Downcast, But Never In Despair

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, got ready for the day, and was driving to Caribou coffee at 6:15 with the goal to put the finishing touches on my upcoming lessons for the next few days. I knew I'd have limited prep time with my many meetings and agenda items ahead, and I wanted a quiet hour in the morning to complete them during the time I do my best work. The starry skies blinked their still visible constellations as I traveled my early route.

But I drove across town with a heavy heart, my mind linked, and yet at the same time, detached from the lessons I had to finish for my classes.

We just spent four weeks reading The Diary of Anne Frank. Year after year of teaching this nonfiction work of literature, there is always one student who says, "It isn't fair that Anne had to suffer because she was different. That's not kind." I spend weeks teaching tolerance. I spend weeks teaching my students that while it's okay to disagree, it is not okay to be unkind. We spend time researching how one person influenced millions to believe that some people were not fit to work, fit to live, and ultimately, these people were sent to die. 

Climb A Little Higher

I have had a lot on my mind lately.

Amidst the grading, the lesson planning, the never-ending to-do list, I spent a good portion of my early morning hours today daydreaming back in the past: the days of living on the farm in the country. I was 12. And I was fearless.

Always Strong, Always Determined

I have been mulling over the topic of this post for weeks now, unsure how to proceed or even if I should write about it at all. Indeed, this post has been collecting dust in Certainly Candid's "drafts" folder, so the examples are not immediately current but nonetheless still relevant. That being said, I chose to publish anyway. Identity is a topic that, in many ways, is so overused. However, I will proceed by stating it simply:

I do not understand why others place one's identity on the hardships he or she have faced.

10 Lessons From A 20-Something

Soon to be 26, I just realized that my twenties will be over before I know it. I mean, the last 5 years went in a blur from college to the professional world. This post is for my fellow 20-somethings! Here are 10 things I've learned so far about being a 20-something (note: I tried to title this "Coffee Solves Everything" but honesty wouldn't allow it and after all, that's only 1 lesson. But coffee does help!).

1. Keep It Real

I'm an idealist. I'll be the first to admit it. But in all honesty, it's important to have a healthy dose of realism. I had a lot of things I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 25 - some of which haven't happened yet! I'm still working on these things, and that's okay. Dream, but keep it realistic!

Toaster Waffles Make Everything Better

Toaster waffles make everything better.

I'm sure some of you are now thinking, yes, Olivia has officially lost her marbles - and at such a young age too. After all, the first post in over a month, and she starts out with toaster waffles?! But wait! Let me explain!