I never thought I would participate – much less complete – a month long writing challenge shared with an actual audience of readers. Well, I blogged every single day in March and then “poemized” every single day in April. I am WIPED.
Slice of Life: To the White Woman Who Feigns Curiosity
Earlier this month, I was inspired over at Ethical ELA to find inspiration for a mirror poem. I used Ariana Brown’s “Dear White Girls in My Spanish Class” to interject stanzas throughout my own.
Queen of Tejano Music: #SOLSC21
It feels fitting to be celebrating La Reina’s life and empowering spirit on the same day I am celebrating my multifaceted identity of mija, esposa, mami, maestra, mujer.
Curly Hair Journey in Five Sentences: #SOLSC21
Curly Hair Journey in Five Sentences
OLW Reflection: #SOLSC21
In 2021, I’m choosing to connect with the possibility that my OLW may look different than what I anticipated in December of 2020. And that’s okay.
Cafés and Cardiologists: #SOLSC21
Does heart failure run in either of your families? Did anybody on either side die from heart complications before the age of 45? Are there any genetic disorders either of you are aware of?
TGIF: #SOLSC21
So, friends, I’d love to hear – what are you trusting? For whom or what are you grateful? What’s inspiring you? How are you having fun?
Depending on when you met me: #SOLSC21
Depending on when you met me, I might have been…
Writing Affirmations: #SOLSC21
Any and every form of writing is influenced by our life story, by our experiences. I want my students to know their stories matter, their stories have impact, their stories are worth listening to.
The Ides of March:#SOLSC21
Today was not a good day. Today was full of uncertainty. Today was supposed to offer answers. Today, instead, the ultrasound begged more questions. Today, I am emotionally drained.
Sunday Insight: #SOLSC21
Sometimes I desperately miss the days I stayed awake into the wee hours of the night racing to finish another novel. Now, I’m squeezing in writing time during toddler naps and bargaining with time in the evening, knowing said toddler will be fully charged as early as 6 AM.
TGIF: #SOLSC21
So, friends, I’d love to hear – what are you trusting? For whom or what are you grateful? What’s inspiring you? How are you having fun?
In Five Sentences: #SOLSC21
Empty notebooks and freshly acquired pens were always in my possession just in case a moment overwhelmed me or a quote fell in my lap.
Dear Wednesdays: #SOLSC21
Today, I feel I’m saying goodbye to something I’ve come to love. So, here goes.
Expectations #SOLSC21
I was completely stumped. Have I never thought of this before? Has nobody ever asked me this question?
How I’m Celebrating Today #SOLSC21
I thought I would write in response to a quote today. Or a letter to the women who have inspired me. Or alongside a mentor text. Or complain about the gender wage gap.
TGIF: #SOLSC21
So, friends, I’d love to hear – what are you trusting? For whom or what are you grateful? What’s inspiring you? How are you having fun?
Breaking Up With Red: #SOLSC21
I am officially breaking up with red, and it feels like a crisis.
Texas in National News – Again: #SOLSC21
My beloved Lone Star State has made it to national news yet again. Today, I am relying heavily on mentor texts because I don’t really have words to say.
What They Wish We Knew: #SOLSC21
I assigned this thinking I’d mostly read letters that would lead me to reply notes of encouragement. It turned out to have the opposite effect. It reminded me that our presence matters. Our attitude matters. Our sincere joy at engaging matters. I am COVID-life exhausted. I am COVID-life, pregnant-life exhausted. But I’m going to keep showing up because it matters.
31 Days: #SOLSC21
It’s the first day, and my first year, of Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge 2021. While blogging every single day in March seems like a daunting task, I’m excited to join the writing community!! To those who have participated in the challenge for years – thank you for your guidance. To those who are joining for the first time, too – we got this!
Slice of Life: Texas Snowpocalypse
My love notes were written to objects like the car heater, to the blankets, to the headlamp, to the gas stove; they were also written to my 18 month old, my husband, my mom. It is amazing how intentionally writing gratitude or seeking joy can change your perspective, especially during challenging times.
Slice of Life: Birthday Blessings
With my birthday falling on the Sunday after the break, we planned a mini getaway/birthday celebration/babymoon trip three hours away in San Antonio. I cannot remember the last time Kyle and I just sat. In a coffee shop – okay, two coffee shops. To read. To enjoy coffee.
Slice of Life: Passionate, not yet Courageous
Despite the nerves of sharing and the inner critic who causes me to second guess clicking “publish” on blog posts, I am passionate about growing and connecting. In the future, I would like to see myself as courageous.
Slice of Life: “You is not dumb”
“Princess, you is NOT dumb. Maybe you do dumb things, but Princess, you. is. not. dumb.”
Slice of Life: To the barista who gifted me unexpected joy
A couple of weeks ago I ventured to get us coffees through the drive thru and was shocked at being asked my current read while sitting there waiting for two lattes, arm hanging out the window.
Slice of Life: Happy birthday, hubby!
Thanks to Ethical ELA’s Open Write, I was brave enough to draft a poem on my hubby’s birthday yesterday to celebrate his life and how we’ve grown while also using my 2021 One Little Word.
Slice of Life: Where I’m Going
While it seems a bit presumptuous to declare and decree where I’m going, some things are absolutely certain. As I survey the phases I know I am – or will be – embracing, I recognize that I move forward with hesitation. But I know I am not alone because I am loved and supported.
Slice of Life: Notebook Nonsense
I declared to Kyle that I would remain an Erin Condren notebook fan forever because it’s the only paper I can trust. Since the notebooks are a bit pricey, I may have dramatized this as a desperate need in order to continue nurturing my writing habit (therefore, my sanity).
Slice of Life: Self Love Al Extremo
Sitting outside on our first tiny apartment’s patio grading essays on a Saturday morning, I firmly decided I’d fake the hell out of self-love.
Slice of Life: Toddler Raised in Quarantine
Not even a year old and, in my dangerous thought traps, my child would turn into a recluse – FOREVER. While I may have been a little nervous as a first time mom, I’m incredibly thankful that we’ve had so much uninterrupted time watching Elías develop right before our eyes. What’s an unexpected blessing you experienced and/or received during pandemic quarantine?
Slice of Life: Quirky Questions
I’m often teased for asking a plethora of invasive questions, but I’m learning this curious part of my personality, when done strategically, is an excellent way for others to open up. Maybe I should start off with quirky questions first, though!
“One Little Word” November Reflection
November provided me the opportunity to gain perspective in three key areas of my identity: motherhood, teacher, and writer.
Gratikus: Part IV
It’s a wrap! While I skipped days here and there, this gratiku project was a fulfilling way to end each day. When I made “lofty” writing goals over the summer, I was writing gratitude sentences every day in my planner; then, back to school hit.
Gratikus: Part II
But here I am, trying to stick to my word of posting the week’s gratikus each Monday. Messy, unfinished, tired.
Gratikus: Part I
Thanks to this gratitude haiku (#gratiku) challenge, I am able to continue writing every day with a focus. Not only is it powerful in forcing myself to recognize daily moments of gratitude, but it’s short and fun, too!
TGIF! Week of July 27
The weeks don’t always simultaneously coincide with the end of a month, so it feels like closure today. Tomorrow begins a new and exciting month, as well as the month I most associate with school. I feel I am closing the chapter of summer, and beginning to wade into the waters of unknown learning.
Multifaceted Me: Part V
Every time I brainstorm what it means to be a mujer it seems the identity is difficult to separate from other relationships. A woman as a daughter, as a wife, as a sister, as a girlfriend. But what makes a woman a woman?
Multifaceted Me: Part IV
As a kid, I would gather my cousins as my students and administer tests I spent hours creating before they arrived to “play.” I would take attendance, teach a concept, write on the chalkboard, and even grade their assignments with the all-powerful red pen. I’ve always known I was born to be in the classroom.
Soccer Superstars: #SOLSC21
We’ve driven to countless stadiums, even driving two hours away to cheer them on at state. The Deckers’ version of an excellent date night? Dinner at Chipotle and screaming our heads off at a high school soccer game.
