The Metamorphosis

Credentials and Qualifications:
I graduated from the Fulton High School Magnet Program for Teaching, Salutatorian and Recipient of the Most Likely to Teach Award. I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. I earned my Masters of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Oglethorpe University. I hold an Educational Specialist Degree and Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Gifted and Talented Education for Argosy University- Sarasota. I was always on the Honor Roll and Dean's List. I always graduated Cum Laude. My Professional Teaching Certificates are valid in Georgia, Florida and Nevada. Educational Positions I've held are PreK through Grade 5 Classroom Teacher, K-5 Art Teacher, K-8 Assistant Principal and Principal, Grades 8-12 Teacher of the Gifted, Substitute Teacher in Luxembourg, Europe, Tutor, Mentor and College Professor...in the Public, Private and Charter School Settings.

All too often, it is difficult to see your impact and influence because you're too close or it takes time to develop. Then again, sometimes, you get to hold up the mirror and realize you're really just going with the flow. I've discovered that I'm the kinda person who abhors going with the flow... cause by nature, I gotta BE the flow.

So what am I saying? The traditional path to education was clearly marked, followed and attained... NOW IT'S TIME TO WALK ON WATER...

I Miss Me

I miss me... darkness... silence... reserved peace... secluded... in my zone... wee hours of the morning... PAINTING. I miss not being able to sleep because the images of these Girls would visit me and talk to me and would not rest until she manifested, in real life, on canvas. I miss the details in their eyes... lips... lashes... accessories... hair... her Purpose... that moment of just she and me. I miss PAINTING all night and looking at the clock going IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP IN ONE HOUR.
I used to say I longed for the life when I lived- with the ocean as my backyard- and I'd sleep all day and PAINT all night. I still have that vision. I still want that life... that life where nothing matters but me, my canvasses, my PAINT, my PAINTbrushes and my Girls.
In between all the Blessings and responsibilities and duties and expectations of the Now, and enjoying these Phenomenal Opportunities,
I sketch out a minute
and shed a tear...
because I miss that me.

SunRise, SunSet

It's 2:55am PST and I'm sitting on the 4th floor balcony listening to the ocean song accompanied by rushing waves and, apparently, the moon is completely mesmerized by me. (blushing) I'm listening and listening until I find myself softly singing Fiddler on the Roof's... SunRise. SunSet. SunRise. SunSet. Swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to Sunflowers. Blossoming even as we gaze... I learned those lyrics as a 7th grader in the Atlanta Public Schools Honor's Choir... just yesterday. SunRise. SunSet. I've been blessed to see both, within a 3 month timeframe... but what is time? And, I mean, who hasn't seen the SunRise... and the SunSet? But. The symbolism of it all. The dynamics of all that happens in between... so swiftly... right before our eyes... real time...
I'm reminded of how important it is to Stop. Stop long enough to hear, taste, touch, feel... see the SunRise... and fully experience all that occurs in the middle because too soon, it inevitably evolves to SunSet. A Gorgeous SunSet at that.
#SeizingTheMoment

Welcome 41 Flavahs!

It's MY 41st BIRTHDAY so I'ma Share 41 Random [not so random] Things!
Y'all Ready?
Set...
Go!!!
1) I went to bed last night at about 11pm.
2) I woke up around 1am.
3) The last thing I ate (dinner) was 2 slices of MeatLovers Pizza with Peppers from Lil Ceasars.
4) My Favorite Pizza is PIZZA HUT but...
5) Oh! I had a dream that I was walking around outside, it was pitch black and Owls, in pairs, were flying... zooming all around me. #Wisdom
6) I am surrounded by Complete Silence... And I Love It!
7) I sleep in Socks.
8) I'm looking forward to the life when I do a 5k every day.
9) I will have a beachhouse.
10) I was completely astonished (and down right jealous) when I found out the gorgeous, vibrant, vivid, colorful Peacocks are males and female Peacocks are all white.
11) I'm glad I purchased the Hummer.
12) I will hire a driver.
13) I will hire a chef.
14) I want a nose ring... a teeeeeeeny tiiiiiiiny diamond... sooo teeeeeeeny tiiiiiiiny that you really gotta be all up in my face to see it.
15) I own ONE pair of jeans... and they are White Levi's.
16) I adore vaulted ceilings.
17) I'm a Libra and Todd is a Virgo.
18) I first saw Todd in a dream.
19) In high school, I was the Shampoo Assistant at a hair salon.
20) I Love Love Loved being a Majorette in my high school band.
21) I could really be a full-time student... I Love School. #Scholar
22) Looking through magazines and cutting out PICTURES is calming to me.
23) I considered being an Attorney... and a Gynecologist... and a Psychologist... and a Cosmetologist... and a Yoga Instructor.
24) The Scales is a true symbolic representation of me. #LibraBaby
25) I overstand rules but they don't all apply to all the people all the time.
26) I like the word PHILANTHROPIST.
27) I also like the word PLETHORA.
28) Naps are my Friend.
29) I love Love.
30) When I was a practicing Licensed Nail Technician, my specialty was Nail Art.
31) Zumba is Fun!
32) LineDancing is Fun!
33) I like my music waaay too LOUD.
34) An Art Critic once said I PAINT LOUD.
35) My Favorite instrument is the CELLO.

36) I like my blonde, short hair... at the moment.
37) I do not have a television in my bedroom.
38) Our 3 Girls have 3 different personalities... and all 3 are Just Like Me!
39) Wishing I had some Lays Flammin' Hot Chips right about now.
40) This Dang Wisdom Tooth... #Ugh!
41) I am #ForeverGrateful for this day and my life.

'Bout Time!

I know! I know! I know! What took me so long to Start the dang Blog? It's not that I don't have anything to talk about, right? And y'all know I got more than enough Photos to Illustrate my Words. So what's been the hold up?, you ask. Well. I was trying to keep it Simple. Thinking how to create something Easy for you to follow. I considered going Stream-line and really focusing in on one centralized aspect of my life. But none of that Felt Right!
I could never get started with this Blog because I was trying to fit me... trying to package All This up in a pretty, presentable BOX. Annnnnnnd those who already know Me already know that I operate under the Philosophy that #TheBoxIsWhack! So with that being said,
LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
What can you expect? Hmmmmmmm... What NOT to expect:
Do Not Expect Simple.
Do Not Expect Easy.
Do Not Expect Stream-line.
I'm blogging about EVERYTHING! I'm blogging about my Exhilarating Experiences as an Educator! I'm blogging about being Vivid and Vivacious and Splishing and Splashing and PAINTING PAINTING PAINTING! I'm blogging about my Inevitable Poetic Flow! I'm blogging about That STRUT! I'm blogging about the Epitome of Brains And Beauty! I'm blogging about My Family! Blogging about My Friends! Blogging about My 5kFine~errrrrrr Self! Yep!
Get Ready!
Get Ready!
Get Ready for EVERYTHING DARCOVA!

'Bout Time, huh?!