I don't really know how to answer Lizzo's question right now, to be honest. Everyone I know who is neurotypical seems to be experiencing a lot of trauma. There seems to be a lot of crying, a lot of anger, and a lot of emotion. It's kind of weird, but I'm not really feeling much. … Continue reading Baby, How You Feelin’?
trauma
December 12: not giving up
Everything in me wants to give up on things right now. Maybe it's the string of cloudy, gloomy days, or maybe it's the short days, or maybe it's that resources are tight while needs are high, but I'm way off my game. I'm forgetting things more than usual, I'm hyperfocused on things that aren't helpful … Continue reading December 12: not giving up
November 23: The Blackest of Fridays
Someone broke into our house while we were sleeping last night. They came in through the window and grabbed a purse, and went through a car. They had to know we were home; there was three cars in the driveway. It was pretty bold. I am trying to stay focused on the positive: no one … Continue reading November 23: The Blackest of Fridays
November 12: this world is too much today
Everything is so heavy: the fires in California, the terrible loss of life, the needless brutality from the local to the international, the news of audio from the Khashoggi murder, our crazy-ass idiot president, the insanity of people not wanting every vote to be counted in states where elections are very close, an entire town … Continue reading November 12: this world is too much today
October 5: Whirlwind Year
This morning, a memory jumped up on Facebook: a year ago, I posted publicly that I had accepted a job at Roseville and would be leaving Forest Lake that month. It was the hardest decision I have made in my career. At that time, I believed it was the right choice and this year has … Continue reading October 5: Whirlwind Year
October 3: The World is Heavy
I've felt a heaviness, really, since the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing last Thursday, but today it just became overwhelming. I haven't cried like that in a while. I've cried with frustration, cried with anger, cried with exasperation, but today, I was just sad and feeling hopeless. Being a teacher has always been tough because I work with … Continue reading October 3: The World is Heavy
September 11: 9/11 as a teacher
One of the most surreal moments today was realizing that almost all of my students were born before September 11, 2001. Before this year, this was true for many, but the older kids had been born before it. Not that it matters - they were only a year or two old in 2001 - but … Continue reading September 11: 9/11 as a teacher
August 20: Phobias
As long as I can remember, I've been terrified of doctor's needles. Not a little scared, the way I assume most people are, but massively afraid, to the point where it affects my decision making about my health, both medical and dental. I am pretty open with people about my struggles with depression and ADHD, … Continue reading August 20: Phobias
July 10: Honestly, I’m Scared
I want to believe that the arc of history bends toward justice. I have believed that people, in general, are good and deserving of compassion. I try not to assume intent when people do stupid or hurtful things; I try to look at the bigger picture and see the circumstances that brought them to that … Continue reading July 10: Honestly, I’m Scared
July 5: PISSED
I enjoyed my relatively politics-free vacation; I listened to history podcasts and generally stayed away from political stories. Of course I got the big ones, but I didn't read much further than the headlines. Today that changed. Please read this testimony from people affected - mainly children and parents - by the evil family separation … Continue reading July 5: PISSED
Adventures in Distraction 