I stopped by the busy apartment complex where most of my students live. Kids chased each other through the grass, and mommas donning brightly colored patterns walked with babies on their hips. Whether or not I knew them, I waved at them as I slowly bumped over the humps and pot holes of the parking … Continue reading Writing Poetry
A scene that describes my early mornings lately: waking up early to grab a cup of coffee and cast vision to bold ideas. Like, really bold ideas. On Tuesdays that means teaching a class before my “real” job. On Wednesdays it’s a Bible study. On Thursdays it’s project planning. I didn’t really set out to … Continue reading Trying Not to Litter the World
We tightened the laces and practiced the art of walking on blades. We probably looked like a mismatched group – a few white women with nearly 40 middle school students representing multiple countries around the world. Brown skin, black skin, white skin. Tall socks with athletic shorts covered some, and others had come in hoodies … Continue reading I Try, I Try
I showed up at the door of a Kurdish couple’s home on a Monday in September 2017. They gave me Doritos and teas, and I “taught” them an English lesson about numbers they already knew. That’s when my Monday mornings changed for the better. Every week I come to their home. They usher me … Continue reading Swallowing the Bitter Tea
Smells of meat and rice interlaced with turmeric, coriander, and cumin wafted from the kitchen. Folding chairs lined the walls of the living room, save for a corner where a table of desserts covered the surface. Music with beats and tones that blended in the Middle East saturated the air we mingled in. Travis and … Continue reading When Betty Humbled Me
There are a few things teaching me how to be more wise with my time right now: Sticking to my social media time limits (usually.) Writing down mostly reasonable goals with a box beside each one so I can feel the satisfaction of checking it off when I’m finished. Podcasts. Let’s talk about number 3. … Continue reading Recommendations No. 1: Podcasts
I start my Wednesday mornings with an English class comprised of three Kurdish women, a Mexican woman, and an Egyptian woman. More of us had been meeting, but since spring break, these are the women who have showed up to class faithfully every week. Although I love seeing people learn English, and welcome anyone willing … Continue reading Working With Humans
