Punchy Protagonist

My 1st period class was telling me about an essay they had for English a few days ago.  It was asking them about their version of the American Dream. The most outspoken female in that class (which isn't saying much...the others can muster about a sentence between them) told me that she ended her essay with vocalizing her wish for equality, especially between men and women. I was proud, to be honest.  Here is a small-town high school student that is voicing her opinions eloquently and without shame, not to mention she is staying socially aware.  In recent years, I have found myself to be a sort-of quiet feminist.  I would call myself a southern feminist....I believe in girl power and women empowerment, but I also believe in expressing it with a certain level of decorum, and that there are certain things that don't get in the way of your feminism, but can be done our of manners and caring. I digress.  After this student expressed her thoughts, some of my male st...

It's a simple yet unfortunate truth of life. In my 27 years of living, it seems as though this particular lesson has been evident many different times from many different sources. None as much, though, as in some of my favorite movies and TV shows. "Who says life is fair? Where is that written?" - The Princess Bride "Life's tough, get a helmet!" - Boy Meets World Those were two I could think of off the top of my head. However, the point is still there. I was a huge fan of Boy Meets World growing up and I still am. By the same token, I have seen the Princess Bride so many times, I know it better than most people know their social security numbers. So, even from the most developmental stages of my life, I was presented with this valuable life lesson. So...how to deal with these disappointments? That, sadly, I do not know. Whether "big" or "small," most of our disappointments cannot be solved in 30 minutes (as with Boy Meets World) or wi...

I have been dating the same man for three years. I fully believe that he is my partner and I wish it to be so forever. However, some well-meaning (and sometimes just plain nosey) people in mine and his life have made it plainly clear that we should be married by now. Or that we waste time by not being married yet. I am not angry at them by any means because, as I have said before, they are mostly well-meaning and just probably know what we know too...that it is bound to happen one day. And they want us to be happy. I know that. That doesn't mean that we don't tire of it, or that we do not feel the pressure at times.  I have a friend that has been married for a few years. She and her husband have been through a lot together and I know beyond a doubt (as I always have) that she is an infinitely strong woman. And, while I have accused her at times of living in a Taylor Swift song (she can be quite the romantic), she gives great relationship advice. I was asking her once is her an...

I've heard, as most people have, the term "culture shock." Even in my small- town existence,  I have experienced culture shock at different points in my life (the majority being when we travel to somewhere that doesn't serve sweet tea). However, I never expected to experience it in my 600-something populated hometown. And all I had to do was become a teacher. The epidemic of which I speak is not exclusive to America's high schools. The individuals cannot see they are infected, so they seep out into the "real world" and to higher institutions, making others others pay the price for their distorted realities.  This generation is not only a different culture, but sometimes just a whole different breed of individual.  At times, it is like the first step off a boat into an uncharted land. No longer is this a world where we own up to our mistakes, find our own strength, and work around the obstacles that plague life. Instead, it is a world of the blame game,...

When we are small, we want to be protected from the things we go bump in the night. As we become active, we protect ourselves from things we bump into that bruise us. We pay attention to the sharp edges and the threats of dangers. As we become older still, we try to protect ourselves from those that we bump into along lifes path that bump back. Those that have sharp edges, their words becoming thorns that prick us and their actions leaving bruises that don't so easily heal. I want to protect you from them.When you see yourself, I want you to see the fierce she-warrior that you are, and yet, I still want to keep you safe from them until you are ready for battle.  As you brace yourself, I know the sword of your wit is sharper than any weapon, but I think it is your shield that needs further forging, for it is in the hottest fire that not only the sharpest weapons but the strongest shields are made.  No matter how sharp your weapon, you still have to guard yourself, because yo...

I have searched for many methods of subtlety to express myself on something that is bothering me. I was going to cloak it in metaphors and cleverly disguise it so that no one could pinpoint for sure what exactly I was speaking of. However, the problem is I have never been the queen of subtlety.  Sure, I am language-savvy enough to use flowery words and witty turn-of-phrase when necessary,  but my blunt personality and journalistic impatience eventually overrule and gets down to brass tax. That is why it had been difficult for me through this particular situation.  It requires finesse.  It requires planning and timing and "going about things the right way."  This is a very important thing in delicate situations.   However,  as my grandmother has so eloquently put it,  I can be the "barrell-ass into stuff and ask questions later" type. So, on to the matter at hand. I was very involved in a certain program when I was in high school and ...