Some of you might be familiar with the song with the same title as this blog post. A few years ago, Brad Paisley released a sweet and reminiscent song about what a person would say to their younger self if they could. After teaching seniors this semester, it got me thinking. What would I say to myself coming into high school? That was TEN years ago! Holy crap! I'm having my seniors do this same assignment. They've made it through 4 years...what would they change if they could talk to their freshman selves? I decided to do the assignment first. Here is what I would say to my 14 year old self:
“Letter to Me”
Coley Barrier – May 27th, 2010
Dear (14 year old) Coley,
I have some years on you. 10 to be exact. I’m shocked at the knowledge that a decade has brought me. You were just coming into the millennium and now we’re ending the first decade of it. I’m also shocked at how little I knew and how much can happen in a matter of 10 years. You will go through a lot of things. Things you love…things you hate…things that make you laugh…things that make you cry. Your journey will have you both meet and lose people. The lessons will sometimes be hard, but know this…they’re always worth learning from.
First – STOP worrying so much! I still worry, but I have it under control…kind of. I wish that I could go back and worry less. You worry about your appearance, about what other people think, what the future is going to bring you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it’s that everything works out in the end, and if it doesn’t…it’s not the end.
Second – don’t be afraid to make friends. You are going to make so many friends in life. There will be a group of girls that bring such happiness to your life, but you can’t be afraid to go out there and make friends. Don’t cling to a couple people, go out there. Have fun, don’t be so afraid.
And there is so much more. I know that life right now is uncertain and scary. Honestly, it kind of stays that way. But the lessons that you learn are worth knowing. Enjoy every minute of high school and college. Learn from your teachers. Take notes, not just on the subject, but when they talk about life. They’re valuable lessons. Ask lots of questions. You’ll miss so much from these places when you leave them. Make memories and hold them close to your heart.
Life is hard, but it’s worth it in the end. It is always worth it. The hard times will make you stronger. The sad times will make you value the happy times. The tears will make you appreciative of the laughs. Cherish memories. Stop worrying. Sit on the beach and breathe in the air. Invest in a good camera. Watch where you’re going…especially in cars. Love your family, especially Megan. She’s your sister and the best link to the craziness that can be your family, plus she’s an awesome person. Go hug Aunt Lynne. Swim at Melissa’s pool and learn all you can from her. Pay attention to the beauty in life. Pay attention to the big and small things, and for heaven’s sake, pay attention in English IV!!
From a wise 24 year old,
Coley
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, August 14, 2009
Saying Goodbye to Summertime
I’ve taken quite a break from the blog. Summer has had me in its seductive trance of sunshine, sleep, and the good company of friends. I’m slowly realizing that though it is one of teaching’s finest perks, summer is hard. Sure you get 2 months (and TRUST ME, teachers need them), but then just when you’re getting used to it and getting to think, ‘I could get use to this’, BAM, its over.
I’ve had a blast this summer. I have kept busy traveling and visiting. One of my friends from RCHS always asks, ‘So where are you this week Coley?’ I have been quite the little nomad. The summer started off with a trip to my favorite place on Earth: the Outer Banks. I hadn’t been there in a few years and it was wonderful to visit again. Then one of my best friends, Kelly, got married! She’s the first in our group to get hitched. The rest of the summer was spent visiting friends, quiet moments of relaxation, moving friends, decorating classrooms, another wedding, throw in some babysitting (‘cause it wouldn’t be summer without it), and another fabulous beach trip. I’m sure I’m missing some activities in there, but know that it was a great summer.
I was chatting with Case this past week and we realized that summer just isn’t long enough! We also realized (we’re both teachers) that this time of summer is ‘the calm before the storm’. It’s like you KNOW what is coming, but are just trying to wait it out, maybe it won’t be here so soon?? So here comes the time of summer where it starts to hit you. When you think…I guess I need to dust off the lesson plans and start to think about having students in my desks. It’s time to get back onto the saddle.
Don’t get me wrong…there is a part of me that is excited. I didn’t think I’d say that last year. I made it through one year of teaching and am anxious to see what this year brings. Will I improve? Will I accomplish the goals I’ve made for myself? Will I reach out to my students? I’m not sure. I am looking forward to it.
But…on the same token…I’m going to miss summer. Of course I’m going to miss the sleeping in, eating lunch whenever I want. However, what I’m really going to miss is being in the same town as my best friends. This summer I’ve really gotten to spend time with my best friends…it’s been really, really hard leaving them.
I know that this year, like last year, will hold many surprises. I’m positive that I will learn a lot. I’m sure that my students will offer me challenges, but also provide me with laughter. Because of all of this…there is some excitement.
I can only hope that next summer will be like this one. Full of friends, traveling, happy moments, laughter shared, and long walks taken. I hope that throughout this school year I get to see all my family and friends often. That’s what I’m going to miss the most. I’m excited to see my RCHS family again…but I’m really, really going to miss my family and best friends.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Full Circle
Don't Look Down
Don't feast your eyes on things that are on the ground.
And if it gets hard to focus
When you're traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound
Remember what I told you
And don't you dare look down
~David Ryan Harris
It's hard to believe that one year ago I didn't have a job, was in complete panic mode, and was unsure of what the future held. I can go back to the end of May and first of June in 2008 and remember the feelings so vividly. I remember how chaotic my life felt. I remember sitting at the table with one of my 'life mentors' and her telling me to get out of this 'stuck' mode, realize the mountains may not be where God wants me to teach, and send out some more resumes. I remember sitting in church, tears down my face, wondering why God and my plans weren't coinciding. But, I also remember sitting in church and hearing God say, "Trust me, Coley, it's going to work out." It did.
I put the lyrics from "Don't Look Down" by David Ryan Harris because there have been so many times this year when I wanted to look down. I wanted to just give up. Throw in the towel and figure out something else to do with my life. The first couple months of teaching were, without a doubt, 2 of the hardest months of my life. Not only was I thrown in to teaching, I was living by myself for the first time in 22 years, my friends and family were far away, and my students were very challenging. But, like with all things in life, I learned to cope, I prayed a lot, and I realized that, yes, I could do this, and yes, I WILL do this. The lyrics could also be for my students. Having to teach them, not only about English, but also about life. Not giving up or 'looking down', but believing in themselves.
I've had many 'fortunes' this year. I am fortunate for family that cares. Family that sends cards and calls and checks in. I am fortunate for the best friends ever. Fortunate that so many of my best friends are also first year teachers. We've created this web of support. We send daily e-mails of, '...you will never believe what my student just did' or '...I am completely stressed and wish we could all meet for dinner'. We've been there, we've prayed for each other, leaned on each other. I can't thank them enough. I am also fortunate in the fact that I met a new family in the faculty of RCHS. The sweet women in the English Dept. have taken me under their wing and haven't let me fall. Especially that second morning of class when I completely lost it 10 minutes before the bell rang, it wasn't 5 minutes later before Carolyn came in with a lesson plan, a hug, and support that I could do this and would do this. They've been so kind, supportive, and the biggest encouragers I could have asked for.
I had my 'full circle' moment a couple weeks ago. My friend Lindsey came to spend the day with me at school for my birthday. During my planning period I took her around school and showed her everything RCHS had to offer. Telling her about the different buildings, all 2 of them, where the departments were, who did what, and how the school day ran. It was the next day I realized that it had just seemed like yesterday when Heather, another English teacher, had just given ME that tour. She took me under her wing to show me the ropes and now I was able to give the same tour with confidence and ease. I had to smile to myself in realization that I had MADE it! I was finally a teacher. I guess it's silly for a 'tour' to make you feel like a teacher, but it was just the feeling of, I know how this works now. I can do this for 20 some more years.
I still sometimes have ambiguous feelings about education. There are many things I am frustrated with. I still get upset when my students just 'don't care'. I get ill when the government doesn't seem to understand why education is so important. I get irritated when they take money, my HARD earned money, from my paycheck. It is frustrating, but I am slowly understanding that is just another part of this job.
There are SO many things I want to improve on next year. I have a constant list going in my head of things I want to do better next year and I want to try differently. I want to be a stronger disciplinarian, a more challenging teacher. I would be lying if I said at times during this year I wasn't in 'survival' mode. But, I've learned from it all. From the good and bad. I've learned that teaching isn't a one-dimensional job. It has many layers. I am not just a teacher. I am not just a person that pulls out a literature book and says, read, understand, write. I challenge, encourage, motivate, smile, laugh, and tell my students to dig deeper.
I know that at this time next year, I will put more into my book of teaching knowledge. The day I stop learning from this job is the day I don't want to do it anymore. If I'm not learning and challenging myself, what's the point? I don't do this for the money or summer vacation. I do this for the look I get when I see a student 'get it'. I do this because I want to make a difference.
I dedicate this to my teachers. Past and present. Mrs. McKinney, Mrs. Vaughn, Mrs. Rhodes, Miss Ennis, Mrs. Hasty, Carolyn, Sandee, Angela, Heather - I long to be like y'all and hope that my teaching will someday inspire others like y'all have inspired me. My other first year teachers, that I've learned just as much from - Case, Em, Carrie, Kelly - we made it :) (and my other GG's - Linds and Caro, we're all in this together). To Mom, for being my rock and guide in life. And most of all - to God, for sanity, grace, and love.
Don't feast your eyes on things that are on the ground.
And if it gets hard to focus
When you're traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound
Remember what I told you
And don't you dare look down
~David Ryan Harris
It's hard to believe that one year ago I didn't have a job, was in complete panic mode, and was unsure of what the future held. I can go back to the end of May and first of June in 2008 and remember the feelings so vividly. I remember how chaotic my life felt. I remember sitting at the table with one of my 'life mentors' and her telling me to get out of this 'stuck' mode, realize the mountains may not be where God wants me to teach, and send out some more resumes. I remember sitting in church, tears down my face, wondering why God and my plans weren't coinciding. But, I also remember sitting in church and hearing God say, "Trust me, Coley, it's going to work out." It did.
I put the lyrics from "Don't Look Down" by David Ryan Harris because there have been so many times this year when I wanted to look down. I wanted to just give up. Throw in the towel and figure out something else to do with my life. The first couple months of teaching were, without a doubt, 2 of the hardest months of my life. Not only was I thrown in to teaching, I was living by myself for the first time in 22 years, my friends and family were far away, and my students were very challenging. But, like with all things in life, I learned to cope, I prayed a lot, and I realized that, yes, I could do this, and yes, I WILL do this. The lyrics could also be for my students. Having to teach them, not only about English, but also about life. Not giving up or 'looking down', but believing in themselves.
I've had many 'fortunes' this year. I am fortunate for family that cares. Family that sends cards and calls and checks in. I am fortunate for the best friends ever. Fortunate that so many of my best friends are also first year teachers. We've created this web of support. We send daily e-mails of, '...you will never believe what my student just did' or '...I am completely stressed and wish we could all meet for dinner'. We've been there, we've prayed for each other, leaned on each other. I can't thank them enough. I am also fortunate in the fact that I met a new family in the faculty of RCHS. The sweet women in the English Dept. have taken me under their wing and haven't let me fall. Especially that second morning of class when I completely lost it 10 minutes before the bell rang, it wasn't 5 minutes later before Carolyn came in with a lesson plan, a hug, and support that I could do this and would do this. They've been so kind, supportive, and the biggest encouragers I could have asked for.
I had my 'full circle' moment a couple weeks ago. My friend Lindsey came to spend the day with me at school for my birthday. During my planning period I took her around school and showed her everything RCHS had to offer. Telling her about the different buildings, all 2 of them, where the departments were, who did what, and how the school day ran. It was the next day I realized that it had just seemed like yesterday when Heather, another English teacher, had just given ME that tour. She took me under her wing to show me the ropes and now I was able to give the same tour with confidence and ease. I had to smile to myself in realization that I had MADE it! I was finally a teacher. I guess it's silly for a 'tour' to make you feel like a teacher, but it was just the feeling of, I know how this works now. I can do this for 20 some more years.
I still sometimes have ambiguous feelings about education. There are many things I am frustrated with. I still get upset when my students just 'don't care'. I get ill when the government doesn't seem to understand why education is so important. I get irritated when they take money, my HARD earned money, from my paycheck. It is frustrating, but I am slowly understanding that is just another part of this job.
There are SO many things I want to improve on next year. I have a constant list going in my head of things I want to do better next year and I want to try differently. I want to be a stronger disciplinarian, a more challenging teacher. I would be lying if I said at times during this year I wasn't in 'survival' mode. But, I've learned from it all. From the good and bad. I've learned that teaching isn't a one-dimensional job. It has many layers. I am not just a teacher. I am not just a person that pulls out a literature book and says, read, understand, write. I challenge, encourage, motivate, smile, laugh, and tell my students to dig deeper.
I know that at this time next year, I will put more into my book of teaching knowledge. The day I stop learning from this job is the day I don't want to do it anymore. If I'm not learning and challenging myself, what's the point? I don't do this for the money or summer vacation. I do this for the look I get when I see a student 'get it'. I do this because I want to make a difference.
I dedicate this to my teachers. Past and present. Mrs. McKinney, Mrs. Vaughn, Mrs. Rhodes, Miss Ennis, Mrs. Hasty, Carolyn, Sandee, Angela, Heather - I long to be like y'all and hope that my teaching will someday inspire others like y'all have inspired me. My other first year teachers, that I've learned just as much from - Case, Em, Carrie, Kelly - we made it :) (and my other GG's - Linds and Caro, we're all in this together). To Mom, for being my rock and guide in life. And most of all - to God, for sanity, grace, and love.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Ambiguity and the Net of Life
I have been trying to write at least once a week, but haven’t been very good at that task. I have a new obsession with reading other people’s blogs and finding new interesting ones. I am always amazed at the beauty of how people write their thoughts and express their emotions through words. I have to admit, on more than one occasion I’ve found myself jealous, wishing I could write like that. I’ve been thinking a lot about what to write about. Should I write about how my faith has been tested a lot or I’ve been disappointed in myself? Maybe I should write about my hometown and the corrupt School Board taking over the county. But, as happens quite often, I was inspired by something I was watching and my thoughts took a different turn.
The name of my blog is titled for Gilda Radner, she is one of my favorite actresses. Sometime during my high school years I watched the movie on her life and then read her book. I wouldn’t know it then, but it would help me and inspire me throughout the rest of high school and continues to still.
“Delicious Ambiguity” I love this saying. Not knowing what’s going to happen. Having to rely on faith that isn’t always clear cut. Having to trust that even when it doesn’t fit into my plan, its okay for life to take me to this place or do this thing.
This year I’ve had a lot of ambiguity. I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen when I moved to this tiny town. I wasn’t sure if teaching was going to be the complete right thing for my career path. I had doubts that this was where I was supposed to be. I wondered if God had been playing a joke on me by placing me in the middle of no where with nothing to hold on to except faith and a cute apartment.
But, with the ambiguity, the fear, the unknown will always be that safety net that’s always been there. It’s (or their) strong lattice catching you when you need it. I have a safety net of family and friends. When I find myself wondering and scared and panicked about this scary new world I’ve found myself in, the net catches me. They encompass their arms of support and love around me.
Here’s the big thing I’ve learned. Yes, this is scary. No, no one told me it was going to be this scary. BUT, there hasn’t been a time that I couldn’t call up someone and lean on them. There wasn’t a time I could e-mail my Garland Girls and ask them for a prayer and advice. There was not one single time my Mom wasn’t there with a listening ear.
And then something else happened. A new safety net appeared. The sweet women I work with and have the divine pleasure of calling my English Dept opened their arms and hearts. And other people in the school did as well. They have become apart of my family.
So with all the worry and all the fear and all the ambiguity of this life, the familiar is still there. It’s still where it’s always been. And then, if you’re lucky, your net gets stronger. More people are there to catch you. Sometimes, it’s okay to fall…
The name of my blog is titled for Gilda Radner, she is one of my favorite actresses. Sometime during my high school years I watched the movie on her life and then read her book. I wouldn’t know it then, but it would help me and inspire me throughout the rest of high school and continues to still.
“Delicious Ambiguity” I love this saying. Not knowing what’s going to happen. Having to rely on faith that isn’t always clear cut. Having to trust that even when it doesn’t fit into my plan, its okay for life to take me to this place or do this thing.
This year I’ve had a lot of ambiguity. I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen when I moved to this tiny town. I wasn’t sure if teaching was going to be the complete right thing for my career path. I had doubts that this was where I was supposed to be. I wondered if God had been playing a joke on me by placing me in the middle of no where with nothing to hold on to except faith and a cute apartment.
But, with the ambiguity, the fear, the unknown will always be that safety net that’s always been there. It’s (or their) strong lattice catching you when you need it. I have a safety net of family and friends. When I find myself wondering and scared and panicked about this scary new world I’ve found myself in, the net catches me. They encompass their arms of support and love around me.
Here’s the big thing I’ve learned. Yes, this is scary. No, no one told me it was going to be this scary. BUT, there hasn’t been a time that I couldn’t call up someone and lean on them. There wasn’t a time I could e-mail my Garland Girls and ask them for a prayer and advice. There was not one single time my Mom wasn’t there with a listening ear.
And then something else happened. A new safety net appeared. The sweet women I work with and have the divine pleasure of calling my English Dept opened their arms and hearts. And other people in the school did as well. They have become apart of my family.
So with all the worry and all the fear and all the ambiguity of this life, the familiar is still there. It’s still where it’s always been. And then, if you’re lucky, your net gets stronger. More people are there to catch you. Sometimes, it’s okay to fall…
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Spring Fever
"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain
It seems as if the weather has gone from cold to hot with no in between. While I bask in the loveliness that this warm sun offers, I miss that stage where it's just a little chilly, gradually getting warmer during the day. Not wake up it's 80, goes to 90, then back to 80. WHOA. It is beautiful though. I can't complain. Hot leather in my car on the legs isn't fun, but not wearing a jacket and laying by the pool...totally worth it.
The sunshine must bring out the crazy in some of my students though. They have Mr. Twain's "Spring Fever" so bad they can't stand it! It never fails that every day I will hear one of my students ask in their sweet little I-want-something voice, "Can we PLEASE go outside???". It's one of the disadvantages of teaching high school students, no more recess. We should bring that back to high schools. Too bad they'd probably be behind the tree making out...gross.
With the sun also brings out sweet memories from my childhood. Coming home every day, kicking off hot shoes and putting on 'play clothes' and running outside. My childhood was spent outdoors with my sister and neighbors. Exploring the woods that bordered my house. Running, hiding, swinging, and discovering new 'hiding places' in the woods. I miss it dearly.
Maybe in honor of Mark I'll let my Spring Fever come out and go enjoy the sun once again. Run through the streets with a big happy smile on my face, glad the sun is here, glad the warmth is here, please don't go away!
It seems as if the weather has gone from cold to hot with no in between. While I bask in the loveliness that this warm sun offers, I miss that stage where it's just a little chilly, gradually getting warmer during the day. Not wake up it's 80, goes to 90, then back to 80. WHOA. It is beautiful though. I can't complain. Hot leather in my car on the legs isn't fun, but not wearing a jacket and laying by the pool...totally worth it.
The sunshine must bring out the crazy in some of my students though. They have Mr. Twain's "Spring Fever" so bad they can't stand it! It never fails that every day I will hear one of my students ask in their sweet little I-want-something voice, "Can we PLEASE go outside???". It's one of the disadvantages of teaching high school students, no more recess. We should bring that back to high schools. Too bad they'd probably be behind the tree making out...gross.
With the sun also brings out sweet memories from my childhood. Coming home every day, kicking off hot shoes and putting on 'play clothes' and running outside. My childhood was spent outdoors with my sister and neighbors. Exploring the woods that bordered my house. Running, hiding, swinging, and discovering new 'hiding places' in the woods. I miss it dearly.
Maybe in honor of Mark I'll let my Spring Fever come out and go enjoy the sun once again. Run through the streets with a big happy smile on my face, glad the sun is here, glad the warmth is here, please don't go away!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Update
The "first year teacher count" is just about up. I have been at this gig for almost 9 months! I can't believe it! It's been a rollercoaster ride! Everyday still presents it's own set of challenges, I pray for sanity on a daily basis, but also try to take a lesson from each day I teach. I do this "take out" thing with my students. At the end of everyday they have to list one thing they've learned, I do the same thing. I try to "take out" one thing I've learned about myself or from them each day.
In non-job news, my life has been pretty normal. I had a wonderful Spring Break in California. Casey and I went to visit her sister in Santa Monica. Wonderful trip, beautiful weather. I'll make a separate post for that trip. I know I haven't been the best about keeping the blog up to date, I really have no excuses other than I just don't think about it! I'm working on it.
I'm looking forward to the end of the school year and to not be labeled as a 'first year teacher'. May is a busy month (it always seems to be) and I'm looking forward to making visits, see graduations, and then summer will be here!
Hope to keep this more updated!
In non-job news, my life has been pretty normal. I had a wonderful Spring Break in California. Casey and I went to visit her sister in Santa Monica. Wonderful trip, beautiful weather. I'll make a separate post for that trip. I know I haven't been the best about keeping the blog up to date, I really have no excuses other than I just don't think about it! I'm working on it.
I'm looking forward to the end of the school year and to not be labeled as a 'first year teacher'. May is a busy month (it always seems to be) and I'm looking forward to making visits, see graduations, and then summer will be here!
Hope to keep this more updated!
A Life Worth Living
“Life is beautiful
But it’s complicated, we barely make it
We don’t need to understand
There are miracles, miracles….
Stand where you are
We let all these moments pass us by…
It’s amazing where I’m standing
There’s a lot that we can give
It’s just ours just for a moment
There’s a lot that we can give”
~Vega4
Consistency has never been a strong point in my life. I apologize to anyone that reads or checks in on this. You’ve probably long given up on an update of any sort. I would say that I’d try to get better at it, but I hold onto no promises. I will try…but, again, no promises.
The lyrics above are from a wonderful song I fell in love with a few years ago. I really love the words in the song. So many times I’ve looked around and noticed how beautiful life really is. But, like the song also says, it’s complicated. It’s the complications that sometimes get in our way of seeing how beautiful the world around us is.
I can’t say that I’m always a positive person. Or that I always see the “cup half full”. Sometimes, to me, it does look half empty. I think it would be silly for a person to say they’ve never had a pessimistic thought, a worry that eats at them, or a nag that just won’t go away. There have been many times that I’ve wanted a life remote that I can pause and fast forward and rewind to relive my favorite memories.
Alas, the life remote doesn’t exist. I think it’s that way for a reason. We can’t dwell in the past no more that we should plan so far ahead in the future. Life is beautiful and you have to live in the moment. A big part of American Lit is learning about Emerson and Thoreau. These two men believed in living in the moment. They encouraged people to live “a life worth living”. I live in the past, hope for the future, but I also have learned to look around me, smile, and enjoy the moment that is right around me.
But it’s complicated, we barely make it
We don’t need to understand
There are miracles, miracles….
Stand where you are
We let all these moments pass us by…
It’s amazing where I’m standing
There’s a lot that we can give
It’s just ours just for a moment
There’s a lot that we can give”
~Vega4
Consistency has never been a strong point in my life. I apologize to anyone that reads or checks in on this. You’ve probably long given up on an update of any sort. I would say that I’d try to get better at it, but I hold onto no promises. I will try…but, again, no promises.
The lyrics above are from a wonderful song I fell in love with a few years ago. I really love the words in the song. So many times I’ve looked around and noticed how beautiful life really is. But, like the song also says, it’s complicated. It’s the complications that sometimes get in our way of seeing how beautiful the world around us is.
I can’t say that I’m always a positive person. Or that I always see the “cup half full”. Sometimes, to me, it does look half empty. I think it would be silly for a person to say they’ve never had a pessimistic thought, a worry that eats at them, or a nag that just won’t go away. There have been many times that I’ve wanted a life remote that I can pause and fast forward and rewind to relive my favorite memories.
Alas, the life remote doesn’t exist. I think it’s that way for a reason. We can’t dwell in the past no more that we should plan so far ahead in the future. Life is beautiful and you have to live in the moment. A big part of American Lit is learning about Emerson and Thoreau. These two men believed in living in the moment. They encouraged people to live “a life worth living”. I live in the past, hope for the future, but I also have learned to look around me, smile, and enjoy the moment that is right around me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The House
Every time I walk to my bedroom, I look in the room that used to be my grandmother's bedroom. I look for her bed and her laying in it ...
-
It has been a month since I started my diet health improvement plan. There have been a couple snags, but overall it's been a great exp...
-
Looking through baby pictures, I was pretty cute. Very average. I had chubby cheeks and a mess of brown hair. As I grew up, I was the pic... -
I've been writing this particular post in my head for about a month now. Though words would continue to stir and try to form into coher...