deciphering the days

Well. I went from doing calculus three and inorganic chemistry to explaining basic arithmetic and the phase changes of water. Not what I saw coming. I'm not particularly thrilled about it either. Being a teacher seems much less glamorous than the scientist I imagined.  But it's not so bad either.  In this post (part 1) I will elaborate on my internal conflict as to whether I am should 'be a teacher' or find a different profession. Already, it seems as I should take the new profession route as no one wants to ask their teacher "Why do you love teaching?" only to receive the response, "Actually, I'm not thrilled about it. But I guess it's not so bad either." Furthermore, I strongly relate to both the worldly and crass caricatures below: Yeah...probably shouldn't be a teacher. Then again, my school loves me. My principal says he "cannot believe I am only a first year teacher." My supervising teacher sai...

Not having any children of my own, I find it strange to give parenting tips - how would I know? Not to mentioned most of us have felt the wrath of a stressed and poorly rested parent who was not in the mood to listen to parenting advice from the free and single. Understandably of course. However I was a child once. And this weekend (for whatever clinically significant reason) I have stumbled across many unpleasant childhood memories that for some weird purpose or lack of resolutions, I am still toting around in an emotional handbag. So here is to writing them down and remembering them when I am a parent. And here is to the parents who will listen to parenting advice from a non-parent. 1. Give your child the initial benefit of the doubt. In word, action, and deed. Sometimes this means trusting them over other kids/adults or even being wrong about your child's actions. Believe the best in your child and ask for their side of the story before you jump on the bandwagon. If your c...

Occasionally I feel the need to write about my family (which you know if you have ready any of my other posts). But more often than not, I do not actually publish what I write about them. I walk a very fine line between needing to process and...complaining. I don't want to loathe in self pity and write pages and pages of hurtful and emotionally inspired works. But I still desire to describe my family and my relationship with them... The following is my family in memes and pictures and posts, etc. Not necessarily capturing their essence, but rather when I see it, I think of them. I will continue to update it as more arrive... Mother: (except this one - this one captures my mother's essence) Father: (I feel like I should tell him this...) Older Brother: (my favorites of his picks. they both reflect his occupation and struggles with mental health)          Younger Brother: (my pick based on his humor and tattoos) (his picks)   Young...

I do not feel like I fit in with my family anymore. It is a very strange feeling. We grew up in the deep southern country. Booksmarts we not considered as useful as street smarts. We 'loved everybody' but our way of life was the best.   Staying   was more valuable than   going . Everyone in their right mind participated in the sweet tea drinking, southern baptist, animal raising, country folk way of life. ...yeah...not so much my thing anymore... I live in and love the city. I am a first generation college graduate - with a chemistry degree no less (growing up, the word 'scientist' was synonymous with people who were 'we-came-from-monkeys-atheist' and who 'make-up-nonsense-from-their-make-believe-lab.'). I am currently teaching in a public school.  My schedule is full. My husband and my friends are very different from me and each other. My faith has broadened denominationally. I love cultural foods - my favorite part is wh...