This picture captures exactly how I see my surroundings at 6ish in the morning to walk Fendi for her poo poo dance. Amazingly enough, my iPhone camera captured it perfectly today.
There’s my car in the background, a nice reminder that I have the freedom to go wherever I want and not have to totally depend on Miami Dade County’s Paratransit system which might be in danger of changing and not for the better. The idea that our society would consider taking or limiting the service that greatly shapes the lives of people with physical disabilities is pathetic. It is greatly compounded by their excuse that it is the economy that is forcing their hands. I doubt it! So every morning I look at my car and pray that I never have to totally depend on Paratransit but I also promise every morning that I will continue to fight for its service because there are others who need it more than me.
My fridge is more than a place to hold food that usually goes to waste because I hate cooking. Therefore, I make the most of it by putting pictures, phrases, cards and anything else that will make me feel good. I have last year’s birthday card from my sister because she picks out the best cards ever! Then, she adds her own sabor to the message. It always puts a smile on my face.
This past Christmas like every other Christmas, my students give me wonderful gifts but this year like every other year, one or two students will write a special message in a store bought or homemade card. Despite the Diva attitude I have about Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, I love these gifts the most because they come from the heart. So I put two up on the fridge to remind me that despite how poorly teachers get treated by society, we still make a difference in the lives of children. And that…is…PRICELESS! Yeah, I had to say that.
There is also a page that I ripped out of a magazine. “Stop At Nothing.” I love that quote. When I think of the goals I have to achieve by the deadlines that I give myself, that quotes gives me the fuel to keep pushing forward. Everyone should have something that makes them feel like Rocky Balboa.
I learned a long time ago from Amway that I need to put visual pictures of the things I want and that’s why I have that picture of photo frames. They are the right size and color for my living room. Unfortunately, they are not the right price for my bank account. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United Teachers Of Dade and Miami Dade County School Board for ensuring that my former contract never be honored and that the present contract only brings laughter rather than tears.
But you know, karma is a beautiful thing. đŸ™‚
There are a few other memorable pieces like the Eiffel Tower magnet that a friend brought back from her trip because she knows how much I would love to visit Paris, meet a wonderful man named Jean Pierre and eat Croissants forever.
So there you have it. Yesterday’s picture.
Next post will be about today’s picture and then I will be all caught up.
Happy 2010 to all of my family, friends, readers and supporters! At the moment, many of you are fighting off a hangover or bustling about shopping. Today, I have decided to use all of the knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained from former teachers, books, friends, family and omni media to ensure that if I am going to have a great year I better do what it takes.
For the next month or so, people will be speaking about their resolutions and how they are going to make major changes. Life will be different. You know the talk. But then, they say they will start right after they have their cup of coffee. In fact, they should start before or while they have that cup of coffee. According to my sister, Ingrid, we shouldn’t even be having that cup of coffee. We should be drinking green tea with antioxidants. So two days ago, I bought the green tea and have had two cups in two days. It’s quite good. Perhaps it’s the brand Yogi Tea because I have tried other teas that didn’t taste as good.
I was never a coffee drinker until I started working at Jane S. Roberts K-8 School. It’s a small school but so far I haven’t figured out why it takes up every ounce of my energy. I literally go home drained. Therefore, one of my resolutions this year is to drink that green tea and find away to not leave work feeling like I have pushed my wheelchair in a 10K.
There is life after work. So many teachers take home their own homework even though the community feels that we are glorified teachers and our job is so simple that even a monkey could do it. Those cute comments cut into the hearts of many teachers who put hours and hours before their actual work day to write lesson plans, grade papers, prepare labs, offer free tutoring, call parents, attend workshops, fill out mumbo jumbo district paperwork and so much more. I tend to laugh at these comments because whenever I call a parents about their child’s low academic scores and lack of homework, they almost always, and I do mean always say “I don’t know what to do about it. I can’t control my child”. They can’t control their children but we,as secondary education teachers, are expected to control 25 or more students for each class period.
Therefore, I will continue the resolution I made several years ago, I will give all of me to my students during school hours but I will no longer take my work as a teacher home with me. After work, is the time I have given myself to pursue my other interests. It doesn’t make me a horrible teacher. Teachers have told me that in order for them to be a great teacher for their students they must take work home with them. That’s not necessarily my case so here is a good time to put that boring cliche and say, “to each, his own”.
I found out that once I have a life after work, I don’t get so burned out or frustrated with my students and actually, it helps me connect better with them. So this is one resolution I will keep for many more years.
In the future, you will read more about my new puppy, Fendi. How and why she became a part of my life. But for now, I want to share the news that she will be a priority in my life. This is important. In the past, I have made other people or things that really wouldn’t benefit me a priority and when it went sour, I blamed myself for wasting so much of my time. But not anymore, it’s going to be a rocky road for people who want me to make them a priority this year because my calendar is pretty much packed!
So my resolution this year, is to go back to my core values and work in those areas with people who actually share those same beliefs. This is one of my most exciting resolutions. It started yesterday when I spent my first New Year’s Eve the way I wanted and today I woke up feeling great!
So many more resolutions left to discuss and why not? Isn’t life about change?
But that’s for later.
So if you want to know more about a Latina diva on wheels who works as a middle school teacher during the day while living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta and pursues other areas of interest, you’ve come to the right blog.
Finally! My personal blog is up and all of you are invited to participate in it. This little place is the place where I will discuss everything that pops into my brain. For those who know me, this can be a dangerous place. People ask me all the time, “What are you thinking about?” And now, they are going to know. But sometimes, they are going to wish they never asked at all.
I live a unique life. I’m comfortable in a wheelchair. I know no other way of living. I was born in New York, live in Miami and I’m expected to behave like a “Latina” whatever that might be.
I’m a middle school teacher for Miami-Dade County public schools which is nothing to be bragging about but at least, I can help students make the world a better place. I hope.
Everything around me makes me think too much. Stupidity and chaos drive me insane.
This is the place to explore all of these topics and more. I also have an online website, audacitymagazine.com. It’s an award-winning website aimed at promoting people with physical disabilities who want to live or are living an audacious life. Check it out!
But don’t worry, although I’m known as the Latina diva on wheels, this site will have guest bloggers who want to share either in agreement or in opposition to my views about everything under the sun.
Some of the things that are really bothering me these days occur in the educational system of Miami-Dade. At the present moment, I’m the president of the Miami Educators Alliance, a professional organization for educators. While the Union Teachers of Dade would like everyone to think that we are competing with them, it is very far from the truth.
If we wanted to compete with them, it would be too easy because they do nothing to help teachers. So let’s say it right here and now, the Alliance doesn’t want to compete or takeover the United Teachers of Dade.
Anyway, there will be guest bloggers as well.
If you have something you want to share let me know.
