The Time Has Come . . .

 . . . To move on. not to better, just different. I have truly enjoyed writing this blog and getting attached to all the many other blogs I now stalk, but secretly my heart moved on long ago.

I have moved to the format of tumblr. I know. For some blogging comes naturally, but for me and where I am at this point in my life sitting down and writing out a full detailed blog is not an option, and I feel like if that is not what I provide then I am cheating you out of your time and our relationship as a whole.

 The collaboration and instant product of tumblr appeals to me on levels that post blogging does not. I love that I can just post a outfit, vintage photograph, personal photograph, quote, book and anything else that comes to mind, maybe add a little commentary and BOOM there you go! I have been watching tumblr from the shadows for many months now and loved how I was able to peek into the lives of others, in someways on an even more personal level than any blog I've ever read because it's literally your inner thoughts visually and physically represented. I know, I'm so a child of technology and instant gratification.

Feel free to stop by sometime, it's the same name, the same person, and the same desire to grow as a person just presented in a different medium.

http://www.toteachandtolearn.tumblr.com/

I look forward to running into you some, feel free to stop by the pages of the people who I've fallen in love with and no worries you don't have to be a member to peek into the lives of tumblr . . .

http://www.awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com/

http://www.youngmanandoldsoul.tumblr.com/

http://www.thepinesaredancing.tumblr.com/

All of the above bloggers are adventures, with wonderful souls and laughing spirits that only want to grow.

Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

Honestly, I have been trying to post this blog for about a week, but for some summery reason I haven't been able too. Summer is a beautiful time of year, but as my first year of teaching has taught me for a teacher its even more special. Honestly, in this week alone I've accomplished more personally than I did all school year and man has the relaxation/sleeping in been great. But I have goals this summer, real goals . . . don't believe me, check them out:
 1.) Get my kitchen, bedroom and any other room in my house that's having issues in order.
 2.) Get back to my fighting weight, I'm 5'2 and the weight I'm at right now is just not healthy- plus my tailored closet .
3.) Write a novel! I'm so excited about this one, so very excited.
4.) Get out and meet people, I spent my first year here worried completely about my job and very little trying to venture out and meet people.
5.) Spend one day a week just living in Barnes and Nobles, because I love to read and their are hot guys there sometimes.
6.) Whip this blog right into shape. Get!Excited!
7.) Build up my savings account, seriously, living paycheck to paycheck is just not smart or responsibly; which is why I will be tutoring 3hrs a day Monday-Thursday making some pretty legit money.


Those are my goals, its plenty to keep me busy and I intend to document as much as possible here on this lovely blog. Little changes that will cause some ripple effects I'm sure, good ones is what I'm betting on!

So So Very Close

I cannot believe that as of this week I only have one six weeks left in the school year, where did the time fly?!

Seriously though it was just yesterday I was juggling moving to a new city, collecting change to pay for my classroom needs/decorations- which meant I was only eating Ramen- and trying to attend every training under the sun. Then this morning as I was running down the stairs, because I still haven't mastered the art of being on time, I realized that Summer is upon me and oh the possibilities are endless. 

One thing I did decide is that I am going to give this blog more time, help it grow into a real conversation between me and others- not just teachers, and maybe a new nifty little layout. 

I have no clue where to begin, but I'm excited to see where the new and unknown take me, in the meantime I can't get ahead of myself if I want to survive these last couple of weeks before summer, so until then, back to the daily grind . . .

My Life Everyday!

What the Kids Say: I Know You Were Teaching, But . . .

The following are those moments when I'm teaching, the classes is discussing or I'm helping a student one-on-one and the ever so diligent pupil makes a statement that makes me pause, tilt my head to the side and wonder at what point is some guy in a bad suite going to jump out and say, " Smile, You're on Candid Camera!"

He's just happy to see her.

" Were slave girls given pads too, or like what did they use?"

" Are Kangaroos extinct or just endangered?"

" I'm on page 27, can we just flip the numbers around and say I read?"

" El Paso is in New Mexico, duh."

Books Boys Borrow

That's Alliteration. Also known as, my favorite literary element to actually put into use. Love me some alliteration. Now on to the reason why I actually used the alliteration in the first place . . . books that young males actually enjoy.
How do I know these young males actually do enjoy these novels, because teachers truly do see and hear everything. I see them at the classroom bookshelf suggesting what a fellow dude should read or explaining the "pretty coolness" of one novel to the others. Honestly, they try to be slick about the whole exchange, but the excitement gets to them and they just can't hold it in, poor things. So here's the books that keep them coming back and are constantly being passed around:

This kid is them, he needs money, a girlfriend and his parents to get off his back about how he spends his free time. I'm always surprised to see a guy reading this because there is a definite love story here, but who am I to judge.

I've never read this, I want to though and every week I have a male student complain that it's not on my book shelf yet. Best description I've heard of this book," I want to be them, well maybe just look like the guys who play them on t.v.- girls like that. "

The conversations seem real, the thoughts seem real and the majority are because the book is based on the authors life. While my Hispanic males devour this book so do my other male students and it's nice to see all of them taking a deeper notice in a culture that surrounds their everyday life.

I love the underdog winning plot of this novel and so do the majority of my male students. Whether their sports fanatics, trying to adjust to a different environment themselves or the little guy just trying to survive they always remember this book.

Here's another one I've never read, but can without a doubt suggest for two reasons: 1.) Walter Dean Myers is a wonderful writer that knows how to tell a story that makes even teenage boys abandon their lives and revolve around a book. 2.) Every school I've ever stepped foot in not only has a copy of this in their library, but the copy is always battered, beaten and blindingly reminiscent of better days ( there's that alliteration again).

I'm sure their are many more books that boys can't keep their grubby little hands off, let me know and I'll definitely try to add them to my classroom bookshelf.

And We're Back

One of my favorite reasons to head home: babycuz hangout time!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. Mine was family filled, we celebrated my Great-Grandmother's 90th birthday!

It was so amazing looking back on her life and then looking around at all the lives she's influenced. I've always looked up to my Great-Grandmother and I've always found comfort in the love and fierce beliefs she surrounds her whole family with- seriously, she's amazing.

A Treat for You

As a treat to make up for my long absences, because I know what an addiction I can be ( humility is not my best character quality) I figured I'd share this lovey blog . . . literally the blog is all about love. The blog Le Love is built through reader submissions and on the day I discovered this I thought how intriguing, reassuring, comforting and sometimes affirming- I must share this with others.

The website is chalked full of inspirational pictures, my heart flutters

Also, included are text and quotes that are so relate able you will go home in check your house for bugs 'cause you've definitely probably uttered a few.

Enjoy, lovely readers, hope it's a simple way to pass the time in a hectic day.