31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 31

Finally we've landed upon the last day. It's 11 pm and I've just posted like 7 posts cause I've gotten very far behind but I was determined to see this through.

Why do I blog?

I started blogging last year when I was offered the temporary lead teacher position in the daycare I was working in. Since we were doing crafts everyday and I was decorating the classroom and whatnot and I was in charge, I felt like it was the first step in my career starting and I wanted to document it just for myself so I could go back and look at it and see how far I've come. Now that I've been blogging consistently for over a year it's kind of cool to look back at some of the experiences I've had and I don't have to just try and rely on my memories to remember what I've been through, how I've grown and what I've learned.

Thanks for sticking with me through this blog challenge and I hope you've enjoyed getting inside my life as much as I've enjoyed getting to share more....

....we now return to your regularly scheduled blog posts.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 30

What's in my makeup bag

I always wanted to learn how to do makeup and I just started experimenting with it a few months ago so I buy a little bit of makeup every once in a while so currently in my makeup bag is one makeup brush, a bottle of foundation, 2 Kat Von D lipsticks, one red and one purple, one black liquid makeup, and a pink lip liner. I have those colors because I always wear my lipstick in ombre colors when I do wear it.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 29

Where I've traveled

1. Indiana
2. Florida
3. Virginia
4. New York City
5. Atlantic City
6. Buffalo
7. Canada
8. The Bahamas
9. Curacao

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 28

What I look forward to

1. I look forward to finishing school and starting my career.
2. I look forward to having a baby several years into the future. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to carry a child.
3. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 27

My fave recipe

hmmmm.....

This is a hard decision because I love to cook but here's one I made the other night and it was amazing and simple!

Lemon Garlic Chicken and Roasted Potatoes

To see more of my favorites click on my pinterest to the right ----->

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 26

Woo hoo day 26! 

Anyone remember that band?

Anyway here goes an old pic of me!

My 11th grade yearbook picture. I still like this pic actually!

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 25

I'm going to skip this one because I don't read other blogs

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 24

Fave Childhood book

It's hard for me to pick a favorite of things... books, movies, songs anything

I'm just going to say The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

That's just the one I remember the most and I like Eric Carle's unique illustration style.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 23

Dream Job

That's an easy one

I love working with toddlers. I was running my own toddler classroom over the summer and I loved it. If I could make enough money doing that to live off of I would but it does not pay very much. I never understood why teachers and daycare workers don't make much money. We're expected to teach your child things they need to get through life and we get paid so little. I'm hoping to own my own daycare one day which would put me in a position to work with the age group I want as well as make some money. In my head I'd like to do that as well as be a classroom teacher but I'm not yet sure how realistic that is.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 22

Best thing that happened this year

I'm going to say the best thing that has happened to me this year is for our 5 year anniversary my boyfriend and I went on our first real vacation together. He's always talked about how he never been to Disneyworld and wanted to go so we went to Disney. Some of the vacation I was absolutely miserable because it was August and I packed flat sandals instead of sneakers so my feet were killing me from the walking and I mostly packed dresses so the combination of sweat and these thick thighs rubbing together was like fire it was terrible. But I wouldn't say the whole trip was a disaster because I had a wonderful time with him and we got to make a lot of memories together on that trip. I definitely won't forget it.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 21

10 favorite foods

Finally one thats not so deep

So lets get in there, in no specific order

1. Seafood - I know thats not a specific food but I'd be taking up this whole list talkin about "crab legs, lobster tails, shrimp... etc."
2. Pizza rolls - I know pizza rolls are for 15 year old stoners but they make a good snack.
3. Tacos - Not the authentic mexican kind of tacos, the crappy american taco bell kind
4. Eggs - I usually only eat my eggs scrambled but I've been trying to eat them in different ways as well, poached, over easy etc.
5. Potatoes - oooooh man I love potatoes. I don't know what it is but a good, well seasoned potato? Baked, roasted, mashed, boiled, I love potatoes.
6. Bacon - no explanation needed
7. Fried chicken - actually I'm just gunna say chicken because I like all kinds of chicken, baked, bbq, fried, oven fried, crockpot. Chicken is so versatile I love to experiment with it.
8. Ramen noodles - not the real japenese delicacy, just .88 cent joints you get from the store in the package. I know theyre terrible for you health wise but lately I've been adding other seasonings in addition to the pack seasonings and they just hit the spot some days.
9. Bacon/Sausage egg and cheese sandwiches - I don't really like cheese except in specific circumstances, also I'm lactose intolerant so I really don't eat cheese to often. However when I buy a sausage egg and cheese I'll eat cheese. But as for my bacon sandwiches I only like them when I make them at home and I don't put cheese, however there are a few delis and shops in my hometown that make a good bacon egg and cheese on a roll that I eat.
10. Hot dogs - I love hot dogs but I rarely ever have them anymore. I get a lot of headaches and my doctor says the nitrates in hot dogs contribute to that so I've stopped buying them.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 20

Difficult time in my life

I've had a pretty fortunate life. Not many people I know have passed yet, no abuse or neglect in my life, no homelessness. Most of my stress comes from school and work.

My work stress comes from the situations of my students and knowing I can't help them without breaking any laws or crossing any boundaries. 

My school stress comes from my work lead, I'm in my seventh year of college and hopefully finishing in December with my Master's.

Back to an actual difficult time. When I was in 10th grade, my first year of high school, I went through what I decided was a short stage of depression. By short I mean most of the year but I diagnosed myself so I use the term depression lightly. I had a lot of friends, I wasn't being bullied, I really don't know what happened. One day I just started feeling like I didn't want to talk to anyone or do anything. I'd come into school and hide under my jacket all day, not say anything most of the day, have lunch in my guidance counselor's office. My friends were all really concerned, they tried asking me what was wrong, they tried tough love, they cared. I would go to school and wait for the day to be over so I could go back home, then at home I didn't want to be around anyone and I'd stay in my room all night, not getting any homework done which would add to the stress. I just basically wasn't doing anything at any time of the day. 

Wow this is really hard for me to talk about I've never gotten into detail with anyone about this time in my life. I felt like because I didn't have any traumatic event happen and that there were people with much worse lives that no one would care about my internal issues and think I was just whiney baby. I also didn't know how to verbalize what the problem was because I really didn't know.

Anyway I think the downward spiral stemmed from the workload. When I was in junior high I was in honors classes, then in 9th grade I was taken out of some of them, then in high school I wasn't in any. My friends were always talking about AP calc this and AP world history that and I was barely comprehending my regular courses. Maybe I was feeling inadequate and just went under a rock. I'm very lucky that I didn't turn to drugs or sexual acting out or any number of things that could've happened, especially where I grew up. Eventually I just came out of it, I don't really know how. My guidance counselor really helped. She was really the only one I talked to during that time.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 19

What I collect

I used to collect keychains when I was younger. It started off as my brother's collection and eventually he gave it to me and I would add one from everywhere I went and ask other people to get me ones from places they went. I loved to bring it to school like once or twice a year to show people because they were always so shocked and this massive wad of keychains I would pull out of my bag.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 18

Meaning behind my blog name

...I'm a teacher....

.....and I have an afro.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 17

My proudest moment

I don't know, I'm generally proud of myself pretty often.

Most of my proud moments have to do with teaching and my students but those are their achievements.

My proudest moment for myself was walking across the stage at my bachelor's degree graduation and I'm going to feel twice as proud when I complete my master's.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 16

The top of my bucket list

I want to say that's a tough one and I probably should give it more thought but whenever I heard bucket list, Australia comes to mind. I've always wanted to go there. I don't even know why. I mean I love kangaroos and koalas and it looks beautiful but something about it just calls to me.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 15

An average day..

Wake up

Stay in bed until about 15 minutes before I need to leave the house

Do my morning bathroom things

Try to grab some breakfast or eat it in the car

Make sure my hair doesn't look homeless

Get dressed and pack a lunch... probably forget my work badge at home

Fly to work and hope my boss doesn't notice I'm late

Go to the office and see if there are any absent teachers I could fill in for

If there aren't, go help out in kindergarten and anywhere else I could help

Go home

Have a snack

Hopefully go to the gym but not always

Take a nap

Have dinner with my boyfriend and watch some shows together

Do some homework I hope

Maybe do some housework

Try to go to bed by 10 but actually stay up past midnight

Sleep

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 14

If won the lottery...

I'm super boring when it comes to this question cause I'm all like "Ok well how much? Do I have to pay taxes?" And the first thing that always comes to mind is paying off the massive student debt I'm currently accumulating. Then I'd get myself a nicer place to live. After a few wise investments so that my money could continue to make money well into the future, I'd use the money to start my dream of owning my own daycare(s). I already have the name of it picked out. I LOVE working with toddlers and babies but it simply does not pay enough for one to live a comfortable lifestyle on their own. Of course I would like to be married one day but I don't want to live my life planning to depend on someone else. So to me the only way to get to work with the kids and make a decent amount of money off of it is to be the owner. Of course I am not a teacher for the purposes of getting rich but at the end of the day I've got bills to pay. I'm trying to find a way to combine my passion of working with young children and making money. I'd also invest in some rental properties, being a landlord seems like some easy side money. My old landlords were never around because they're old and married and just spend their days travelling rackin up on rent money. I'd also get myself a nice car, I don't know what kind but a nice one. I'd probably also donate to causes I believe in like Alzheimer's and rescue animals. I'd probably also donate to impoverished children or schools or something. Obviously working in a school I see a lot of types of families and lifestyles and schools that try hard but always need more.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 13

My earliest memory

This is surprisingly and easy on for me and a story I enjoy remembering.

When I was born my family lived in the Bronx. When I was 4 we moved upstate. I must've fallen asleep on the car ride. When we arrived at our new home, my dad wrapped me in a blanket, carried me up the stairs to my new room... and left me on the naked floor. When I woke up I was in a strange room with black and white checkerboard pattern on the floor so naturally what do I do? Cry. I was just laying on top of my white blanket with the animals and letters on it crying until my dad came back upstairs and got me.

I don't really know why I like that memory but I do. Maybe because I'm a daddy's girl and my parents still live in that house so I grew up in it for... my whole life.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

What's in my fridge?

Well this is a weird one

uhhh..

1. My boyfriend and I meal prep so a few dinners for the week and something he cut up and I assume is marinating or something.
2. A bag of salad.
3. An orange and a package of mint (not mints) which I use in my water bottle infuser.
4. My water bottle with my fruit infusing in it for tomorrow as well as several regular water bottles.
5. I decided to try slim fast a few days ago so I have a few bottles of that in my fridge.
6. Turkey bacon - I was eating bacon and eggs almost every morning that I was up early enough to do so. I was getting a bit worried about how unhealthy all that bacon is so I switched to turkey but its been a few months now and I'll be switching back to regular bacon after this pack. Not forever but I need some bacon bacon.
7. Condiments (barbecue sauce, lemon and lime juices, italian dressing, jelly)
8. Half a ham steak. I like to make my boyfriend and I ham steak and eggs for breakfast. I recently taught myself how to make home fries so I make them with the ham steak but it becomes too much food to eat a whole ham steak with eggs and home fries.
9. Bread - even though I've heard putting bread in the fridge makes it mold faster. I normally don't but I don't want to share the reason I currently have to.
10. Carrot and celery sticks as well as hummus and french onion dips.
11. Pumpkin pie and the rest of that birthday cake I wrote about a few days ago.
12. Butter
13. Eggs
14. A few other things that belong to my boyfriend that I don't remember.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

15 of my fave things

1. My hair
2. Cool socks which I have a drawer full of but I'm starting to pull away from wearing them as I change my professional style. But I'm probably not going to stop wearing them in the near future.
3. Talenti Mango sorbet
4. Pokemon Go #TeamValor I tend to get addicted to video games for a certain amount of time and then I move on. They're usually games I can find online or facebook and play for a short period of time to distract myself while I'm doing my homework. Sometimes I'm using to break up the stress, other times I'm just procrastinating. I don't get out and play Pokemon as much as I'd like though and now that it's getting colder? Who knows.
5. My motorola 360 watch. I never really wanted a smartwatch but my boyfriend got me one and it's actually pretty helpful, when I remember to stay in the vicinity of my phone.
6. My blog. I had a blog in the past but I didn't really keep up with it, maybe because I was hoping for a lot of views and interactions and that's the wrong reason to blog, so when I didn't get those things, I got discouraged and kind of fell off. This blog is more just for me to reminisce and reflect with myself about my teaching experience. Now that I've been writing for over a year I can look back on some of my posts and relive things I've been through. It's someone therapeutic.
7. My Squid Guy and My Freedom Doggie. Freedom Doggie is a pink and white dog stuffed animal that my boyfriend got me for valentines day a few years ago. Squid Guy is a stuffed animal I fell in love with in Disneyworld 2 months ago. And again my boyfriend got it for me. He actually isn't a squid though he's the septopus from Finding Dory.
8. My shows. I have a few tv shows I watch.... that a lie, I have many tv shows I watch every week. And some on netflix.
9. My hamster. I don't consider him or people a 'thing' but I'm running out of stuff, I'm not even sure I like 15 things. But my hamster's name is Panda and he's a cutie-ba-butie. He lives in a small version of my my apartment building or as I call it, his apartment. He grew out of his old cage and most hamsters are dwarf breeds so hamster cages are made for small little guys, which he is not so I had to buy him a huge cage for small rodents.
10. A broken clock I have. Towards the beginning of my relationship with him, my boyfriend got me a clock shaped like a treble clef but I didn't have anywhere to hang it while I was living in my parent's house. A few years later we live together and I hung it in our house... until it fell off the wall and broke. Which brings me to my next favorite thing...
11. My tattoo. I have a huge tattoo on my thigh and it's like a garter belt that ties into a bow. It's also a music staff with the first few measures from Bach Invention (oh lord I never remember if it's #4 or #8) Both songs are significant to me. My senior year in high school was my last opportunity to participate in NYSSMA. The level I competed for required me to learn 2 songs so I learned Bach Invention #4 and #8. I love them both and the tattoo represents my love of music, the piano, and a reminder of how much I loved playing. I don't play so much anymore but I do still love it. ...runs over to google... it's #8.
12. My love and talent for the flute and the piano.
13. Going to the gym. I have a hard time dragging myself there sometimes but I feel better after a good workout.
14. My lipsticks. I always wanted to learn how to do makeup and this year I finally tried something bold for my lips and I'm actually pretty good at it.
15. Lastly... I don't know I'm having a hard time thinking of another thing. Gimmie a minute....

...okay I've got something. My bed. Not just because I love sleep (which I do a little too much I probably should see someone about that) but because it's my safe haven. My bed is where I feel most comfortable. I sleep here, I eat here, I watch my shows here, I do my homework here. It's like that home base when you're a kid and you're outside playing tag. I'm safe.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10

My Best physical feature

I know it sounds conceited but this is actually a tough one.

If you ask me it's between my hair and my smile

....if you ask my boyfriend it's my butt.

While I was younger I always had people compliment my smile. Tell me how white it was and how beautiful my teeth were. They still do now.

I also had relaxes hair until about 3 years ago. For those unfamiliar with the term that means I used to use harsh chemicals to straighten my hair. I never really learned how to take care of it so it was a mess most of the time. Now that I have this huge afro I am absolutely in love with my hair.

So tell me what you think?

 

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9

Worst habits

Hmm... I don't know this is a tough one no one like to talk bad about themselves

1. I constantly feel the need to keep my nose, ears and nails clean... so I'm always cleaning them which is gross but I wash my hands a lot so it evens out.
2. I watch a lot of kids shows and not a lot of the news and stuff. I don't think that's really bad though.
3. I buy a lot of shoes knowing I don't have anywhere to wear them.
4. My worst habit is the amount of money I spend at Popeye's. Seriously, it's a problem.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 8

What's in my handbag?

Off top? A lot of unnecessary crap.

1. My epipen - about 2 1/2 year ago I realized my lips were breaking out eating certain foods so I saw an allergist. Turns out I have a long list of allergies including things I've never even heard of let alone eaten. The worst reactions I've had have just been bumps or itchy red spots but every time I have a reaction it's a bit worse so I keep the epipen with me at all times just in case.
2. My cellphone
3. My ipod
4. Whatever make up I have on my lips that day in case I need to fix it but I never do. Once it dries it lasts the whole day, I'm always surprised and checking to see if it's still on. Especially after I've eaten.
5. Pepper spray - my boyfriend bought it for me and I feel a bit safer carrying it around.
6. A few pens
7. Some pieces of jewelry I've taken off during the day.
8. My badge that says "Officer's daughter"
9. My wallet
10. And last but not least.... several pounds of discarded papers and receipts.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 7

Pet Peeves?? boooy don't get me started I'll be updating this one for days as I think of more I'll start off with what comes to mind, in no particular order.

1. I call this one "Mrs. Always Right"- I know people always like to think they're right, I know I'm not right ALL the time but when I know I'm right about something I'll argue you down about it. But I ONLY stay adamant when I know what I'm talking about so it makes me crazy when people just dismiss me.
2. This actually probably should have been number 1 but like I said, no specific order. I HATE when people talk over me. That makes me nuts. Especially if they start responding or trying to correct me or tell me what they think I was going to say and it doesn't go with what I was actually saying. You'd know what I was actually going to say... if you'd let me finish saying it.
3. I'm going to try not to bad mouth  my boyfriend online cause I love him but this spot is reserved for every boyfriend pet peeve I could or would think of.
4. High heels. They look so cute but they hurt so bad. I'm only 25 and I've already basically given up on high heels if I know I'm going to be somewhere for more than an hour. 2 tops.
5. People who bite their fingernails. I HATE the way that looks, A. having your hands in your mouth is super germy and B. it makes your hands look disgusting especially when they get all short and dry and sunken in to your fingers. Ew.
6. Nail polish. I don't know why I've always hated nail polish. I have an early memory of being in a car seat and looking down at my toes and seeing polish on them and screaming crying. I've only gotten my nails done twice since then. Under protest. The sight of a polish brush touching my nail causes me actual anxiety. Especially my toenails *puke*. There are a few specific places I can't stand to see nail polish... besides in general
1. On men
2. On my toenails
3. On very tiny fingernails, like little girls which brings me to my next pet peeve
7. Little girls with purses. What do you have in there, toys??
8. Parents who let their children act grown be it the way they talk or act. The other day I was standing by a door in a fifth grade classroom while the kids were coming in and a fifth grader tripped over/stepped on my foot then looked at me like I did something to him. I said "When you step on someone you should say excuse me." He responded with "No you should move your foot." I was about to lose my mind excuse me? I should what?

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 6

My 5 senses right now

I'm not 100% sure of the intended meaning of this one so I'm going to do my own interpretation

Sight 

When I watch tv I tend to change the channel several times (my boyfriend hates it). As opposed to the traditional last channel only option, my tv has a last 4 option so I'll scroll through my guide until I pick 5 shows (last 4 + the one currently on the screen) that I want to watch.... then when one show is on commercial I change to another one. I can see how that can be annoying but what can you do? I'm currently watching Ride Along, You Got Served, Waist Deep and Full House.

Sound

I'm hearing the movie Ride Along, so mostly Kevin Hart and Ice Cube's voices. I also hear my boyfriend playing video games in the living room. It actually isn't as loud as usual but I know he's playing. And I'm hearing the familiar clickity clack of my keyboard.

Smell

My eyes are very bad but my ears and nose work at an above average rate in my opinion. The only thing I smell right now is the delicious cake that I should not be eating this late at night.

Touch

I feel my keyboard and my very comfortable bed. Which is the most comfortable when I'm tryin to take a nap, and in the morning when I'm trying to go to work. It's also very comfortable when I haven't gotten ready for bed yet but am feeling slightly tired.

Taste

My boyfriend's birthday was a few days ago so I made him a cake which I'm currently shoveling into my face after midnight. It's strawberry shortcake with cheesecake in the middle all of which I made myself... except the cheesecake part. Not that I can't make a good cheesecake... I just didn't

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5

Sorry I'm a few days behind, I was out of town and didn't have my laptop so time to play catch up!

10 Songs I love right now (In no specific order)

1. Don't Ever Play Yourself - DJ Khalid
2. Said 'N' Done - French Montana
3. Girls/Girls/Boys - Panic! At The Disco
4. Washpoppin - Cardi B.
5. No - Meghan Trainor
6. The Good, The Bad, and the Dirty - Panic! At The Disco
7. Stripper Hoe - Cardi B.
8. Legendary - Chinx
9. House of Memories - Panic! At The Disco
10. Really Really - Kevin Gates

My boyfriend always says my music choices don't match what he knows about my personality lol I bump trap music on the way to work as a teacher. Fight me.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4

What I'm afraid of

Some of the things I'm afraid of are pretty dark (I watch a lot of SVU) so I'll try to keep it PG-13 at best.

1. I'm afraid of not being able to move my arms and legs. I consider it a form of claustrophobia. If I'm somewhere where I can't move my arms or legs up or out I'd have to literally force myself to pretend I'm somewhere else and stop trying to move so I'll forget I can't. It either stems from a childhood incident or that incident is just what made me realize the fear.
2. I'm afraid that I tried all this time to not have a baby before I was ready, and that when I am ready one day I won't be able to for some medical reason.
3. I'm afraid of being kidnapped and sold. (SVU)

I don't think I have many others that I can think of.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 3

My fave quote

Damn this is a hard one. I don't think about quotes too often but I have come across a few I like, I just can't bring one to mind so quickly.

"Damn Daniel!"

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 2

Twenty facts about me

oh lord... here we go..

1. I was born on the first day of summer June 21st which happens to be my favorite day of the year.
2. A teacher is the first thing I said I wanted to be when I was a kid.
3. I'm a trash reality tv junkie and I am not ashamed.
4. I love tattoos but I only have 1 because I'm afraid to hate them when I get older.
5. I've always wanted to have long hair but I never could get it passed my shoulders.
6. I love we wear crazy socks.
7. I hated dresses when I was a kid, but now I wear a dress every day the weather permits.
8. I've never drank so much that I blacked out.
9. I've had 2 dogs in my life, several fish, and a hamster.
10. I don't have much patience with people but I have much more for children.
11. I've been in college for 7 years and still do finish my homework the day it's due.
12. I have one brother and one sister-in-law.
13. This week I'll be attending my first comic con.
14. I always wanted to go to Vans Warped Tour but never made it.
15. I've seen Fall Out Boy live 5 times in 2 countries.
16. I play the flute and the piano.
17. Although I had some bad roommate situations, I had an amazing time during undergrad and met some of my best friends.
18. Transitioning my hair to it's natural form is one of the best decisions I've made about my body.
19. I like jewelry but I hardly ever wear it because I'm allergic to most metals.
20. I love cute high heeled shoes but my feet start to hurt after like an hour in them.

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 1

I've been meaning to do this challenge for months now but I never remember on the first day of the month but here I am!! First day of October let's get it started!

Day 1 - Introduction and recent pic

I'm Danielle, I'm 25 and I'm a substitute teacher. I'm working on finishing my Master's degree and looking forward to being finished with school for a while. I hope to be a Kindergarten teacher and own my own daycare one day.