We do it for the Mamas

I have had the pleasure of teaching middle school for a couple of years now and never has it been a dull moment. But it really has tested me to see if this is what I want to do with my life. I love teaching middle school but I'm sure I'll branch off to another field of education later on. I duly believe in the potential of quality education. I seek to be a master in my field and aim to mold every child's life with the appreciation of English language and literature. I've been spoiled though. I've been teaching at a predominantly white, middle-class public school. Those kids never gave me a problem. I think it's mostly because they don't want to make the black lady teacher angry. Fine with me.


But in the summer, I like to challenge myself and participate in programs that reach out to underserved youth. The program I'm doing is geared towards shaping the character and academic skills of school aged African American inner city girls. It's not mandatory summer school, it's just a summer camp with some academic classes on the side. I did it two years ago and loved it (once I stopped gritting my teeth the first three weeks). I'm doing it now and it's... not the same. I mean, two years ago the girls were a little rough on the edges but now, this new group is harder to soften up. These girls are bitter at such a young age, and make sure to let you know it. How can you blame them? School is barely out and they have to go back for more learning. Talk about insubordination at its height: they drag their feet, complain, lie, whine, scam, and bicker. I just about gave up on them by week two. But last night, teachers had a back to school night with parents and it really motivated me again.


Parents came out to hear what their daughters were learning and share their concerns with the teachers. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why the girls are in the program and why we as teachers should work to uphold the responsibility of assisting their needs. These kids need it. And when you look in the puppy eyes of the parents, you just about give in. They paid for their girls to join the program for a reason and they really want the best for their daughters. They believe we are going to do our best to help bring their daughters up. And I must remember that, no matter how cranky and annoying those girls are, they are still somebody's child. And they deserve patience and dedication as my students in VA get. I am not going to be so forgiving to the parents though; they need to work harder at training these young ladies to be polite, ladylike, and respectful. And I wasn't afraid to let them know that.


Being a teacher is one of those careers that includes being a mother, father, babysitter, counselor, and coach all in one. It's okay for the most part but sometimes it's downright draining...  It's sad and disheartening when a teacher is pushed to a point where they feel like they are just working for a paycheck. Honestly, at one point, that was how I felt these past few weeks. But I hope now as I stand in front of the classroom and try to excite them about a lesson on test taking strategies, they will reach down in their tiny souls and appreciate the moment to learn. Not just for their sake, but for their mama's too.

I went back in time last weekend

When I was in college, I usually allowed myself 1-2 parties per semester. I made sure I went out, dolled up, my skirt was never too short and my make up was never too much. I went in packs of girlfriends and always made sure the boys didn't touch my bum, and we were back home by 2 am. My good friend and I joke that we should have enjoyed life a little more and danced a bit longer, wore a dress that was tad tighter, flirted a bit more. I don't miss it, partying, it was never much of my thing. However, this past weekend, I went back in time. A church friend of mine graduated from college and asked me to be her MC for her dinner. That was wild because I have never controlled the microphone like that but it came naturally to me and it was fun. When the dinner ended and the parents left, the party really got started. I do not remember the last time I went to a party and danced like so. There are so many hiplife and highlife songs that I was totally unaware of and wished the DJ to play it back again. Man, I love our music. So I went back in time: my skirt still wasn't too tight, I was dolled up, my makeup minimal. This time I went with my boyfriend and while he sat and watched me in the "cut". I danced and danced and danced. Sweet.
Gotta rep for Ghana. Appietus really stepping his game up! Though he did totally jock this song.

For old times sake, I still love this song... I mean, it e no easy...

Enjoy!

Here Ye, Here Ye!

Mabel here.

I am very excited to jump on the blogwagon and provide a taste of life experiences with you. If you haven't read the sidebar, "Me (meh) Bo (bow) Life" is an abrafrolized ("abrafo" means English [as in the language] in twi) way of saying "I'm living life". Quite cliche in English, but in twienglish, I think it's rarely said in the first person. It's usually said in second person...." you're living life". For a longgggg time, I used to cringe inside when people said that to me. It would be said with a silly smirk that seemed to imply that you should be proud that you're doing "something" or have "something" that deserves attention. And these "things" could entail something materialistic: looking pretty darn stylish that day, or arriving to church in a snazzy, new car. I don't assume that the phrase is a sly remark but instead a way for Ghanaians to say "good for you" in a teasing, admiring way. Now when I think of it, I suppose then I probably didn't understand the context of the phrase. 

"Me bo life" is more of a reminder (and less of a statement) to myself.  That I must live life and do it actively. I must refuse to live without thought or passion in all aspects of my life, not just with goal setting.
Living life, for me, is learning to live by faith. Learning to believe in dreams, act on my dreams. Learning to think for myself, not of what I want people to think of me. Learning to just relax. Be patient. To breathe.
Learning to remember that I'm still learning.

Sheesh, that sounds so ethereal.... But really, I mean it.

I'm a twenty-everything schoolteacher, girlfriend, daughter, sister, and friend to many loved ones. I will on assignment with IFESH this upcoming school year; I will be at a teacher training college in Kwahu, Eastern Region. I'm very excited for this opportunity because I think it is going to mark a significant change in my life. Hence, the blog.


I hope to use this space as a platform to be open, honest, and thoughtful about all that I do and love. It may be a bit random at times, I apologize in advance:)