Boredom and Loathing in Phoenix

After the initial shock of being a free bird was over, I began to feel lost. What was I to do for the eight hours that my husband was gone? I found myself watching a lot of Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos (the poor man's Jerry Springer), and Jeremy Kyle (the Steve Wilkos' Steve Wilkos) - straight up trash television. I knew that I was in a true vegetative state when I realized that I chose to follow the Jerry Springer show on Twitter.

The old Ces'Ari would have been really frustrated that I had wasted so much time watching television rather than being productive, but I needed to be a vegetable. Teaching had become so consuming that I was rarely able to let my brain hibernate.

In the midst of my couch potato haze, I decided to call a personal trainer that I looked up on YELP. Although I did not know this trainer personally, he was not a complete stranger to me. I had often seen this trainer, when I would drive home from work. It was a hilarious sight to see a BUFF Black man training really overweight people in parking lot of the local mortuary. I don't mean to pick on overweight people (I'm thick myself), but watching them flip tires and pull heavy ropes in the heat with determination is an incredible sight.

Well, now the tables had turned as I sat on my couch and called the self-proclaimed Top Sergeant. In my mind, I was ready to be the overweight person in the mortuary parking lot flipping heavy tires. To my surprise, an elderly gentleman answered the phone. I asked, "Is this Top Sergeant, the man that works out in the parking lot?" He replied, "Oh no, that is Mr. Green, he works for me. Do you want him to train you?" I respond,"Oh no, you can train me." He laughs,"You mean to tell me that you don't want Mr. Green taking you outside to the parking lot." "Nope, I'm fine. I will train with you." He says, "Well, I was a marine sergeant for twenty-five years." "Sounds good, when can we start?"

I told Sarge that I had gained weight since high school and have an entire month to dedicate to intense training. I have been training with him 5x's a week ever since. I always thought that personal trainers weren't necessary, but was I wrong. By training with the Sarge, I have realized that I was working out incorrectly all of these years! My workout always consisted of running and running and more running. All of the core exercises that I have learned and weights that I have used this month have given me faster, more noticeable results. This is week 3, and I have two more to go with the Sarge. I'm really excited to be in better shape by my birthday in October!

Okay...This may not happen by October, but this is the goal. I love J. Lo <3

Thinking about California in October is nice, but we are still mid-summer in Phoenix, AZ. Until my husband and I move back to California, boredom will linger and loathing is unavoidable whether or not I choose to workout, read, or watch television. What can you do during the day in 104 degree heat?

Being Latina is complicated.

Fruitful Fridays: I'm thankful for science fair and field day.

Outcast, social pariah, and loner only begin to describe what it feels like to be a liberal in Arizona. Conservatives can just smell the hippiness that radiates off of me and my best friend Sam, which is why we are typically by ourselves. I wouldn't even call us hippies, I would say that I am a moderate liberal, but that is even too hippy when you are surrounded by the tea party.

Friendly hellos and smiles over the past two years did not help us acquire more friends at work. There is an unspoken mutual understanding between us and our co-workers; since we have nothing in common, we do not bother to make small talk.  Our only options are talking to each other or our students.

The only positive that has come out of this extremely awkward working situation is the fact that we have been able to form a genuine bond with our students. Yes, there are times when they get on our nerves, but they can also be charming. Science fair and field day this week solidified these already tight bonds and it is hard not to get emotional this late in the year. My "little nuggets" are soon going to become eighth graders and I will not be able to guide them as their teacher any longer.

The last couple of weeks that I am able to spend with them are precious and I am thankful for the opportunity to have taught. I do not need anything for Teacher Appreciation week besides time to spend with my kids/students. 

Being Latina is knowing when to move on so that you can grow, even if it hurts.