My birthday! :) At first I was considering 24 a sort of throw away year, less significant as of course 25— that mid-twenties mark! But then I started reflecting on my year and realized that I shouldn’t look at my birthday’s significance by only the age number, but it should be a time to consider the extra year that I have lived and how I want to change/continuing living my life.
When I turned 23, I was living in New Orleans preparing for my next adventure as a graduate student, a teacher, and living in Boston! Now that I’ve turned 24, I must acknowledge the year for what it was. I’ve had so many new experiences this last year that have helped to make me a stronger, more patient, and reflective person. Alan and I together have overcome new stresses, worked together on our commitments, and developed growing passions. The Donovans have inspired me to be a more critical and engaged educator, as well as to live humbly and always surrounded by humor. My students have given me perseverance and perspective. Boston has also given me more cultural knowledge and pushed me to try new things and explore new places. I’ve enjoyed exploring the New England region— which reminds me that I also went to NYC this year! I graduated with my master’s degree! I’m about to embark on a career that I am passionate about and that I believe makes a difference and is rewarding. Such a blessed year!
It was amazing today to receive Facebook comments today. Yeah, yeah, say whatever about Facebook and its superficiality, but it’s crazy how many paths you have crossed that are on there. I got comments from people from elementary school, middle school, HHS, Cal, IDEAL, IRT, City Year, New Orleans, Donovans, family from all over, and all the mixes in-between. I just thought it was so nice that with each notification came another memory of this part of my life. People from all 24 years of my life poping up to say a simple “Happy Birthday!”
Special shout out to Francisco for the thoughtful text message since I know he’s on Tumblr! lol love you homie!
When I got back from visiting my students today, this letter was waiting for me at my door! Even from afar Alan always knows how to make me feel special! (Taken with instagram)
1. Having lunch with Ana and her family. We went to Border Cafe— a strange Tex-Mex Canjun restaurant. To be honest I wasn’t really a fan of my enchiladas, but the left overs were better heated up, strangely.
2. Walking to and from class today. I usually drive or take the shuttle bus to BC, but the shuttle bus isn’t running for as late as my night class (7-9:45pm), so I decided to walk today. It takes just around 30 mins each way, but it’s a pleasant walk around the reservoir. I brought my headphones and just enjoyed the stroll. I’m going to try to give myself the extra time to do it more often while I finish my last grad course!
3. The challenge of becoming a better writer. I was inspired today to look up some spoken word (pinned them!) to listen to the words and also start to develop a set that I could show students in the future. I came across a documentary called “To be Heard” and their tagline is “If you don’t learn to write your own life story, someone else will write it for you.” I guess this tumblr is one way for me to write my own life story, but I want to start capturing my life’s moment in verse in more sophisticated ways. The creative writing course I’m taking is just that outlet!
4. My graduation flowers that are still alive! I take care of our 3 plants, but I’m thinking soon I will go to Home Depot or somewhere and pick up a pot of flowers to add to our growing collection.
