Writing
Work = mad
As the semester draws to an end, one would think that I would spend a great deal of my time preparing final exams and their accompanying study guides, but the school administration has geared up a final kick of its own. We’re now spending too much time in too many meetings “analyzing student data.” Once … Continue reading
Let It Rain
I’m so happy for the overcast, misty skies, given our triple-digit, drought conditions in the recent past. Yet, I live in Austin and the best thing about this vibrant city is having far more things to do than humanly possible–rain or shine! Part one of my Saturday morning involved writing the last of my 19 handmade … Continue reading
Not in Hot Water!
This past week has been my favorite work week of the school year: two days at work, followed by five days off. Some students reminisced about the good ol’ days when they got the entire week off, but I reminded them that any time off was a good thing. During the school year, my life … Continue reading
The Never-Ending Saturday
I unofficially woke up much earlier than I’d intended, thanks to my mysterious smoke alarm that would start randomly beeping at thirty-second intervals for 5 minutes or so. Just when I’d fall asleep about 45 minutes later, it would start up again. I’d reported it three times, starting with last Friday morning. A maintenance guy … Continue reading
Just Like Riding a Bike?
I had taken a break from tango classes over the summer just to free up my schedule and pursue other interests. When I returned three months later in September, I was a little rusty, but quickly got up to speed. I’m such a busybody that I had not managed to attend a milonga until last night–in … Continue reading
Rhythm of Life
During the week, I hustle throughout the school day, juggling so many tasks that when I hit the weekend and only do 20 things during the weekend, I actually feel as if I’ve had a mini-vacation. My weekend consisted of swimming, samba, flash mob practice, capoeira performance, salsa, painting, yoga, cooking for the week and a … Continue reading
Sweet Taste of Success!
Given the fact that this past week marked my second week of Tuesday through Thursday insomnia, I’m now well rested and ready for another challenging week at school. I also can reflect on last Monday when I first learned that my educational critique, “Monochromatic Butterfly,” had been published by the Texas Observer–three days earlier than I had … Continue reading
Sometimes You Need a Slice of Chocolate Pecan Pie
I should’ve known that since I’d had a wonderfully, relaxing Labor Day weekend, followed by a three-day work week, had attended the best concert I’ve ever seen and had participated in the best capoeira performance ever that the week following all that joy would be painful. Literally. Monday was the first day of spirit week, … Continue reading
Novel Research
Convenient enough, this week’s blog title is a double entendre since I visited Utila, a Honduran Caribbean island in order to do research for my second novel and this was the first time that I had done such a thing. If I were the least bit apprehensive, other than my brush with ESP about the … Continue reading
Utila or Bust!
Normally, when I’m about to visit a Caribbean island, I excitedly count down the days. This time, however, I’ve been cringing the coming days. I’m not sure if this is a self-fulfilling prophecy or a rare psychic moment, but starting on Friday, I’ve had one aggravating thing after another happen. First, I broke my blender. … Continue reading