A Day in the Life of a Master(s) of Education

I am trying to be more accountable (for real this time...I promise) and thus am making measurable, attainable goals for 2020 & beyond! Here we go: Walk to work 3x a week (no matter the weather!!!) Cut out seafood/shellfish & become completely vegetarian Practice my ASL once a week via YouTube/Classes/In Person Take a day off 1x week to not work ANY job...not even a short shift or to "help out" Attend a concert/play/live show 1x month Drink 32oz water EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!  Save $50 a month (immediately transferred to UK) Cut back on drinking Go to the movies 1x week Also work on cosplay goals: Steven/Connie, Rogue/Gambit  This is a good start I think. I will add to this as more thoughts come along.  I'm getting older and it's getting harder to have balance and fun in life...but alas we all have to start somewhere

Someone said at work yesterday, "my life is like the dumpster fire homeless folks in movies stand around, useful but still tragic" and I felt that to my core. As of late I have been feeling good about some choices and worst about others. In the end I still feel like I am needed in this world, if only for the comfort of others. What a way to look forward to the next chapter, 2020.  Until next post....laters

It's almost that time of year again...my birthday. As a kid that didn't grow up celebrating my birthday, as an adult I went all out for several years celebrating.  Now that I an older and poorer I have seen the error in my ways.  This year my birthday will be celebrated with a short trip to see family and not much else.  I'm working on being ok with that.  I am having a hard time with it though because I wish that friends would take up the mantle I am leaving behind and go all out for my birthday. Alas I guess I should just be happy when folks remember.   Until next post, laters

So after a failing to go on our planned birthday trip to WDW, we planned a little weekend get away to Helen, GA. J had never been and it's one of my favorite things to do here so we rented a cabin (with a hot tub) and ate/drank our way through the small Bavarian town. We even took the dog (who we learned barks at horses) and though it was pretty hot we had a wonderful time. Loved it so much we've decided to make it a tradition. Until next post...Prost!!!

August is almost over and boy has it been a whirlwind. Between traveling for work (Chicago, Philadephia & Orlando), visiting family (DC) and even a vacation or two (gasp 😜 hello Walt Disney World), it's been hectic. There was even a celeb sighting thrown in there for good measure, Jason Segel from How I Met Your Mother. Here's some photos to prove it: Philadelphia   Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Chicago/Detroit       Washington, DC  

The other day I read a post from someone who I really respect and it talked about how it's ok to have a hobby (you can check it and other posts out here... https://medium.com/@matt.tanner/in-defense-of-just-a-hobby-536c49e7f404) and it got me thinking about how several years ago I struggled with having a "hobby". I felt like all I did was work and the work I did most people have as a hobby. While reading this post I came across a line that said the greatest compliment someone can give you about your hobby is by suggesting ways you can monetize it. That line struck a cord. While I was talking to my partner about his hobbies (playing music, creating and editing videos, beer hunting)  I felt at a lost because I couldn't really narrow down my own. However with thinking about Matt's comment now I definitely have several hobbies.  Event planning, Disney Parks guide, ATL foodie & explorer to name a few. Several times folks have mentioned how I should write and pu...

Second only to Fall, Summer is one of my favorites. Music Festivals, Parties, Pools, Day drinking until 8pm, lazy Sundays and midweek adventures.  Summer time has it all. It helps that my Anniversary is on the first official day of summer. This past month I have had one of the best summer kick offs ever.  This includes my summer trips to Australia & Italy and last year's jumbo European adventure.  I presented at a national conference for the first time and KILLED. Got to spend time with my family, my niece is as tall as I am and amazingly talented. This is the summer before my nephew enters his senior year and I'm also in awe of the AMAZING person he is. I attended my first camping music festival in Dover, DE and danced the night away with Panic! At the Disco, Walk the Moon, AJR,  TLC, Zedd, Dashboard Confessional and so many more. To top it off I hung out with old friends and made new ones...including the 23 year old from Philly who just spent time with me, dan...

It's official. I'm a cohabitant. And it's feels weird. I've lived away from home since I was 16 in a variety of common situations. I've lived with roommates in the same room and roommates just sharing the same house. I've lived with men & women. I've lived with babies. I've live with pets. I've lived alone. I've done it all it seems. Now I'm doing this. It has only been a few days but the topic has already come up in conversation a couple of times with the doctor. I'm afraid. No I'm worried. I know I am ready and able to take this leap and grow in my relationship this way but is he? This move is based partially on circumstance and because of that as well as our past I feel justified in my worry. I don't feel as though my worry is enough of a red flag but it does color my view of this "next step". Coupled with that worry is excitement. I'm excited to grow together, to really give this thing we have going...

It's been two years since my first road dog Lord Jaymeson (LJ) passed away. After this length of time without a furry companion and talking to J...we decided to foster and possibly adopt a new dog. After fostering an older dog with some health issues from PAWS Atlanta (shout out to Mother Gothel aka Mama G) and getting her healthy again we came across another foster named Findlai (pronounce Finley) at an organization named Wunderdogs. Fin's owner sadly had to give up his 9-year-old Jack Russell / Fox Terrier because his neighborhood was being redeveloped and many families were being pushed out and couldn't afford a home with their pets. This is heartbreaking especially when someone as kind and sweet as this gentleman has to give up his friend. We thought we could keep him while he transitioned but at this point he just wants his dog to be safe. So we decided to adopt him. LJ would have be about 11/12 years old right now and there are definitely some similarities between the...

Today I did something I do frequently...I look at the FB memories for the day. Much like this blog, FB has been a part of my life's journey for some time and I enjoy looking back and seeing what was important enough for me to share 2, 4, or even 10 years ago. Also, it helps me remember birthdays 👌👌. When I looked at today's memories I knew that there would be several posts in relation to that day. For 12 years, today has been burned into my being. I literally have a physical reminder (a tattoo) of that day. I was not prepared for seeing the post that I made on that day.  It reads "fine as of right now, cell phones aren't working right call room 540 232 2097". I used FB to alert friends that I was fine. That resonates with me so much, because at that moment I was anything but fine. I was in the living room of my dorm with a few of my friends listening to sirens, watching TV. I had just run across the Drillfield with a few of my chemistry labmates after hearin...

You know over the past past few years I have looked to the New Year as my time of renewal and fresh starts. Well what a limiting approach! I have been thinking about this more and more...with Spring comes yet another chance to refresh and renew. I've had a tough late winter emotionally. The peaking flowers, warmer temperatures, longer days and yes even the immensely dense pollen all hark that fresh starts are just around the corner. Just a few steps away, within my grasp. This is more refreshed approach. This is the thought I will carry forward. Winter with its cold, bleak challenges have gone away. Spring is for new beginnings....until next post, laters

Once while on a night out with some friends during grad school, our group got accosted by an intoxicated man. While we tried our best not to engage him too much, eventually we switched strategies from simply ignoring him to curtly yet politely answer questions. That also didn't work. At one point he states to my very prim and proper British friend "off you fuck" to which she gave what has become the most iconic of replies..."you first". I was recently reminded of this event while having a conversation with a friend of mine. I've had this friend since my formative years, in fact they have seen me at some of my worst moments. Not only was I reminded of our years of friendship, I was also reminded of how much I've grown over the years...and how much growth was still left to do. I was literally livid when they made a passive comment about my dating history. Though I am certain that the comment wasn't malicious, I couldn't help but be so angry with t...

In January I had the reflective post Captain's Blog: Refocused  and then that was soon followed by No Regrets   in February. Now if one were to continue that trend that would make this post my next entry. Work has been ramping up and my personal life has been struggling to keep up the momentum. It almost feels like there is underlining jealousy. Thoughts like that weighed heavily on my mind and my heart. Though I never thought it personal or purposefully, that doesn't negate the inkling. Not one to just let a wound get infected, I brought it up. I vocalized my sentiments and impressions and thoughts. I'm glad I did. Good has come from it. We've gotten to a point were we will continue to speak more openly and truthfully to what we are feeling, thinking and be mindful of our reactions. There is a step in the right direction, a step towards more. Until next post laters....

You ever thought about doing something,  but didn't because you just knew you would regret it almost immediately. For years, the question of what if floated in my mind. What if, just this one time I didn't expect the worst? What if, it's not as bad as I think it will be? What if? I've been toying with this decision for years, literally. Yesterday, several factors came to a head and I made the decision to roll the dice....and I don't regret it. There are no negative feelings in my mind or my heart. Now, that's not to say that there won't ever be. That's still a possibility in the game called life. However, in this moment I am glad I waited and I'm glad it happened. Now the question is...what's next?? Until next post...laters

Have you ever been in the middle of a decision that you interherly knew was a shit decision but on the other hand figured if it worked out couldn't be the worst??? That's were I am tonight, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally and figuratively.  I'm divided.  Half of me says if I go this way and I deal with the impending consequences, is it worth the risk? The other half counters with everyone involved has the same amount to lose so their input is equal if not more. This crossroads is not new for me. I've been here before. Yet, before it seemed almost easier to make the decisions. Now.......not as much. So here we are at the beginning,  should I stay or should I go? Until next post....laters

I've realised that I've been posting here a lot. Not that it's a bad thing. In fact it's probably helpful. An outlet for my thoughts and feelings that I reflect upon. Moments in time where something or someone weighed on my mind so I felt the need to document it. Today was a mentally tough day. Work is good but full of so many ups and downs and considerations and worry if I'm going about it the "right way". On the way to finishing up my day while listening to NPR and actually getting angry at the general state of the world I live in, I saw some little black kids playing in the street. I derived so much joy from that. It reminded me of days that I did the same with my friends and family.  It also reminded me of why I have to keep doing what I'm doing. Though at times it feels like it's not enough or not sufficient, in the end so one like kept going on mentally tough days while I played in the streets. I'm going to do the same. These moments matt...

My entire life...I've been an individual. I'm not saying it like some PBS special or as a cry for attention and acceptance. Nor am I saying as a self gratifying statement of superiority. I understand and readily accept that every person is an INDIVIDUAL and no two people are ever the same. I've never ever found anyone like me, anyone who thought like me, found the same things funny in the same way I do. EVER. At least not fully. I've come across individuals who share common interests here and there, people who like most of the things I do or have the same thoughts and opinions of some matters as myself. To that point, I've never found someone who was more than 50% in sync with me. I constantly find myself "chameleoning" as I refer to it. Expressing certain thoughts and views based solely on who I am surrounded by though I try to remain 100% genuine to my own opinions, thoughts and feelings. I won't change how I feel about something simply because of wh...

I just wanted to share a few photos of the graduation trip: Until next post....laters

Hello out there blogger world! Question: have you ever been so in to something or the idea of something that even after it's over you can't believe it happened? That's how this last year and a half has been for me. I now have physical and visual proof that I have completed my master's degree in England. Yet it still feels like a dream or an anomaly. I recently took a trip back in order to attend my graduation ceremony and though I was very saddened that J couldn't join, having my parents along for the ride was amazing. My entire life my mom especially has wanted to visit England but time and circumstances prevented that from happening until now. This trip showed me how much of a treasure my parents are, reaffirmed that they won't be around forever and locked in memories that I will have long after they're gone. There was tons I wasn't able to do with them, like have a pint in a pub with my pop or stroll through the garden with my mom but we sa...

So I've been around a lot of reflective people as of late (which isn't surprising...it's the beginning of the year) and initially I just tried to not be as reflective myself.  To be honest, it feels a bit cliche. That being said there's a reason people do it. There's a reason I am going to do it. I want to be purposeful with my time and choices. Means to an end. A satisfactory end. A few posts ago I created a bucket list, think of this as a continuation of sorts to that. So here we go: I want be more active regularly. To me that means manageable fitness goals. I want to play Quidditch again, get back to doing circus arts and ride my bike at least once a week. I want to build new friendships through existing avenues. There are coworkers I adore, pokemon go folks I keep encountering, and neighbors I'd like to cultivate stronger bonds with. I need to actively carve out time for these things while still maintaining time for myself. Whilst I want to cultivate ...