Christmas

Christmas this year was a bit different for me. I got to spend it with someone special. Someone who makes me laugh and helps me to feel good about myself. I love my family to no end, but the love I am starting to feel for this person is something different entirely. There's an empty part of me that is starting to be filled. I am slowly filling and repairing this void that has been drained, damaged, and even forgotten. I thank God for putting this person into my life, at a time when I really needed him to be there for me.

Mission Accomplished

My day was made; rather, my whole year was made yesterday.

A student approached me before the start of one of my classes and told me something that made my heart just burst with joy.

Here's the conversation:

Student: "Miss Lemmon, I'm mad at you."

Me: "Why?"

Student: "Because you're making us do these monthly book reports outside of class. I stayed up until 12:30 in the morning reading my book!"

Me: "That's good to hear."

Student: "You're making me like to read again. I really enjoy my book so much that I'm reading it all of the time."

Me: Trying to hide my enjoyment, I just looked at the student. The bell for class began to ring. Nonchalantly, I said, "Mission accomplished," and walked away. Then, a big smile grew on my face.

First Year's Survival

The very first thought that comes to my head is that I did indeed survive my first year of teaching. I never understood what that statement really meant until the end of fourth quarter. As I sat grading 75 research papers and entering in final grades, a slight smile came across my face as I realized that my first year of teaching was nearly complete, that I had “lived” to see the end of the year, as the saying goes.

Most people also say that the first year of teaching is always the most difficult, and the job will get easier with future years, but I disagree with this statement. Although I do agree that certain areas of the job will lessen and become easier on me, I know that there are always new challenges to face, both in out of the classroom for teachers across the United States. I think that if the job becomes too easy for a teacher as the years go on, then they are not doing their job correctly. I know that it is important for us to establish and maintain areas of routine within the classroom, but our lesson plans and teaching styles should never become a routine.

Teens nowadays are given multitudes of information through many different mediums, sometimes all at the same time. Therefore, why should teachers’ modes of teaching follow the same “boring” pattern? I only use the word “boring” in this case because that is the way the students would see their teacher’s lessons, especially if that teacher only used one specific teaching style and little variety to assess students and their understanding of the content. It is my goal to not become that “teacher,” counting down the minutes near the end of the day, not caring about the students outside of classwork and homework assignments, and giving minimal effort at my job.

Fragments of the Past

Fragments of the Past

Haunted by the past
Negative emotions appearing so fast
Wondering if those feelings would last
Hoping they could be downcast

A change manifested one day
Allowing pieces of the past to be shed
Pieces resembling hurt and dismay
Inner beauty now being fed

Let the beauty feed on happiness
Getting rid of past emptiness
Chipping away at the walls of abrasiveness
Fighting off past and present darkness

Forcing that darkness to emit radiance
Causing the shadows to crumble
No more existing impedance
Suddenly becoming humble

Now it’s time to take in what is bright
Presenting the opportunity to excite
All goodness will be alighted
The fire of life soon ignited.

Summer Listening

Here's a list of some of my favorite songs and their videos that have been really great to listen to this summer thus far. Enjoy!

1.) Fun: "Some Nights"


2.)Walk off the Earth: "Summer Vibe"


3.) Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo: "Let's Go"


4.) Chris Brown: "Turn up the Music"

Chicken Gyro AKA Greek Chicken in Crock Pot

I tried this recipe from a recipe I found online, but I tweaked the ingredients a little bit to my own liking. I was very happy with the results, and it tasted like a homemade chicken gyro.

What you will need for this delicious lunch/dinner:

--1 medium onion (chopped)
--1 medium tomato (chopped)
--1 cucumber (chopped)
--1 red bell pepper (chopped)
--1 clove garlic
--1 lb. boneless/skinless chicken breasts or thighs
--1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
--1/2 tsp of oregano
--1/2 tsp ground allspice
--1/2 cup plain yogurt
--1 package pita pocket breads
--small crockpot

1.) Mix together chicken, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, lemon pepper, oregano, and allspice in crockpot.
2.) Let cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
3.) When chicken is finished, pull out and shred with a fork, then place back into pot, re-mixing it with other ingredients in the pot.
4.) Cook the pita pocket bread by following the directions on the package. If there are no directions, I usually leave it in the oven until it is slightly toasted, which only takes a few minutes.
5.) Stir in yogurt and let sit for about 10 minutes.
6.) While chicken is soaking up yogurt's flavor, cut the tomato and cucumber.
7.) Fill pita pocket with crock pot's ingredients.
8.) Top with cucumber and tomato.
9.) ENJOY!

La Republica Dominicana

During the month of June I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to take a week-long vacation in the Dominican Republic. In short, it was an absolute blast and I met the friendliest and funniest locals out of any other country I've been to. It was such a good time, as well as a rewarding experience. The above picture is of the beach in the area that I visited around Punta Cana, and it was gorgeous. Not only that, but I got to spend the week with some of my favorite people. We definitely made an impression, as well as some of the most memorable moments!