Mystery girl

I'm pretty excited about getting paid. Somehow, it was more than I expected. Huh... I need to buy floss because I raided the house and couldn't find mine! :/ My home is like a bottomless pit when my mom is here. She tried to throw away my tablet pen because... it didn't work! It's not a real pen mom! Eek!

I fell asleep at 9 P.M. when I came home from my favorite place, my kids' high school. I judged 4 graduation projects. I knew 2 of the students. I had imagined myself judging one of them, a former student of mine, and guess what - he was in the group I got to judge! I almost cried during a presentation because she talked about being an immigrant and the restrictions on her educational opportunities. She made points I had made in my sociology paper.

So now I'm awake. There's a girl on our couch. Why is she on our couch? I don't know because shouldn't she be in my roommate's room? Otherwise, she would be home.

I decided to catch up on some shows. "CSI," the one based on Las Vegas has become my least favorite in the series. I'm watching the episode, "Hog Heaven," and must say, I don't prefer men with motorcycles.

I do think I need a nap though. I have to be up at 8AM to go to the senior breakfast and graduation practice at 8:30AM. Why do they hate us? I guess we have to be up early on Saturday anyways but still... :/

This is a tribute to my students past and present.

Spring 2007

• My juniors/history group: They were a tough group to work with sometimes, but somehow they always worked really well together in the end. This was the height of tutoring for me. I fell in love with my students, tutoring, and the high school. Even years later, when I see any of these students, we show our love for one another. :)
• I am so proud of BW in particular. I remember wanting him in my group in the spring of his junior year and he was in my groups all senior year. He is honestly the smartest, most driven and pleasant student to work with. He earned the title of my favorite in the class of 2008... by a long shot. No contest.

Spring 2008

• I remember how hard these guys were to work with, but they taught me how to deal with high school students. I remember when the teacher wasn't there and they got upset at a tutor. I figured it out, I fixed it. I knew then that I had classroom management skills even if people don't think so. It must be because I care about them and they know it. :)

Spring 2009

• When the class of 2008 (above pictures) became seniors, they became so troublesome. I never thought I would love this group of juniors as much but I did. My first group included DI and JL (initials just like mine!) as well as EM who is no longer part of the program. They had so much to offer and I've enjoyed seeing DI grow - he got the "most improved" award his junior AND senior years. I loved working with them and I wish them the best of luck in college - they are going to UNCC, WCU, and App! Great schools for great guys! As seniors, they weren't as bad as the class of 08.

• Seniors are not my favorite. Usually, it's juniors. This year's juniors and I have been together for 3 years (some of them), but who I fell in love with wasn't just the juniors. I fell in love with the sophomores and I am attached to both juniors and sophomores. I got to spend time with them in Atlanta. I love them so much, all of them. There is not one bad egg in the sophomore group. What sucks is that I only got 1 year with them. :/ They are the reason I can't leave.

• Despite only knowing DR for a semester, he became a favorite. He shares this title with out sophs though because threre are so many awesome sophs I can't even make a list. I will try though: DR, JW (below), DW, WS, and A"D"G are just a few actually because I love SS, KW, etcetera. If I was 16, I'd feel so lucky to be around such cute, smart, and funny guys/girls (if I liked women...). Where do such guys go? Cause I have not found more amazing people than my students. They must all turn into jerks in college or this class of sophs is just fantastic and one of a kind. Back to DR, I'm sad to leave cause I only had to chance to know him for 1 semester. Even though I never tutored him, he'd always talk to me. He's new, but he fits in so well here so I hope he doesn't leave us for a private school. He's adorable and his face makes me smile - he's got charm. I drove to a semi-far away JV baseball game to see him not really play... cause you just can't help but love him.
  

• If I had to pick one favorite soph, it would be JW. I have his number. I hope that's not weird. I also called when he was missing at the banquet. Reason: he's the best and I knew he wasn't there because he lights up my life. Haha. Seriously though, coolest kid, makes me laugh, most awesome wardrobe, and easy to get along with. He's a big ray of sunshine, which is why he beats everyone else. He's my only non-graduating facebook friend. We have a handshake too. :)

• Besides A"D"G, I don't really like the girls. Everyone I've spoke about is a boy, but these ladies kill the guys. Maybe not, but I love girls or well, them. They are so much fun to be around, so upbeat. High school girls, let me tell you, are not the most exciting people to be around. There is always too much drama. I love NF, DD, and ZM for their willingness to open up, their silliness, and who can forget, their beauty. I'm living high school all over again vicariously through them. I wish my friends in high school were as awesome.
  

• I don't even know what to say about RH! I've tutored him for 3 years now. He makes fun of me, gives me this head shake when I do something weird, which is often. He makes it easy for me to be myself. He brings out the me I love, the me that is fun. :) I will miss the daily rolling of the eyes and shaking of the head. He's always on top of his game too - smart, mostly nice, and a leader. :)

• 3 years! DD is going to be a big football star, but he's always been super nice and lots of fun. He doesn't have a big head (quite yet). One of things I've enjoyed about working with the students is how much they do. I never did so much in high school! These students though do so much and they do it well while making the grades in their classes. I knew few students like that at my high school. I believe that sports and extracurricular activities as well as kindness can go hand in hand with academics, and I'm offering my support to my kids. I pledged my Friday nights to their football games... screw the other school I HAVE to be at. (Yeah yeah, I'll stop this soon.) They are so much better than me and they've driven me to become a better student and person.
  

• I treasure these two. They are always smiling and they have the most amazing personalities. Everyone thinks so. You can tell when they are playing football or just getting an award. They are fantastic, they know it, and they use it to fuel their lives yet they keep becoming better people. They light up rooms. They make everyone's life easier (particularly the tutors). You can tell just by looking at them how awesome they are.
  

• I always worried about my students and their children, but I have learned from my students (several of them) that they can become amazing mothers (and fathers). Many of them have the support of their families, which I now see as the most vital thing. If your kids have children, support will make them successful. They will go to college as my students are, and they won't be deadbeat parents. We can't give up. Again, this just shows how much my students have been able to handle in their lives. They are my heroes.
  

• Somehow, I'm attached to DW and WS. DW has the most potential I've ever seen in a student. WS gave up football camp one summer to work with the summer program. I commend him on that one. He is my child, if I could adopt just one. I remember how he never talked and now he's become a strong young man. He talks, speaks out, and makes jokes. I'm a proud big sis? I guess that's what I'll be. They were the two that I picked to take a picture with because they are the some that I will miss the most.

Happiness is...

...hot wings, blue mascara, strawberry Helado Mexico bars, drinks on fire, & most importantly, my students... when they're all there.

Today was the banquet. I didn't cry. I got a little teary, but no bawling this year. I guess I realized why... I will miss the sophomores most and they were mostly just cracking me up more than making me sad. Yancey also thinks that I expected to cry so I didn't and instead, I will cry sometime later instead. Randomly. Very true. I was also not really into it because some of my faves weren't there. :( But they shall be there for graduation, right?!

I love the sophomores so much! They will be the ones I miss most.

Cuties!

I grabbed 2 students and this is who I grabbed because they were the best there!

I love tornado drills... only in the RIGHT place though

4 hours of bad scrapbooking ensued today. I remember I used to be much better. I know this because I have a kick ass one from high school that I looked at and realized, I put way too much work into high school which I didn't particularly enjoy. I didn't hate it, but I love college.

Anyhow, I had purchased an amazing photo album from Ross! Yeah, I know right?! It's by Angela Adams, it's on her web site for $35, and I bought it for $5!

She's on Design Within Reach!

I also must admit I love TJ Maxx for their kitchen stuff. They had Cuisinart Retro things and I've bought some cool plates (Red Vanilla and Kate Spade) from there.

I need a new planner. Help me find one I can deal with. My old one is the best one ever. It's by SCAD/Working Class Studio for Barnes and Noble, and perfect for me. I never found a better one. I almost got a Mead one today from Staples. I'll find some to share...

Besides design-y things today, I realized I enjoy tornado warnings... only at the high school though, and I mean the 'right' high school. I came back to see my kids who had been on a field trip on Monday. Well, one minute into class, we had a tornado drill, sat in the hallway facing the lockers, and waited for an hour. I sat next to my two fave sophomores... kind of. I love the sophomores overall so that's hard... I bought the ones I missed on Monday cupcakes thanks to the Cupcake Corner/Sisters McMullen who individually bagged 11 cupcakes/cookies/cinnamon rolls. The kids who were absent had their goodies given to another student.

Afterwards, I bought some stickers to decorate my album and met to pick new tutors. We met for two hours. An hour mostly of talking about tutors/students in general. We got some crazy ones and by crazy I mean that they are smart and worldly.

Tomorrow involves eating. First, lunch with my boss and former students. They're okay, and we're eating at school. Then, dinner at Tomato Cocina Latina with the staff. I need to make them cards... maybe by Monday though.

I cried in front of 50 people. :/

Yes, I did. They just had to schedule the student teaching orientation on the same day as my last day of tutoring. As you know, I'm NOT student teaching where I've tutored for 3 years. Obviously, I was overwhelmed and when my friend asked about working, the coordinator said that we can work but in the end, we might have to decide on our priorities. Well, my priorities are still at my first school. I had such an amazing experience that I can't imagine this next one being better. No one is assuring. I don't even want them to be. I actually like the confirmations that the student teaching school is sub-par. :/ I want to know that my feelings are right.

My prof asked me if I wanted to share. Then, this guy was like, "Are you going to cry?" I said, yes. I don't know if I will particularly like my advising group because of him. :/ I tried not to cry obviously. The two teachers there thought I was overwhelmed by student teaching. I was not. My friend set them straight. Thank goodness for him. I AM NOT OVERWHELMED BECAUSE OF STUDENT TEACHING. I AM OVERWHELMED BECAUSE I CAN'T CONTROL MY LIFE.

Anyways, on a happier note and since I haven't posted in a few days... my mother is here. Well, that's not happy especially when I was 2 hours early to pick her up. I didn't check like I always would and took her word for it. She was supposed to arrive in Atlanta at 1:45 and here at 3:45. :( Then, she cleans but she loses ALL my stuff. It's really annoying. Really really really annoying. She lost my Netflix envelope so now I won't get a new movie for ages.

Okay, well, seriously, positive stuff. Well, it's not totally positive I guess but close enough. Monday and Tuesday were my last days with my kids. :( Yes, not happy. But I have to whip out the gorgeous pictures. They make me so happy. :)

From my facebook album titled, "THIS IS HOME. (Stop trying to "imprison" me somewhere else.)" A fellow tutor said that "imprison" is the correct word because I think "betrayal" means that I want to be anywhere else but here.

Instant favorite! What sucks the most is that I only had the chance to know some new students for a semester! :(

Another one of my favorites - easily. So easy to talk to.

I'm not a big fan of girls, but they make me love female students too!

3 years and lots of fun! :)

My group and other students who I love so very much. :)

Also 3 years...

Class picture!

The girl on the left makes the best baked goods (cake usually) and the girl on the right is adorable.

He used to talk much less. He talks a little more now.

Kid on the right - he's got so much potential and he is so cool.

I'm so lucky to have bonded with my students through summer bridge before they come to high school.

I will miss all his inappropriate comments.


Okay, this is honestly the most adorable group ever.

They are so funny together.

Are they my favorite seniors? Pretty much... except for one of them who is on the top left of the next picture.

I made them pillows thanks to the help of Alex and Liz.

They're funny, smart, and off to college soon!

Freshmen

I remember tutoring him for a semester in 7th grade. Now he's in 9th. He's gotten taller since last semester too.

Here is the above student playing JV baseball. He never invited me. Another student did but that student rarely gets to play. :(

How did I get myself into so many things?

First off, love this song!

G-Love (U Dont Love Me) (ft. LeToya Luckett) - Gucci Mane

My yoga paper and sociology papers can wait until the weekend! Sweet! Both are easy but need to be done.

My goal for the week - finish my British history paper. Well, it's not even a goal. It's a necessity. I will be freaking out about it all week. I have barely started. I wrote down some notes, but I'm still lost. I think I need the class tomorrow to get everything I need. I can answer most of the first part but none of the second part. Instead of doing my paper, I spent an hour or so making one of my faves a birthday card. He's a sophomore who turned 17 today... huh...

Ah, so I know I need to shower right now. Instead, I'm attempting to watch "Samoan Wedding" for the 50th time. Okay, maybe not that much.

Lots of things to do over the next half month:

• April 27 - one of my fave's 17th birthday (writing this down so I will always remember it!)
• April 28 - Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony 7pm (make I can go if I ask my prof, but I need to go to class for the notes)
• April 30 - Financial aid exit meeting 2:15pm
• May 1 - British history paper due!
• May 3 - mom arrives
• May 4 - yoga and soc papers due
• May 5 - grades due for seniors
• May 4, 5 - last day with my kids unless I can figure out something! :(
• May 5 - student teaching orientation at night (not sure what time)
• May 7 - tutoring staff dinner 5pm
• May 8 - surprise party for a pal 8pm
• May 11 - tutoring year end banquet 6-7:30pm
  
• May 14 - judging AHS graduation projects 6-8:30pm
• May 15 - graduation practice and breakfast
• May 16 - commencement 9 AM

This week though, British history paper. I need it to be good so I can maintain my A. :)

Another song I can't help but enjoy:

My students are all I need right now

I forgot to mention today that when I got home, I got an invitation to the leadership award ceremony on Tuesday. Sadly, I cannot go because I have class. :(

I have so much to do and little motivation to do it. Instead, I went out for a bit tonight. Probably the worst idea ever. I think that the absolutely amazing Atlanta trip just made me more sad. I'm happy I got the chance to go, but I'm super depressed now. I don't mind graduating, but I don't want to student teach and not see my kids. Since the county and the city schools have different schedules, I'm going to be taking my day offs to see my kids and then go to their Friday night games. I know, I should go to games at my observation site, but you have no idea how much I love my students. That's all I talked about. I'm going to see them all next week. I'm even considering asking if I can stick around and help around in the classroom for the next month.

I can't imagine what my life will be like without tutoring every week. I will need to stay in touch with these students so that I know how they are/what they are doing. For example, I didn't even know one kid was moving. :( I want to send them birthday cards next semester... I'll need to remember to have them jot it down.

They made me so happy that everything over the next week will be crap in comparison. Most of all, I hate hate hate all this talk about boyfriends and girlfriends from all my peers. I am going to just wait for something to just fall in my lap. I am already given so much love and built 150+ relationships. I'm sick of people talking about their significant others and their problems. Then, urging me to get on the same boat. Geez. My kids make me feel good. I'm always welcome and adequate and I feel the same way towards them. This is why they are my favorite people.

Best trip everrr!

Where have I been? My favorite city with my favorite people! I know that's ridiculous, but no one can entertain me so much and make me love this city anymore. I didn't get annoyed like I might on trips. Instead, I had too much fun that I feel guilty about it! Haha. They are not overly mature and they are cultured. We didn't have to prevent the girls/guys from sneaking into each others' room (apparently, this happened once on a trip) and they loved the world fresh market (unlike a group of students last year). I love the sophomores and juniors! I'm sad that I didn't tutor the sophomores last year! :( Since I never get to see the morning sophs anymore, I am going all next week!

I think this trip made us all a little closer. :)

Spelman College

I love this picture! She took a picture of me when I took a picture of her. She is too cute!


The Varsity - I love these boys! Adorable!


I love them too! Funny poses at Centennial Park


Look how much fun they're having at the playground!


High schoolers not afraid of being young


Pretending to walk like the marchers at the MLK Historic Site


MLK Historic Site Reflecting Pool on a really hot day


Me with the boys at MLK Historic Site


Getting shade at Emory University