Hey yall! Sorry I'm late this week. I got some new things going on that are taking my time and my energy. 

If you are my friend on facebook, you know all about Roommate Guy. For those of you who do not know, Roommate Guy is this guy that I see every few months that always asks me if I still have roommates. Besides being a little creepy, here are 2 interesting facts about him:

• he's from Memphis and has this adorable little accent
• he's actually kinda cute...like a puppy

He's just so creepy. Like why are you always trying to figure out my roommate situation...?

So today I'm choosing to write about not giving up. I think one thing I've realized since branching out on my own is that life is hard. It's not for the weak. It's constantly navigating your way through a never ending series of challenges. After a while it's like fuck this! I've had enough! But life doesn't care that I said that and shit keeps happening. When you work so hard to still not have what you want, it's frustrating. When things don't happen when you want them to happen, it's frustrating. When things beyond your control try and tear you down, it's frustrating. But there are always reasons not to give up. Here are mine:

1. Overcoming challenges feels good. It may be annoying af to keep having to face one challenge after another, but the feeling I get from overcoming a challenge is well worth it. 
2. Giving up seems weak. I get so disappointed in myself even if the thought crosses my mind. 
3. There is always a lesson at the end of a struggle. I don't want to miss out on learning something by giving up before the lesson has been fully taught. 
4. Giving up puts something/someone else in charge of my life. 
5. MY MAMA AIN'T RAISE NO BITCH! 

Byeeee :)

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I've decided to list my top 10 teaching confessions. I'm not speaking for all teachers, just myself!

1. MAY IS HARD! I cannot even begin to explain why. Too much teacher lingo. I'm so stressed. I'm so exhausted. I feel like I need a drink everyday, but I'm broke. Testing creates so much anxiety for me and my class. It's just too much going on. Google memes about teachers in May. It's real. 

2. I need my teacher friends. It's nice to be able to vent about a problem at school without having to explain all the jargon. It takes away from the story and honestly defeats the purpose. I lose my steam to tell the story when I have to explain so many things in order to make the story make sense. 

3. I love the cute cups I get from students! Some teachers don't like to get mugs and tumblers and other type of cups, but I really do!

4. I love the kids, but I don't like all of them. I'm not talking about just my current class; I mean in general. I am human. Being a teacher does not mean I have to like all the kids. I don't even feel bad about admitting this. Children are people and some people suck. 

5. Sometimes, I am completely shocked by the things that come out of the mouths of parents. 

6. I do not like classroom holiday celebrations. There are 20 people, with no concept of time, anticipating all kinds of fun and goodies all day long. I'm cool on that. "Is it time for the party yet?" x20 for 6 hours before the party. I think they deserve it, so I do it anyway. I also pass off as much holiday stuff on other people as possible. Parents, specials teachers, other teachers in the building. 

7. I do not tie shoes. I do a lot of things that I don't have to do, but shoe tying is not one of them. Parents need to teach their kids to tie their shoes. That's my stance and I'm not changing it. By the time they get to me in kindergarten, I shouldn't be teaching those type of skills, I should be reinforcing them. And yes, I do let my parents know. 

8. My teacher brain does not cut off. As much as I would love it too, it just doesn't. I am Miss Alexander all the time. I checked my Class Dojo and my email in Vegas. I tried not too, but I couldn't help it. 

9. I resist the urge to correct other people's children in public. I'm not talking about 2 year olds that are screaming in the store and telling their parents no...that's what toddlers do. I'm talking about the kindergarten age kids that I see disobeying their parents. 

10. I LOVE my job! I complain a lot, but I love what I do!!

By the way, my kids are done with their testing for the year...THEY DID THAT!!!!! I'm throwing them a party! If anybody wants to volunteer or provide party goodies, LET ME KNOW! 

IG QUESTION:
Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My answer: My favorite teacher was Mr. Dillard. He was our art teacher in middle school. He was a real artist and taught us so many cool things. He was an old man and to be honest, he looked homeless. But he was great to me! The other kids disrespected him, but I used to stay after school to learn more things from him. He taught me how to play "Dots". 

Answer 1: Life because she always made sure I learned what I was supposed to learn even if I wasn’t ready for it 
Me: Such a you answer, but a good one nonetheless. I have found that to be true, myself

Answer 2: You
Me: My heart is all a flutter ♥

Answer 3: My 3rd grade teacher. She was so caring!
Me: That's so sweet! 

Answer 4: 4th grade teacher. He was real laid back
Me: Opposite of my 4th grade teacher "I'm getting tired of this" *dry erase marker hits the ceiling and crashes to the floor*

Thanks for participating! 
No video today :)