14:18:00.004-04:00

Earlier in the week I had a family member that I hadn't really spoken to in over six months call me and ask if I had spoken with my cousins. He strongly suggested I give my cousins a call...blah, blah, blah. First and foremost, I only speak with him a few times a year. Secondly, did he consider the fact that I didn't grow up with the cousins he's referring to and trying to forge a relationship after thirty years is quite difficult and pointless in my opinion. Lastly, why do you think I've spoken with them? I don't even have their phone numbers and vice versa.

Well, today I learned that this useless "call your cousins" banter was a ploy. Why do I say this you ask? Well that's because the same family member that called me two days ago asked me to borrow some money today until he gets paid...Ha! You've got to be kidding me. Why would I lend someone I rarely see and really don't know some money?

Just because we share a large percentage of DNA am I supposed to dig deep into my pockets. Is DNA enough? By all means no. I've seen enough Judge Mathis and Judge Hatchett to know that.

So here's my question: Does being biologically linked to someone really make them family? When I think of the word family, I instantly think of those people with whom you have a relationship. People who know what's going on in your life; people you've seen or talked to within the past three months; people who know you and can attest to your character. I know we all have distant relatives that we don't see or talk to often, and that's okay. But what about parents, siblings, first cousins, aunts, and uncles we know very little about and vice versa? What about those immediate or near immediate members we have very little contact with? Besides the fact that we share a certain percentage of DNA are they still family when there is no relationship?

How familiar is this conversation to you at a family reunion or funeral?

Family Member 1: Oh, you look great. Your kids are getting so big.

Family Member 2: Yeah, it's been ages. We need to get together more.

Family Member 1: I'm tired of family just seeing each other at funerals and family reunions.

Both family members exchange phone numbers and promise to get together more. But we all know that they never get together or see each other until the next funeral or family reunion. So what I want to know is why do we keep fooling ourselves into thinking that everyone with whom we share DNA is going to be in our circle?

Back to the Beehive

2009-03-24T17:56:00.007-04:00

A while back I was watching a documentary on the state of our planet, and there was an interesting tidbit on the declining honey bee population in China. I believe it's called Collapse Colony Disorder-- the mysterious behavior of bees not returning to their hives. I'm pretty sure this peculiar behavior can be contributed to the Global Warming that some claim is non-existent, but I digress. Anywho...The people in the Maoxian County of Sichuan, China have come up with an interesting, yet tedious and expensive solution to this problem. Instead of putting out a search and rescue for these honeybees, a new job has hit the market: the human pollinator. Human beings are now doing the work of honeybees in parts of China. And since humans were not designed to pollinated anything, the work takes longer and is subject to multiple errors.

Now instead of the lovely honeybees pollinating Where am I going with this? I'm glad you asked.

Everyone and everything on this planet has a purpose-whether you believe or not, it's true. However, there are circumstances in life that may try to distract us from fulfilling our true purpose and reaching our full potential. When the trials of life happen, as they always will, we must learn to navigate around the pesticides of life and find our way back to the beehive. Giving up or backing away is not an option because we cannot let anyone steal any part of our destiny.

Lock & Load?

2009-03-13T19:38:00.009-04:00

The werewolf like howls of Face, the massive German Shepherd mix next door, and Dillon our American Pitt Bull, signaled an alarm in my fiance. We're used to the dynamic duo running the fence and barking at each other with jealousy when one of them rediscovers a tennis ball in the yard and taunts the other by playing with it. However, their bellows last night were sounds of alert and a call to action. As B, my fiance, ran to the side door to check things out what he saw was surreal. His car was pulling off, and neither one of us was driving.

While Grand Theft Auto was taking place in my driveway, I was in the bedroom in my own utopia watching an interesting new crime drama, "Eleventh Hour." How quickly things change. When he ran up the stairs to inform me of the events that had transpired, shock, frustration, and fear consumed me. Shock: It was only a few minutes after ten o'clock. It takes a lot of tenacity to steal someone's car when it is evident that people are in the house & awake because the lights that are on. Frustration: The economy affects everyone. Thankfully neither one of us have lost our jobs, but there are numerous people in our community who have. As the economy worsens, things in the inner city will continue to plummet. Fear: Our space has been violated with both of us at home and two pitt bulls on the premises. (Asia -our other dog- is spending a lot of time in our birthing center taking care of the nine puppies she had on Sunday. Yes, Dillon is the father).

It is the fact that having someone trespass and steal something from my property while I'm home that unnerves me. When I shared the news of this occurence, several said that we need to get a gun. I have very strong feelings against having a weapon in the house. Even in these trying times, I feel safer in my house without a gun than with. What if we did have one in the house last night and B had retrieved it in enough time to keep his car from being stolen? Would he have chased the assailants down like Laurence Fishburne's character in Boyz 'n the Hood? What if the car thieves were armed? There are so many "what if's."

The First Amendment to the Constitution tells us that we have the right to keep and bear arms, but does taking advantage of this right make things safer or does it add to the problem?

~Selah

I'm Clearly Mistaken...

2009-03-11T19:52:00.009-04:00

It is evident that February 30th is an epidemic plaguing or nation. We all need to petition pharmaceutical companies for the immunization before we all become victims of this idiocy. You don't believe me? We'll here's the evidence:

My mom received a coupon from a very popular riverfront seafood restaurant in Detroit. And would you believe that the coupon expired on 2/30/09--technically this coupon is still valid...
And here's a message from the nation's most beloved former president:

Grab hold of your calendars and save yourselves!

30 Days Hath...February?

2009-03-09T20:15:00.015-04:00

It was about a week ago that I realized that February 2009 was a double Leap Year. Well, at least it was according to one on my sixth graders. After working diligently through the writing process for a week on business letters, I anxiously sat at my desk during my dwindling prep period to grade them. Grading the writing of students always consists of a roller coaster of emotions. Therefore, I wasn't suprised by the ups that came as a result of students who formatted the letter properly and clearly used a thesaurus to save me from reading the dreaded, overused words. Nor was I shocked that the numerous mountaintops were followed by murky valleys filled with despicable handwriting, misplaced return addresses, and missing signature lines. However, nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me for the foolishness I saw next. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the return address on the letter of Student XX:

16245 Any Street

________, MI

February 30, 2009

Oh, no! I know that when I was in school confusion may have risen to the surface when it was time to figure out if June had thirty or thirty-one days, but February? How could anyone not know that this is the shortest month of the year. As I tried to wrap my brain around the reason why an eleven year old is unaware of the number of days in this miniature month, I began to wonder. Why are there only twenty-eight days in the second month of the year? And why couldn't the originators of our calendar make everything right the first time instead of adding to the fog and haze that already fills most pre-teen minds? I mean, really, who has time to figure how many days there are in a month when there are more important things to think about like Bakugan, text messaging, Twilight, and the Jonas Brothers?

I guess I should thank Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, and Caesar-the three men it took to devise our great calendar- for their great contributions to the fun times I have as an educator.