Finally....

2008-07-14T09:56:00.001-07:00

I'd just like to report that I have finally, after 2 weeks, lost 5 lbs. I was beginning to think it was impossible. Anyway, my ultimate goal is 100 lbs., so you can all see I have a long way to go. But, I think I can do it.

Charter School anyone?

2008-07-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am having a thought.... (yes, that's very scary)

I am thinking of starting a charter school in Tyler that will be specifically for low socio-economic, minority kids so they can get out of the regular public school classrooms where they don't get the attention they need, and get into classrooms that will allow them to excel.

What do you think?

It's going to take a LOT of work and A LOT of time to get going. I don't imagine we'd even open our doors until 2010 if then, but I think in the long run it will be AWESOME!

Give me a shout out with your opinions, thoughts, whatever...

2008-07-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to learn my lessons in life...

But sometimes I am so lost...

As most of you know, Michael and I have been desperately trying to get out of Tyler for some time now. Why? It's wayyyyy tooo conservative here. We are not church-goers. We are not evangelicals. We are not rich. We are a little strange and strange don't go too well here.

Anyhoooo- so, since about 2004, we've applied at a gajillion places all over the DFW area. We've been on interview, second interviews, meetings, etc., but at the last minute, it all falls through.

Take for example our most recent attempt at exodus. Both Michael and I applied at Tarrant County Community College in Arlington. Both of us got interviews with the staff. Both of us got called back to interview with the dean. Both of us heard nothing. Finally, after about a month, Michael finally got a rejection letter. I'm still waiting on mine. This happens over and over again... and neither of us, as much as we pick our brains, can figure it out.

So, here we are trying to figure out what the lesson is in all this and all we can come up with is we are meant to be here. But why? We don't have any major connections keeping us here. Sure, we have some lovely friends and acquaintances, but we could see them even if we lived in Dallas. Our jobs are transient (maybe that's not the right word, but I mean we can do the same job anywhere). We don't attend any church, we are not prominent members of the community, we don't hang with anyone in particular---what I'm trying to say is it's not like we have real strong ties to anythign here. But yet, we're still here.

In 2004, I know why I didn't get the job at Study Island. It's because LaRondrick's mom died and I had to be there for him. If I had been working in Dallas, I would have quit right before she died and he'd have had to go through all that with a substitute. And that's fine... I don't mind staying for that.

But now, I have no one that I'm here to touch their lives (as far as I can tell).

There really is no answer to this puzzle. I hope that all will be revealed in it's own time and then I'll break into a smile and say "now I get it." But until that day happens, I'll remain totally confused and blah in Tyler, TX.

The Mind of Melanie

Finally....

Charter School anyone?