tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117865219266441302024-03-13T12:26:19.678-07:00The Big SeaReading and Writing are fundamental here!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.comBlogger762125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-82145078577277637512021-04-26T13:57:00.008-07:002021-04-26T14:01:19.093-07:00Ten Years, Y'all!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmr4Oe73i2E/YIcoUQk4gcI/AAAAAAAAMds/Stq3v8MXtU8T7VSLQKCEgIC_-FAZwKAegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1584/10%2Byears.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1584" height="383" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmr4Oe73i2E/YIcoUQk4gcI/AAAAAAAAMds/Stq3v8MXtU8T7VSLQKCEgIC_-FAZwKAegCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h383/10%2Byears.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ten years ago I experienced my first BT fitness workout, and I will never be the same.</p><p>A few things:</p><p>1. My weight and health are not stagnant, and I am mindful of both always.</p><p>2. Working out does not cure everything, but it sure does make a lot of things better.</p><p>3. I do it religiously for myself.</p><p>Y'all remember when it comes to your health, it's all about the journey!</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy 10th Anniversary to me...</span></p><p><br /></p>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-55241380886625786922020-07-30T16:28:00.017-07:002020-07-30T20:24:39.953-07:00Racism, America, and A Black Woman Traveling Alone<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-413gd08_1kk/XyNYPqegNjI/AAAAAAAAMV8/DQQg3gnVfb8I43x5fkENF_GFf7_VmR8xACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Williamsburgh, Virginia" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1808" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-413gd08_1kk/XyNYPqegNjI/AAAAAAAAMV8/DQQg3gnVfb8I43x5fkENF_GFf7_VmR8xACLcBGAsYHQ/w353-h400/IMG_2553.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williamsburg, Virginia</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On one of my FB post, a white friend stated that she is “afraid” of Black men whom she do not know, and I’ve thought about that comment a lot. I kinda understand her fear, but I think it is unfounded. Most Black men know what will happen if they are even accused of doing anything to a white lady, and therefore, I think that most white women have nothing to worry about. We all saw what happened to the Black birdwatcher in Central Park, and we all know how wrong that whole scenario could have gone. Thankfully, there are phones that record. And, I have not researched it or anything, but I have not heard of a case where a Black man has done anything harmful to a white woman. I think that would probably be breaking news. So, white ladies, I think y'all can relax some.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, let me tell you about <i>My</i> fear that is not unfounded based on the history of this country. Historically, white folks have been able to do some awful things to Black folks and walk away. And, when I travel alone to places where there may not be other Black people or just a few other Black people, I am always mindful that I could possibly be entering into an environment that is unsafe.</div><div><br /></div>Recently, I went on a small getaway about two hours away from my home to historical Williamsburg, Virginia. I needed to getaway, and I wanted to do it alone.<div><br /></div><div>Let’s talk about alone. I absolutely love being around people, but I recharge by being alone. And, based on me needing to be alone to recharge, that would mean that I am an introvert. But, because I do not do labels and all that comes with them, I generally ignore them. I am who I am, PERIOD, and I NEED time alone!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been to Williamsburg before, and I do not remember seeing many Black people there. So, I went to Williamsburg happily but reluctantly. Williamsburg and the surrounding areas are so beautiful, but I was thinking about racism, and I did not want to end up dead or missing. It is hard to determine by looking at white folks if they are blatantly racist or not, so I have to go by how they treat me and my keen racism radar.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I arrived at the hotel, the manager who checked me in was Black, and I breathed a sigh of relief; I thought that I may be more safe with a Black person working the front desk. I told him of my concerns of being a Black woman traveling alone, and he assured me that I would be safe. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also asked the manager about cycling in Williamsburg, and he assured me that I had nothing to worry about. I had never cycled in Williamsburg before and definitely never alone. Throughout breakfast I was thinking about cycling while Black, alone, in the backwoods of Virginia. I thought about what my sister, Tracy, states often: "Brave women do it afraid.” So, I got on my bike and headed towards Jamestown. I was literally by myself on those roads, and when a car would pass, my heart would flutter, and I would think “I hope that the folks in the car are not racist whites who will run me over, call me names, or do something else dreadful to me.” I even passed a few cyclist who were all white, and they all gave me friendly waves and that helped to ease my anxiety as well. My puffy hair was sticking out from my helmet, and my skin is definitely dark enough where folks can tell I am Black, Sooooooo.... Lucky for me, I didn't get those racist vibes that I sometimes get, and I was able to relax some. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Eventually, I ended up at Jamestown Island and decided to ride it. However, some parts of the island are secluded, but I thought “Brave women do it afraid.” I saw a few other cyclists, walkers, and folks in cars, and they all gave me friendly looks and waves, and that helped to ease my anxiety. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Near the end of my ride, I saw a sign for a sunset cruise. I desired to take the cruise, but I am a Black woman traveling alone around mostly white people. I cycled by the port, and lo and behold, there was a Black man on the boat. I told him about my reluctancy to take the boat ride being that I might be the only Black person on the boat, and I did not want to end up at the bottom of the James River. He assured me that he would be the captain and that I would be alright. I bought the ticket and took the sunset boat ride. The Black captain was on the boat as well as the Black man who provided the entertainment, and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I had a good first day and was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this how I feel often? YES......</div><div><br /></div><div>When driving at night, I think, "If a cop stops me, am I going to pull over, or drive to the closest store then stop, or put on my hazards and drive to the closest store and then stop, or.... just not drive at night?</div><div><br /></div><div>Fight or Flight... is pretty much where I dwell until I determine, through observations, conversations, and my racism radar if I can relax. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, when I hear a white woman state that she is afraid of Black men whom she do not know.... I always think if only she could be a Black woman trying to thrive in America constantly worrying about "Karen" calling the police on me for looking suspicious, with white folks looking at me like "why are you here?" and with white men in pickup trucks causing me much concern etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are my fears unfounded? </div><div><br /></div><div><b>NAH!!!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sandra Bland</div><div>George Floyd</div><div>Trayvon Martin</div><div>Ahmaud Arbery</div><div>Breonna Taylor</div><div>Michael Brown.......</div><div><br /></div><div>Just to name a few! </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-47377297143839118512020-04-26T11:51:00.000-07:002020-04-27T13:48:33.307-07:00NINE Years.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Y’all, we are in a global pandemic. A REAL GLOBAL PANDEMIC! I am not writing this for you, my Dear Reader. I know that you know that we are in a pandemic, because almost every single person on this planet life has been impacted by this pandemic. But, I am writing this for the person who finds this blog 100 years from now. Yep, we are definitely in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC, AND<br />
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Today, is the <b>9th Anniversary </b>of me working out the greatest personal trainer in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD, Berhane.<br />
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March 16th, 2020 was the first Monday that I did not have to go to work. So, I got up like I always do and got on the elliptical before I ate breakfast. <i>(Berhane advised me to do thirty minutes of light to medium cardio before I eat every morning: FAT BURNING AND MOOD ADJUSTING.) </i>Then I tried to create some normalcy by reading, walking, not quite eating on a schedule, and reaching out to folks.<br />
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However, the next day, the gym in my building was closed, and so I started walking four to five miles with my neighbor, and then I would eat my breakfast when I got back home. However, I was noticing that I was not getting that boost of energy from walking. I would come home tired but not necessarily energized.<br />
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I talked to Berhane, and he reminded me that NOW is the perfect time to work on my health. He told me that I needed to start back doing thirty minutes before breakfast to get my heart rate up, and then I could walk. He reminded me that there was nothing wrong with me walking, but I needed to remember that walking is mainly for me to clear my mind and be outside. Walking was not causing my heart rate to go up the way that it needed to in order to burn fat and boost my mood. Also, he wanted to know about my diet, and I sort of told him about how I was <i>NOT</i> necessarily on my regular eating routine, and he sent me a new meal plan to follow. (YIKES!)<br />
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I am definitely no expert on how to get through a PANDEMIC, but as for me and my house, being discipline and on a routine has help me to stay sane in a really insane situation. We are in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC!!<br />
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Every, single, weekday morning I get up around 6:45 put on my coffee and watch Good Morning American until around 9. Between 9 and 11, I get on my stationary bike and I listen to a podcast. <i>(Y’all there are soooo many good podcast out there.) </i>Then, I cook and eat my breakfast, shower, read, do things for my job, I may go for a walk, I take naps, I cycle outside for hours when the weather permits, I read more, I may watch something on TV, AND I do weights two times a week like always. On the weekends, I sleep a little later, but everything else on my routine stays the same....AND, I feel happy, strong, healthier, purposeful.....<br />
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I do miss happy hours, and book club meetings, and book festivals, and bike rides with other folks, BUT, THIS TOO SHALL PASS!<br />
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It has been <b>nine years</b> of working out with Berhane, and if nothing else, he has confirmed and reconfirmed, even during a GOLBAL PANDEMIC, the power of being disciplined if we want to see lasting changes.<br />
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Not sure how other folks are coping, but I am praying that everyone finds something that works until we get to the other side.<br />
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PEACE AND LOVE!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-16834189634652767142019-12-16T17:30:00.003-08:002019-12-16T18:25:41.365-08:00Grateful Post, because I Need To Be Reminded.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time of year, when the days are short, and I get into my winter routine of going to work, working out, and sprinkling in a few author talks, concerts, sporting events, and time with friends, this can feel sort of like hearing someone beating a drum, with the same cadence, over and over again. So, I need to remind myself that I have lots to be excited about such as....</div>
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<b><i>My hair. </i></b>I love my natural hair; it is my <i>Pride</i> and <i>Joy</i>. My <i>Crown</i> and <i>Glory</i>. I love when I wash it, and it is curly and soft, and then it dries into an afro. I just love my hair...<br />
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<b><i>The students at the school where I teach</i></b>. Yesterday, I saw two students at a restaurant near the school, and they were extremely happy to see me. Today, I went to an ice cream shop to visit a student, and he said that I could have whatever I wanted. And, I had three <i>small </i>scoops of ice cream, a brownie, and a cookie that were ALL so good. Grateful for these students......<br />
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<b><i>Friendship. </i></b>I spent a whole lot of time this weekend with three friends who all graduated from Tuskegee which means that this felt like hot chocolate on a very, cold day. We were together, in a restaurant, until they literally put us out. There was lots of talking, and laughing, and sharing, and it felt great to be a great listener.....<br />
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<b><i>Podcasts.</i></b> I have been listening to tons of podcast, and I must say that I am learning a whole lot, and I just love them. My top four are <i>NPR politics</i> that basically gives a quick rundown of what’s going on in politics daily. <i>Oprah’s Master Class;</i> I just love folks' stories. <i>The Stacks </i>where writers talk about books and the craft of writing; it is umm umm good. <i>Teach Me, Teacher </i>is about teacher stuff, and I have learned so much about my craft<i>.</i> Long live Podcasts.....<br />
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<b><i>My commitment to health</i></b>. I get on the elliptical every day for thirty minutes before I eat. I workout with my trainer, Berhane, three days a week, and I ride my bike, on the inside, just about every day from forty minutes to an hour. I love the routine of it all, and it makes me feel quite accomplished. I feel blessed that I use the time for my benefit. Y’all know I could easily be on my butt reading a book!<br />
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<b><i>Berhane, My Trainer. </i></b> He gets on my nerves, but I am grateful that he is consistent and compassionate. He was asking me if I had time to work out before I go to work, and I said “Of course not, I am at work by seven.” However, he pushed it more, and said something like “So, you are like everyone else?” And, the next day I was on the elliptical by 5am and at work by 7am, and I absolutely love it. I thought I couldn’t do it, but thanks to the encouragement from Berhane, I am making it happen.<br />
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<b><i>A good school year</i></b>. Looking back on the past two or three years, I think that those years were rough, because this year feels like the clouds have moved back and the sun is shining brightly. I got great students, I feel good about the educational direction of my classes, and every, single day, I finish early… GOD IS GOOD!!!!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Not acting on my feelings. </i>For awhile, I have been practicing sitting with my feelings and being thoughtful about my responses. Y’all know that we cannot trust our emotions. Many, many times they are dead wrong. I am getting good at allowing myself to feel what I feel and doing absolutely nothing until I have had time to think. It is working!!<br />
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<b><i>DC.</i></b> I love DC. The culture is everything… U Street, Union Market, the countless happy hours, the concert, the plays, the author talks, the independent bookstores, sporting events and the many, many restaurants, and the Smithsonian. DC feeds my spirit.<br />
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<b><i>Time alone</i></b>. I love folks, and I love being around them, BUT ain't nothing like my time alone. I have TONS of time of alone, and I am grateful!<br />
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What y’all grateful for?</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-71441488186957618312019-12-10T17:51:00.000-08:002019-12-11T06:52:34.377-08:00A WHOLE lot in.....but not much coming OUT on paper....<br />
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So, that has been my life; I have been reading a whole lot and writing very little.<br />
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However, I have been having that nagging in my head that has been saying clearly: “Write.” AND, so I am committing to writing at least an hour every day whenever it is possible.<br />
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You know, every, single time that I thought about writing, all I could think about is how it requires my full attention and my entire body, and I was resisting it. Writing ain’t easy, and I was resisting the focus that it requires.... sometimes our thoughts are worse than actually doing the activity!<br />
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I read <i>How To Be An Antiracist </i>by Kendi Ibram, and this books has been on mind every since. I have given lots of thoughts to how hard folks are hard on each. I mean, we do not extend each other one ounce of grace. AND, folks are human, most of us are trying the very best that we can, but if we mess up just a little or do not do things exactly like other folks want us to... then, all hell breaks loose... Grace and Mercy. We got to allow each other the space to be human and all that comes with that. <i>This is one of my takeaways from that book.</i><br />
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I was recently at the book tour in DC for Tomi Adeyemi, who just released her second book <i>Children of Virtue and Vengeance</i>, and it was put on by a Black bookstore, Mahogany books in DC. Oh, how I love Mahogany Books. The entire auditorium was filled with Black folks supporting a Black writer. Tomi, came out in tears; she was being human. She revealed that something terrible had happened that day, and she was not at her best. However, she felt what she was feeling, released it, and it was a wonderful night. I completely felt connect to Tomi who felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable and say “I feel like shit, but I am going to embrace this moment." Y’all... I felt the love in the room go straight to her, and she gave it right back... It was a phenomenal night.<br />
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However, this woman next to me stated “folks didn’t come here to hear about her troubles. You can tell that she is young based on her response to her troubles.” Y’all... all I could think was <i>Grace and Mercy... Grace and Mercy... </i>Can we allow each other to be publicly vulnerable, get ourselves together, and then carry on? I thought about the book <i>How To Be An Antiracist </i>again; he touches on this.<br />
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Anyway, I cannot wait to read <i>Children of Virtue and Vengeance, </i>because I thoroughly enjoyed <i>Children of Blood and Bones. </i><br />
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I have seen the movie <i>Queen and Slim </i>THREE times on the big screen. I just love ALL of that Black beauty on the big screen, and I had to see it more than one time on the big screen. That Black love and sense of community displayed on the screen really did my heart good.<br />
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I read <i>Talking to Strangers by </i>Malcolm Gladwell, and he basically writes this entire book to say that we really don’t know each other, and most of the things that we assume about each other are probably wrong; however, we should try to swing towards human goodness as much as possible in order for us to live in harmony. He ends the books by talking about the Sandra Bland incident and how the cop basically read her all wrong, and if only he had dealth with her a little differently, she may not have been arrested and later found dead in a jail cell, and this led me back to the movie <i>Queen and Slim.</i><br />
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In the very beginning of the movie, Queen and Slim are stopped for not signaling and swerving. The officer assumed that Slim had been drinking, and he treated him like he had committed a crime, and Queen ended up shot and the officer ended up dead. BUT, what if the officer had assumed that they were two people on a date, approached the car and told them why he was stopping them, gave them a chance to explain and really heard them, gave them a ticket or even warned them, and let them go about their merry business, then there would not have been a movie.<br />
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Do y’all remember the OJ Simpson trial and how many Black folks were pulling for OJ. Not that we knew whether or not he was innocence, but a whole lot of people thought he was <b>not </b>innocence, but he got off and for many Black folks, it felt like we had finally won for once. AND, this is the exact feeling that I felt watching <i>Queen and Slim. </i>I was pulling really hard for those two; I wanted them to win. And, not just win for themselves, but for us. However, the entire movie could have ended or been a whole ‘nother movie if only the cop had assumed the best about these two young Black folks and acted on those notions.<br />
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Recently, I was in a school, and I saw a student running and two administrators, a cop, and security was running after the student. I instantly thought of Sandra Bland. First, the student was not violent, she did not have a weapon on her, so I was not sure why it took all of those folks to stop the girl. And, I thought about how her anxiety must have been going to the roof with folks chasing her. If she stopped, would one of those folks following her give her hug that I am sure she needed, or would they hastily take her to the office (jail), drill her, and take her to detention? (Jail!!)<br />
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I have been thinking about the idea of how can we get to know folks, not be friends, but to understand, be empathic, and be their allies. I was listening to a podcast, and a writer stated that most folks do not have a person of another race whom he or she would call friend. I am talking about friends, where you can be vulnerable with them and tell them <i>everything. </i>So, how are we going to get to know folks, and get pass those stereotypes if we do not spend time with folks who do not look like us and folks who look us but have totally different backgrounds.<br />
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I imagine groups meeting up all over this country. Uneducated and educated folks, with folks who live in inner cities, with folks who work on capital hill, folks on welfare, millionaires, all talking about their lives and experiences, and why they do what they do. I want these folks to exchange numbers and do things together and really get to know each other, and I believe that we can heal our land.<br />
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Now, will these meet up happen? I want to say no, but we can read fiction and non-fiction stories to understand human nature and folks stories. I think I know human nature well because of literature. I know that I am very empathetic because of reading. I know I know a whole lot of random stuff because of reading, and this type of knowledge is accessible to almost everybody. I say almost everybody, because you know there are places in out country that have books deserts. Yes, book deserts, where people have limited to no access to books, and this makes my heart weep. But those of us who do have access to books, we can read, and read, and grow, and reach out to folks, and join groups, and heal our land.<br />
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I hope this made some type of logical sense, and I guess you can tell that there has been a lot on mind. If you read it and was able to follow it, I hope that you got something out of it. BUT, if it was far to much rambling for you; I understand that too.<br />
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Not sure what y’all have been up too, but I am hoping that you guys are trying your damnedest to live your best lives... loving a whole lot of folks.... communicating with folks and not just texting. Winter, in places that get dark early and cold, like Northern Virginia, can be quite daunting.... but I just keep on keeping on.<br />
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Holler y’all!!!<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-35778239353179421672019-04-26T03:13:00.000-07:002019-04-26T03:13:31.820-07:008 years.... Money in the Bank!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s Our 8th Anniversary!<br />
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Berhane, the best personal trainer in the whole wide world, has been training me for EIGHT WHOLE YEARS! Yes, EIGHT WHOLE YEARS, and we have ninety-nine more years to go.<br />
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Recently, we were talking about numbers. Actually, we were taking about the holy trinity of numbers: blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol.<br />
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Berhane explained that if you have good numbers, that is like money in the bank. Yep, that is a whole lot of GOOD money in the bank. However, he went on to state that if we continue to spend the money and never replace it, eventful it we will be depleted. So, basically he is saying that if we are blessed to have <i>The Good Holy Trinity of Numbers</i>, then we must work to keep those numbers good. It is like having a brand new car and never, ever doing the required maintance.<br />
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If you have MONEY in the Bank.... Work to keep it.<br />
If your account is running low or is empty; it is never to late to get your money right.<br />
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It’s been EIGHT YEARS y’all.<br />
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If you need or want a personal trainer or need or want a personalized gym, then check out Berhane at <a href="http://www.go2btfitness.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkoDmBRCcARIsAG3xzl9Y7Zaoy6F2y7amvhoVZxToHDMNe69Yfpr2v6VZ891tfE8zByQusFoaAqWREALw_wcB">BT Fitness. </a><br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-17929742615845869342018-12-09T17:19:00.001-08:002018-12-09T17:31:41.661-08:00Book Clubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I absolutely love books and readers, AND when you combine the two, you have.... BOOK CLUBS!<br />
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Recently, I have participated in three book club meetings: LIT on H St., <a href="https://www.mahoganybooks.com/">Mahogany Bookstore</a>, and my chapter of Delta Sigma Theta book clubs.<br />
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With the Lit on H street book club, we read and discussed <i>A River of Tears</i> by Vanessa Hua. The discussion was wonderful, the people were wonderful, we met at <a href="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/">Solid State Books </a>in DC, and that place is wonderful. Vanessa was not at the bookclub meeting, but I did meet her a few days later at the public library.<br />
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Mahogany Book Store, A Black owned bookstore in Southeast DC, bookclub meeting was held in their store and Panama Jackson, one of the writers of the blog <a href="https://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/">Very Smart Brothas</a>, hosted the book club meeting. A group of about fifteen, well-read Black folks read and discussed <i>The Well-Read Black Girl Anthology </i>that is edited by Glory Edim, founder of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wellreadblackgirls/">Well-Read Black Girl reading group.</a> We had candid, lively discussion, and y’all my heart was so happy in that space with those people.</div>
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The READ book club which is an extension of my chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, read and discussed <i>Small Great Things </i>by Jodi Picoult. We had great food, lively discussions, and great sisterhood bonding. I always feel absolutely loved when I am with these ladies.</div>
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Whatever brings you complete joy, immerse yourself in it, and do whatever <b>IT</b> is OFTEN!!!!<br />
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There is no time better than now.<br />
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BOOK CLUBS RULE!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-21264878419606789082018-11-23T10:21:00.002-08:002018-11-23T16:23:33.951-08:00What’s Important To YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibi Zoboi the author of <i>American Street</i> and <i>Pride</i></td></tr>
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If you are thinking about giving your students more choice in what they read, or if you are giving your students choice in what they read, just know, that it requires the teacher to be very secure in her thoughts about reading. You have to know that you know that reading is fundamental and is extremely important.</div>
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I know, without a doubt, that reading changes people. I know for sure that the more a person reads, the more that a person will want to read. Reading is like going to the gym! If you go <i>regularly</i>, it can become a habit, and you just do it. However, if you miss a few weeks or even a month, it can be difficult to go back, but once you go back <i>regularly</i>, you can fall right back into the habit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomi Adeyemi author of<i> Children of Blood and Bones</i></td></tr>
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I have always been a reader, but my reading has had its ebb and flow; times when I have read more than at other times. When I starting the <a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/07/10-to-40-book-challenge.html">10 to 40 reading challenge</a> with my students, this caused me to be more conscious about my reading. I started reading more young adult books, book with characters who don’t look like me, more memoirs, and every other book that peaked my interest, and I must say that it has tremendously, positively impacted my life. I love deeper, I am definitely more empathic, I know more, and I am in relations with more and more people because of books. And of course, this transfers to my classroom; I want my students to experience the growth that can take place because of reading, and therefore, I take what I know for sure into my classroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Acevedo author of <i>The Poet X</i></td></tr>
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Teachers, I know you are thinking about fake reading. Students read when they find a book that they want to read, and this can be challenging. Almost all of my students are reading, but I do have a few who jump from book to book, but every, single class, I give those students different books with the hope that they will finally start the journey of being a lifelong reader. Many days I want to give up, but I remember how the whole class novel put me in the driver sit, and put the ownership of the students’ learning on me, but I know now that their learning is a joint adventure. They must take some ownership, and choice does that, so I continue to plug away.<br />
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I can not say that reading is important and not be a reader, so here are the eleven books that I have read since September 22nd: the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall:<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Power</i> was recommended by President Obama, and it is amazing. It is speculative fiction that looks at the idea of what if women had all the power. Men, according to this book, y’all should be scared.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Boys </i>is a young adult book about a boy who was killed, but he comes back as a ghost, and he spends time with Emmett Till. Yes, Emmett Till. This is an amazing, quick read.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">So You Want to Talk About Race </i>is about race in America. If you are new to talking about race, then this is the book for you.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali </i>is one of the best young adult books that I have read this school year. It is eye-opening, and we get a glimpse into the lives of children who are trying to navigate between two cultures... We get to go to Bangladesh!!!</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">There There </i>is a story about modern day Native Americans. There a lot of characters, and each story is delightful with very strong voices, but while reading this, I went to Tuskegee for homecoming, and I had few other things going on so, I may need to try this one again.</div>
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<b style="font-style: italic;">The Outward Mindset </b>was the Superintendent of my school district book club selection. I believe in every word of this book; if we all think about the greater good of the school, and not just our roles, there should be little lack in any school.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The 57 Bus </i>is a young adult book that is thought-provoking and is based on a true story. Grown folks read this book to gain an understanding of young folks, and then share, share, share with as many young folks as possible. </div>
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<b><i>Song of Solomon</i></b> is one of my favorite books of all times.. It’s a well-written story written by one of my favorite authors: Toni Morrison.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Heavy </i>is Kiese Laymon’s memoir, and it is beautiful and though-provoking. If we want to understand American, we have to read folks stories. This one is powerful, and I will read it over and over again. </div>
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<b><i>Kinky Gapacho</i></b> is for all of those Black high school students who are navigating white spaces and is doing a very, fine job. </div>
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<b><i>The Star Side of Bird Hill</i></b> is absolutely beautiful... What do you do when one of the most important people in your life is mentally ill? Enchanting story of resilience. </div>
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I just started <i style="font-weight: bold;">A River of Stars, </i>and I am completely captivated. Great story about an Asian woman who wants the best for her unborn child.</div>
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Y’all if you want to keep up with my reading, follow me on Goodreads.... I finally decided to try Goodreads again; It’s GOOD!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-76542723358521250232018-11-21T15:44:00.000-08:002018-11-21T16:00:16.414-08:00Tsunami<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a wonderful summer like always. I was busy at the beginning of the summer, and it was a <i><b>good </b></i>busy. I spent time working with some awesome teachers and vacationing. The summer was perfectly timed, meaning that I had the three or four weeks before school started to really, really relax. I was feeling a kind of <i><b>peace</b></i> that passes all understanding.<br />
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However, school started and it felt like I was hit by a tsunami. This school year, it did not feel like I had that honeymoon period that<b><i> I think</i></b> occurs at the beginning of most school years, or maybe that honeymoon period is all a figment of my imagination. <i>(Memory is abstract!)</i><br />
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Emails and Emails about students who would need lots of love this year, getting adjusted to a new co-teacher, getting use to a new on-line system, and getting to know my new students. Many days, I felt like I was literally running around like a rat on a wheel.<br />
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However in the midst of the craziness, I managed to read eleven books and write two articles for Booksource's banter blog.</div>
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Here are the links to the articles:</div>
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<a href="https://www.booksourcebanter.com/2018/11/07/wholeclassnovel/">How I Reimagined the Whole Class Novel and Transformed My Students Into Readers</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.booksourcebanter.com/2018/09/11/rethinking-the-literary-canon-for-todays-learners/">Rethinking the Literary Canon for Today’s Learners</a></div>
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ENJOY, and Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-73464728840814479492018-09-22T15:32:00.001-07:002018-09-22T17:13:33.258-07:00Summer Reading 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, today, September 22nd marks the end of summer, and if you are like me, you will pay the calendar absolutely no mind and wear shorts, and tank tops, and flip flops until I am forced to do something else. However, I will use this day to official wrap up my summer reading and start my <a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/07/10-to-40-book-challenge.html">10 to 40 book </a>challenge with my students.<br />
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My reading this summer started off slow, because I was BUSY, and sometimes I would get back to my hotel room and be completely brain dead. However, by the end of July, my schedule slowed down and my reading picked up.<br />
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I read a total of seventeen books this summer, and I feel like I’m beating a dead horse, but we can all be life-long learners, we just need to read. Yes, that’s all it takes. You don’t need to take a class, you just need to read more. AND, you get to decide what you want to learn. For instance, I am very fascinated by people and how we operate, so I read a lot of personal stories, novels, and self-help books. You get to be the captain.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Very Favorite book of the Summer:</i></b></span><br />
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The book that caused me to have the hugest paradigm shift this summer was <i><b>White Fragility </b></i>by Robin Diangelo. This book is quite scholarly but uses colloquial language to make this book accessible to almost any person. It gives a great overview of what exactly racism is and explains why a whole lot of white people think that the race issue is not their issue; however, it is just as much their issues as it is Black and Brown folks. I thought about my very own biases, and I swear I am working on being less judgmental, checking my biases, and allowing folks to do the best that they can. This is a book that I will read and reread, because I never, ever want to forget the things in this book, and I need the knowledge for when I need to “check folks.” (LOL) You don’t have to walk around in ignorance when it comes to race.... YOU CAN READ, AND EDUCATE YOURSELF.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>This one was on President Obama’s reading list, and it is GOOD: </i></b></span><br />
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<b><i>Educated by Tara Westover! </i></b>A tragic, coming of age story that is TRUE. I thought a lot about how difficult it can be to overcome trauma! READ THIS MOVING BOOK.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The following are books that I am recommending for folks who really want to know more about being human and all of its possibilities:</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i>Boots On the Ground</i></b> by Elizabeth Partridge! This book is completely captivating. It tells <i>true </i>stories about different individuals involved in the Vietnam war including US Presidents and Dr. King. I found it so interesting that Dr. King thought really hard about speaking out against the Vietnam War and even had to sever ties with President Johnson in order to not be moved. This book is definitely appropriate for young adults; it has short chapters and amazing pictures.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Black Klansman </i>by Ron Stallworth! This story of a Black man infiltrating the Klan is captivating as well as entertaining. I laughed at times and was quite amazed at other times. Spike Lee did a great job with the movie <i>Black Klansman.</i> It’s a straight forward book, and yes, I think teenagers will find this book engaging and accessible.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Demand the Impossible </i>by Bill Ayers! Now, this book was recommended to me by a teacher whom I was working in Texas. Y’all, this book helped me to see that this country needs to do some serious soul searching and radically change a few things like our health care and educational systems, and I know that it can be done.... We have to demand the impossible!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">All The Stars Denied </i>by Guadalupe Gracia McCall! This is a very important, young adult book. This is a fictional story that is based on facts of what happened to many Mexican Americans during The Great Depression. What I love about this book is that we see marginalized people fighting for themselves. Yes, the Mexican Americans are fighting for themselves. There is a strong mother and father figure, and the daughter is my kind of girl: Courageous.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">The True American </b>by Anand Giridharadas! Y’all this is a true story that reads like a suspense novel. There is a guy who wanted to ‘protect <i>his </i>country’ from Muslims, and after 9/11, he shot three people whom he thought were Muslims, and two died and one survived. This books goes into the life of the killer and the life of the person who survived. This book challenged my beliefs about a whole lot of stuff. What I know for sure is that hate and love are both real.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">If you want to know more about the varied stories of growing up Black in American, I am recommending these books:</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i>No Ashes in the Fire</i></b> by Darnell L. Moore! I saw an advertisement stating that Darnell was going to be at the bookstore Politics and Prose in DC, and he was going to be interviewed by Clint Smith. So, you know I had to go. After hearing Darnell so candidly talk about his experience of growing up gay in New Jersey, I knew that I had to read this book. Reading this book I thought about inclusion, racism, patriarchy, Black students attending White colleges and so much more.... EXCELLENCE!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">This Will Be My Undoing </i>by Morgan Jenkins! This book is a collection of essays, and it came highly recommended. I really enjoyed the essays about women and girl relationships, then the essays sort of lost me. However, I think these essays are important to add to the many stories that make up the American story.<br />
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<b><i>New People</i></b> by Danzy Senna! Let me say that I absolutely love the writing of Danzy. I fell madly in love with her novel <i>Caucasia </i>about twenty years ago and have been recommending it to people, and I even have it in my classroom. So, when I saw that Danzy had a new book out, <i>New People, </i>I just had to read it. <i>New People </i>is just as thought-provoking as <i>Caucasia </i>and a good look at race in America in the form of a good story. These characters will be with me for a long, long time.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you are curious and love mysteries, I am recommending:</span></b></i><br />
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<b><i>I’ll Be Gone In the Dark </i></b>by Michelle McNamara! So, this book is about a lady, Michelle McNamara, who was obsessed with finding the Golden State Killer. I found it very interesting that the Golden State Killer started killing people before DNA testing was a thing, but once DNA testing came along, this changed the game literally. After about forty years, The Golden State Killer was captured this year. However, Michelle, did not live to see The Golden State Killer captured, she died in 2016 at the tender age of forty-six.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">If you want some good, old fashioned stories with depth, I am recommending these book:</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i>Hope Nation</i></b> edited by Rose Brock! This is a collection of short stories all centered around HOPE.. I love this collection so much. We get to hear from writers such as Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, Jason Reynolds and many more. My favorite short story is about how readers are going to save the world, and I believe that we will.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Little and Lion </i>by Brandy Colbert! I was given a copy of <i>Little and Lion, </i>and it was not what I was expecting. Based on the title, I thought this would be a cute book about a boy and lion. However, this is a young adult book about identity, sexuality, and mental illness. I was completely intrigued by this book, because many of the ideas made me feel quite old-school, but according to young adults whom I have talked to, this is the stuff that is on their minds. Grown folks may need to consider reading young adult books to be empathic to what they are experiencing. It’s a NEW DAY.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">American Airlines </i>by Ben. H. Winters! A student wrote an essay on this novel, and it blew me away. The premise of this novel is what if the South had won the Civil War.... Quite captivating!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Girls Like Us </i>by Gail Giles! This book also came highly recommended. It is a young adult book, but like <i>Little and Lion, </i>it deals with some complex ideas. I loved every word, but I would recommend that adults read this first before recommending this to a young adult. It is important, necessary, but heart-wretching.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you love poetry, try this mighty book:</span></b></i><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Wife </i>by Tiphanie Yanique! I heard Tiphanie talk about the idea of loving someone, like a husband, whom you are not related to by blood, and I knew that I needed to read this book. Interesting, Interesting look at love.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>And, Because I know that I always have room to grow in my profession.....</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Summer Reading is over...... NEXT!!!</b></i></span>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-71521931827057962642018-08-22T19:14:00.000-07:002018-08-23T11:40:15.239-07:00The Spirit!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of a wonderful bookstore in Austin, Texas!</td></tr>
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Just in case you did not know, I feel incline to tell you that my spirit is very, very important to me. I pay very close attention to my spirit, and I make sure that my spirit stays in good shape by doing things that give me the kind of joy that the world just can’t take away.<br />
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Now, everybody knows that I love books and writers and cycling and plays and folks AND where I live. Yes, I am <b><i>madly in love</i></b> with the DC area, because every single thing that I love is readily accessible, and therefore my spirit gets fed quite often with things that bring me "unspeakable joy!”<br />
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I want to give you a peak into things that feed my spirit and bring me complete joy:<br />
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Working with teachers..... I absolutely love working with teachers!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This guy right here... I got a rejection that crushed my soul, and this guy put me back together and sent me along my way: Cornelius Minor! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, I love this guy, because he writes great books about teaching:The Kelly Gallagher!</span></div>
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I was on a panel with these two ladies. FUN FUN FUN!!! Rose Brock and Elizabeth Partridge!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My student wanted to go inside the African American Museum, and my friend, Carolyn, and I were able to make that happen....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and YES, there is band that is made up of police officers, and they are GREAT! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My dear friend Sonya, worked some magic, and at the last minute, I was able to do a seven day cruise with these awesome folks..... You got to love your friends who bring you on at the last minute. Thanks Sonya! </span><br />
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Cycling, Cycling, Cycling... I love cycling, and I really love it when I get to cycle with great folks. The DC area cycling community is AWESOME!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Writer, Writers, Writers... I love writers. And these two....Clint Smith and Darnell Moore. (SWOON!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yep, we scored tons, and I mean tons of AP literature papers, but we also made time to connect and have fun. Love these ladies! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Went to a book signing, AND in the audience was The Corey Booker....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">These two at the same time: Clint Smith and Judith Soriano.... A writer and a person who loves writers as much as I do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I stumbled across this wonderful book store in Charleston, WV, and lo and behold, I got to meet this Vietnam Veteran, hear him talk about his book, and get his autograph.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yep, his book is titled </span><i><span style="font-size: small;">I Can’t Date Jesus!</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> His book talk was delightful just like him: The Michael Arceneaux!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My Tuskegee Folks.... FAMILY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Jesmyn Ward..... I think that’s all I need to say. She is THE TRUTH! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Y’all, I know we are all busy, but don’t ever forget about your spirit!</span>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-27833571698995489482018-06-20T18:32:00.000-07:002018-06-21T05:32:02.054-07:0010 to 40 Book Challenge (School Year 2017 -18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This school year was the second year that I challenged my students and my Facebook friends to read <a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/07/10-to-40-book-challenge.html">10 to 40 books</a> from September to the last day of school which is mid-June. I got the idea for the book challenge from Donalyn Miller and her <u>wonderful</u> book, <i><a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2016/08/the-book-whisperer-by-donalyn-miller.html">The Book Whispers.</a> </i><br />
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Y’all, it really is TRUE; we can develop new habits. The key is to stick to the habit. Last school year, I read forty-six books, and I could not stop and so I read fourteen books last summer while maintaining quite a busy summer schedule that included quite a bit of work travel.<br />
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I went into the school year 2017 -18 completely energized and with a new reading habit that I am completely addicted to. I read <b><i>fifty-six </i></b>books all while teaching, riding my bike, stalking writers, and consulting. We can and will make time for whatever is important: PERIOD!<br />
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Right now, the literary world is ON FIRE which helps to fuel my love... Y’all, some incredible books are out there in whatever genre that you prefer.<br />
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Here is a list of the books that I read this year, and I have tried to do some type of classification:<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Writer that I Just Can’t Enough Of: </span></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Roxane Gay</span>. </i>I love her honesty, rawness, the cleverness of her writing, the way that she has her thumb on the pulse of right now. Below are the books that I read that are written by Roxane, and I loved every, single one of them.<br />
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1. <i><b>Bad Feminist</b>: </i>Excellent collection of essays that made me do a lot of thinking about Feminism.<br />
2. <b><i>Hunger</i></b><i>: </i>Memoir about Roxane’s body... This book made me think about a whole lot of things differently.<br />
3. <i><b>Difficult Women</b>: </i>Wonderful collection of short stories.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Non-Fiction Books that tremendously increased my knowledge base!</span></b><br />
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4. <b><i>Moonless, Starless Sky</i></b> by Alexis Okeowo: Courageous stories of women from the continent of Africa.<br />
5. <b><i>Promises to Keep </i></b>by Sharon Robinson: The story of Jackie Robinson told by his daughter Sharon.<br />
6.<b> <i>Evicted</i></b> by Desmond Robinson: If you want to build your empathy for those who are <i>struggling, </i>read this book.<br />
7. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Awakened Woman </i>by Tererai Trent. You talking about a story of resilience and possibilities....WOW<br />
8. <i style="font-weight: bold;">A Long Way Gone </i>by Ishmael Beah. A true story of a child soldier... heartbreaking!<br />
9. <i style="font-weight: bold;">When They Call You A Terrorist </i>by Patrisse Khan-Cullors. This is a memoir about a courageous life... I realized from reading this book that <i>The Black Lives Matter Movement </i>is all about LOVE.<br />
10. <b style="font-style: italic;">Revolutionary Suicide </b>by Huey P. Newton: Gave great insight into the Black Panther Party.<br />
11 and 12 <b><i>Eloquent Rage</i></b> by Brittney Cooper: Read it twice and will read it over and over. IT. IS. GOOD.<br />
13. <b><i>May We Forever Stand</i></b> by Imani Perry: Excellent overview of an important song in the African American history.<br />
14. <b><i>The Origin of Other</i></b>s by Toni Morrison: What a good look at a different perspective on some of those “classic novels."<br />
15. <i style="font-weight: bold;">We Were Eight Years in Power </i>by Ta-Nehisi Coates: Eight essays over the eight years of President Obama’s presidency.....AMAZING!<br />
16. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Courage to Hope </i>by Shirley Sherrod: This lady was wrongfully fired by the administration of President Obama. What a great story of courage; she should run for the office of President of the Unites States. <i>REALLY!!!</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Non-Fiction Books that read like novels:</span></b><br />
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17. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Gucci Mane </i>by Gucci Mane: This is a well-written, though-provoking memoir.<br />
18. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Born A Crime </i>by Trevor Noah: Incredible, Incredible memoir.<br />
19. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Sun Does Shine </i>by Anthony Ray Hinton: Y’all, this man was on death row for thirty years for a crime he did not commit... Amazing.<br />
20. <i><b>Barracoon </b></i>by Zora Neale Hurston: Love this story about the last living man who was turned into a slave: Cudjo Lewis.<br />
21. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom </i>by Amy Chua. Interesting story about parenting.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Self-Help Books:</span></b><br />
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22. <b><i>The Will To Change</i></b> by bell hooks: Great reminder that Black men and women NEED each other.<br />
23. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Getting the Love You Want </i>by Harville Hendrix. Trying to make sure that I stay on track with getting the love that I want.<br />
24. <b style="font-style: italic;">Rising Strong </b>by Brene’ Brown: A book about vulnerability... How to “gracefully go through it.”<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fiction Books That Are Written In Verse:</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>25. <b style="font-style: italic;">Milk and Honey </b>by Rupi Kaur: Wonderful book about heartache and finding yourself. Teens love this book.<br />
26.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Electric Arches </i>by Eve. L. Ewing: Collection of stories about Black girlhood and womanhood. I love this book with my whole heart.<br />
27. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Long Way Down </i>by Jason Reynolds: Great story that will leave you wanting more.<br />
28. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Good Braider </i>by Terry Farish: Great, immigration story.<br />
29. <i style="font-weight: bold;">One Last Word </i>by Nikki Grimes: A collection of poetry that gives a new look at some of the great voices of the Harlem Renaissance.<br />
30. <b><i>The </i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Poet X </i>by Elizabeth Acevedo: A coming of age novel that I think many young adults will absolutely love; it is completely relatable.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some Good Old-Fashion Fiction Novels:</span></b><br />
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31. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Song of Solomon </i>by Toni Morrison: The most wonderful novel that is about so much but mainly love.<br />
32. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Sing Unburied Sing </i>by Jesmyn Ward: This. Book. Is. A. Must. Read. Love those stories that are set in the American South.<br />
33. <b><i>An Unkindness of Ghosts </i></b>by Rivers Solomon. A science-fiction novel about life on a slave ship.<br />
34.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> An American Marriage </i>by Tayari Jones: Contemporary story of the American life and its complexity.<br />
35. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Little Fires Everywhere </i>by Celeste Ng. A great story of how our lives are intertwined.<br />
36. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The King is Always Above the People </i>by Daniel Alacron. A pretty, awesome collection of short stories.<br />
37. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Behold the Dreamers </i>by Imbolo Mbue. A story of folks who immigrant to American and eventually realize that the American Dream may not be for everybody.<br />
38. <i><b>Augustown</b></i> by Kei Miller: Amazing Carribean story.<br />
39. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Long Divison </i>by Kiese Laymon: One of my students read this book and loved it so, I tried it. It is good. Laymon is a Mississippi writer who is putting a contemporary spin on many societal problems.<br />
40.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Underground Railroad </i>by Colson Whithead. A very good look at The Underground Railroad that is written in a very engaging manner.<br />
41. <b><i>The High Mountains of Portugal </i></b>by Yann Martel: This book is all about LOVE.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Young Adult Novels:</span></b><br />
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42. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Boys in the Boat </i>by Daniel James Brown: A true story about boys trying to get the Olympic Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.<br />
43. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dear Martin </i>by Nic Stone. This is a good look at the life of a teenage boy who wants to know “What would Martin do?"<br />
44. <b style="font-style: italic;">The Brief and Wondrous Wife of Oscar Wao </b>by Junot Diaz: The protagonist in this story wants to fall in love.<br />
45. <b><i>A Wrinkle in Time</i> </b>by Madeline L’Engle: A science fiction novel about fighting a good fight.<br />
46. <b style="font-style: italic;">Children of Blood and Bones </b>by Tomi Adeyemi: This is Black folks Harry Potter and so much more.<br />
47. <b><i>After</i></b><b style="font-style: italic;"> the Shot Drops </b>by Randy Ribay: A book about friendship, basketball, and fitting in.<br />
48. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Black Panther </i>by Ronald Smith: T’Challa is sent to The South Side of Chicago because of a conflict in Wakanda.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Graphic Novels:</span></b><br />
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49. <b><i>Black Panther</i></b> by Ta-Nehisi Coates: I read all three volumes and the images are AMAZING.<br />
50. <i style="font-weight: bold;">American Born Chinese </i>by Gene Luen Yang: a story about identity and fitting in.<br />
51. <i style="font-weight: bold;">March One </i>by John Lewis: A refreshing look at the Civil Rights Movement.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professional Education Books:</span></b><br />
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52. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Readicide </i>by Kelly Gallagher: This book made me change the way that I teach novels...we don’t want to over-teach or under-teach.<br />
53. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Embarrassment </i>by Thomas Newkirk: A great book on how embarrassment may be hindering people, particularly students.<br />
54. <i style="font-weight: bold;">No More Independent Reading Without Support </i>by Barbara Moss and Debbie Miller. A good look at how to help students as they read independently.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Books I Could Have Skipped:</span></b><br />
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55. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Leavers </i>by Lisa Ko: A mom leaves her eleven-year old son and the book SLOWLY unfolds.<br />
56. <b><i>We’re Going to Need </i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">More Wine </i>by Gabrielle Union: A collection of stories about Union’s life which really did not tell much.<br />
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I hope that this list will inspire a whole bunch of folks to pick books from this list or a book from any other place and READ, READ, READ... and Inspire someone else to read.<br />
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We can start A READING REVOLUTION!<br />
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Holler, if you want to know more about any of these books.<br />
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-54736001455515308002018-04-26T03:07:00.000-07:002018-04-26T06:39:59.763-07:00Seven Years Y’all!<div style="text-align: center;">
It’s My Anniversary! </div>
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Earlier this week, I walked into the gym and said to Berhane, my trainer, “Our anniversary is on Thursday.”<br />
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We talked about how time really moves fast, and change seems to happen really slowly, because most changes do not happen overnight. I told him that I would love to see a picture of the inside of my body when I first started working out with him to compare that image to how the inside of my body looks after working out with him and being mindful of my diet for SEVEN years. Yes, I’ve been working out with Berhane for SEVEN years.<br />
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Sometimes I am not as mindful of my diet as I should be, and that’s when he states “We need to work on your diet, and a new diet shows up in my email.”<br />
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One thing for sure... If I make up my mind that I am going to do something, I go ALL THE WAY. I don’t test it; I go ALL THE WAY. When I started working out with Berhane, I decided that I would go ALL THE WAY. I do ALL of the crazy exercises that he want me to do, such as, lunges the length of an entire football field in the middle of Virginia's, HOT summers.<br />
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I watch my diet most of the time. However, I went through a period where I thought I could introduce wine back into my life, and lo and behold, my stomach started showing it. So, now I am not drinking alcohol unless it’s Tuskegee’s Homecoming or some other occasion where I will drink alcohol without an ounce of guilt.<br />
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Y’all, this is a journey that I love, and I don’t do it for nobody but me. I DO IT FOR MYSELF. I get up every, single morning, and I look at my naked body in a full length mirror, and assess my stomach, thighs, and butt. Normally, with no judgment, I just get a good look at myself daily, and I start my day.<br />
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When I started working out with Berhane SEVEN years ago, I did not think about how long I would be with him. But, I knew that I was committed to my health for a lifetime.<br />
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SEVEN years later, and I am still committed!<br />
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Y’all, don’t be afraid of committing.....<br />
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It’s My Anniversary.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2012/04/its-my-one-year-anniversary-and-im-just.html">One Year Anniversary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2013/04/two-whole-years-of-working-out-with.html">Two Year Anniversary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2014/04/three-whole-years-of-working-out-with.html">Three Year Anniversary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2015/04/four-whole-years-of-working-out-with.html">Four Year Anniversary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2016/04/its-our-5th-year-anniversary.html">Five Year Anniversary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/04/its-been-six-years.html">Six Year Anniversary</a><br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-78184952065798662112018-02-06T15:44:00.003-08:002018-02-07T05:31:54.478-08:00Dawn....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn."</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><b> </b>The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">For folks who are not educators, I want you to know that school starts and it keeps going and going, I mean it just keep going and going. Before you even realize it, it is the middle of the school year, and many folks who work with children are tired to the bone. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This school year has been rolling, and I looked up to </span>catch<span style="font-family: inherit;"> my breath, and it was the end of the first half of the school year. Students wanted to do make-up work from three weeks ago: NO! </span>Counselors<span style="font-family: inherit;"> were moving students into my classroom one week before the end of the quarter: NO! And, parents wanted to meet: NO! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Y</span>’<span style="font-family: inherit;">all, I felt a lot like this: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">have been practicing sitting with my feelings instead of acting out or </span>telling<span style="font-family: inherit;"> everybody and </span>their<span style="font-family: inherit;"> grandma. I did pretty good, but I did call a friend and say something like:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">“<span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span>’<span style="font-family: inherit;">m done with teaching.</span>”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">“Teaching is for young folks.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">I noticed that being in this state caused me to push my students even harder, and you know how that goes; The harder you push, the more they resist. I finally heard this voice loud and clearly: “This ain’t about the kids, this is about you.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Yep, I need to work on not being influenced by outside forces.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">So, this weekend, I got some much needed rest and church, and I went to school and changed my attitude. No lie, my students have been reading and asking questions. We had a great classroom discussion based on this incredible short story, and overall, things went well. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was tested a few times, but I focused inward, and....everything was all good. </span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="text-align: justify;"><i>"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.”</i></b></div>
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Today was <i><b>DAWN</b>!</i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">One of my co-workers came in <i>EARLY</i> this morning to let my students and me know that he had finished his first book of the school year, and he wrote it on his reading log:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">During study hall time, I had a table full of students who came to get help with their writings; I thoroughly enjoyed working with that small group who would not allow me to take a picture of them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><b><i>DAWN</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">As I was working with this group of students, one of our counselors came in to add two books to her reading log, and she would not allow me to take a picture of her either.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Right after talking with the counselor and working with the students, one of our assistant principals came in to write book titles on her reading log and to talk about books. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUcEXlCi3vI/Wno5iwKWTAI/AAAAAAAAL6w/2qzJ7EKSJbEA55_cBtjwBV1ZhQneFD4_QCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1404" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUcEXlCi3vI/Wno5iwKWTAI/AAAAAAAAL6w/2qzJ7EKSJbEA55_cBtjwBV1ZhQneFD4_QCLcBGAs/s400/FullSizeRender-7.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">While the assistant principal was in the room, two other teachers came in to get book suggestions for some of their struggling readers, and you guys know how much I love talking about books and reluctant readers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Finally, my last class came in, and I have a few reluctant readers who actually read today and were visibly engaged. At the end of the class, one of the students even came to talk to me about the book that he is currently reading.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">I swear, If you had asked me a few weeks ago about teaching, I’m sure I would have stated quite a few unpleasant words; however, </span><br />
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<b style="color: #222222; text-align: center;"><i>"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.</i></b><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><b><i>”</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">To all of my people out there who feel like you are barely holding on....</span></div>
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<b style="color: #222222; text-align: center;"><i>"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.</i></b><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i>”</i></b></span></div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-46698410618422432392018-01-16T18:40:00.001-08:002018-01-17T08:32:48.736-08:00Alabama, Selma, and Black Women!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISRgT1pwe48/Wl63duo3IdI/AAAAAAAAL54/q8WAMOPviJQn9LmVMQ0UaRCCcWoCZPCLACLcBGAs/s1600/baldwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="557" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISRgT1pwe48/Wl63duo3IdI/AAAAAAAAL54/q8WAMOPviJQn9LmVMQ0UaRCCcWoCZPCLACLcBGAs/s400/baldwin.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<b>Alabama....</b><br />
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Alabama spoke up for the world. However, folks acted shocked about the outcome of the recent, Senate election, including me. I guess we had forgotten about the successful Montgomery Boycott where people did not ride public transportation for 381 days. Yes, you read that right, 381 days. And, their efforts also caused the Supreme Court to make a federal decision that Montgomery HAD to integrate those buses, and Black folks could sit anywhere that they wanted to.<br />
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POWER TO THE PEOPLE!<br />
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Now, let’s talk about not riding those buses. What did that mean?<br />
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That meant that folks had to work together to get people to work, home, to the grocery store, to doctor’s appointment, and anywhere else that folks needed to go. I’m thinking about that Alabama heat and long dirt roads and many folks probably had to walk. Just knowing folks like I do, I know there were many days when people were like “Man, I can’t take this no more; I am getting on that bus.” BUT, they held out.<br />
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<b>Selma...</b><br />
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The images of Dr. King and all of the other servant leaders trying to cross that Edmond Pettus bridge still horrifies me. To see those open water hoes being pointed directly on people can be a bit much to take. Yet, the folks went back and eventually successfully crossed that bridge.<br />
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Resilience.<br />
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Alabama has a history of resilience...<br />
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The stories that are coming from that November 12th Senate election are so inspiring. People deciding that they could and would be heard. I watched a video of one lady crying after voting; it was her first time. Another man who voted for the first time talked about how good he felt after he voted.<br />
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Y’all, it feels like an uprising in our country...<br />
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<b>Black Women....</b><br />
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I can’t say enough about them. We show up, work our butts off, and never complain. It’s natural for most of us. When I see woman whining and complaining, I am always confused, especially when the women who are complaining just don’t carry some of the burdens that we carry.<br />
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Black Women Rock....<br />
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I love being a Black woman.<br />
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<b>It’s Good!</b><br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-7271640862701603602018-01-15T12:31:00.001-08:002018-01-16T06:58:03.378-08:00Kind, Servant-Leader, Resisting.......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently, I read an incredible Young Adult (YA) book titled <i>Dear Martin </i>by Nic Stone. At the very end of the book, Stone posed a question: “Who would Martin BE???”<br />
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I know we talk a lot about the things that Dr. King would do or say if he was living, but today, I want to image who would Dr. King <i style="font-weight: bold;">BE </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">he </span>if was with us today<i>?</i><br />
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I believe that Dr. King would be <b style="font-style: italic;">kind, </b>saying and doing the things that are needed, but in the spirit of kindness. I believe that he would be kind to all kinds of folks, even those who would spiteful come against him.<br />
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I believe that Dr. King would still be a <i style="font-weight: bold;">servant-leader. </i>A man who would continue to serve and serve humbly. You know, I think a lot about Dr. King being murdered while he was in Memphis, Tennessee to march with sanitation workers. I want to believe that he did not go into their meetings acting like he knew all of the answers, but I want to believe that he got to Memphis and listened with an empathic ear and took orders and did what the folks needed him to do.<br />
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I believe that he would still be <i style="font-weight: bold;">resisting. </i>Resisting with Kaepernick. Resisting with Immigrants. Resisting with Educators. Resisting <i>Injustices in this country and other countries.</i><br />
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<i>So, if Dr. King was living, I definitely could not put the pressure on him to be someone that I am not striving to be.....</i><br />
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I could not ask Dr. King to be <i><b>kind</b>,</i> and I am not actively working to be <b><i>kind.</i></b><br />
I could not ask Dr. King to be a <b style="font-style: italic;">servant-leader, </b>and I am not actively working to be a <b><i>servant-leader.</i></b><br />
I could not ask Dr. King to <i style="font-weight: bold;">resist, </i>when I am not actively<i style="font-weight: bold;"> resisting.</i><br />
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A question that I am asking myself is “Am I <b><i>being</i></b> what I would want Dr. King to be?”<br />
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For those of us who are on this side of the dirt, we still have time, and we may want to ask ourselves who are we <i><b>being</b></i> <i>during </i>our time?<br />
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<i><b>Kind... Servant-Leader.... Resisting!</b></i><br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-63543244811208788112018-01-10T19:30:00.001-08:002018-01-11T10:17:57.208-08:00Grace and Mercy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHEmfR3adig/WlbY2_7mF2I/AAAAAAAAL5M/NorHbwLRC9Q3sK44T5aL9ZnQ-2ckRkKtgCLcBGAs/s1600/22f15cb10ec5da37ec0b8696365bd25a--gods-grace-quotes-mercy-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHEmfR3adig/WlbY2_7mF2I/AAAAAAAAL5M/NorHbwLRC9Q3sK44T5aL9ZnQ-2ckRkKtgCLcBGAs/s400/22f15cb10ec5da37ec0b8696365bd25a--gods-grace-quotes-mercy-quotes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I got a lot of things on my mind, and I am not particularly in a happy place. So, if you are feeling really happy and want to stay there, skip this post......<br />
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<i>Assumptions!</i><br />
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Today, I have been thinking a lot about assumptions, and how sometimes we make decisions based on assumptions, instead of facts. You know, the bible speaks of always getting an understanding, and so many times, we make decisions without getting an understanding.<br />
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For instance, I do no necessary talk about my cycling workouts that I do during the winter; it’s really nothing special. It’s just what I do. Just like I brush my teeth, go to work, and pick my afro, I do my cycling workouts. So, when folks say things that allude to me not riding, I want to punch folks or scream. I wonder why they won’t just ask... Get An Understanding.<br />
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However, then it goes back to me, and me being responsible for my response to folks. I’m thinking that maybe I could kindly say with a fake smile: “Man, I’ve being training.” Or, I could absorb folks assumptions the same way that the ground absorbs rain water?<br />
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Now, you know I am not a saint, and there are tons of decisions that I make that are based on assumptions, but know, I am trying to do better. This mindful living can be HARD! I am hearing God say Grace and Mercy, Grace and Mercy and not just for other folks, but for myself as well.<br />
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Last school year I did not challenge my Advanced Placement Literature students to do the <a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/07/10-to-40-book-challenge.html">10 to 40 book challenge</a>, I assumed that they were readers. Now, I know where the assumptions came from, but you know that I had no proof that my AP seniors read more than my tenth graders. However, after much discussion, I realized that the AP seniors needed to be challenged to read more just like the tenth graders. Now, everybody is encourage to go higher; there is always room to go higher.<br />
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Yep, I am guilty of acting on assumptions! Grace and Mercy......<br />
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<i>Teaching!</i><br />
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Last year I spent a lot of time focusing on reading. I knew that many of my students were not readers, and I know that I was playing a part in doing full out <i>Readicide</i>. Yep, I was teaching books that <i>I </i>love, thinking that I was reaching the masses and was actually committing <i>Readicide; </i>killing kids love of reading. Gave the students choice, and it totally changed my classroom for the better.<br />
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This year, I needed to get that writing going along with the reading. After following, on twitter, a whole lot of folks who are farther along than me and taking their advice, I have been focusing on helping my students to get their thoughts out without the pressure of me and that red pen. We have been responding to the texts that they are reading through writing. I read their responses and respond, but I do not correct for grammar errors. However, I am noticing that I am not seeing many grammar errors, and I have some thoughts about why, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog.<br />
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Their one big writing piece was to fully develop whatever they wanted to write about. And, they have been writing. When they said they were finished, they would come and sit next to me, and we would talk through the papers and make correction as we went along.<br />
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Y’all, I have cried and cried and cried. One student sat next to me, and I read her story, and I wept, and she wept. When I finally was able to speak, all I could say is “I'm sorry.” We talked about it, and we both cried and cried. I read many more papers and asked questions and listened and cried.<br />
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The funny thing about my crying is that all of the students saw me crying, and you know, they were quiet and somber. No one laughed or asked what was wrong... They were just quiet and somber; we were sharing a moment.<br />
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Our young folks are courageously dealing with a lot, and I get the feeling that they do not want our sympathy; they want us to hear them with an empathic ear. I pray for them a lot and think about them a lot and cry a lot. Then, I try and meet them where they are....<br />
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Our Youth... Their Lives Matter!!!<br />
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That’s all I got!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-8916922061240016212017-12-31T17:22:00.000-08:002018-01-03T06:33:14.963-08:002017: The Year of Harvest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB_VUBoiLXM/Wke1bReizlI/AAAAAAAAL04/nHNnzuTUzbcpS0O_AhStYPO8kLmO3NmSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB_VUBoiLXM/Wke1bReizlI/AAAAAAAAL04/nHNnzuTUzbcpS0O_AhStYPO8kLmO3NmSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2058.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Me!</td></tr>
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Tomorrow, will be 2018, and it seems like the past seventeen years hurried by like a woman scurrying to pick up her child from daycare before those late fees kick in. Yep, it has felt like that type of hurrying; hurrying with a purpose.</div>
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My Dad us to say that time waits for no one, and you know, I am in the years of getting answers, and now I see clearly just what my Dad was talking about... Time waits for no one!</div>
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To prepare to write my annual end-of-the-year blog, I went back to read a few of my previous blogs, and I realized that in quite a few of my blogs, I was believing God for something. </div>
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Now, in 2017, all praises to God and hard work, many of my dreams manifested. So, in 2018, I am going to do a whole lot more Giving Thanks and Surrendering and Trusting and Giving Thanks and Surrendering, and Trusting, and Giving Thanks and Surrendering and Trusting.....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cycling teammates!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bookclub!</td></tr>
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A few summers back, I had this strong urge to work on literacy, especially for children of color. My readings and conversations with other passionate educators confirmed some things that were placed on my heart. So, I went to educational consulting camp and did just about every single thing that the leader of the camp told us to do. This past year, my company, <a href="http://www.sect-llc.com/">Stallworth Educational Consulting Team</a>, was formed, and I was able to work with two school districts on literacy. </div>
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You know how God works, there are many more opportunities coming. All I need to do is Stay Ready, Surrender, and Trust. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my dear friend Kathleen and the writer Ibi Zoboi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cycling teammates!</td></tr>
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I was advised at consulting camp that I needed to get my writings published in a literary magazine. So, I reached out to International Literacy’s magazine, and I wrote a proposal for their “What’s New In Literacy,” edition, and my proposal was accepted. Y’all, my piece was published in the magazine.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8JwjEWyBWI/WkmJQoF0yEI/AAAAAAAAL48/9C_8HYvIIIIChVk7T17FJKHv44mL4EPigCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8JwjEWyBWI/WkmJQoF0yEI/AAAAAAAAL48/9C_8HYvIIIIChVk7T17FJKHv44mL4EPigCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3066.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also applied to present at the International Literacy’s Conference in Orlando, and my proposal was accepted. My current school district paid all related expenses, and I went to do what I am called to do. My session was packed, and folks seem to really be engaged. I had soooooo much fun. After I finished, I wanted to run around like we do in African American churches when we are in the spirit. However, I was not in that type of environment, so I had to forgo on the running.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Y’all this was fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I was having a good time in my session?</td></tr>
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While I was doing my thing, a wonderful lady was in my session from the company <a href="https://www.booksource.com/">Booksource</a>. <i>Booksource</i> provides schools with classroom libraries. This wonderful lady asked me if we could talk later about me doing some literacy work for <i>Booksource</i>, and NOW, I am a peer advisor for <i>Booksource</i>. This mainly means that <i>Booksource </i>open doors for me to go to schools and conferences to talk about my love for books and my love of getting children to love them as well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo Bikes Bama ride!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite writer Jason Reynolds!</td></tr>
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For the past few summers I have been training teachers to teach Advanced Placement (AP) Literature for Texas Christian College. However, my desire was to be a full time AP Literature Consultant with The College Board. I completed the application, emailed a few folks, talked to a few people, AND I am a endorsed College Board consultant. My heart leaps for joy when I think about the influence that I can have on college board literature classes; I want to see those classes be more inclusive of children of color, and now I am in the door. </div>
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AND, I actually opened a spam email, and I actually acted on it; I am one of the teachers selected to serve on the <a href="https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/education-programs/teacher-advisory-council-2017-2018/">National Humanities Center's Teacher Advisory Council</a> for the 2017-2018 school year. This experience has been very rewarding, and I have met some wonderful, inspiring educators. Y’all, this was not an opportunity that I saw coming, but I am appreciative and humbled to serve.</div>
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In <i>Song of Solomon </i>by Toni Morrison there is this quote: “If you surrender to the air, you can ride it.” Y’all, I have been riding the air, <i>God</i>, and... I was about to say it has been scary, but it really has not been. I’ve been preparing for every single thing that came my way this year...<br />
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So, I did not write all of this to boast; not at all. I wrote all this to remind myself of all of the doors that have opened for me. I am also encouraging you to write down all of the things that God has done for you, so you can see that you really are moving forward. AND, if you see that you are not moving forward, GET ON IT!!!<br />
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Today, I was thinking about all of the books that I have read over the last year, and in every story, fiction and non-fiction, people end up right where they are suppose to be and things seem to work out for their good.<br />
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However, you know how the mind works, and I thought of the story <i>The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace </i>by Jeff Hobbs. Robert Peace was a student from the inner city who attended and graduated from Yale without paying one penny. After graduation he was studying cancer cells for Yale. However, he eventually moved back to New Jersey, started selling drugs, and ended up being tragically murdered. Now, I have to ask myself, did Robert Peace have the ending that he was suppose to have; was this God’s doing?<br />
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I think about Robert a lot, and I believe that we all have free-well. Robert Peace could or could not have gone to Yale, it was up to him. The doors opened for him, but it was up to him to walk through them. Maybe, he could have capitalized on the research that he was doing on cancer cells or did something else? I believe that Robert Peace had free-will just like you and me.<br />
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I think what I am trying to say is that when we have that pull on our hearts, we can answer or not. We can run towards it or away from it; I think that we have a choice. When doors started to open for me, for some reason, I knew they were opened just for me, and I felt peace and excited, and I boldly walked in. Sure, I was surprised each and every time but <i>READY</i>!<br />
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Now, for 2018, I already have quite a few things lined up, and I have other things that I am working on, and instead of believing God, and being that child or spouse who never seems to be satisfied, I am going to try with my whole heart to not ask for more but to EXPECT more.<br />
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Not sure what season you are in, reaping or sowing, but know that there is a harvest with your name on it.</div>
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Consider writing stuff down and speaking it as well!</div>
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Happy 2018!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-49916104929267940852017-12-27T16:34:00.000-08:002017-12-28T15:42:23.783-08:00The Autobiography of Gucci Mane by Gucci Mane with Neil Martinez-Belkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Autobiography of Gucci Mane</i> is generating a lot of excitement in my classroom. So, I borrowed a copy from a student and read it. Y’all, I love this book...<br />
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For those who are not quite familiar with Gucci Mane, he is a rapper who is known for <i>Trap Music</i>. According to Gucci Mane himself: <i>Trap Music</i> is “something raw. Something that has not been diluted. Something with no polish on it. Music that sounds as grimy as the world that it came out of.” (P. 52)<br />
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Also, after a little research, I also found out that Gucci Mane has a reality TV show and lots of lots of fans, including a new fan, Jacqueline Stallworth. Yep, I’m a fan.<br />
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This story matters.....<br />
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I was not reading this book, just like with most of the books that I read, to disagree or agree, but to get an understanding, develop a little more empathy, and to enjoy. AND, with this book, I did all three.<br />
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Here are some things that are on my mind after finishing this book:<br />
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1.<i> “I was playing around with my voice, my cadence, and my diction and after awhile all those reservations I’d had slowly started to fade away. (P. 51)</i><br />
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Gucci Mane may have been born with a gift for rapping, but he had to work to cultivate that skill. Gucci Mane worked on his voice, studied rap, and practiced. Overtime and with lots of work, he became Gucci Mane the rapper and created music that folks love.<br />
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Now, doesn’t that sounds like most of us? We have to work at things in order to get better and maybe even good. I hope that when the youth read this book, and they are reading it, they understand that we have to put in work to achieve dreams. This man was writing music relentlessly while in prison... and produced projects as soon as he was released that received a lot of praise.<br />
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To develop our skills; we have to put in the work....<br />
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2. <i>“I was rapping for the young boys on the corner with dirty T-Shirts on. The ones cooking up in the kitchen. The car thieves. The shooters. The n-----ers breaking into houses. I was rapping my reality. (P. 110)</i><br />
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Stories matter... Whether or not I like what he says in his rap, he is rapping his reality and the reality of folks similar to him. I think that many of us love stories that we can relate to, and we have respect for folks who courageously tell their stories, because it gives us courage to tell ours.<br />
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Recently, a student gave me a book that she really connected to, and she wanted me to read it. Well, I read the book and found the student and desperately wanted her to tell me that this extremely sad story was not her story, and it was. This book helped me to connect to this student, and I am grateful that the writer wrote that story. Telling our stories matter...<br />
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So, Gucci Mane’s story matters, and him telling his story may be helping a whole bunch of folks, and maybe giving folks courage to speak their truth.<br />
<i><br /></i>3. "<i>This would become a trend throughout the course of my career. Whenever the music wasn’t going right I would fall back into the streets. Maybe it was a coping mechanism. Going back to something I knew I’d find success in when I wasn’t experiencing it elsewhere. Whatever it was, it was a habit that went on for much longer than you’d think." (P. 119)</i><br />
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I read this and thought: “Yes, Yes, Yes!”<br />
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Under stress, many of us go back to what we are familiar and comfortable with, and it seems like what we go back to are things that are not good for us: folks, food, drink.... and a whole bunch of other stuff that is within our comfort zone.<br />
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I want Gucci Mane to know, “Brother, you are not alone."<br />
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4. <i>“... freestyling proved to be much quicker way for me to knock out songs. So that’s what I started doing and did so relentlessly. I became a machine. I would record six or seven songs a day. Easily.... My work ethic paid off.” (P. 140 -141)</i><br />
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Hard work pays off... PERIOD!<br />
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5. <i>“It did not sit well with me that I was this gangster rapper talking about hitting licks and moving bricks in my music, but then I was hiding with rats when I got locked up. I wanted to be treated like everyone else. So when I returned to Fulton County in the fall of 2008, I signed a waiver to be in the general population.” (P. 145)</i><br />
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I totally respect the fact that Gucci Mane did not just “talk the talk but he walked the walked.” He was not writing one thing and doing something else.<br />
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At the end of the day, “To thine Own self be True.” I can’t tell my students that reading is important, and I not take the time to read. Folks are watching... “Walk the Walk."<br />
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<i>6.“With all I’d been through of late I’d never felt more alienated. I was an outcast, a rebel, a weirdo. More than anything I was tired. Tired of running away from my reputation, tired of trying to convince people I wasn’t a bad person. I wanted to embrace the villain. (P. 191)</i><br />
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I’m wondering how many of us are living out what we believe people think about us....<br />
How many folks are pretending to be things that they are not, because that is what folks expect...<br />
What if we could be free of other folks' thoughts or what we believe they are thinking, and live our lives?<br />
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7. <i>“Prison is time. I tried to use the time to better myself. I kept up the exercise... I lost nearly eighty pounds... I was able to work the cafeteria staff and eat a little better....I followed changes I’d made to my body by working to strengthen my mind. I was devouring books. A lot of self-help, inspirational stuff. Tony Robbins. Deepak Chopra. Malcolm Gladwell. James Allen. The biographies of Pimp C. and Jimi Hendrix. Mike Tyson’s autobiography.” (P. 254)</i><br />
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Discipline and Reading, Discipline and Reading, Discipline and Reading........<br />
I truly believe that the amount of discipline that a person has, has a lot to do with his/her success.... AND, reading saves lives, reading changes lives, WORDS matter!<br />
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8. <i>“If you keep lookin’ back you gon trip going forward.... I’ve taken heed to that. To start a new chapter you’ve got to turn the page on the last one. Still, every now and then I do think it’s okay to stop and look back, just for a moment, before continuing on your way. Especially when it’s a hell of a story.” (P. 270)</i><br />
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Not much I can say after that.... Gucci Mane basically summed it up!<br />
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I am excited about this book, and I can’t wait to get back with my students to hear their thoughts and takeaways....<br />
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In all of your getting, get an understanding....<br />
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Consider reading this book!<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-1040637053906646372017-12-19T15:29:00.002-08:002017-12-20T03:15:29.601-08:00Books for Christmas 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s Christmas time <i>AGAIN, </i>and I am going to try and help those folks out who still need to buy a few more presents. And, you know that giving folks books is really like giving love.<br />
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I have tremendously increased my reading, and that made this task a little more difficult. However, after a lot of consideration here are my top ten book, gift ideas for 2017:<br />
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#10 <i style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Morales, </i>and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Long Way Down,</i> and <i style="font-weight: bold;">When I Was The Greatest, </i>and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Ghost. </i>I’m cheating, but all four books by Jason Reynolds are number ten. I just had to do it because all four of these books really are great. If you have a young adult in your life, girl or boy, please consider getting them these books. The book that you buy really doesn’t matter, or how about purchasing all four? And, while you are at the bookstore, pick up copies for yourself. Yep, I think grown folks will enjoy these books as well.<br />
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<b><i>Miles Morales</i>: </b>Miles is a Black and Hispanic Spiderman with superpowers. And, just wait until you find out his adversary. I just loved seeing a brown boy with superpowers, and many of us know that brown boys do have superpowers.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Long Way Down: </b>This book is written in verse, and it can be read in a short period of time. It is engaging and captivating, AND the ending had me sitting on the edge of my seat.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">When I Was the Greatest: </i>I finished reading this one and wept like a baby. I loved every last one of the characters, including the man with no legs. With this book, Jason puts us right in these characters' lives. These folks will be with people for a very long time, and once you meet them, you’ll understand.<br />
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<b>Ghost: </b>I picked up <i>Ghost </i>and was instantly<i> </i>sucked in. Ghost is the underdog with a heart, and I fell in love with him and his story. Easy read.... but full of lots of good stuff.<br />
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#9 <b style="font-style: italic;">Despite the Best Intentions: How Racial Inequality Thrives in Good Schools</b> by Amanda Lewis and John Diamond<b style="font-style: italic;">. </b>This book was completely eye-opening, and it helped me to do some true self-introspection. I do not want to participate in creating inequalities in ‘good schools.’ If you work in or send your child to one of those ‘good schools,’ READ THIS BOOK!<br />
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#8 <i style="font-weight: bold;">Swing Time</i> by Zadie Smith<i style="font-weight: bold;">: </i>Let’s just say that I got caught up in this book. This books shows that life is complex all over the place even in London; that’s the setting for this book. Read and Grow!<br />
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#7<b style="font-style: italic;"> Trevor Noah </b><span style="font-style: italic;">by Trevor Noah</span><b style="font-style: italic;">: </b>Funny, Serious, Thought-provoking, and so many lessons about life. Trevor Noah grew up in South Africa; however, it was eye-opening to see the many similarities between South African and American when it comes to race, poverty, and the impact of a country's history on its people. Much, Much respect for Trevor Noah.<br />
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#6 <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Awakened Woman </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">by Dr. Tererai Trent</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i>I really felt this book. If Tererai Trent can become Dr. Tererai Trent, anything is impossible. My big takeaways from this book are to write and verbalize your dreams, keep your torch so that you can light other folks torches, and trust, trust, trust the divine order. There is no way that a person can read this book and not feel compelled to keep on keeping on.<br />
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#5<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Evicted </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">by Matthew Desomond</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">: </i>At the National Book Festival, Jesmyn Ward and Roxane Gay both fondly mentioned <i>Evicted, </i>and so I read it<i>. </i>This book took my empathy meter over the top. This books deals with the poor of our country, both Black and White folks, and their struggles to maintain a decent place to live. The stories are true, and I became connected to each one of the characters through the way that Desmond tells their stories. This was a reminder that there are folks really, really trying to make it, but the cards are stacked against them. This book weighed on my heart, because I really can not see any immediate solutions to the eviction issues presented in this book. I just pray that the folks keep the faith and keep fighting the good fight. Y’all, if you have stable housing, count yourself blessed.<br />
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#4 <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hillbilly Elegy </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">J.D. Vance</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">: </i>Poor Whites in American! This is a story that I am happy that J.D. Vance told, because all stories matter, even those of poor Whites in America. Vance writes about his life as a hillbilly with respect and dignity, and we are able to see that poverty is poverty; it does not discriminate. Poverty is ugly....<br />
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#3 <i style="font-weight: bold;">Homegoing: </i>I loved this book sooooo much. Each chapter follows a different descendent of a woman named Maame, and the book spans over hundreds of years. In that very last chapters, Gyasi brings this story full circle and left my heart feeling content. Now, this is a book that you must make sure you follow closely, but it is worth all of the effort that it takes to follow it. This book felt good....<br />
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#2 <b style="font-style: italic;">Hunger </b>by Roxane Gay: Daring! Courageous! I absolutely love the rawness of this book. Roxane is one woman who is daring greatly, and I must say that this book gave me even more permission to speak my truth and speak it boldly. It was definitely disturbing at times, but remember when I stated that reading builds empathy. Well, sometimes facing the disturbing parts helps us to walk in other folks shoes. Roxane, I am with you sister 100%. Thanks for showing the rest of us how to be brave.<br />
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#1 <b style="font-style: italic;">Sing Unburied Sing </b>by Jesmyn Ward<b style="font-style: italic;">: </b>Jesmyn Jesmyn Jesmyn, she did this! After reading this book I walked into my classroom, projected Jesmyn and her book from the TV and stated “This is your Toni Morrison." This book is brilliantly written, the storyline is incredible, and the characters are magnificent, every single one of the them. This is one of those stories that I will teach and read and teach and read and hopefully cause as many students as possible to fall madly in love with Jesmyn and this book. Google her and go and hear her speak..... she is small but mighty. May she write more books and live forever. Y’all, pick this one up for yourself and folks who you love.<br />
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I hope that this list is helpful and gives folks some last minute gift ideas or give people books to add to their reading list.<br />
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Merry Christmas Y’all, and consider loving as many folks as you can..........Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-10467153596002867712017-12-10T20:26:00.000-08:002017-12-12T21:35:43.997-08:00Sweet Home AlabamaBeing that I was born and raised in Alabama, I’ve been feeling some type of urgency to do something about this Senate race in Alabama, and I just didn’t know what to do. Then it hit me, I can use my small platform and write.<br />
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When the news first broke about Roy Moore having inappropriate contact with underage girls, I nervously read all of the stories. I did not know what to think, but I just know that it is never all right for a grown man to rob a young girl of her innocence.<br />
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The stories continued to unfold, and then when asked when was the last time that he thought America was ‘great’ and according to CNN and other media outlets Moore stated:<em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #262626; font-family: CNN, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </em><i>"I think it was great at the time when families were united — even though we had slavery — they cared for one another.... Our families were strong, our country had a direction.” </i><br />
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Then I started to read even more disturbing things about Moore, and I feel like I want to go to Alabama on Tuesday and go door to door, and take everybody to the polls. We’ve got to stand for the moral integrity of the state of Alabama and our country.<br />
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I know there are rural, remote areas where people may not have a car and the polling places are far away, but I desperately want these folks to be heard and vote for the integrity of Alabama and our Country. I know there are people who may not have voted in quite a long time, and they may be a little afraid or intimidated to vote, but I want those folks to speak up for the integrity of Alabama and our country.<br />
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Yesterday, in one of my desperate moments, I reminded my eighty-three year old mother to vote.<br />
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“Jack, you don’t have to tell me to vote. I was pregnant with Tricia and the bottom of my stomach was hurting, but I still went and did what I needed to do to get qualified to vote.” <i>(Now, my sister whom she was pregnant with is currently fifty-three year olds.) </i>"I’ve been voting every sense.” She went on to explained to “get qualified to vote” she had to fill out some paperwork, and someone had to vouch that she was who she said she was.<br />
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“Filling out that paperwork felt like taking a test to me.”<br />
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Mom told many more stories about voting, and I anxiously listened and asked tons of questions. Y’all, I wanted to know every single detail.<br />
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Still feeling like I needed to do something about this Senate race in Alabama, I stated: “Mom, will you call your sister and nieces and nephews and remind them to vote?”<br />
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We hung up, and I felt better!<br />
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Today, I read that Senator Corey Booker was at Tuskegee University encouraging students to vote in the upcoming Senate election, and my mind started racing. Yes, there are lots of Black colleges in Alabama and if those students who can vote, would vote, perhaps their voices could make a difference. I picked up the phone to call my niece who is currently a student at Tuskegee to remind her to vote if she can, and I wanted to ask her to remind all of her friends to do the same. However, I put the phone down. (<i>I’m not sure if she has changed her voter registration from her home state of Texas to Alabama?) </i><br />
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My folks in Alabama, I am not sure where you stand on this issue, but I really want you guys to stand for the integrity of Alabama and our country. I do not want to ask folks to do things that I have not done, like drive an old person to the polls. But, please check on your neighbors, talk about the issues, and do whatever it takes to get them to stand for the integrity of Alabama and our Country.<br />
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Our country is going through changes, and we all know that change is hard and many of us resist it, because it is hard. But, today we have to face the fear of change and be heard and recognized. I was telling some people that it seems like our country is experiencing a birth, and I believe that if as many of us as possible would search our consciousness and act on it, I believe that what our country gives birth to will be great.<br />
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Y’all, it is a great time to be alive, and we cannot be on the sidelines; we need to participate....<br />
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Alabama... please show the world that our country's arch is bent toward justice!<br />
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VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-59262916481078243452017-12-07T18:10:00.002-08:002017-12-07T19:09:09.833-08:00Just Because...<div style="text-align: center;">
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Lots of rambling...(You’ve been warned!)<br />
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Last Wednesday, I was able to sleep an hour later. I slept until 6:30 actually and that felt soooo good. I had <i>Step Up To Writing </i>training, and I thought we would learn more about <i>Step Up To Writing,</i> but instead we learned more about how to train people. However, I went with the flow. It was good to sit back and learn and not have to lead. I enjoyed every moment of allowing the leader to lead.<br />
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Well,<br />
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I got an email while in the training that pretty much made my day. It was about being on a literacy panel this coming summer. You know sometimes it feels like God stops talking to me, and then something like this email happens. I am sure God was like “Girl, I ain’t forgot about you; You of little faith!" I am still growing in this area.<br />
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Later,<br />
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After the training, I did an easy ride on my bicycle, washed my hair, cooked, and ate. I answered a few emails and sent a few text, wrote, and went to bed. Rest is not overrated. I felt so much better after having quite a chill day.<br />
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Y’all!<br />
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I just love GOD, I mean, I really love God. He knows me better than I know myself and is always on time. I mean he is always on time... Like always on time. I have been working on stuff, and he has been showing out. Oh, how I love Jesus. Not because he first loved me, but because I don’t want to think about not loving him.<br />
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So,<br />
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I bought an electric trainer. For those who don’t know, an electric trainer is a way for me to do my cycling workouts on the inside connected to a computer. This trainer helps to make my workouts more efficient. I actually look forward to the workouts now. You know, when I finish, and I see my average speed, I kinda feel like a badass. AND, I love that feeling.<br />
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AND,<br />
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I’ve been thinking about Matt Lauer, Harvey Weinstein, and all of the other men who have been sexually harassing and raping women. I’ve also have been thinking about women, including myself, and our society. We got tons of work to do... I was talking to a lady who told me that at her daughter’s orientation for college, they talked to the young ladies about looking out for each other and staying together to keep from being sexually assaulted or raped. I was thinking “Are they protecting themselves from their young, men classmates?” I wonder if the young men were being told to never have sex with a woman without her consent? Y’all, as a society, we got work to do.<br />
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Thirty minutes,<br />
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I’ve been writing almost every night, and it is amazing the amount of writing that can happen in thirty minutes. It is also amazing how we can start habits and continue them if we are committed. I am actually starting to look forward to sitting down each night and calming my thoughts, engaging my entire body, and writing.<br />
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Tomorrow,<br />
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Is Friday..... AND I am thrilled!<br />
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What have y’all been up to?<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-7175513243881145672017-12-04T16:23:00.000-08:002017-12-05T03:16:21.123-08:00Evicted by Matthew Desmond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finished <i>Evicted </i>by Matthew Desmond today, and I must say that I cried many tears while reading this book. After a few pages, I would have to take a break and think. This book has me thinking about so many things that really, really have not been on my mind. You know how people say out of sight, out of mind. Well.....<br />
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In <i>Evitcted,</i> Desmond puts names with these stories and humanize these people. I found myself really pulling for Lamar, Scott, Patricia, Chelesa, Arleen, and Natasha. Desmond helps us to see those cycles of evictions and how difficult they are to escape.<br />
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I want to believe that I am empathic, but I think that we can never, ever have enough empathy. I have never really given a lot of thought to people being evicted chronically. Folks who just do not get enough money monthly to pay their rent and bills and are chronically late on rent and are always facing the threat of an eviction.<br />
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Now, when I first started teaching, my money was tight. I remember coming home to eviction notices or my phone being cut off. So, I am not new to money problems at all. But y’all, there are folks caught up in these eviction cycles, and there just does not seem to be away out except perhaps some "Fairy Jenny" comes along and bless these folks with a lot of money.<br />
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What breaks my heart the most is the kids. Kids who have to go from house to house and school to school. Kids who can’t do homework because of their condition. This book helped me to see how a kid can get to the tenth grade and be on a third grade level.<br />
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Y’all, life is really hard and complicated for some folks... Like really hard and complicated!<br />
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Reading <i>Evicted,</i> I thought about my own life, and with just a very changes, like my Dad leaving or dying, I know my life would have been much different.<br />
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Grace and Mercy, Grace and Mercy, Grace and Mercy.......<br />
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Y’all READ THIS BOOK!!!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-28772983154230796262017-11-28T10:04:00.000-08:002017-11-28T14:57:10.450-08:00Finding Your Voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since school started, I have been grappling with how to approach writing; I know that the formulated writing that I taught in the past is a thing of the past. I know that it is important for students to get their thoughts out and find their voices.<br />
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So, today, I walked in and told them just that. I told them that I want them to not worry about grammar, especially if they are English as a second language students. I wanted them to focus on getting their thoughts out. I told them about me setting my timer every single night for thirty minutes, and I have been writing during those thirty minutes. I told them that I know it’s hard, and I know it can make a person feel extremely vulnerable, but I encouraged them to talk to each other, think about what’s on their minds and in the world, and write.<br />
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They started writing, and one stated “I have so much on mind all of the time, but now I can’t get anything out.” Another student stated “This is hard.” However, they continued to write. Through google classroom, I could see what each individual student was writing, and I observed some making list, a few were writing stories, and one was even writing about how school is the worse place for a child to be; there is never any time to have fun and laugh.<br />
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Their anxiety was running high worrying about when was the paper due. I had to reassure them that they did not have to worry about getting finished; they can work on this piece until they felt that they were finished. I never thought about how I had been pressuring students about the final project instead of putting more emphasis on the process.<br />
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I remember giving students two or three class periods to write an essay, and I would give them this outline, and tell them to write. I would hate reading paper after paper that read just like the paper that came before it. I would think “Where are the students voices?” I never thought about the fact that it was the way that I was approaching the writing.<br />
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Today, I nervously gave them my blog address and asked them to read my blog about <a href="http://www.theseaisfull.com/2017/11/writing-yall.html">writing</a>. I asked them could they hear my voice, and they all agreed that they could. We talked about what I did to make my voice heard. I told them how I write from the heart, and I try and write with authority by not using “I think” or “I believe.” I told them how I give my thoughts, but I try and validate my thoughts through giving real life examples. They seem to get it, and they were writing.<br />
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Writing is hard, and I don’t want to ever forget. When I see my students struggling; I want to be able to empathize with them, and that is why I have been setting that timer and writing even when I do not feel like it.<br />
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Like right now, I have about eleven minutes to go, and I want to stop. I want to go the bathroom, and check my email, and look at Facebook, and do a whole bunch of other stuff to distract from the writing, and I noticed that is what my students were doing. Before the thirty minutes were up, I started hearing chatter, and folks started looking at their phones, and folks started to ask to go to the bathroom. I had to tell them to do what I have to do and that is sit with the discomfort and write, even if what they are writing is not making any sense at all. Just Write.<br />
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Eight minutes to go, and I want to quit, but I can’t. I feel like I have stated all that I want to say, but there is always more.... Oh yea, I can take these last seven minutes to look over what I have already written. Yes, that’s what I can do.<br />
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Y’all, you see my tactics to avoid the discomfort of writing, so I know exactly how my students feel.<br />
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I have changed my approach to writing with my students, and I am including myself in the process.<br />
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I’ll come back to this to let you know how it goes.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811786521926644130.post-19811894588903214502017-11-26T16:54:00.004-08:002017-11-26T17:05:41.384-08:00Ebbing and Flowing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, it’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and it’s time to go back to work. Not feeling like going back to work at all; I was really enjoying waking up and doing a whole lot of nothing...<br />
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Since school started, which was the beginning of September, I have been doing a lot of preparing for my consulting gigs and also reading and preparing to teach my classes. I’ve been doing a whole lot of brain work, and that has been quite rewarding yet time consuming.<br />
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However, after returning home from my last trip of 2017, I was a little uncomfortable with all of the free time that I had all of a sudden. I would go to the gym at four and basically have the rest of the day free; I did not need to use my brain very much. I was going to bed early, I mean really early, I am talking about 7:30pm, and I would lie their and read and think and read and think and eventfully fall asleep. I thought a lot about the idea that at the end of the day, no matter how busy we are, we are always left with ourselves, and time keeps right on moving on.<br />
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I contacted my cycling coach and let him know that I was ready to start my winter training, I committed to start writing every single day, and of course I read every evening. I also thought that I could use some of this down time to sit with myself and explore my thoughts and feelings.<br />
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During the month of October when I traveled to five different places, I had to constantly remind myself to not get overwhelmed by the travel or the work; this too shall pass, and it did. Now, I am left with me, and it’s an adjustment.<br />
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I’ve made the conscious decision to reach out to people, because quality time is my number one love language, and it always does my heart good. From now until Christmas break, I will go to the gym three days a week, cycle at least four or five days a week, write, read, go to culturally events in the city, and spend as much time as I can with folks whom I care a lot about.<br />
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It’s like I am coming off some kind of high, and I’ve got to get back to my normalcy.<br />
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I’ve been wondering what do other people do with their free time, especially the weekends? Do they go to outdoor markets, museums, bookstores, malls, or do they stay home and talk to their family members or friends, watch TV, or maybe even clean up a bit.<br />
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It may the colder winter impacting me, but I use to love to go to outdoor markets, then a museum, then to a coffee shop, then go home all in one day. But now, I’d rather spend time at home, in my favorite chair, relaxing.<br />
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Life keeps moving, and I keep changing and evolving, and time keeps right on moving on....<br />
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There are dreams that I have and things that I still hope and wish for, but time just keep on marching on.<br />
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Sometimes I laugh as hard as I can, but other times I feel sad and I cry and sometimes not cry. And, time keeps on marching on.<br />
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Life happens and it happens consistently, and time keeps on moving on....<br />
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I’m 'ebbing and flowing,' and time keeps right on moving on....<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875052664139424313noreply@blogger.com0