Kanye flyness

Has it seriously been 2 months since I last blogged? Un-ac-cept-able. I'll try to do better, but I probably won't. Such is grad school life. #kanyeshrug

Speaking of Kanye. Never mind, I won't speak of Kanye. We don't have time for that.

Actually I will, but not in the way you think. So, I had to do a presentation in class today, and I was nervous. Maybe intimidated is the better word. The people in my class are so intelligent and presenting in front of them caused some anxiety for me. Sometimes I forget that I am just as competent, and I had to remind myself before I got to the front of the room. In the end, I did pretty well, so I was quite proud of myself.

Kanye can be arrogant or whatever, but he has a good point.

In other news, I'm excited because I get a week off of school for Fall Break + Thanksgiving. Praise the Lord.

I'm also excited because I have a race coming up soon. On Thanksgiving day (Thanksgiving morning at 7 am to be exact) I'll be running the Atlanta 1/2 Marathon. Then I'll be able to cross something else off my 25 before 25 list (speaking of which, there are some things on that list I haven't even started yet....and I only have 2 1/2 months left). Oh well #kanyeshrug

Teacher Reminiscing

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you saw how excited I was yesterday when I got a call from one of my former students.

Sometimes you don't realize that you've made a difference (especially as a teacher). It felt amazing to get that call. I started missing my teaching days and looked at some of my old posts about my experiences in the classroom. I laughed for a good 30 minutes. Check them out if you need a quick pick-me-up or if you just want a good laugh (links below):

Kids Say the Darndest

Pronoun Pookie

3rd Grade Flash Mob

The Turnip Turn UP

April Fool's Day Brownies

I'd Rather be a Dog

22 Things I've done in my first 2 Weeks of Grad School

I've officially completed 2 weeks of grad school! It seems more like 2 months and it's taken a while to adjust to the life of being a student again. Here's a list of 22 things I've done so far:

I HAVE.....

1. read a lot
2. made 3 new friends (there are only 4 people in my cohort, including myself-all women)
3. gotten lost on campus and acted like I KNEW exactly where I was going (like a boss)

4. gotten a $25 parking ticket

5. attended 8 classes, 1 seminar, and 2 lab meetings
6. never been late to class (even parked illegally so I could get to class on time...see #4)
7. read a lot
8. looked like this during Stats class 

9. taken Tylenol to ease the headaches I incurred after Stats class
10. gone running almost every morning (great stress relief from Stats class)
11. read a lot
12. questioned my decision to go to Grad school

13. reassured myself that I made the right decision

14. re-read the same sentence or paragraph 27 times (and still didn't understand)

15. made this face during Stats class

16. taken 6 quizzes (yes, already)
17. read a lot
18. spent hours reading in coffee shops & cafes (shout outs to Starbucks and Panera Bread!)

19. read a lot
20. Called on JESUS...before class, during class, after class, and especially while reading for Stats class

21. learned about an exciting project that I will work on in my lab later this year!

22. perfected the art of skimming, highlighting, and extracting meaningful points upon which to expound when the professor says "What did you think about that article?" 

Conclusion: Graduate school requires lots of reading and Statistics is the devil. But, if you call on Jesus, everything will be okay. Lol...I'm in for a bumpy ride, which is fine because I'm ready...i think........ Jesus?

Finally Posted Pics from China

It's taken me a little while (okay, a month) but I FINALLY posted pictures on Facebook from my trip to China! There were so many pictures, I separated them into 3 albums. Click on the pictures below for access to each album

The Great Wall

Fine China

More from China

Racial & Gender Profiling: Stop Acting like it doesn't exist

I came across a clip from "What would you Do?," a show that conducts social experiments.  The sketch revolves around 3 people (actors)...a white teen boy, a black teen boy, and an attractive white female. Each of them is blatantly attempting to steal a bike in broad day light. Even when asked, all of the actors confess that the bike does not belong to them.

I'm sure you can guess what happens even if you have not yet watched the short clip.
But, just in case you can't (because you live in a box).....

No, I'm not angry at all. No, I'm not surprised or shocked or in an uproar. No, I'm not about to get all "they always tryin to keep a black man down." Because I have accepted the fact that this happens. George Zimmerman. Everyone is subject to it. I mean, even the Black passersby gave the White young man the benefit of the doubt.

My problem is that people ACT like it doesn't happen. I wish they would have interviewed the people who blew the whistle on the black kid. I'm almost positive they would have said "I would have called the police if it was anyone..."  Yeah.  Right. 
George Zimmerman.

It's fact. We are judged and we judge others by appearance. This includes everything from the way we dress to our attractiveness, gender, and even skin color. Whether you suppress this judgement in your subconscious or allow it to influence your thoughts and actions, it exists.

The next time someones says they've never judged someone's appearance, Slap Them.
George Zimmerman.

LIfe is a Daring Adventure

Currently on a plane back to Atlanta.

I know it was a heaping 2 months, but it seemed like my summer vacation just flew by before my very eyes. This was the first summer, in a long time, that I didn't work....AT ALL! I don't regret a single minute of it. I truly had a blast in NYC, China, & California. One of the best summer vacations I've ever had.

When people ask me why I went to China (solo), in my mind, my immediate response is 

"Why not?"

I'm young and curious and I'm not going to take that for granted. I never want to wake up one day and say "I wish I would have...." or "I should have....."

I absolutely LOVE this quote.  Might be my new personal philosophy. It's so unforgiving. So unapologetic. Adventurous experiences can shape a person. It gives you new perspectives. It changes you for the better. So...I'll continue to grab life by the horns and you can continue to stay tuned. Or join in. Your call.

On another note, I start my PhD program at Georgia State in 2 weeks. I'm excited, nervous, a little anxious, but definitely ready to embark on this new chapter in my life.

PS: I'll be posting more pictures from China....as soon as I find the cord that connects the camera to my laptop. 

New York, California, China, OH MY!

AHH! I've been M.I.A for a while. I just got back to Georgia from a much-needed trip to The Big Apple. I must say, I had the time of my LIFE. New York was really fun - so much so that I completely forgot to blog while there. I was also having so much fun that I forgot to take lots of pictures. I'll share the few that I have though.

This VS store in Times Square is HUGE. If you know ME, you know I was IN HEAVEN when I saw this!

Went for a run through Central Park and used my
Nike + Running app (an awesome app, btw)

One of the views from my run in Central Park

Such a happy coincidence that a few of my friends were in New York
at the same time I was (unplanned). We HAD to go out and have some FUN!

But it wasn't ALL play. I took care of some business too. I went to the Consulate General of China to get my VISA! I am now officially allowed to enter the People's Republic of China.

After I was accepted to Georgia State to pursue a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology (a 5 year program starting in August), I made a vow to ENJOY my SUMMER. I planned to go to New York (DONE), California, and China. My summer is off to a great start and I am excited about all the wonderful experiences I am going to have!

STAY TUNED! I can't wait to share. 

Beauty is in the eye of the STANDARD

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder STANDARD

Let's face it. Our society has standards of beauty. Women strive to reach those standards no matter the cost - financial, emotional, or physical. This idea is not exclusive to America, however. Every society has their own definition of beauty. It's fascinating to see how it changes across cultures and what women go through to achieve that standard.

(Warning: Some of the following pictures and descriptions are a bit graphic)

The Place: Northern Thailand

The Standard: Long Necks
The Cost:  Women get brass coils placed around their necks as early as 5 years old. The heavy coils press down on the clavicle (collar bone) until there is space for more coils. They experience discomfort and a weakened neck, which means that it would be difficult for their neck to support their head if the coils are ever removed.

The Place: China
The Standard: Small Feet
The Cost: This process starts between the ages of 2 and 5, before the young girls' arch fully develops. The toes are curled under and pressed down until they are broken. Then, the arch is also forcibly broken. Cotton bandages are then applied very tightly. This results in lifelong disabilities and discomfort for some women.

The Place: Ethiopia (Karo Tribe)
The Standard: Scarring
The Cost: Women wear scars on their stomachs. The process begins in childhood and continues. When the scarring process is finished, this signifies that the woman is ready to get married and have children.

The Place: Mauritania (North west Africa)
The Standard: Obesity
The Cost: Young girls are force fed. Some are even sent to "Fat farms" to ensure that they reach a desirable weight by the time they are ready to get married. (This standard has begun to die out because the people of Mauritania are becoming aware of the health risks associated with obesity)

The Place: United States of America
The Standard: Where do I even begin?
The Cost: Plastic surgery, excessive exercise, eating disorders, body manipulation, and low self esteem (to name a FEW).

Sources:

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/3798150-beauty-ideals-around-the-world

Thailand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayan_people_(Burma)
Ethiopia: news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0728_040728_tvtabooscars_2.html
China: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding
Mauritania: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3429903.stm
America: Observation

China Here I Come! 中国，我来了！

#9  on my 25 before 25 bucket list is to travel outside of the country. I've officially made plans to spend a month in BEIJING!  AAAHHHH! I can't wait.

Questions I've gotten after announcing my upcoming trip:

Do you know anyone in China? NO

Are you going with anyone?  NO

Do you speak any Mandarin? NO

Giirrrl, Are you crazy? YES...wait, what?

I LOVE to travel. Furthermore, I LOVE a good challenge. Being in a place where I don't know the language or too much about the culture will definitely be challenging. But the experience will be worthwhile. As always, I'm going in with an open-mind and a free spirit. No expectations- except to have fun and learn something new. 

All this China talk reminds me of Chris Brown's AWESOME performance of his new song, Fine China at the Billboard Awards....lookin like a young MJ!  I LOVE this song!

Thoughts for Thursday #13: Cocoons probably Stink

Today's Thoughts for Thursday is actually a re-post from 2010. I had just graduated from college. One of my best friends sent me an email detailing her concerns about the future. The uncertainty. The doubt. It's a lot to handle. But this was my response to her....

Aalishah,

Just think of all the times in your life when you have had to transition. Like when you had to learn how to walk. I'm not sure if you remember, but I can imagine that it was awkward. Up until that point, you were probably comfortable crawling around or being held in the arms of Grady and Cynthia [her parents]. But they had to stop carrying your heavy self. So you learned to put one foot first. And you probably fell down a few times. But eventually you were walking- and the world was a different place from that point on. 

If it would help to think of an external entity, consider a butterfly. At first, it is a slimy, hairy caterpillar confined to a life of dirt and leaves. Then, somehow (sorry, I didn't pay attention to the details in bio class) it transitions to life in a dirty cocoon. I'm sure it's uncomfortable. No one notices it. It's just wrapped up and secluded. No job. No activities. Then, one day that fool crawls out and flies away. People admire its beauty. People marvel at how freely it glides through the air- with purpose, with conviction. Have you ever tried to catch a butterfly? You can't even touch it.

Transition is a period of uncertainty. It's unsettling and uncomfortable. Take comfort in knowing that its also a temporary period. As cliche as it sounds...there IS a light at the end of the tunnel...and yours is bright.

Thoughts for Thursday #12

" When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to LIFE. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy.' They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand LIFE. "

- John Lennon

Thoughts for Thursday #11

"He that is good at making excuses is seldom good for making anything else" - Benjamin Franklin

April Fool's Day BROWNIES!

I started the day by telling my students that I made a special treat for them, but they had to be EXTRA good in order to earn it at the end of the day. My students spent ALL DAY working so hard to impress me. They were curious about what the mystery treat was!

At the end of the day, we played Hangman for them to guess the treat.

B R O W N I E S !

I placed a tray at each desk. Each tray was covered with a paper towel. When I counted to 3, they opened their TREAT!

They got BROWN Es INSTEAD! 

This was an awesome teacher prank I found on Pinterest! Definitely one for the books. What did you do for April Fool's Day?

Grad School: Tough Decision!

Great news everyone! I'm finally ready to take the next step in my life and attend graduate school! I applied in November. I've gotten my acceptances and I've narrowed down my choices to 2 schools....

I have a tough decision to make moving forward. I've tried the good old "pros and cons" list and I still can't seem to make up my mind. I know that the final decision MUST be my own and I have to do what is best for ME, but I figure I'd let others weigh in just in case someone thinks of something I haven't yet considered.

Here are some things weighing on my mind about the decision...

Georgia State
- I love the faculty & opportunities available
- 5 year PhD program (PhD in Developmental Psychology)
- Fully paid (tuition remission plus stipend)
- Don't have to relocate

Harvard
- 1 year Masters program (Ed.M; human development & psychology emphasis)
- Not fully funded (I'd HAVE to take to loans...a large amount)
- great networking and job opportunity following
- duh, it's Harvard

Can you see my dilemma? 

So...what do you think?

The Turnip Turn UP

Today my students were picking out books from our classroom library. "Rodney" (name changed to protect identity) was particularly excited about the book he found, Digger Pig and the Turnip, by Caron Lee Cohen.

Rodney: Ms. Wilson! Look at what I got. This gon be guuud.

Me: Oh cool! How do you know it's going to be so great? Have you read it before?

Rodney: No, I just looked at the title

Me: Hmm (I examined the book) Do you even know what a turnip is?

Rodney: Yeah, I think the pig finna have a party cuz turnip is when people be like "turn up turn up turn up! (Rodney does an awkward dance movement as he says this. Then, he proceeds to dance all over the library repeating him self..."turn up turn up turn up!")

I can't.

Just to clarify, this is NOT a turnip!

Ding Ding DIng!

For those of you who are not as well-versed in street lingo as Rodney is, click here to view the meaning of "Turn UP", as defined by UrbanDictionary.com

Thoughts for Thursday #10

If I can get my kids to truly understand and embrace this, I will have succeeded as their teacher.