June 25, 2024
Erica (fellow Spanish teacher, meal prep partner, friend) gave me a planner as a Christmas present. She also got one for herself. The cover has the “F” word! Ha! Do you use the “F” word? I use it very rarely but I do use it sometimes. I have noticed the high schoolers don’t think it’s a big deal to use in class anymore, but I do reprimand for using it. I took points off one team last year during a game because I had asked them to use classroom appropriate language.
The planner:
At the beginning of each month, there is a quote. Because I am a teacher, I have turned them PG-13 for my readers – ha! I think you can still figure out the original, though. Feel free to use the cuss word in your head as you are reading and I will not take any points off.
Isn’t this the truth? We have all faced so many trials in our lives and maybe they don’t seem that big to others, but if they are big for you, then they are big for you. But, if we don’t go through those, we can’t see the beauty and the “rainbow” after coming through them. One thing that comes to mind is our post-pandemic mindset. We all had a new sense of appreciation for “normal life”.
Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty person? Are you a positive person?
Do you believe that you have good things just around the corner? In this world of social media, we are constantly seeing the good things that are happening for others. We don’t see their storms, but only their rainbows. Comparison really is the thief of joy, so I try to stay off social media when I am not feeling as positive. I snooze lots of people for 30 days, too. Oops, did I just admit that?
Do you have people in your life that “yuck your yum”? I will admit that I do. Why then are they in my life? There are just some people you have to deal with in your work or personal life as adults.
I get excited about the little things in life and I love that about myself. My Dad was also like this and I love that we have that in common. He was not perfect, but he got excited about a funny name he had heard, a new recipe that he made or someone else made, a new shirt… really anything! When I tell someone something that I’m excited about and they try to take that excitement away it’s really about them and not me. I also hope to always share in someone else’s sparkle. This makes me think of child-like qualities that we should hold sacred.
Gosh, I love this next one!
I try to encourage my students to be who they are. We are in a good climate for this right now, I think. Unique people are celebrated. I think most students would say I dance to my own rhythm as a teacher. Why is rhythm so hard to spell? I had to look that up recently because I couldn’t figure it out!
I sent this one to my former student Ali before I wrote this post:
She is moving to Spain for a year to be a teacher’s assistant as part of the Fulbright program. She is nervous but excited, as you can imagine. I think of my blog friends Tanya and Marilyn and what it must have been like for them to move to a whole other country with kids, no less! When we “put ourselves out there” we can gain so much. Mason benefitted so much from his semester in England. Was it perfect? No. But, I see the growth that happened for him in his time on his own.
How often do you as an adult put yourself out there and do sh-t that scares you? My job scares me everyday! Just kidding – a little education humor there.
Which one of these mottos speaks the most to you in this season?
I think the one that speaks to me the most is about not dulling my sparkle. I think I let this past year affect my attitude way too much. I was not my best self. I wasn’t always fun to be around. I let my joy be stolen when I shouldn’t have. I questioned my career, my relationships, and I did a whole lot of overthinking.
But, I have had time to reflect on that and I’m moving on.
This post was fun to write and I hope you enjoyed it, but if you didn’t, I don’t care because I will not dull my sparkle! Hehe!
Cheers!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I really struggle with that last one! But then again I am easily scared so things that don’t seem to faze others are often big and scary to me.
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I think you embrace it! You put yourself out there by having a blog and that’s scary. Also, going to Nashville with strangers is scary! You are braver than you think!
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Great post Amy! You speak the truth on these points and I found myself nodding along. One year I had a You Are a Bad Ass desk calendar and it was so full of great quotes. I saved some and sent some to my sons, I always enjoy an uplifting message that helps get mindset on the right track!
xo,
Kellyann
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Thank you! It was fun to write! I have always loved a quote and have a file folder of the ones I loved from childhood – lol! I bet they both loved that and hated that at times if they are like mine. Mine think I am cringey and sappy at times.
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What I don’t understand is the reasoning behind using profanity? Shock and awe? To me it takes away from what it being said. Such beauty in words trashed by profanity. I read your blog every day. It is a sweet spot in my day. I don’t dwell on things/stuff I find not appropriate I either skim over/don’t read it. I take the good and leave what’s not for me.
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Habit? What we hear on tv and in movies? I don’t know? Thank you for reading! That is a very powerful way to absorb things and best for your mental health.
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Great post! I use the F—- word, but not in front of my sons or in class. I did scream it the other day, though, when my son was driving and almost hit a car, lol. I love the little things in life and can be childish, according to my sons. I love to tease them and try to be a fun “Mommy,” as I refer to myself. My husband is much more serious. I have a lot of anxiety and when I couldn’t sleep at night, I would run through all kinds of scenarios about what could go wrong at work or in my personal life the next day. Changing jobs and getting anxiety and sleep meds have helped tremendously, but it takes time to heal. Have a great week!
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LOL, I had to laugh when I saw your finger covering the text in the first photo! Those are great quotes – I like no rain, no f-ing rainbows, good comes out of bad. Rain, however, is one of my favorite things so that just good and good all around!
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This is a fun calendar for sure! I also snooze people and sometimes unfollow! No shame in that! Great post today!
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What a fun planner! Great insight too.
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Yes I use the F word all the time and I f’ing LOVE that planner- ha!! It is so hard to distance yourself sometimes from those that dull your sparkle- a constant effort if you will and that is why I always preach FOLLOW THE JOY- sometimes it is easier said than done…I feel you- I loved reading this and I wish a great year for your colleague
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Ha! That made me laugh! I know – it really is. I think you do a great job of following your joy and I think you have some very joyful friends!
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It is definitely a brave move going to live in another country, but so rewarding in many ways too! I often choose not to click or open some things, depending on how I am feeling. My favorite quote is Kick a$$ things are just around the corner! Fun post and keep your sparkle!!
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Yes! And, yes! I agree – I preserve my mental health sometimes. I love that quote, too. Thank you! I guess I’m assuming that I ever had a sparkle to begin with. Maybe I don’t?
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Well, I’m rather known for using the f bomb by those who know and love me. In my defense, it’s an incredibly useful and colorful word! I did always worry I’d let one slip when I was teaching, but I never did! I would have to say the last one speaks the most to me. I’m going to Scotland and Ireland with a sort of friend. I mean we know each other but not well. We will either come home fabulous friends or the worst of enemies. And, I’m going for 16 days which is a record for me. I like to be home. I actually did a mini retreat at my church about sparkle…no f bombs were dropped, though!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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I love that, Marsha! You’re so cool! Are you on a guided tour with other people? If so, I think that will be fine. If not, I think it will also be fine. There’s no better way to get to know someone. I bought a Columbia brand rain jacket that comes down over my butt for sitting for our trip. I wore my rainjacket more than any other thing on my trip even though it was winter. I think I found mine on Amazon and it had a nice waist tie, too, that you can take off or keep on. Pack lightly! You will not regret it! I wish I had packed lighter.
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Oh, how I enjoyed that post! Funny and thoughtful!
I’m so tired of my students using the F-word (they integrate into the Swedish language), they really don’t get it that it’s a bad word, not to be used in school. I’ve heard that Canadian schools expels students for three days when they use the F-word. I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s what I tell my students! What’s your thoughts? How bad is it according to you?
I would describe myself as a very positive person. I just naturally believe that things will work out fine (mostly!).
I was thinking about your year feeling a bit “not like yourself”. I had a year like that a couple of years ago, and I’m quite sure it’s an age related hormone thing!
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Thank you! I think it’s become really a casual word due to social media platforms. I don’t think they think it’s bad. I think it’s bad if it’s directed at a teacher, but they just use it as seasoning in their conversations with each other.
I think part of it was age, but the other part was my schedule being changed after 24 years. It really affected my work/life balance after school.
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You are my Yoda! You put things into another perspective when you note that THEY don’t think it’s bad. So you think I should let it go if it’s just random talking to each other?
Yes, I hear you on the changed schedule! That can really turn things upside down! Will they keep the new schedule this fall?
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I would explain to them that adults still think it’s a bad word and to know their audience. I have heard kids lose respect for teachers that cuss to be cool!
Yes my schedule will be 8:30-3:30 again. I think I just have to plan to do less from 3:30 to bedtime and change MY perspective!
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“Know their audience”, great. Yes, the kids want us to be grown up! They love it that I dress cool, but they want me to be a leader, not a friend! So interesting that they can lose respect for certain things!
Yes, the schedule thing is something out of your control! You can just make the best of the situation.
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I am going to try to do better this year!
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