Update UPdate

I've been horrible for the last month.

My apologies.

I'm back.

Full force.

Here it goes.

The kids. Make my day.

Even the bad days. With my kids. I'm good.

Grown-ups are another story.

But it's cool.

My City Year.

Is my year.

You'd be amazed at what's happened so far?

We weren't in school last friday.

On Monday "Ms. ____ Where were you?! I needed you."

On Tuesday "Psst. Ms. ___ Come here!" "I saw!" (his A)

On Monday...filling out surveys about 2nd quarter goals "What is the best part about class?" "Ms. _____ I love her. She explains it all. She's why I made it through last quarter and did so well. I love her and city year"

Today "Can I stay with you for lunch?" "How come you don't come get me to do my work?" "Can I come do my homework with you during seminar/lunch?"

Like I said before.

I love my kids.

POSITIVITY IS KEY

apparently i have some horrible disease that's making me emotional... as usual i have decided to self medicate myself...todays cure will be happy thoughts:

strawaberry ice cream
real hugs
good laughs
being tickled until you cry even though you hate the person at the time
my dad
my grandma
bowling
sunglasses
ice skating
ecuador
spain
the beach
the besties, from everywhere
my favorite sandz
Lifeline
Contagiouz
success
my students
my future family
purple
lava lamps
skype calls from my loves across the world
my trio fam
baby DJ
driving down 95...at the appropriate speed lol
my future puppy - Kitt-Tea Strong
the master mashup mixes that play in my head
my birthday
well executed, wonderfully choreographed dance routines
taking pictures
great photographs
cruises
shopping
real love
mcdonalds
my parents

Things I Love

- the color purple (actual color, book, and movie)
- great late night conversations about anything and everything
- wonderful music
- food
- friends
- attention and compliments
- babies
- success
- helping others succeed
- feeling wonderful
- help
- hair advice

I'm happy to say I've had the pleasure of experiencing all these things in the past 48 hours. Pretty wonderful right?

Lent and Easter Reflections

The season of Lent has come to an end with the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection Day, also known as Easter. My sentiments toward this time of year have changed over the years and it has become one of my favorite celebrations which I find to be largely overlooked as a time for celebrating. It's quite sad.

For one, Jesus gave up so much for people, it's amazing how they wouldn't find it necessary to give up something for only about a month each year for him. This year I gave up potatoes, which although I realize sounds trivial however for me it was a big deal. French fries, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, sweet potato chips are big comfort foods for me. I can honestly say I eat potatoes at least once a day solely because I enjoy the taste and I want them, so it took a lot of self control and monitoring not to eat them. I also originally said I would give up swearing which I failed miserably at...which honestly is just an excuse. So if at first you don't succeed try try again. I will try not to swear for the rest of this year. Honestly.
If you've actually taken the time to read all of this, please feel free to try and keep me accountable.

With regard to Easter, the actual day. It was fabulous. I spent my morning and most of my afternoon with my ace/captain/twin. She picked me up in the morning and we went to her church and heard the good word. It always makes me uncomfortable to hear the crucifixion story because its so graphic. However, I feel like it needs to be told, and often, so people can really understand all that was done for them.

After Church, we had a meal with her congregation, then she took car-less me around to pick up food for my friends at school. Which would not have occurred without her lol.
After that, I had the annual dinner with my WashU family which went well. I ended the day with TRiO honors and awards, where for some reason I was named role model of the year. Who knew I was a role model? I really don't think I am. I honestly think I am constantly just trying to make sure that I amdoing my best and trying to help others do theirs. I am not amazing, there are SO many out their who are my role models, but it was wonderful to know that someone felt me worthwhile to try and be like. My Easter ended with belly dance rehearsal where we fixed our costumes. It was wonderful. It allowed me to end the day laughing with the rest of the dancers.

Overall: Easter + Lent = A+

it's our anniverZary...

Smile on my face.
Joy in my heart.
That's how every day should start.

Today's like that.
Blue skies white stars.
I don't need money.
Or fancy cars.

Cuz we've got us.
I don't care about me.
Cuz WE are all that matters.
Don't you see?

So we celebrate today!
"Why?" You ask we.
Because...

It's our anniverZary!!!!

I love Z.S. Lifeline!

Pride and Joy

After that venting session I need something to uplift my mood. In order to do so, I've decided to share with you a few bits of information that have made me very proud of my family and friends and given me some joy.

- My baby sister is a G. She went to a math competition a few weeks ago, and was the only person on the middle school team that took the time to show up to the competition. She did ok in the individual competition, and under the influence of our high school math teacher she entered the team competition alone. The superstar 7th grader placed 5th out of 30 teams alone. SHE IS SUCH A BALLER.

- My little sister whom I don't have the best relationship with is also doing big things. Although we attend the same school we don't really talk...but whether she knows it or not, I check up on her. She's doing AMAZING in her classes, doesn't give in to peer pressure and just does her.

- My best friend/sister is loving/living her life. She's in school. She has kept her jobs and been raking in the money.AND she just got a new job. She's kept up her working out as well and looks amazing. She's legit one of my role models.

- My twin has been through so much this year but she still has the most amazing outlook on life. She's excited for the future, enjoying life, forgetting the bs around her, working like crazy (this chick has 3 jobs).

- My tre has found love. Like for real. I'm so happy for her. She's doing things, got these fly internships, in school, and working.

-Crazy Kelis! I love her. Until I met her I didn't know how much someone could really care about their friends. She has the biggest heart out of everyone I know and I'm so proud of how much she's changed and grown since we first met. The way she's handled tough situations that were brought to her this week show just how mature she is.

- No one has anything on my Pair. She's only a junior already working on multiple clients' accounts in an accounting firm, while still in school, while still managing to have time for a life, and being away from her family.

- Lifeline, ma, aunties. Love them. I know I don't call like I should. But I love them all just the same.

- Roomie. There is no other. My Roomie will always be better than yours. She's gonna be a doctor. She took initiative to come to dance rehearsal for a routine she wasn't in just for fun and exercise. I've always wanted to do that but never had the courage.

- Ugie. Chick is about her work. I've never seen anyone study on such a constant basis as this girl!

- Woahdie. Love this girl. She's my fitness role model.

- All my friends that got RA positions I'm SO excited and proud of ya'll too.

- BankRhea came to visit and it made my week seeing her. I miss her and many of the WashU grads.

Ok. Tired of typing. Those are just a few of the things that bring me joy/ have made me happy this week and on a constant basis.

i do not like rips bits liars or disrespectful individuals

Let me preface this post with the fact that Sister Act 2 is on so I'm very happy.

However, I need to get something off my chest. People let you down. With all of my education classes, mentoring training, psychology classes, and RA training I know that people generally expect the worst of people and focus on the negative. As such, I try earnestly to focus on the positive things people do. Even, and especially people I dislike personally because I don't like personal biases to get in the way of work.

HOWEVER.

I have legit encountered a grimy individual. I didn't know these people actually existed. I thought everyone had some good in them. Apparently I was wrong. I haven't liked this rip ever since I became acquainted with her. But, I've constantly pointed out the few good things she's done and tried to focus on them, only to find out she's being lying this whole time with some underhanded sneaky mess. I DON'T LIKE RIPS, BITS, LIARS, AND/OR DISRESPECTFUL INDIVIDUALS.

I'm very upset. But I refuse to waste my life on unimportant individuals. So my unhappy emotions end now.

Got my happy thoughts on the post-its in Baby J and in my wallet.

Happy Thoughts For The Day:
Sam Sam
Strawberry Ice Cream
My mom
Ecuador
Fresh Empanadas
Strawberries and cream