KaDeWo - The Joy Advocate

  I don’t recall the first time S.A.D. was activated in me, but I would bet money that it was t h e first winter I lived on the East Coast. I grew up in Houston, Texas where wearing flip flops around late fall and “winter” was the norm during 70-degree sunny November, December and January days. Exposure to the sun was regular and welcomed. So when I relocated in my early 20s to a state where white winters are a thing, I was not prepared for the Vitamin D I would lose or the depression that would creep up like fog. You should know that I hate the cold with a passion; I socialize far less, except for on holidays, and engage in laying down more and more due to a lack of interest in activities that would normally spark mine. When the temperature drops below 65 (Fahrenheit) there is an uncomfortable chill deep within my bones that causes irritation, lack of concentration and continual longing to withdraw into warm, cozy spaces to recuperate alone. Obviously giving into the desire to iso...

The second month I lived in South Korea one of the sweetest things happened. The co-teachers and adm i nistrators had been such a blessing in taking me to places to buy household items and for delicious meals after work. More than once Vice Principal inquired whether my apartment was comfortable. (In Korean culture the practice is to refer to your respected elder by their title and never by their name, even among peers who older by mere weeks and months.) Each time Vice Principal asked I would reveal more of what was going well and what still needed doing in my studio apartment. One of these times I mentioned to him that my landlord needed to put up blinds on the large windows that were eyes into the rectangular space. By way of my co-teachers, my landlord was made aware of all the things that were needed as agreed upon in the leasing contract. The landlord sent her husband to complete some of the things on the to-do list, but the blinds never were put up. Some days passed, Vice Princi...

Today I return to my home desk and computer to remotely teach the students... who will show up. Lol In the days before the COVID-19 pandemic, students lifted my spirits on a da i ly basis with their immature and mature  actions and  anecdotes. Something that happened in the classroom that caused disruption for a moment became laughable later among friends and family at dinner. Because I have not physically seen my babies since mid-March, I have had to find other sources to lift my spirits. Writing, watching comedy sketches and Zooming with FRAMILY are in full effect. Also, I rely on music to lift my spirits. Music has soothed my soul and been my escape ALL my life — including in the womb when my father used to put headphones around my mother’s belly. So, here’s my 20 for 4/20 playlist.   Feel free to drop a “feel good” song you use in the comments. 1. Lovely Day — Bill Withers (R.I.P.) 2. Free — Mya 3. Off the Wall — Michael Jackson 4. Dinero — Jennifer Lopez, DJ Khaled ...

Greetings & Salutations Dear Reader, I feel compelled to share some useful tips learned in my four months of full-time online tutoring. Yes, the #Coronavirus has cajoled me into sharing how to prepare for online tutoring. There is a major shift occurring as the world learns how to work from home in #quarantine. Before we start the countdown, you should know that I worked 40 hours a week between 8am and 5pm EST and CST as a remote aka virtual aka  online tutor for college students of various ages. Because I was working for two reputable companies remotely, I was able to travel between Texas and Pennsylvania without missing a minute of work. I would recommend this kind of work to anyone who has taught before, wants to tutor privately, is comfortable managing small learning groups, wants to set their own work schedule, and/or wants to earn additional part-time income. Now let's get to the deets you need once you have secured your job and/or tutees/clients.... 10. Laptop or...

Every morning I awake, with her on my mind. Occasionally she has just visited my dreams, Other nights I am searching for her presence in them. I miss her dearly. Summer nights spent together Secrets shared at her table Love given when I was not worthy of receiving it. I know that I have not imagined…her. A few days ago I attempted to call with good news, then paused only to be reminded… Now that she is absent I miss her deeply. Our souls are intertwined… her voice still rings in my ears. The softness of skin, the curve of her hips mixed with her heavy hands and precious feet will never be erased from memory. Yet, Her laughter I cannot recall. At times I burst into tears thinking of the love I am missing, from her. Memories are not enough to shed my pain. I long for her, Wanting her here to hold one another again. I shall never forget the way she looked at me when she learned I accomplished a feat she most desired. No one has ever looked at me that way! She was the center of my world lo...

The night I turned “flirty 30”, I dreamt in color for the first time. I remember this so vividly, be c ause up until then I had only saw black, grey and white in all my dreams. Before this unexpected surprise, I didn’t even know it was possible to dream in color; my family and friends don’t talk about dreams regularly. I love dreams and have spent a lot of time reading interpretations. Dreams about rushing water usually a direct link to the dreamer feeling out of control in a relationship or a blazing fire can signify anger or the rebirth of something significant in the dreamer’s life. Many moons ago, I read that the average person has 100 dreams a night and is lucky enough to recall one or two when the wake up. And when remembered, the focus is on what occurred and sometimes what we felt — emotionally and physically — and not the colors seen or sounds heard. As a child, my dad and I discussed the toilet dream…You know the one where you think you’ve made it to the bathroom and relieve ...