Thankful for Technology - SOL - Tuesday, December 3

I have a Sentence-A-Day journal that I use to write about things I am grateful and thankful for. I have not composed today's gratitude entry as of yet, but I will when I get home, and this what I will write.

 I am grateful for technology.

I'll explain why.

Picture it...Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in Arlington, Tx. a 2nd grade new students enters the classroom. He is a newcomer from Egypt and speaks ZERO English. Ok, not zero, because he can say, "No English" in English quite well.

Now, I know un poco Español; however, I know ZERO Arabic...yes, zero. 

But, enter technology.

Google Translate allowed my new student and I to communicate with very little misunderstandings much of the day.

To that I say, "Thank goodness for technology!"

I Did Not Burn Down the House - SOL - January 3, 2023

Slice of Life Story Challenge

 I
DID NOT
burn down the house
twice last week.

The first day
I
DID NOT
burn down the house,
a fire sparked
in the microwave
while I was popping
a bag of popcorn.

The second day
I
DID NOT
burn down the house,
flames shot out
the back of the grill hood
while I was grilling
steaks.

Needless to say,
anytime
one 
DOES NOT
burn down the house
two days in a row,
one 
DOES
unbox the brand new
fire extinguisher
and 
place it on the kitchen table
for quick and easy access.

Just in case.

The End - Day 31 - SOL 2022

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Today is the last day of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge for 2022.

I am proud that I wrote and posted 29 out of 31 Slices.

I am a teeny bit disappointed that I missed 2 days. 

However, if there is one thing I've learned on the this writing journey, 

it is to give myself grace and to keep showing up to the page.

Lock the Door Behind You - Day 30 - SOL 2022

 

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https://bzotto.medium.com/this-is-the-only-good-lock-for-a-public-restroom-door-13d5d5b5598c

I work in a school in which most of the faculty and staff are women. There is one man on our campus, our counselor.

On our hallway, there are two teacher bathrooms. One is designated for women; the other for men; both have locks similar to one pictured above.

Since there are no male teachers on our hall, the female teachers use the men's restroom when the women's restroom is occupied.

Unlike the lock pictured, our doors are labeled "Locked" to show occupants which way to turn the lock so one can make sure the door is locked before taking care of business.

If you are a teacher, you probably can relate to what I will describe next.

• My students are in specials, so it's my conference time. It's almost time to pick them up, but I need to go take care of business.
• I wear a fanny pack that holds my badge, keys, cellphone, and Mustang Bucks (used to reward students for meeting expectations).
• I enter the lavatory. Take off my fanny pack. Take care of business.
• Just as I'm buckling my belt, and about to wash my hands, the bathroom door swings open.

Fortunately, I was finished and completely dressed.

My colleague and I had a good laugh, and I learned that she was the reason the labels were placed on the doors in the first place.

App Savvy - Day 29 - SOL 2022

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I am old fashion when it comes to making purchases.

Although, I'm not writing checks. much these days, except to pay some bills, I still use my debit and credit cards to make most purchases. I think it's mostly about having control.

I have only recently learned how to use apps for preordering food and beverages.

And, I'm rather proud of myself.

You probably already know how this works, but indulge me.

I place my order in the app.

I pay in the app.

I drive to the location and either walk in to pick up my order or my order is brought to me while I wait in the parking lot.

Pretty convenient, right? Right. Except when it's not.

March 29, 2022

5:50am - 10 minutes before the end of my workout, I place my Starbucks order.

(Iced Shaken Espresso: Oat Milk, 3 Shots of Expresso, 2 Pumps of Classic Syrup instead of 4, Ice)

6:00am - I drive to the selected Starbucks location. They don't appear to be open on the inside, so I drive around to the drive thru. No one greets me at the speaker, so I drive around to the window. They don't appear to be open, at. all. 

The baristas are all standing outside the store waiting for the manager who has not shown up yet.

When I inquired about getting the drink I ordered in the app, I was preparing myself to hear that they were sorry and would not be able to help, or that I would have to come back once the story was open.

But, fortunately, that was not the case.

I was told I could go to another Starbucks location, show them my order on the app, and they would help me. 

I was skeptical, so as I headed toward the location near my house, I called the store, and much to my amazement, they were more that willing to make my order.

I was inconvenienced, but I got my drink.

Cooking Is (Usually) Not For Me - Day 28 - SOL 2022

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I recently wrote a poem about how cooking was NOT my jam. But, I have to meal prep for lunch or else I will spend $4.50 on a student-portion school lunch. 

I came across a video on Instagram of someone cooking Egg Rolls in a Bowl. I thought, "I could make that." If I do cook, I'd rather it be a one pot/pan deal, and this recipe was exactly that.

Here is the original recipe with my modifications. 

Credit goes to @mealprepmondays (IG).

Ingredients: 🍚
1 lb ground turkey
Jasmine @minutericeus Cups x4 - I used the Minute Brown Rice w/ Quinoa
½ diced onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
Shredded cabbage and carrots (or broccoli, cabbage, carrot coleslaw pre-mix from the store)
Salt to taste
1 Chicken Bouillon Seasoning
Garlic Powder to taste
Onion Powder to taste
Curry Powder to taste
Ground Ginger to taste
Chopped Green onion (garnish)
Chili paste - I used Chili Garlic Sauce

Instructions: 👨‍🍳 (I layered the seasonings in as I added the ingredients, except the salt.)
In a medium pan saute diced onions in olive oil, then add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Once the turkey is cooked add in the cabbage mix and seasonings. Stir and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. (Make sure to taste for seasoning). Cook your Minute Rice cups in the microwave and then add 1 each to a meal prep bowl. Top with your turkey and veggie mix. Then drizzle over the sriracha (I use enough Chili Garlic Sauce to not need sriracha.) and sprinkle green onions on top! This recipe makes four meals.

Throughout the cooking process, I was a bit skeptical about how it would taste. I sampled it when it was done, but decided not eat any until lunch the next day. 

I was not disappointed. This recipe is DELICIOUS!!

Sunday Routine - Day 27 - SOL 2022

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My normal Winter Sunday routine as been to get up at 7:00 am. 

Read and meditate on the Bible Verse of the day. 

Read and complete the workbook pages/devotional for the Bible in 52 Weeks books I'm reading.

Shower, get ready for church, and eat.

Attend church and serve cleaning the kitchen in the "Grand Hall".

Walk Prince for 20-30 minutes upon arriving home - around 12:30pm.

Host a Sunday Writing group.

With the change in temperature that is occurring in Texas, although Texas weather can be unpredictable as of late, I will need to rearrange this routine. It was rather warm today during our walk. I was actually sweating, and we both were fairly worn out when we finished.

He has pretty much been like this since we got back...

I Made It - Day 25 - SOL 2022

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It is Friday!!

I made through another week!!

Lessons were planned and successfully delivered.

Students were taught, and retaught.

Next week's plans are ready and copies are made.

Though I have an all day training tomorrow,

I will spend the weekend resting and recouping,

so I can do it all again beginning Monday.

Holding On - Day 24 - SOL 2022

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Some of you parents may remember a show called Between the Lions. There was a segment in the show called The Adventures of Cliff Hanger. At the beginning and end of each segment, Cliff makes the same statement, "Can't. Hold. On. Much. Longer!"

As much as I enjoy the challenge of writing and posting a Slice every day for the month March, I am beginning to run out of steam.

I will use all the strength I can muster to hold on until the end of the month. 

I can do anything for 6 more days, right?

Look Up (Ghazal) - Day 23 - SOL 2022

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I started writing poetry a year or two ago when I learned about Sarah J. Donovan's monthly Open Write invitation. I learned that I like having a process or structure for writing poetry. I'm not always successful, but I try most of the time. 

Today's process was the ghazal poem (pronounced guzzle). I almost gave up on this one. However, after finding inspiration from yesterday's Open Write invitation (Look Up), my muse showed up.

LOOK UP

The struggle is real.
You are losing hope, but look up.

You’re fighting the good fight.
You get knocked down, gotta look up.

You are weary and weak.
You can barely stand, so look up.

You are not alone.
Just keep holding on and look up.

Where does your help come from?
The Lord – Oh please, look up!

Never Miss A Monday - Day 22 - SOL 2022

 

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We have a saying within my workout group, Camp Gladiator, "Never Miss A Monday. It serves as a reminder to start the fitness-week off right. I can proudly say that I hardly ever miss a Monday workout.

However, yesterday, Monday, March 21, I missed a Monday in my writing space. I forgot to compose and post a Slice. And I'll have to check, but I think I also forgot the write in my notebook. Something else I try not to miss.

Not to make excuses, but yesterday was my first day back to work after Spring Break. I think my headspace was consumed with concerns from my workspace. Especially, after finding out that I DID NOT finish our team lesson plans for math before we left for break. Apparently, I was so focused on gathering the materials we would need, that I neglected to type what we would be teaching and what the kiddos would be learning. Needless to say, I was more than a little flustered and very much annoyed with myself for missing that. Thankfully, my team gave me grace, and I have extended grace to myself as well.

But, grace didn't keep from spending much of last night preparing the plans for next week. As a matter of fact, I was able to finish next week's plans for math and writing. Though, I'm happy to be done with the plans, I'm still a bit sad that I didn't post a Slice. I guess I'll have to extend myself a bit more grace.

Saturday - Day 19 - SOL 2022

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Today is...

the Saturday after the official Spring Break week;

the Saturday before the Sunday-blahs;

the Saturday filled with getting ready for the week ahead.

• Laundry
• Grocery Shopping
• Meal Prepping
• Random Errands (must avoid having to stop somewhere on the way to or from work)

Today is...

the Saturday that I asked my husband to go on a date with me to Walmart

(I gave up, years ago, on trying to convince him that going Walmart is NOT a date.);

the Saturday that my love responded, "Why don't we go on a real date?";

the Saturday we purchased tickets to the Perot Museum for Sunday - today was sold out;

the Saturday that we had a pleasant brunch at IHOP and our Walmart date.

Today is...

the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Fremont East District - Day 16 - SOL 2022

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We discovered Fremont Street.

The sights! The lights! The sounds! The music! The people!

it's definitely an experience!

fremont east district sign

Black batman

fremont east zip line tower

heart attack grill

Overhead Video collage

Hoover Dam - Day 15 - SOL 2022

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We took an early flight to Las Vegas on Monday. 

But, what do you do when it's too early to check into your hotel? 

We drove out to the Hoover Dam. I hope you enjoy these pictures.

Arizona Time

Bridge from the Dam

Copper Building 

(Unsure of Actual Name)

Tourists

Nevada Time

Scenic View

A Writing Retreat - Day 14 - SOL 2022

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I received inspiration from another Slice today. I chose Rita DiCarne's slice to read and comment on. She had accepted an invitation from Leigh Anne Eck to "imagine yourself being with other writers in a cabin tucked away in a world of lush green fields surrounded by beautiful flowers blooming under blue skies and perfect temperatures.”

~ A Writer's Retreat ~

I'd much rather on a real retreat right now, but I will settle for the opportunity to write and go on a mental getaway.

On my writing retreat, I'm bringing...

Writing Tools: my notebook with lined pages, because I like to write by hand, my computer, so I can type and publish a blogpost (If I so choose.), my Sprocket mini-pic printer, gel pen in assorted colors, and whiteout tape, because I like to write by hand, and I hate to scratch outs.

Food/Beverages: coffee, tea and water; apples and natural peanut butter; and any food I don't have to cook.

Quote: "If we merge merge with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy." ~ Amanda Gorman

Poor Princey-Poo-Poo - Day 12 - SOL 2022

 

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Post-Surgery Sadness

Poor Princey-Poo-Poo!

He didn't cause this boo-boo.

Hoping to prolong his future,

we decided to have him neutered.

The Last Thursday - Day 10 - SOL 2022

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Today is the last Thursday before Spring Break.

Today will feel like the longest day...EVER!

After my normal teaching/duty time from 8:10 to 3:50,

I coach UIL Creative Writing from 4:00 to 4:45.

After coaching, I will need to eat and prepare for Open House

(not necessarily in that order),

which has been scheduled from 6:00 to 7:00.

Days like this remind me of how resilient teacher have to be.

I am an Education Professional and I can do hard things.

#WeCanDoHardThings

The Last Wednesday - Day 9 - SOL 2022

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Today is the last Wednesday before Spring Break.

I hope to find the time to complete plans for the lessons we will teach when we return.

I'd like to avoid doing school work while on break.

The Last Tuesday - Day 8 - SOL 2022

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Today is the last Tuesday before Spring Break.

I would prefer not to travel during Spring Break.

I'm a homebody and like my staycations.

This Spring Break...no staycation.

The Last Monday - Day 7 - SOL 2022

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Today is the last Monday before Spring Break.

I'm usually not a count-downer, but this week, I am.