Living the Dream

1. Ohio weather is terrible. My lungs can't handle the constant up and down temperatures.

2. Medical Marijuana is legal now. There are only a few dispenseries and the quality es no bueno, pero people have an option for pain that is not an opioid. Baby steps...

3. Canada is looking very good right now. I know there are issues everywhere. I am so sick and tired of the 45th President of the United States f*cking everything up and lying daily. Plus it's cold and snowy in Canada. We will see.

4. Don't marry an idiot. If you do, it will have lasting effects on your life  Even if you divorce them. I have a friend who married an idiot. He is having a rough time right now. I honestly worry about his mental health. If you are involved with someone, please don't ignore red flags. Go slowly. Think long and hard before you say "I do".

5. My AmStaff Coda is going to be 13 years old this year. I can't believe I have had a dog this long. She's having trouble getting in and out of my SUV and she can't jump up on mi hija's bed more than once or twice a day. I know she doesn't have much longer may a year or two. Coda is my heart. We'll be together until the end.
❤️

6. Currently job hunting. I have four years until I can retire with a pension. Four years is a long time when you are unhappy. This year I have no room or teaching responsibilities. This might sound like a dream. It's not. I went into teaching to TEACH. I am supposed to have an actual schedule next year. If it doesn't happen, it's time to move on.

7. Karma is a bitch. While briefly visiting FB I came across a former "friend". Her life is in shambles. She is an awful human being. I am not rejoicing in someone's pain. She hurt me and many other people for no reason and now she has lost everything. She is paying for her evil ways and all our mutual "friends" have shunned her. That group of people taught me a lot about relationships...

8. My house is full of flowers right now. I am learning a new skill called hand-knitting. Mi hija has a great job, my Coda is smiling at me on the couch and it has just started snowing. Right now all is well.

Abrazos,
Monica

English Roses

Photography by Ksenia.

I can't wait to visit Great Britain. The flowers, the rich history, and a chance to see another part of the world...

Today is my birthday. There is a staff meeting after school. Not looking forward to spending more time with people I don't care for. This has been an awful school year already! I had hoped things would be different, even better. I actually cried on open day. No me gusta nada. Los personajes de mi escuela son enojados  Necesito una vacacion. Not just a few days out west. A real one week vacation!! 

I have five years left. I can do five years. If I seem sad, please send peaceful thoughts, prayers and healthy energy. I am blessed to be employed. I would like a room and to actually TEACH. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Happy Birthday to me 🎂. 

xxoo, 

Monica 

Too Hot!

⚫Hot weather and I have never been friends. I want to live in a place that never has temperatures over 75° F. I do like sunshine and vacations/holidays, but swollen ankles and sweaty hair are an ongoing frustration.

⚫My goal is to redo my kitchen. I have an idea board on Pinterest. I can't wait for the day I walk into my kitchen and smile. It's going to take a long time because lately I haven't had the strength to do laundry. A kitchen renovation is a fantasy y muy caro .

⚫We have a new principal for the 2018-19 school year. I am hoping and praying the school climate will change. Moral is incredibly low. I get sad just thinking about school. I am grateful to have a job, I would just like a room and to teach real classes again. I have seniority, but in our district that means nothing. God knows. He sees all. He has seen how I have been treated. Only 5 years left and I will be able to retire!!

Abrazos,
Monica

Better Days Ahead

I just celebrated my birthday on Monday. 🎂Wonderful day with my family. I even ate a piece of cake. I know, living la vida loca Lol.

It's hurricane season. Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma have destroyed many homes and lives. Pets are suffering too. If you are an animal lover please text LOVE to 20222. It's an easy way to donate $10.00 to the Humane Society.

2017 has shown the true colors of several people. Just watch and listen. Remember to vote for the people that share your values. Sometimes it's impossible to vote straight party lines. Good people in the Republican, Democratic, Green, and Independent parties.

I begrudgingly tried Kylie Jenner's cosmetic line. Lip products to be specific. Me gusta MUCHO. I have to give it to her, Kylie Cosmetics are fabulous. Long lasting glosses and metals. They smell amazing. Count me in as a fan. Who would have thought? 💋

The school year is off to an interesting start. I have a new "room" in the corner of the library (pictured below). It is not considered a room because I have no door and zero privacy. At least I am not in a mold infested room... The problem is I am not allowed to teach. Yes, not a typo. There are two other classes in the library during my class. It has to remain silent, so I now pass out worksheets and walk up and down the aisle. It's sad. I became a teacher to TEACH. There is nothing I can do about it, so I will do as I am told. I cried for two days. I am still hurting, but life goes on. I feel bad for the students. They are the ones that have the raw deal. Please pray and send positive energy our way.

Abrazos,
Monica

Compliments

I received a compliment today. One of the teachers I work with told me I looked very nice today and that I always look very well put together. That small exchange made my day.

Sometimes little things mean a lot,
Monica

Time Management

*I need an extra hour Monday through Friday.

*My eye sight is getting worse. I think it's a combination of getting older and and taking Plaquenil for so many years.

*The TV show "Shark Tank" makes me want to create a product. I've done the research, but the price of a patent is outrageous! I admire entrepreneurs.

*My schedule at school is making me want to scream. There are so many students that need help and not a lot of staff. Right now I am in six different classrooms. Teachers are complaining. I am only one person. I cannot perform miracles.

*AncestryDNA is a wonderful website. If I had the time I would spend hours researching my family history. I recently discovered my ethnic background (paternal side) includes African, Irish, British, European Jewish, and East Asian!

*Years ago I took a DNA test sold by The National Geographic Genome Project. This test focused on my maternal side. The results were African, Native American, and Cuban.

*This spring I plan on finally fixing the ceiling in the family room and in the kitchen. Angie's List to the rescue!!

*Between school and Bliss by Monica, I have zero social life. I haven't spent time with my friends since 2013. I do keep up with everyone via social media.

*It's a blessing to be back at work. I finally feel about 60% better. I still need to lose about 50 pounds. Whenever I lose too much weight my body shuts down. I need to figure out
how to lose a lot of weight without getting sick. Hmm.

*I'm happy to be a volunteer for the Republican National Convention this summer. The RNC will be coming to Cleveland in July of this year. This is an exciting time for Northeast Ohio.

*Clearly I need better time management skills!

xxoo,
Monica

Good to be Back

Even though I like fall weather, I spend the first months very sick. The combination of mold spores, back to school germs, weather fluctuations, and pollen are an awful combination for Asthma sufferers like me. Achoo!!

I sometimes have to ask my Dad to mow for me during this time. If anyone has any tips or hints about mowing and staying healthy please let me know. I have tried wearing a mask and taking extra medication, but neither option has worked in the past. There has to be a solution.

The Pope is in the United States right now. He's been to Washington DC, New York City, and Philadelphia. The response has been overwhelming positive. I wish I could attend the mass he will be holding this afternoon in Philly. Over one million people are expected to attend!

My AmStaff Coda is nine years old. I can't believe time is going so fast. She's so white around the muzzle and on her paws. She's also moving very slow most days. I'm looking for a supplement to give her a little more pep. Every time Coda gets her yearly vaccinations she has a bad reaction. I'm researching safer options to discuss with her vet.

Speaking of vaccinations, last year at this time I got the flu mist. Looking back that was a huge mistake. I was so incredibly sick from one of the ingredients in the vaccine. I should have looked into it more. I will not make that mistake again.

The school year is off to an interesting start. I have a different position this year. I'm not teaching. I'm working with students who did not pass the state standardized tests over the last few years. It's going to take a while to get used to my new job. I'm grateful to be employed and helping students who need intense intervention. Never a dull moment.

Abrazos fuerte,
Monica

Pain

I fell on my knee at work last week. The same day those two women I work with laughed at my dress. My official diagnosis "contusion of the knee". In layman's terms it means you have a bunch of tiny fractures on the top of your knee (bone bruises) and you're going to be in a brace and in pain for months, possibly YEARS. Yay.

I have a goal this year. I'm not going to share it with you all until the end of the year. It's a pretty lofty and almost impossible task, but I'm going to work extremely hard to complete it.

Last night I dreamed I was watching a horror movie at some random guy's house wearing only my jeans. After the movie was over I left and went walking down the street with no shoes or shirt on still just in my jeans. This dream has to mean something. Maybe I'm feeling overexposed?

I cannot stand people at work knowing there is something wrong with me. I struggle with chronic pain daily, but I work really hard not to look like it. Now I have this stupid brace on my knee and I'm walking with a limp. Everyone has heard I fell in the 6th grade hall and most have probably seen the replay on the camera in the office. Ugh.

Despite all that's going on I have hope that this is going to be a better year for me.

Besos,
Monica

Mean People Suck

Today is the first day back at work due to winter break and two snow days due to the Polar Vortex of 2014. I was actually excited to get back to school. I wanted to hear about my student's vacations, see the new technology Santa brought them, and to wear a new dress that I got a great deal on at Macy's.

After my morning hall duty I see two female colleagues walking towards me. Both smile and nod politely as did I. As soon as they were supposedly out of my hearing distance, they began whispering and laughing at my dress.

I like to look professional at work. I go out of my way to dress up. I don't feel it's appropriate to wear polyester pants and frumpy shirts to work everyday. I dress like I work at a business on Wall Street. I think it's important for students to see me as their teacher, a professional woman, and a role model especially since I am the only woman of color in my entire district. Many people that I work with look like they just rolled out of bed and came to work. I'm not judging anyone, but when you go to work, you should look like you're going to work!

I've gotten dirty looks for coming to school early, turning in required paperwork first, dressing up "too much" (a suit is apparently "too much"), starting my classes on time and not standing around in the hallway talking instead of teaching. I've been accused of sucking up to the administration because I say hello and shake our Superintendent's hand when he stops in our building to check in.

I'm sick and tired of these nasty people I work with! I'm tired of constantly being judged for being a good employee. I'm not perfect by any means, but I try really hard to do my very best at work. Today was just another reminder why I want to live far away, alone in the middle of nowhere.

Sad,
Monica

Day in the Life of a Teacher

6:00 am up early to prepare for the day

7:15 am arrive at work early to have access to copy room/grade papers in peace/clean room

8:00 am school bell rings

8:05 am parent emails start coming in (No I haven’t graded all the quizzes yet. I have 517 students.)

8:10 am planning period –40 minutes

-grade papers/answer emails/update lesson plans/conference with parents

-meet with administrators/read through IEPs and 504 Plans

8:50 am math class (co-teach with intervention specialist)

-each student in the class has a learning or behavior issue or both

9:50 am try to use restroom. Attempt #1. All full. Race back to classroom.

9:53 am class

10:38 am brunch aka lunch time

-meet with students who are struggling in class

-return parent phone calls

-shove food down throat

-restroom. Attempt #2. Line too long.

11:05 am class

11:50 am restroom. Attempt #3. SUCCESS!!

11:53 am class

12:36 pm class

-inclusion/3  adult aides in room

-every hand is usually up/not possible to meet the needs of all 28 students consistently

-frustrated :(

1:21 pm class

2:06 pm intervention/enrichment duty

3:00 pm bell rings

3:05 pm grade more papers/read through professional development powerpoint from state

-make good news or bad news calls home

-staff meeting

4:00 pm run to grocery store

4:30 pm cook small quick dinner/grade papers/read through personal emails

5:00 pm walk or play with dog/return personal calls/check social media

6:00 pm begin work for Bliss

-check Pinterest inspiration boards

-update website

-call clients

-participate in Twitter party to stay current in the field

7:00 pm watch a little tv and fall asleep

*This is what a day in my life looks like. I hope you all see why I’m grumpy sometimes ;).

I get upset when people say that teachers don't do anything all day. I bet most of you can go to the restroom whenever you want. Right? I bet you also have more than 27 minutes for lunch too.

Teaching is a year round position. Most of us take classes all summer, teach or tutor students, or work full time at another job. We're not lying on a beach reading trashy novels for three months straight.

I became a teacher because of the students. Even though we are disrespected and looked down on, I wouldn't want to be anything else. Nothing makes me smile more than when a student runs up to me and says I can't wait to come to your class later. That little face makes my day.

Exhausted,
Monica

One of a teacher's favorite phrases!!

Going back to bed,
Monica