Chat and Accountability Dec 20-26th Merry Everything!

carolssalva

Hello MFP Friends! Sorry for the radio silence from me for so long. I lost my password but really have not had much to post (that is positive!) so you know how that goes. I am in route to see family and working on editing together our Vegas recap show. It is so inspiring to go back and watch those GunRunners!! I am doing it as I'm able without taking too much time away from the kiddos. They have sacrificed mommy time for a while and more so this semester with my new group of students. They are all refugees from different parts of Africa. Many are unschooled and so the gaps for middle and high school are significant. We have precious little time to help them before they age out of our public school system. Every minute is precious and I am spending a lot of off time trying to figure out how to best serve them. I find this very important work. They have seen so many horrors in their war torn countries. We have a chance to show them what it is like to live in a land of freedom and opportunity. And these kiddos will have connections here and in their home countries. How do we want them to think about America and about freedom? They are having a hard time with bullies at school and with the disparity in their academic skills. But they are learning so fast. I want to help them learn the right things.

I hope you all are having a beautiful Christmas week. Take the high road when the drama starts and hug that relative that is driving you crazy. We don't need to be a perfect family. You just need to be together when you can.

Happy Mentally Healthy Holidays!!

Carol

Hmrjmr1

Happy Wednesday Folks! Hope all is well with all of you. Welcome Home Carol. Great Update. Tough Mudder was an integral part of year long 60th year on the planet celebration. Hooking up with you and all the Gun Runners has been a great way to start what looks like just the beginning of the 2nd half of my life.
Please pass this picture along to your students. I know you will teach them to Fly.


I wish all the Gun Runners and all the folks following here a Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwansa, and Winter Solstice. Let faith and wisdom light the trail ahead for you, if that doesn't work then follow the Infantry, they got Night Vision gear. Have a great and prosperous New Year.
-Hammer Jammer 1

heronh

Carol, I think what you are doing is very important and overlooked work. It's especially when you there is minimal support. But you are strong, smart, capable and most of all you have heart, remember these during those dark hours when you feel like it's hopeless. You shall prevail!
It sucks that they have to deal with bullies and they don't understand that bullying stems from fear and insecurity. I hope another kid will stand up for them sometimes a kind gesture from a peer can make a world of difference.
What I learned as an immigrant is to hold on to my roots and culture, never forget where I'm from because ultimately that is MY identity. I think that trying to throw away ones culture to assimilate can cause more issues. Instead just embrace the new culture while holding to the the old. I'd admit I did not get the whole "freedom" thing and I came from a developed rich country lol took me years to appreciate and grasp the flaws and greatness of America. The kids need to learn that it's not perfect and that is fine. America is not utopia and that is fine. Life dealt them an awful hand but they are tough and adaptable. They need a support group like battered women support group because they need to get those feelings out.

As for Christmas we are are celebrating it with friends, I'm making a small Christmas meal and taking it to her house, she is a first time mom to a 4 month old and her family is in Holland, so this is nice for all of us.
I'm making a goose (so effing expensive! But good! When I'm homestead I'm so raising geese!) creamed corn (Arturo's favorite side dish) crispy Brussels sprouts, and pretzel buns ( nothing like a fresh baked pretzel) , Nanaimo bars for my friend (the husband) who is Canadian,
And berry turnovers because Arturo requested it and I just happen to have extra puff pastry from the last batch I made. I'm looking forward to Eating lol

Hmrjmr1

Happy Christmas!

ActiveAmyLynn

Good advice, Carol! I've already imagined hugging some relatives (would actually hug them but they're not huggers) when the barbs get thrown my way!
Heron that sounds like an amazing spread! And berry turnovers to top it off...yumm!
Right back atcha HJ! Merry Christmas everyone!

heronh

Merry Christmas to all!

P.S: Goose shrinks way more than duck those suckers are basically half fat! Lol

Hmrjmr1

Quick Turn Around today. Back to work this morning. Doing Donuts and Coffee this morning on the Dementia Ward while I take down Christmas Decorations. Lot of Admin catchup this afternoon.

carolssalva

On my way back to Texas via Amtrack train. Jennifer Young met me for an 11 minute stop in Illinois! Fun!
Everyone's Christmas celebrations sound amazing.

I'm in a downward spiral with food but looking forward to getting back on track soon. Soon...