a slice of real life

a few years ago i worked with a student named eric. he was in his senior year of high school and just starting to emerge from an adolescence filled with shit you and i can only imagine. the other day he posted this on facebook:

 "I am 21 now, every breath I take serves my pride. I have survived places while growing up that were filled with rapists, murderers, and drugged up lunatics. I have survived myself when I saw no possible hope in life. I am an adaptive person who strives to cope with all the issues of my life so that I can smile and be positive for myself and for those I encounter everyday. Being happy is a neverending pursuit. :)"

it takes some people a lifetime to understand the role they play in the pursuit of their own happiness. cheers to eric for "getting it" at 21. happy birthday, man!

all grown up

it's almost my un-birthday.  a vignette, if you will, of my day:

a birthday note from The Artist Formerly Known as Ashley.  in an incredibly gracious move, ashley has foresaken her name so that ashlee, the newest member of blue class, may continue to operate uninterrupted. (nothing stalls an esl student like a name change. well maybe articles, but that's another post.)  i think she's enjoying the new identity. and also, she included my old bitch shelby in the birthday note. gotta love a brown noser.

blue class singing "happy birthday jesus." apparently our savior's big day takes precedence over my 30th. 

a different kind of birthday note from my SK ladies. they know me too well.

apple crisp LIVE! it's no queso LIVE!, but it definitely hit the spot.

"today birthday." 

i might wear this everyday. thanks to jon and jinhee for indulging my ridiculousness. also, ignore the laundry in the background. i can only be so much of an adult in one day.