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

This has been one of the most stressful months I've had in some years. Work is fine, it's the family life that's insane. The parents are downsizing and they are not making it the easiest thing. The only good thing that's come from it has been reflecting on my childhood. I had a pretty decent one. I'm what some refer to as a "third culture kid". A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is an individual raised outside their parents' culture for a significant part of their development, blending their birth culture with new ones. TCKs often develop high adaptability, multilingualism, and a global, "relational" identity, though they may face challenges with rootlessness and defining their sense of "home". I never really had issues defining home though, I had my family. Though sometimes my parents would tease me about my accent during visits back or the like I always had my grandma and cousins to root me.  I think because of my TCK lifestyle, I've b...

I'm going to spend the weekend visiting family. I haven't gone solo to see them since November so it will be a good trip. One of the things we've planned is a trip to Six Flags. Growing up we went whenever we could. In fact, one summer my sister/cousin and I got season passes and would catch public transport out for the day. It was an arduous trek but worth it. Now that it's going away, I'm taking my niece to have one more good day. Make fresh memories. What are the kids supposed to do in the summer time? Where is the hang out place with your friends where you're not bored, not spending a ton of money you don't have and still get a taste of independence? Do kids have those places still? So many friendships were solidified at that amusement park. Had my first real crush there too. My middle school "graduation" trip. The list goes on. Thnks fr th mmrs Six Flags America.  Until next post....laters

 So for spring break my nephew decided to come visit me. Mind you we're close but there's always room for growth and improvement. Spending a week together is definitely one way to get those results. In true impulsive nature though my nibling called me a week & a half before said intended visit to let me know.  Well crap, as much as I love having him...it is also one of my peak seasons at work. So we've had to work around, well, work. I shifted my WFH day so as to pick him up from the airport, took him grocery shopping (got to feed the child), and came up with several things to do while also leaving room for him to do whatever. I offered him transportation and a list of places to check during the day but he seems to just enjoy vibing with the dog and practicing his music. That works for me.  I've been resisting the urge to check in with him every couple of hours...are you having fun? do you need to eat? what are you interested in now? am I still cool? It's been a...

Without fail just about everyone time I visit my mom she finds a way to infantize me, speak to me like I am a child in need of direction and then victimize herself when I address it.  It seems near impossible to have a pleasant time with family members because at every moment she is calling, texting,  commenting on every aspect of my being. Why is you hair like that, don't stay out past 10pm, you have gained weight, remember that you owe me something, every single time. I am constantly working on giving grace & having patience & empathy to no avail. If I attempt to course correct or say what I am feeling, then I am in the wrong. It's not a contest but I literally feel like I cannot win or catch a break. Hours later and I am still frustrated. Until next post.

Celebrating my dad's 80th birthday this week. Took a quick trip to visit them, take them to watch baseball & soccer, eat good food and visit the pandas at the zoo. When folx heard what we were celebrating they went out of their way to make it special. We got extra tickets to 1 baseball game (so my sister-cousin & niece could come), suite access for the 2nd baseball game AND field seats for the soccer game. I truly cannot top this birthday and we had a blast. Gonna share some photos. Until next post....laters

I got to spend some time with my family and I just want to use this space to document that. They are the best. I love my family,  friends and everything in between. Until next post....laters 

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...

Valentine's Day has long been a treasured holiday in my mind. I see a world so full of anger and hate on a daily basis that I heavily and unabashedly bby into the idea that for one day we can celebrate love. With this day now just a remnant in the minds of most I sit here and think of more things that embodies love. I love my family for all of their faults, like how my mother's idea of finding me a husband includes a trip to Jamaica i.e. "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" or how my nephew starts high school this year and isn't worried in the least because he already has a strong sense of self (shout out to his parents for that). I love my beau who is passionate and confident in the things that make him happy especially composing and playing music. I love my friends who take the time to sit on the couch with me and watch horribly stupid people do mindless things for a few hours so that we can decompress. I also love the friends who leap into new challenges with a mi...

This post was on buzzfeed today and it was like reading my life story: 26 Signs You Were Raised By Caribb... http://www.buzzfeed.com/fionarutherford/signs-you-were-raised-by-caribbean-parent?utm_term=.cjP0L9O1jm