some word therapy

I have given myself a challenge to write 200 words (or more) a day. I would like to think that this will eventually lead to a larger piece of writing. I haven’t written anything new since probably last year or a little less than a year. The problem is that once I start getting new ideas and creative juices going. I don’t stay consistent. Since it’s summer and I have the time. I am going to try super hard to get past road blocks and writer’s block. 

Today, I wrote a piece that is currently titled Tsinelas (slippers). My maternal grandma and I are the focus. She passed in March of 2021 but it still hurts. I remember hearing how when writing about loved ones or past experiences, you are reopening that time in your life and often times, it can be painful. So yes, I did have to take some breaks and pauses when I wrote about my grandma, our family’s matriarch. But I am proud to say that I wrote today and got past my goal of 200 words.

Some morning peace is waiting for those still in bed, whose dreams still dance around and around in their head.

I have only been reading comics this year and haven’t been able to finish any books I started towards the end of 2021 and at the start of this year. With my 1+ hour commute to and from work, reading wasn’t something I had the energy for. Now that it’s summer, I’m able to build my reading stamina again and actually read.

I came across Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi while doing research for books to teach next school year. I could not put this book down. It was such a compelling read and I was impressed by Gyasi’s effortless storytelling and how the book traces 300 years of familial history beginning in the mid 1700s through 2000. The book covers so many different themes: identity and heritage, the effects of generational trauma, the horrors of colonization and slavery, and home.

5/5 stars from me & I highly recommend.

Wow, look at my Spotty boy! Is it just me, or does this photo give Fall vibes? Photo cred goes to the hubby who brought him to the park in really hot weather. Spotty loves warm and hot weather but we limit his time outside on those days, of course.

Since Spotty is a reactive dog, not many people see him smiling like this. Whenever there are new people around, he has his guard all the way up and it’s hard for him to just relax. He has had a few positive interactions with new people and is slowly making progress. We know now that before having people at the house, he should be introduced at the park across the street where he could meet new people on neutral ground. Whenever we have large get togethers at the house, it is best that he stays in his crate. Hopefully, he will be more comfortable around new people. 

- chelle 

I have been reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and have been enjoying the book so far. I’ll be posting more quotes that I’ve annotated from Part 1. I’m so excited to see where the stories go from here. I bought this book over Memorial Day weekend and did some research on books to teach for Women’s/Ethnic Literature next school year. I’ll be teaching a section of Women’s Lit and a few sections of Ethnic Lit along with 2 sections of English 9. 

Prior to the end of the school year, I haven’t been reading as much as I would like. My Goodread’s goal this year is to read 25 books but I have only read 3 Comics. I am trying to do most of my reading this summer since I have more time. I’m in the middle of reading a bunch of books right now: Afakasi Woman by Lena Wendt Young, Words No Bars Can Hold: Literacy Learning in Prison by Deborah Appleman, Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades. Yeah, I know, that’s a lot of books to be reading at once. I see myself finishing up Homegoing by the end of next week if I keep up my reading pace. 

Yay for summer reading!

Hello, World!

Whelp, here is my first post, my Spotty boy. He is 3 years old and my husband and I adopted him on June 2nd, 2019. He was almost 6 months old, was adopted and most likely abused, returned to the animal shelter, and then adopted by us. He was and is still reactive BUT he has come a long way. I’ll be posting about him along with other random things going on in my life.

This photo was taken yesterday after I went to PetSmart to pick up more wet food for him. He is only staying still and looking into the camera because I had a treat.

More to come soon.

- chelle