Who am I?

• teacher
• mother
• reader
• life time learner

What is my all time favorite book and why?

• City of Ember
  
• Thought provoking, full of moral dilemmas, unforgettable characters

Books I have read:

• Schooled
• The Book Thief
• The Return of the Indian in the Cupboard
• The Bad Beginning (Unfortunate Events)
• Gym Candy
• Half Brother
• Hard Sell
• Star Island
• Lightning Thief
• Saving CeeCee Honeycomb
• The Help
• Kindred Spirits
• Hugo Cabret
• Shadow Children Series
• Hunger Games Series
• The Tale of Despereaux
• City of Ember Series
• The Orphan Train
  
• Loving Anthony
• Voyage of the Frog
• Johnny Tremain
• 12 Years a Slave
• Me Before You
• The Silent Wife
• Wonder
• Out of My Mind 

What are my personal spelling demons

• definitely
• affect/effect
• its/it's

Writing Pieces

Utopia (October 2009)

     My utopia has lots of people working together for a shared cause of bettering the world. People would get along, listen to everyone's ideas and respect differences. This utopia should be everywhere, every town, city, country and continent. Because people are working together, rather than against teach other, there would be no poverty, homelessness, fighting  nor abuse of any kind. People would have the freedom to eat and dress the way they chose except that clothes must fit properly with everything covered that should be covered. And oh yeah, raspberry swirled cheesecake for all without the calories.

My Bucket List (October 26, 2009-National Writing Day)

1. travel to all seven wonders of the world (Egypt-Giza pyramids, Italy-Colosseum, China-Great Wall of China, India-The Taj Mahal, Peru-Machu Picchu, Jordan-Petra and Mexico-Chichen Itza)
2. eat alligator meat to see if it tastes like chicken
3. take my children on a hot air balloon ride
4. attend a live recording of a show-perhaps Oprah
5. learn how to prepare sushi
6. lose 20 lbs and keep it off for life
7. go scuba diving and explore our underwater world
8. own a canoe and go boating with my children and friends
9. buy a brand new car-perhaps a hybrid one
10. not be in any debt especially in regards to credit cards
11. take a family vacation to the Greek isles
12. visit all 50 states especially Hawaii and Alaska  
13. go hiking in the Zion national park in Utah
14. visit The Grand Canyon and see a Native American reservation 
15. grow a vegetable garden in my backyard
16. meet Barbara Wilson and get my photograph taken with her
17. Take my kids to London and Paris
18. Go through the Chunnel 

If I Could be any Age (December 2011)

     If I could be any age I would choose twenty-two. This was a great age because I was just beginning my life as an adult, and my whole future was ahead of me. Who would I marry? Would I have kids? Would I love teaching? Where would I live? These were all questions that I had during that time of young adulthood.

     At twenty-two, I was in the Peace Corps. I was working at a school for the blind in Morocco. This was the first time that I had been truly on my own making my own choices. My first year of teaching was difficult, but oh so rewarding. I had no teaching supplies, hardly knew the language, and had only trained for three short months to work with the blind in Morocco. I took this on as a challenge and was successful. This two-year experience gave me the confidence to make me the teacher that I am today.

     Looking back at the age of twenty-two, I have to admit that it was a fun time full of adventures. Being much older and perhaps wiser now I realize that the choices I made during that time period have made me who I am today. Today I am a teacher, mother, and wife. At age twenty-two those were still choices for my future. Now they have become my reality.

Summer 2013 Bucket List (June 2013)

• Read at least five books
• Vacation on Cape Cod
• Visit 1,000 Islands
• Chill @ the pool
• Workout
• Paint the front door
• Paint the trim of doorways inside the house
• Go strawberry and or cherry picking

Top 10 Thankful List (November 2013)

1. My family
2. Health
3. Enough $ to provide for my children
4. Laughter
5. Books
6. A career where I get to work with great students
7. Travel
8. Summer Vacation
9. Macaroni & Cheese
10. Warm blankets

Small Moment (September 2014)

     Before class, I rushed into the bathroom. I was in a rush because my 5th period class was about to begin. I quickly did my business, washed my hands and returned to my classroom. I had made it before the mad rush of my next class came in. I began teaching. Halfway through the class, an 8th grade girl raised her hand, and asked, "Why do you have a tail?"  I turned around and noticed the long piece of toilet paper that was tucked into my pants and was dangling onto the ground. 

     My face turned bright red. I felt my heart skip a beat. I turned slowly around and faced my class. I saw huge smiles on all of their little faces. I was mortified, but yet faked a relaxed look on my race. I smiled, and continued teaching. I hoped that no one would ever speak of this moment ever again.