Ok...I know that I haven't written in months.  School has been thoroughly kicking my butt...LOL!  I finished student teaching and I'm now in the last semester before I graduate with my Masters in Elementary Education.  I'm especially proud because I went into this with a specific goal and I'm SOOOOO close to achieving it. 

That being said...once I'm done, I'll have the time to really focus posting here and re-designing the entire blog.  I have a lot of topics that I'll cover too.  So, stay tuned...

10 Things I Need to Get Off My Chest...

These prices are coming soon to a gas station near you!

Well, well, well...it's been awhile!  I need to vent for a minute...Here goes!

1.  It's apparent that a lot of people in the USA never paid attention to their Civics & Government classes.  When a person is is born to a American citizen, even if that American Citizen is in another country at the time of the infant's birth...guess what?  That child is an American citizen.  My point?  Get off Barack Obama...his mother was an American citizen...his mom could've given birth to him on the moon...and he'd still be...AN AMERICAN CITIZEN!  So find something else to occupy your time.

2.  In the news, there's been coverage about a serial killer in New York City.  I guess my question is why are you divulging all of the information on the news?  Doesn't that give the serial killer a heads-up as to what law enforcement is about to do next? Which defeats the purpose of trying to catch a criminal...They'll never catch him/her at this rate...

3.  I miss college basketball...March Madness was awesome this year.  NBA Basketball just doesn't move me like that anymore.

4.  We need more new shows that are scripted...and get rid of some of this "reality TV".  Let put some of those hard working writers, producers and crew back to work.

5.  Back to Obama.  This may be wrong, but I want him to POP OFF so hard on these Republicans...and then lean back and say in his calm voice, "Cause I'm the MuthaF-ckin President!" He gets the job done, but I don't think I've ever seen this much drama between the President and Congress.

6.  Parents...take a sincere interest in your kids' education.  That's all I have the strength to go into today.

7.  I'm about to be a size 8 by the end of the summer because I'm about to buy a bike because the gas is too damn high!

8.  Back to the Republicans: You clown BHO because of his ideas...but what are you bringing to the table.  Your goal is to make the country better, not grandstanding.  Democrats...I've got something for you too.  Get a some damn balls!

9.  We're all grown here.  Stop making stupid excuses.  You are responsible for you.  It's called accountability.

10.  Conversate is not a word (it's converse).  Orientated isn't a word either (it's oriented).  Stop using them so you'll sound more educated.

Feel free to add to the list! That's all...carry on!   ;)

NIGGER - Let's Have a Discussion...

It's been a while since I've posted anything...school thoroughly kicked my butt this semester. But it's over now, and I can write about some things that are on my mind. Since I've been working in the school district, there's been two things that have driven me absolutely crazy...one is the students' lack of respect for themselves and others...

The other thing that drives me absolutely CRAZY....is the use of the word NIGGER/NIGGA.

The students at my school use the word to no end...and every time I hear it, I cringe. What bothers me is that white, Latino & Arab students use it like it's OK What bothers me more is that the black kids are OK with it. Today, I had a black student tell me that he was a nigger and he was cool with that. Why? Because real nigger do real things...(WTF does that mean?) When I told him that he's in no way a real nigger because real niggers don't go to school everyday, I got the blank stare and I would’ve sworn I heard crickets chirping in the background. He's cool with other people (including white kids) calling him that too. “It's only a word...Drake, Lil Wayne and Waka Flocka use it all the time...”

The next class that I went to (same day), I heard a white boy use the word. I asked him to stop because it was offensive. His reply: “if black kids get to use it, why can't I? It's just a word Ms. Cooper.” My first response was to drop him off in the Ickes and let him call somebody out there a nigger and let him see what happens...

When I was in school (not that long ago...lol!), being called a nigger was the ultimate insult. It was a fighting word. And when someone of another race said, they got their ass beat – no questions asked. Now some of my friends used the word (still do) as describing someone as a term of affection (nigga). I admit, I've done it before too. But now, I find myself not doing it anymore at all because of what it means. From what I hear in the hallways, the terms are interchangeable and the kids don't care how they use it or how it's interpreted. I've heard it used as a term of affection and an insult. I don't know...I guess it bothers me because I hear others saying it and I see that the black kids are cool and accepting it. I think I get so offended because I know the significance of what it meant to be called a nigger back in the day. I also know how it feels to be called a nigger in a derogatory way – it happened quite a few times in college, and let's just say...some folks learned a hell of a lesson after I got finished with them. I guess I'm not as tolerant as kids are now.

This bothers me so much. When I hear a student say it, I try within all reason to let them know in the most professional way possible that it's not acceptable and to please refrain from using it...but the just don't get it. But the personal side of me wants to punch some of these kids in the face so hard that they get it...(I know that's a little extreme, but I hope you get my point). When I tried to explain the significance of what it meant, they blew it off. “I know what it meant Ms. Cooper.” But after asking them pointed questions, I find that they are so far from the truth...it would be funny if it weren't so damn sad.

Am I getting too old? Am I that far removed that I've lost touch with the current reality? Should the word be used now? Honestly, I don't think that we'll ever get rid of the word, but I think that there's something that should be done. I know how I was back in the day, and I know how I react to it, and I admit, I honestly don't know how to address the situation in any other way that I have been doing. I know if I react the way that I would on the street, I wouldn't have a job. I just don't know what...I feel like Laurence Fishburne at the end of School Daze – Waaakkkeee Uuuppp!

What do you think people? Let's discuss...

Going Through Some Changes...for the Good!

Get Lifted!  The view from the rooftop of my new apartment...Check out that Chicago skyline!

It's been a truly long time...and I vow not to leave my blog for this long ever again! LOL...This year has been a roller-coaster of ups & downs, but it's taught me that I'm a stronger person than I ever thought I was.


Some of the huge changes:

1. I was hospitalized for 1 week because of my kidney.
2. I started a new job (not what I really want to do, but I've got a foot in the door, and I'm learning a lot).
3. I started grad school (and I'm still maintaining that 4.0 GPA).
4. I moved into my own place - and it's got a great view of Lake Michigan.
5. I got rid of a group of people that were toxic in my life...best decision I ever made!

I got tired of the same old stuff happening to me. I had a routine that was sooo predictable that my younger cousins (ages 15 and under) knew my schedule. Ain't that a shame? I decided that I needed to step out on faith and do things differently. Hell, something had to be better than what I was doing before. What scared me was the idea of change. It was hard as hell...I have to admit, I don't scare easily...but changing some things that were constant for the past 7 years wasn't an easy task. Instead of backing down, I decided to jump in and make some changes.

As soon as I did, things started to change...for the better! I guess what I'm trying to say is to keep the faith, stay positive and don't be afraid to step out into the unknown. You'll never know what happens if you don't. You might just be pleased with the results! Talk with you soon!

Something to Make You Laugh...

It's been a long time...I didn't realize that it would take me this long to update the blog...and right now, I don't have enough time to update it. So until next week...Here's something to make you laugh...Kenan as Steve Harvey on Saturday Night Live...TOO FUNNY!