Frustration with Social Media

In the past couple of weeks, I have done something very strange; I have become jealous of myself on social media. I've never heard of anyone doing this before so maybe I'm a first. Part of why I'm writing this is to see if there's anyone out there who can relate. Let me explain...

I accepted a part-time hourly at-risk tutoring job in the school I student taught in. It is going to be extremely rewarding for many reasons and I look forward to officially starting. After I accepted, I wanted to share my excitement so I made an announcement on the good old Facebook. Many likes later, half of my family and friends misread my post and think I'm teaching full-time, salaried. Nope. I sure wish I was that person. I know will be in the near future. But not at the moment. 

Maybe I wrote the post poorly and maybe my friends read it wrong, but either way, explaining the miscommunication took away from my excitement. Many friends couldn't see why I would be excited by that kind of work. One friend even suggested I go into business so I can make more money, like my life goals are even remotely attached to getting rich. Making my happiness public in the end only made me miserable.

In the days following, I began to realize that the person I am on social media, mainly Facebook, is not who I am in real life. My Facebook persona has her shit together. Apparently she also has a full-time, salaried job with benefits. She is funny, looks flawless with the X-Pro filter, has two adorable kittens, and even though her mom passed away after a four-year battle with cancer in September, she seems to be coping just fine.

I hate that person. The real me is messy, grieving, living with my newly widowed father while he helps me pay the bills, and working part-time. (Side note: the having two adorable kittens part is totally true). I like the real me more, but it isn't okay to show that person on social media.

So on one side, I'm not supposed to talk about my problems on the Internet, but at the same time I'm also not supposed to brag too much. I hear people complaining all the time about how they hate how their Facebook friends are getting engaged or having children. My solution for now: taking a break from Facebook. I'm sure I'll be back, but this is what I need to do right now. 

Not a New Me -- More Me

Last semester sucked the life out of me. I felt like a robot going from Point A to Point B. I never took a break from working; I would get to my time clock and have to take a moment to think about whether I was clocking out or clocking in. I got excellent grades and accomplished many things, but at the cost of neglecting my friendships and my health.

With that being said, my goal for this semester is to dislodge the gigantic stick from my ass and have some more fun! Instead of making a New Year's resolution to change who I am, I want to be more of myself. It's easy to lose myself with demands from bosses and professors who all claim that the things I am doing for them are the most important things of my life, but this semester, I want that to stop. I will be in control of my own life this year.

How am I going to do this??? I have a few ideas-- let's see how they go!

Unplugging and being creative. Last semester consisted of many late night text messages from classmates and Facebook messages related to work and school during what I thought was my relaxation time. Being constantly connected, I never truly got a break. Don't get me wrong-- I love helping out my classmates and coworkers and many times I am messaging my classmates and coworkers asking for help. However, I needed an escape.

This semester, I vow to take at least half hour of "me time" every day where I turn off my phone, stay off Facebook, don't check my email and do something completely unproductive that does not contribute to professional development or my health or anything else. I need at least a little bit of time every day to be chill and creative: read, draw, write, blog, craft, Netflix, whatever. If I could make time to fit in one more lesson plan every night last semester, I can make the time for more creativity this semester. (Besides, good educators are naturally creative, right?)

Yes man. I was surprisingly quite inspired by this movie. I realize that I'm super anal like Jim Carey pre-inspiration and I also realize that I want to be more like Zooey Deschanel's character who is free-spirited and kind of crazy. I can I be like that? Well, the answer, according to the wisdom in the movie (movie wisdom is always accurate, of course) is to say "Yes." Don't say no to doing fun things! Of course, being a responsible adult, there is a line. I will say no when I really do have to study, when I really do not have any money, or if it involves any sort of shady schemes, obviously.

Health as a priority. Sounds so boring. doesn't it? Over the summer, I ran three miles every day, played softball once a week and sometimes on the weekends and really watched what I ate. That was easy to do with an 8-5 desk job that demanded literally nothing from me. I felt (and looked) great and had much more confidence. However, once the semester started, I began eating out a lot more-- on Tuesdays I had classes from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm with no break, so it was Einstein's bagels, Quizno's, and Starbucks for this girl. Also, with many days similar to that, I was only getting to the gym about once a week. I felt awful and uncomfortable in my own skin. This semester, my schedule is fortunately a little less insane. My goal is to get to the gym at least every other day. I picked up some Pinterest tips from The Watering Mouth and Parents for low-calorie snacks that don't need refrigerated so I can stop spending my money and calories at overpriced campus shops.

That's it! I think it's pretty sad that I actually have to plan out how I'm going to be more of myself, hopefully it helps. How do you maintain your sanity?

Everybody Hates Winter (At Least I Do)

The tree is down, presents are opened, ball has dropped, and it seems nothing is left except for the void of January's bleakness. Thank goodness for my birthday at the end of the month, otherwise there would be nothing to look forward to until spring. I don't like being depressed, so I'm attempting to compile a list of activities to keep me happy during Michigan's cold.

1) Coffee. Being a barista, this is absurdly easy for me to come by, which is stellar because some days a good cup of Joe seems like the only thing that keeps me going. Coffee is one thing that is improved by the winter. I drink it year round and during the summer months, I'll be sweating up a storm in the office (my second job) before 9:00 AM. I can't get into iced coffee no matter how much flavor I try. Therefore, January  consists of many enjoyed cups of black coffee. Zero calories, zero problems!

2) Find the sunshine. It gets dark early, which sucks. I always feel like the day is over by 6:00 PM. That is why I try to take advantage of the most sunshine I can get. Whenever Mr. Golden Sun is peeking out behind the dreariness when I'm on a break between classes, instead of heading straight to the coffee shop, I'll take a quick walk around campus before settling down. There will be plenty of time to hit the books when it's dark; enjoy the sunshine while it's there!

3) Exercise. I played nearly every sport throughout middle and high school, but I never liked conditioning and I never liked exercising when being told what to do. I absolutely hated running, as it was mostly used as a punishment. I thought I would never like exercise until I rediscovered it on my own in college. Now a typical exercise for me involves running two miles and various weight-lifting. That will change once I get bored with it. I love the feeling I get after a good workout and the feeling of accomplishment I have when I push my body to the limit. Working up a sweat also makes coming back to a cold apartment more bearable.

Don't like exercise? My advice: just like I believe there is a type of book out there for everyone, I believe there is an exercise that everyone  likes. P90x isn't for you? It isn't for me either. There are so many other options: walking, jogging, weight-lifting, kick-boxing, yoga, cycling, dance, swimming. etc... Is money an issue? Look for exercise videos on YouTube or check to see if your local library loans workout DVDs (mine does for free).

4) Get artsy. When you're snowed in, try to teach yourself how to sew, read that gothic novel you've always thought about trying. Draw a picture, try some crafts. Don't let old man winter and his negativity get you down!

5) Use your oven. LOL. I cannot cook for the life of me, but I always have a lot of fun trying. I failed at sugar cookies in my latest attempt. These were supposed to look like dinosaurs... yeah. It was something that kept my hands busy, though. Not to mention, using the oven is like free heat for your apartment/house!

DO NOT DO: (This is quick, I promise!)

1) Tanning. Please, please, please do not fake bake! I know that it is trendy and nobody likes being pasty. Laying under UV rays makes you feel good. It is so bad for you, though no matter what the posters on the walls of the salon say. Cancer is a real issue; even if it is cured, it is extremely expensive (even with good insurance) and will need checked up on every so often for the rest of your life. Spare yourself the risk, and you'll never have to worry about becoming orange. PSA over.

2) Drink and Drive. After a pregame sesh at your BFFs place, it may seem a lot easier to just hop into someone's car and drive a couple streets to the big party than to bundle up and walk through the snow. It is very tempting, but please don't! Also, if you're going to DD, be careful who you drive around. If one of your friends has an open beverage in your vehicle and you get pulled over, YOU will be in legal trouble, regardless of whether or not you are sober.

How do you stay happy during the cold months?

Marcelo Sandoval and Auggie Pullman: Two Characters that will Change Your Life

Marcelo and Auggie: two characters who are so different, so loveable, and expose readers to many different sides of life. Both of these page-turning masterpiece works of fiction left me wide-awake at 4 or 5 in the morning, finished book in hand, contemplating the meaning of life. No joke. These two made me think. On a personal level, I considered how these two had everything against them-- Marcelo from Asperger's and Auggie from a facial anomaly-- yet with the goodness in their hearts, they overcame obstacles and fiercely defended their families and loved ones. As a future educator, these two made me consider differentiation and how much of a positive impact educators can have on the lives of their students if they choose. Marcelo and Auggie will be in my class.

I'll begin with Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. I picked this up over the summer on recommendation from my favorite blog, Hello Giggles. Marcelo has Asperger's, which is on the high-functioning end of the Autism Spectrum. His father, who may not be the most compassionate but nevertheless does what he believes to be best, orders Marcelo to work in his law firm over the summer. This is Marcelo's first experience in the "real world" (he has always attended a special school). The reader watches as Marcelo's innocence is taken away and how he copes with entering the real world. Parts reminded me of the shocking reality of having my first job.This does include a touch of adult content (PG-13) and is written for teens/adults.

Next, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Recommended by a friend, I was apprehensive to read this because I thought it would be nothing but a drawn out tear-jerker. On the contrary, it was very heart-warming. Auggie Pullman has a facial anomaly, meaning he has a genetic disorder that makes his face look not quite, well, normal. Auggie is entering fifth grade and going to school for the first time. He was never able to attend school in the past because of his twenty-some surgeries he had to date. Auggie knows that his face sometimes terrifies small children and adults alike and he understands why they feel that way. Halloween is his favorite holiday because he can wear a mask and be looked at like any other kid. He is literally (and I mean this literally) the kindest, sweetest, most loveable boy I have ever read. He loves Star Wars and actually grew a Padawon braid that he was very proud of. He calls his parents "Mommy" and "Daddy" and loves them, his sister, and his dog, Daisy, very much. He even likes school, although his friendships are flawed and he has bullies that you want to kick where it counts. This story is told in many different perspectives and is actually written for children.

After I finished reading Wonder, I talked about it with my Mom for days. At last my mom finally realized, "You mean, this isn't a true story?" No, unfortunately, Auggie does not exist, but Palacio makes him and his family come to life for the reader.

Please, read these books! You will laugh, cry, fall in love, and may have a new perspective about life.

Images via Goodreads.

Making Math Fun with Barrel of Monkeys

This game covers basic addition with integers 1-20, but could also be modified for subtraction or multiplication.

 At the weekend day camp I help with, we are always looking for new ways to make Math exciting. One week our theme was "Jungle Fever," and what's a jungle without a barrel full of monkeys?

Supplies/Prep:

The hardest part of this lesson was finding the game in Walmart. After a long search, we bought two games (a red one and a blue one) that were a little more than $5 each-- a little pricier than we hoped, but it was worth it for the fun the kids had. (This also became a nice time filler game later on.)

There are 14 monkeys in each barrel, and we labelled them 1-14 with masking tape & Sharpie marker. If I could do it again, I would have labeled them 0-9 to make the game easier for the younger ones.

Monkey Math:

Players: This can be done individually or as a team. I had the children split into teams of four: one to hold the barrel, one to link the monkeys together, one writer, and one adder. Everyone supported the others when they weren't doing their job. One adult was also assigned to each team be a team leader and another adult was the judge.

Object: Be the team with the highest sum.

Step 1: The "holder" holds the barrel and the "linker" makes a chain as long as he or she can while only touching the first monkey. Make sure to keep an eye out to make sure all chains are "legal." Our students tried their very hardest to cheat!

Step 2: When the chain is as long as the team can make it, the next job is for the team to add together the numbers taped to each monkey. The "writer" has a dry erase marker to write on the board with and the "adder" holds the monkeys. Ideally, all four team members work together to add the numbers together.

We had students anywhere from 5-10 years old playing this game at the same time, so for the kindergarteners, adults helped by drawing counters on the board for them.

Step 3: When both of the teams are done, an adult makes sure they both have the correct sum before declaring a winner. This game is not about speed, but the accuracy, and the longer chain does not necessarily have the highest numbers.

This game can be easily modified for individual practice, more difficult lessons, etc... Feel free to share any other ideas, as we'll likely be using this game for years.

Nailed It!: My Pin-spired Furniture Project

I am your typical broke college student! Every piece of furniture I own is some sort of hand-me-down and none of it matches. My headboard is white, my desk is darn brown, and the worst was this old-fashioned wood finish dresser that looked like it was on board the Delorean with Marty McFly. (And not in a good way.)

While pinning my heart out at work one day, I came across a couple of great inspirations. My step-by-step instructions for paint were found at thefrugalgirl.com and I found the idea for the front design at modpodgerocksblog.com.

The paint I used was just one quart of a primer + paint combination and it worked wonders. I know virtually nothing about paint, but the guys at Menard's were such a help! I took my time and applied three or four very thin coats and let it dry overnight.

I had originally planned to buy new handles, but my genius father suggested that I just sand the original handles enough to scratch the surface and spray paint them black.

The stickers are intended to be wall art from Target, but I turned it into furniture art. The bird stickers were easy to apply, but the tree was tricky. I started from the bottom and slowly worked my way up, making sure there were no creases. Once applied, I used a razor blade to cut the sticker where the shelves were. I messed up a little bit, but colored over the awkward cuts with a black Sharpie. Finally, I applied Mod Podge over all the stickers to help them stay attached.

Overall, the cost was roughly $35 and a weekend of labor for this custom dresser that reminds me of one of my favorite classic movies.

Edgar the Butler: Crazy Cat Theif or Misunderstood Manservant?

The Aristocats is one of my favorite Disney movies. I think it mainly appeals to my not-so-secret inner cat lady. But now that I am older and so mature (ha), I am beginning to see some flaws in this classic.


In the beginning of the film, Edgar the Butler seems like a hard-working man with a small salary working for this outrageously rich and aristocratic single woman who likes to live large with her cats.

Edgar does everything; he is the driver, cook, butler, and caretaker of animals. He probably does not make a whole lot of money, so when he learns that his boss, who has no living family, is planning to leave the entirety of her estate to her pets, he gets a little upset. This guy does everything-- hell, he lives in her house in order to serve her to the best of his ability! What do the cats do besides paint on the piano (which Edgar undoubtedly cleans up after)?

 This man who has slaved away for years finally reaches his breaking point. So he drugs the cats, steals their basket in the middle of the night, and loses them when they fall out of the side car of his motorcycle. He has no intention of being cruel to them. He could have murdered them, held them for ransom, or tortured them, but he just decides to 'let them out,' putting it lightly. Then they get to have a fun adventure with the Alley Cats and Duchess found a father for her kittens along the way. In a way, he does them a favor.

Of course what Edgar does is wrong, and I want to make it clear that I do not condone the act of kidnapping in any way. Maybe Madame knows that Edgar is a greedy man with a habit of listening to her conversations with her lawyer through the pipes. Probably not though-- she seems a tad clueless.


I sincerely hope Edgar found a better life after he was shipped to Timbuktu. I like to think that maybe he found someone to serve that had a full staff and didn't make him do everything. Maybe he found a nice woman and lived happily ever after in a pet-free environment.

This post makes me sound like an extreme cat hater, but that could really not be farther from the truth. I only want people to consider the other side. Although I don't own a cat because I think I am too busy to take care of one, I have a habit of buying Meow Mix for the family of strays that frequently visit my house and I am in the process of trying (and failing gloriously) to tame them. Here's Mama kitty!