Peter Pan Syndrome

I work with the entire second grade at Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary School. 

These second graders do get on my dang nerves sometimes, but nonetheless, I adore them, they're still cute. They're a little bit less clueless than the first graders, yet their faces haven't matured like the third graders. 

I have one second grader in my last class of the day. To say the least, he is a genius. He is in third grade math, and even scored a 100% on this Third Grade Benchmark (a test the kids take to determine their progress.) He is extremely intelligent, very well behaved, and very kind. 

I was talking to him one day and asked him, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I know most second graders haven't thought of this in detail, but you do hear the occasional "doctor", "policeman", "fireman", "ballerina". 

This little boy responded, "I want to work at a birthday party place." I started giggling and said, "You mean like, Chuckie Cheese?" His face lit up and he said, "Yea". 

This cat is probably going to grow up and be an engineer, he's so smart.and intelligent, his answer was so carefree. And if he does grow up to work at a birthday party place, cool! I'm just sayin', I remember what it was like to be carefree and be a kid. Especially because now, life is about marriage, work, maintaining a household, paying bills on time and being a respectable human being, and I wouldn't change it or have it any other way. Boiiiii. :)

Sharing Your Opinions in Public

I was in a professional setting today when one of the facilitators of the professional learning community group made a comment in reference to a coworker stating that her family talks about her having a baby, as if the baby were already in existence.

Not too sure if the facilitator knew, but one of the coworkers in the room is about 7 months pregnant. And whether she forgot or not, it's possible she didn't know, because the pregnant lady, who happens to be a good friend is barely even showing.

The facilitator then responded and said, "Tell your family to relax. Tell them, 'Um, let me get married and get my Masters first.'"

I made a sour face at that moment, and I realize that I took her personal preference personally, and I admit it. But I thought to myself, "I wonder if she knows that the pregnant lady in the room is not married, and doesn't have her Masters."

I then thought of all the successful women who have had babies out of "wedlock", without a Masters, Bachelors, Associates Degree, High School Diploma, whatever .

Hey man, if the facilitator thinks that the right time for herself to have babies is after she gets her Masters, (because she's already married", then by all means.

I just thought to myself that we need to be careful when we share our opinions in public, and who we share our opinions with.

That's all. Short and sweet. :)

But you didn't give me correct change?!

I'm a pretty transparent person. 

In high school, I started to get my eyebrows threaded. I couldn't sit still for more than 30 seconds without crying, squirming, and wiping away my tears. But the end product was immaculate and now it is something that I can't live without. 

Ever since I was a little girl, I had a mustache and a hairy forehead. I also have those famous "Mexican" sideburns. So a couple of years ago, I decided, "Why not thread my whole face?" 

Basically, when you see how fuzzy you are, and how clean you look after, you just want that fresh, clean, and hairless look all the time. Same things applies to getting your nails done on the regular or having your hair trimmed regularly. 

I have been going to the same person for about 6 years. Most people talk about how their hairdresser is their therapist, well, I can say that my eyebrow lady knows me almost as good as my husband does. She has guided me through some of life's toughest situations and she has been an ear for important decisions. She has seen friendships end and my marriage begin. She has put me in my place and has told me that she is proud of me. I look up to Ms. Rita. She's an amazing person inside and out. 

I have aspirations of starting my own business one day, though I don't speak about it often, baby steps are being made. I envy the satisfaction and success that she has in her work. She is her own boss, makes her own hours, and works out of her home. One time I asked her about what it's like to be doing threading for a living, she said, "I am what I do." Not very many people have the opportunity to say that. That rocked my world, and in that moment I decided that I wanted to feel that way about working, and especially about the business I want to start. Though I am nowhere feeling like that right now, I know if Rita, an immigrant can make it, so can I.  

Getting my face threaded normally costs $35.00. I gave Rita two $20.00 dollar bills yesterday. I expected $5.00 in return and she gave me $10.00 instead. I said, "But you didn't give me correct change, it should be $5.00." She said, "I know, but there was less hair, and it would be wrong for me to charge you full price." I thought to myself, "Why is this woman so amazing?" Who does that? Really? 

At one particular point in time, I was giving her a $5.00 dollar tip every session. One time she told me, "Stop that, you can give me a $5.00 tip when you're rich. You're just starting out."

Basically, I want to highlight a person that is not only extremely successful at what she does, but she is the type of person I want to be when I grow up, especially as a business owner. 

She has principle, morals, and one of the most sincere hearts I have ever encountered. 

You want that mustache or your eyebrows to be lookin' fresh? Visit her website at www.shilarna.com. Tell her Renae sent you.