I always promise to update this blog more- and I always intend to keep that promise.  With all the thoughts that I have swirling through my head, you’d think that this blog could easily be transformed into a book by now.  Alas, I take the easy way out and avoid writing, which is something that I LOVE, for other things- such as ummm…teaching, and ummm lesson planning, and stuff of the sort.

The last time I wrote, I was in the midst of the annual family Christmas gathering.  And while I mentioned my fear of flying, I’m happy to report that I have (obviously) made it home to Florida, and continued with my regularly scheduled life, which was already in progress.  The worst part of the flight was that it was nonstop.  Seriously, I hate flying so much that I often have layovers to calm myself.  Nevertheless, it was a smooth trip, and I got a nap in, as well as some project graded.

For me, the joy of 2009 has, thus far, been the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.  It makes me sad to report that I was unable to make the trip to the inauguration (especially since my mother received an official invite that she decided not to use nor share with me…but I’m not bitter).  However, I did watch the inauguration with some of my students, as it was required by the school that we watch it.  It was an incredibly emotional moment for me, and I was completely unashamed of the tears that streamed down my face as I stood in front of a classroom full of 6th graders watching President Obama take the oath of office.  While I’ve never really felt limited in what  I could accomplish, I now truly feel empowered and excited about the fact that so many things are possible to me.  And I think that’s a feeling across America now, but especially in the African American community.  The sentiment that was consistently echoed was two fold- older African Americans (perhaps those who experienced the Civil Rights Movement and periods before and after) didn’t feel that they would see an African American president in their lifetime; younger African Americans didn’t think it would happen so soon.  The result is still the same- an entire nation of people now feel able and confident to dream again, and to pursue those dreams, because they truly believe that anything is possible.  Biblically, I can sum it up with two verses:  1 Corinthians 2:9 and Ephesians 3:20-21.

Of course with 2009 being a new year, I’ve set some goals for the year.  Goals, not resolutions.  Most of the goals revolve around me being more financially savvy and secure, and truly pursuing the things that I want out of life.  One month in, I feel that I’m off to a fairly good start, with the exception of the goal to work out.  If I could nail that one, I’d be a winner.

I’m proud to say that I’ve survived my first full semester as a teacher.  While I’d like to report that it’s gotten easier, it hasn’t.  And while there are times that I think that I’m better at managing all that teaching requires, there are other times where I’m ready to give this career “the finger” and keep it moving.  I can honestly say that I understand why many teachers quit after their first few years.  But as Jay-Z would say, “…this is the life I chose, or rather, the life that chose me.”  The positive is that I see headway in some areas, and I’m grateful for the encouragement and assistance from my coworkers, friends, family, and even from the students who say nice things that are just enough to keep me holding on until Friday (usually by Sunday evening, I’ve forgotten anything horrible about the last week, and I’m ready to dive in again).  So, in short, I’m still grinding it out, hoping to make a difference in the life of even one child.

Whew!  That was a mouthful.  Or rather, a handful.  At any rate, I figure I should probably write more often just so that those of you who read this don’t have to read as much.  I’m done making promises, but we’ll see what happens.  Until next time…