Greetings!!
It has indeed been a very, very long time since my last post. Goodness, I was starting to think I would never again have time to spend with LoveFran, BUT, internship has almost reached an end. This week marks the final week. Thank God. I love my kids to death, but I have this burning desire to have my own classroom and to do things my way. The sad part about that desire is I cannot pack all of them up and take them with me, so it’s definitely going to be a bittersweet Friday.
So here is an update on THE LIST (if an item is not listed, that means I do not currently have an update):
1. Graduate from college AND enroll in graduate school AND start my teaching career.
I have yet to graduate from college, but I will in exactly twelve days. Yes, you read that correctly. I will have my B.S. in Education in TWELVE DAYS!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. As far as enrolling in graduate school, I have applied for a master’s program, but I cannot officially enroll until I have my teacher’s certificate in hand, but I am eagerly anticipating furthering my knowledge of educational pedagogy. Gosh, I love what I do. Speaking of what I do, of course I do not have my own classroom just yet, but I am very much so actively pursuing having my own classroom. In my current placement, I have taught everything you can think of this semester including but not limited to the life and times of some of the greatest writers imaginable like Earnest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and F. Scott Fitzgerald just to name a few. My kids have been beyond great and they have taught me so much in terms of classroom management, creating the perfect classroom atmosphere, and selecting appropriate classroom materials. Every single day is different. This experience will be one in which I cherish for the rest of my life. With this being the last week I get to spend with them, I must remind myself to carry Kleenex everywhere. As far as having my own classroom goes, I have started my search and I think it’s going pretty well so far. I’ve interviewed with districts in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Houston (that last one is strange, I know). I’ll pretty much be happy anywhere, as long as I’m in a position where I can make a positive difference. 
2. Change at least one of my student’s lives AND indulge in random acts of kindness–at least one per week.
I’m not sure if I have had the opportunity to change a student’s life just yet, but I am sure that I have made a heck of an impression on several of my kids. Here is a note to me from one of my students (The kids tell her we favor so she thinks she’s my sister. I would never tell her my first name so she made one up for me. Lastly, she gave me a book to start my classroom library; she said it was her way of imprinting herself in my classroom):
“To Ms. Juanita,
OMG! You’re the best sister from an unknown parent EVER! I wish we could keep in touch, but you won’t give me your contact information! *shaking my head* That’s fine! You’re truly amazing! I’m being so serious right now! You’ve taught me more than you will ever know and that’s not just about ALL of the classroom stuff you assign us. You expect the best from me and it’s like I HAVE to be the best in your classroom. I wish you much success on becoming a teacher. Your students are going to LOVE you! WOOOO!! My hand is hurting! So…. You’re leaving on 4/27/12? 
WHYYYYYY?? Can you babysit me sometime? Lol! I enjoyed you teacher intern! Don’t forget about me. Be blessed. *insert huge heart*
Love,
Mary Joe Ann (Yeah, I made up a name to call her too.)
3. Become financially self-sufficient AND get Dallas involved in the sport of his choice (anything besides football).
Yeah, I’m sure this will happen post 05.04.2012. Dallas still wants to play basketball. If I can get him in a league of some sort that hosts all sports, that would be great, but that’s going to weigh heavily on where I’m living post-college. Yep, I have no idea at this point.
8. Learn to speak Spanish, fluently.
I have refocused some of my time and energy into developing my foreign language skills. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m definitely still in the beginning stages of recalling what I remember from my two years of Spanish in high school and the two years in college. I’m getting better though. I can hold a beginner conversation again.
9. Finish a book every two months including a reread of some of my favorites like The Bible and The Giver AND read at least 10 banned books AND read The Hunger Games and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogies.
Reading, reading, reading. I honestly feel like that’s pretty much all I have been doing this semester and I have been loving every second of it. I have read novels, short stories, poems galore. Some of the pieces on my list include, but of course, are not limited to: my Bible, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Hunger Games by Susan Collins, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and “My Dungeon Shook” by James Baldwin (which I encourage everyone to read). Right now, I am currently reading The Wealth Cure by Hill Harper.
10. Expand my cooking skill set.
This semester I have been forced to cook more often than I ever have in the past. It’s been challenging, but when you have to eat and there is no fast food option, it’s amazing how something always comes of nothing. I’ve been experimenting with many meats, vegetables, and desserts. I think I have done a good job teaching myself some things I do not know. I think it will be helpful to record what I do in the kitchen more often though.
11. Visit London, Paris, and Italy (take gondola ride in Venice, preferably a romantic one).
*GOOD NEWS*: I am going to Europe this summer. I’ll be visiting London, Paris, Rome, and Vatican City. I’ll be sure to take tons and tons of pictures and visit as many places as possible to get the most out of my experience. Yayy!!
12. Own a very expensive pair of shoes.
Eh. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went shopping. This really isn’t even a goal for me anymore. Is it too late to change it? Wait, this is my blog. Yeah, I’m going to change this one, but I cannot think of anything to change it to right now. More than likely, it will revolve around having my own business. I’ll let you guys know soon.
14. Develop and follow a workout plan.
Well… Ummmm… There has been absolutely no consistency in my workouts, but I try to do lunges and squats everyday.
17. Grow hair back out fully and continue natural journey, meaning do NOT cut, color, or perm under any circumstances.
Oh, I colored my hair. I like it though. I’ve also had box braids too. I only had them for about three or four weeks, but I think they took some of my hair out. I’ve developed a full regimen that I follow which included washing my hair weekly and using certain products, but I will share that information in a separate post.
22. See a Broadway musical AND visit an opera performance OR play.
*MORE GOOD NEWS*: I’m going to New York this summer. Actually, it’s more like I’m walking across the stage and my feet will be landing on a flight to New York, no joke. Definitely will keep you posted with more information and photos.
I say all this to say, get excited. Life’s coming and it’s coming quickly. I’m tremendously blessed and I have so much to be grateful for in terms of where my life and career are headed. EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!! I’m really about to graduate from college. Be on the look out for more post to come. Thanks for visiting and as always I love y’all.
