her

I miss my mom. I don't know what it is about turmoil or conflict that makes me miss her. I just wish I could talk to her today. wg

why i'm quitting facebook ... for now

I can't take it anymore.

Twenty children and their teachers were murdered.

And you want to talk about your right to own a gun.

I really hope my dad isn't reading this, because I'd like to share my sentiments:

FUCK YOU.

No one wants to take away your stupid hand gun. No one wants to take away your shot gun. But I, for one, think that no one, for any good reason, needs a semi-automatic weapon.

If you want one, get help.

They are killing machines. They are not designed to protect you. They are designed with one purpose in mind - death.

And what is with this idiotic notion that school shootings would go away if teachers had guns? Seriously? You think kids can't overpower adults and take weapons? More importantly, you think a child will feel safe learning from someone with a gun on their hip? Fucking idiots.

Stop using this opportunity to criticize the President and give your opinion. Shut the fuck up and realize THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU! Of course the grieving families need to hear that something will be done. It's the President's job to comfort the nation. If you can't sleep at night knowing that you aren't allowed to own a damn machine of human destruction, you need more than a gun. You need professional help.

May God bless the souls of the little children who were lost, the teachers who died protecting them, the families who are empty without them, and the people who think this tragedy is somehow going to hurt them because they won't be allowed to purchase a weapon that can rip (pun intended) a person apart.

And I hope my dad forgives me for saying fuck so many times.

wg

christmas challenge, accepted

I love Christmas! Who doesn't, besides Scrooge. And the Grinch. And Atheists. Well, okay. I know that I love Christmas so that's what matters.

Also...I do secretly love Christmas shopping. There's just something obnoxiously American about the mall at Christmas time that warms my heart.

However, I have a bad habit of spending too much at Christmas. I also hate the waste that comes with it. Consumerism, patriotic though it may be, can leave a bad taste in your mouth. And a hole in your wallet.

Therefore (or ergo, as I love to say) I announce my Christmas challenge. I am challenging myself to make my Christmas gifts. I don't think I'll be able to make everyone's. (Example: Anthony Bourdain is coming to Jacksonville in the spring and if I make a ticket for Jon, he can't exactly use it to attend. Even if it's, like, a really crafty interpretation.)

But I think I can handle making most of my presents. There are lots of fun tutorials I want to try on Pinterest. So let's see what kind of homemade crap I can unload on my relatives! :D

wg

i'm back, bitches

Wow...almost one year since my last update! What a slacktastic blogger I be.

Kind-of funny that was my last post, since, not long afterwards, I quit my job! I didn't think I would ever really leave that school. But, I did. And - I left in the middle of the school year. Something I've criticized others for doing. Oh well. Whatevs. I got a great offer and I ran with it!

I now teach for an online school. I love it! The perk is that I work from home, but, the best part is the one-on-one time I spend with my kids. It's all over the phone, but I can sit and work with a struggling kid instead of having to (as clearly observed in my last post) baby-sit rugrats.

Leaving my job was interesting - and I could go on and on about all the weird emotions - but I'm so glad I did. I feel like for the first time in my career, I took control and did what I wanted, not what I thought was best for everyone else.

One thing I did neglect to do in that process was keep my blog going! So much has happened - moved in with Chef Boyardee, adopted a houseful of pets, and a new job. What will I blog about next?

I used to do challenges, like this one, which kept me motivated to blog. I think, what I'd like to do, is try a pinterest blog. I could blog about trying one new thing from pinterest a week. This is bound to be hilarious, as I am creative, but not really talented with my hands. What do you think? Would you follow this? Idea for another challenge? Maybe I will just challenge myself with something new each month?

Give me your tired, your poor, your awesum ideas.

I'm pissed

So, I called home on one of my students today. I'm kind of dismayed. This kid has behavior issues. He won't sit still, he won't pay attention, he won't stop talking. Granted, he is in a less-than-stellar class. By far, he is not the worst. However, he is not making it better.

His mother's response?

"He's such a sweet boy. He told me that you let your class run all over you and that he feels bad for you. I asked him Why you don't discipline them more?"

Give me a break.

Is he a sweet child? Yes, I am sure he can be. But I wouldn't call home if there wasn't an issue. If he feels sorry for me, why does he add to the problem? Furthermore, I challenge this parent to come be in a room with 33 teenagers and not have one single issue.

Lately, I feel like they have been running all over me. I'm just tired. I tried positive reinforcement. I tried being strict. I tried giving them boundaries and setting expectations. I did everything every expert has ever written or said. Nothing works. This class is just too full of kids who won't behave. And I am over it.

I am embarrassed that this student noticed it and pointed it out to his parents. These kids have left me no choice. I called 10 parents, emailed 4 more, and went to the dean to let her know I'm not playing around.

I hope it gets better. Because I'm starting to hate my job, and I hate that.

wg

me? compromise?

It's weird. Chef Boyardee and I are moving in together. Well, I guess that isn't so weird. What freaks me out is the fact that I am excited about it.

When I first moved to this town (oh, this glamorous town), it was so I could live with my boyfriend. I didn't want to. I didn't speak up for myself, either. I convinced myself that it was a good idea.

Well, it wasn't.

Living with him was HORRIBLE. Do you hear me, world? HORRIBLE! The first night we moved in, we got into a huge fight and he didn't talk to me for three days. It just spiraled down from there. I didn't help the situation by not taking care of myself and ignoring all the warning signs.

When I left, it was the best feeling ever. EVER. I remember sitting with Puck and Zoey, my dog and cat, and telling them, "This is how it was always supposed to be." I swore I'd never live with a boy again, unless I had a big, diamond ring and pre-nuptual agreement.

And I did.

Sure, it's great, at times. I love living alone and making a mess and walking around in the nude. I love being 100% responsible for me and not having to compromise on what tv show to watch or what to eat for dinner. It is all about Me! Me! Me!

But that gets old.

You can go the entire weekend and realize the only conversation you've held since Friday night is with the cat. If the electricity goes out, there is no one around to hold the flashlight while you try to cook dinner. And don't even thing about being sick. No one brings you ginger ale or a cold wash cloth. You have to drag your sick ass up off the couch and do it yourself. Not fun.

So, along comes this boy.

And it is So. Completely. Different. I find myself wanting to be a person who shares things. I want to take care of him and let him take care of me. That doesn't mean it is easy. I still don't trust him to get things done. I don't trust him to put my feelings before his own or remember to clean out the cat litter.

But, I think it will be okay.

I really think it will be okay.

wg

why it is easy to love him

Me: My animals make me so happy.
Him: Don't I make you happy?
Me: Ehh...
Him: Oh, I see.
Me: Don't take it personal.
Him: Well, one day I will buy you a big house so you can fill it up with animals. Then you will be super happy. And why? Because of me!
Me: Yes, booboo. That would make me happy.
Him: Or a hoarder.


wg