Reading Specialist Blog

Writing Goal: Work on hook, let's see if it works out. For years, I've cruised around the world. Spain. Italy. France. England. Jamaica. Mexico. But then, Covid-19 happened and it got me thinking . . . Once this thing is over, I have to pick up travelling again. But where? I've been all over the world. Where else is there to explore? Have I really travelled around the United States? Sure, when I was young, I traveled to New Jersey, Georgia and . . . Wait, isn't that it? I must have been to other places. Florida once or twice to Disney World. New York City. Boston. New Orleans. Huh. I have traveled up and down the east coast. Sure, I could explore there more, but there is one place I wanted to travel to: California. And so, after restrictions were loosened, I booked my cruise with Holland America. Play Cruise Ad here! No? Oh okay, I'll paint the picture. I know what you're thinking: This isn't what I thought of when you said California....

When I graduated college, I really thought I could juggle writing a blog, teaching and writing novels. Ah, the ripe naivite of being 21 years old. I was passionate and ready to conquer the world back then. I had the passion for reading and writing and really thought these kids just needed some help to read. Then reality slapped me across the face so hard my neck cracked back. It was harsh, cruel but just what I needed to see that things are never so simple. So you may wonder, what's with the title? 11 years later since when? Since I stopped writing. I was still teaching, writing and reading, but I stopped writing a blog. Then I would say eight years later, I just stopped writing altogether. I'm sure you know how the story goes. I just need to focus on my career, my students, my loved ones, and etc. You make all of the excuses in the world that sound good and feel right at the time. You try to fool yourself with telling yourself, hey I'll get back to it. Bu...