Sunday Morning Wonderings

• I soooooooooooooo should have studied journalism and political science. Every time I watch Fareed Zakaria's GPS show, I am engrossed. I sit there with envy wanting to do that kind of work; political analysis. I love this. I could watch this all day. I wish my job required that I watch and analyze this kind of stuff. I would be the happiest man on Earth.

• One of my new favorite shows is American Pickers. I do not know why but that show is definitely interesting. I will say one thing: you would not catch me in some of the areas they go to find stuff. Way too rural for me. Some of those folks do not look to kindly to Black folk like me.

• THESE ALLERGIES ARE KILLING ME SON! No amount of medicine is helping me.

• No comment on work. Call me or email me to discuss that one.

• One of these days I am just going to pack my stuff and travel. And I am going to be broke as hell while doing it. It seems like so much fun and so many people I know have done it and made it work. I think I could too.

Work Grind

Missing 4 work days is no fun. I mean I enjoyed my little vacation; don't get me wrong. However, coming back today I felt a little lost. Missing 4 days of work feels like a month. So much happened and I feel like I am just starting to catch up. My staff is teasing me because I have a clean-shaven face. One of them almost did not even recognize me. I had to rush and finish up some items due today. Oh well... thats life I guess.

I am looking forward to Preakness. I really want to go. I cannot believe that being from Baltimore I have never ever been before! I need to get my act together! So I am prepping myself for the infield. I am not going to get stupid wasted like most folks. Baltimore summers are waaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for that kind of foolishness. No heat stroke over here. However, I do want to enjoy myself. Plus, I have never seen a horse race live; just on tv.

Today At Work

I cannot seem to get it moving. I think because my office has no heat in it (the outside temp is 23 degrees), I am struggling. If you all love me, please send a space heater before I turn into a chocolate popsicle.

Alos, I am happy because the planning committee for the holiday party meets today. I love planning this party even though I hate Christmas. This is helping me feel less Grinch-esque.

The office is quiet and I love it.

The Dead Hour

I love my job. I really do. I know I said that last time when I was teaching but this time I really do. However, there is one problem I have.

3pm hits and this office becomes soooooooooo none productive. I feel the after-lunch -itis kicking in. No one is at their desk. Jokes being cracked. This place becomes completely useless. So my daily schedules is pretty simple: Work until 3pm. After that, I am useless.I should just bring in a cot and crash.

Does anyone else have a workplace like this.

In My Life

Things have been coming along ok. I am still looking for a job. I have a few promising leads. However, it is hard to be patient when I do not know what is coming next. It is very difficult. Thus, there are days that I feel frustrated and upset because I have not gotten a phone call or email. I know I have to be patient but is sure is not easy.

Teaching has become frustrating. It is rewarding in many ways but it is definitely frustrating. There are days I come home and just want to sleep. I don't want to eat, I don't want to watch tv; just sleep. I wonder if I am even reaching the kids. There are plenty of days I question whether I even want to continue. Switching to the non-profit industry is something I am considering. I believe that my skills and abilities may fit that industry better. Who knows...

Also, I am now a contrubuting writer for another blog called Brother's Man Law. Check it out and leave some comments. My first entry is there so leave some love.

What I Have Been Up To

I have not blogged in a while. Let me update you on my life:

Love Life:
I spent the week of New Years with the gf. We had a blast! It was a great time. We went into Cleveland and did it up for New Years. I enjoyed this trip.

We made a decision and it is solid. She is moving in with me this summer. Once she graduates, she is moving to Baltimore. I am sooooooooo excited. We are in the process of finding a job for her. She wants to do something in education. Thus, at the end of February, she is attending an independent schools job fair in Baltimore. So we are making moves to make this thing happen.

Work:
My students are insane but I love them dearly. I treat them as if they are my own sons. My classroom has been getting better. There is a steady improvement that has been showing up. I am definitely happy.

Update

Here is what has been going on:

Teaching

I am really enjoying teaching. This is great. My boys are enthusiastic about learning. They participate whenever it is possible. I am loving it. That does not mean they are perfect, but it could be worse.

Teaching math is not as bad as I thought it would be (Over the summer I teach math, during the year Latin). I really struggled with math as a student. Yet, I find it easy to teach. I teach the kids to go slowly and methodically. That way they do not make as many mistakes.

Relationship

That is going surprisingly well. The distance has not been too much of a problem. I miss my girlfriend but the normal issues that come up with long distance have not reared their ugly head. I know they may eventually come up but all is well. The big problem is that I do not like sleeping by myself. I really dont. I guess I will have to get used to it.

Plus she is coming to visit for a week on Tuesday!! I am sooooooooooooo happy!!! I miss my lady. Plus, now that I have my own place, she can see it and stay here! I may have to put a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on my apartment door. But Artscape is happening while she is here. So we will have a good time.

Family

My younger brother is getting his act together. He moved back into the house, found a GED program, and is now looking for work. All this in one week. He left because he could not respect my mother;s house. So he had to go. He stayed with a friend and HATED it. He practically begged to come home. I guess being on his own taught him a lesson: Get your shit together. We all learn at different speeds but eventually we learn

New Job Lessons

I started teaching Monday. I have learned a whole lot in the past two days. It is quite an experience. Here are some of the things I have learned so far

• "Just remember that you know more than they do" - advice from a coworker
• Structure is important for the kids. They really want and need it.
• The mothers will flirt. Just say hi and smile
• The kids think that I am older than I am.
• They still attempt to treat me like I am a sibling
• Kids actually believe in you.

There are alot more but I cannot think. This is really going well. I am enjoying myself. I really am. Today they asked me to play basketball. I did not play an actual game. I just took a few shots and they were amazed. I like most of the kids. I actually like them all, I just don't like some of the behaviors they display. One is really sarcastic so I had to take away his recess.

"The most important lesson I learned today was that leaving your hands in your pocket when dealing with police will get you shot" - one of my students talking to his classmate during lunch about my class