Divas Command

• I'm over half-way through my principal's training program. Portfolio needs to be done in May. Currently working on 3rd of 5 projects to complete my portfolio. I'll be honest though, I'm not giving it 100% of my attention. Why? Because... ummm... yeah... can't really get into it but also because there is so much extra credit stuff going on in the other departments of my life. I need to buckle down and just do the "dang thang" like only I can. I'm a wiz at school, so I need to just put it on 'em.
• I did, however, take the state principal licensing test on Saturday. 100 multiple choice questions. The test started at 7:55 am and we had until 12:25 to complete it. I had flown in Friday night at 12:30 am from Los Angeles, I was sick with a horrible cold, and it was -5011 degrees outside. But your woman finished the test at 9:45 am. I feel good about it; there were 5 questions, tops, that I struggled picking one answer on.

Work

• Our district has a new superintendent and chief academic officer. What does that mean? My current position has been overhauled and I have to reapply if I want to keep it next year (it's an annual position anyway but in the past the principal could simply notify the district that he wanted to keep you). The overhauling, mind you, means the same job plus a few other assignments "as necessary" for less pay. Oh and it's at the CAO discretion which school I would be assigned to.
• So I've decided to stay at my current school (because it's predominately Black and Brown which is the population I want to work with) and apply for a full-time teaching position. Yep, I'm going back into the classroom full-time.
• What about the principal thing? Next year will be the first operational year under the new regime, there will be lots of dust flying as they overhaul and change things, so I'm going to lay low until some of it settles. Now is not my time.

Romance

• The first weekend of February I spent in Baltimore with him. I was there doing some consulting work (side jig) Thursday and Friday and he and I made plans to spend the weekend. We had a good weekend but he decided that he's not meant for me. He also admitted he's in love with someone else. It hurt. A lot. I'd finally trusted someone with a deep part of me and he doesn't want me. Ouch! He cried, I cried. Yada, yada, yada...
• It's extra hard because outside of the romantic he is my best friend. So as I hurt and go through the other bumps in my life (see the rest of this post), he is the person I want to turn to. And he's still there for me. Which is weird but a blessing. Obviously there's more to the story but it's so convoluted he and I can barely figure it out but y'all get the gist.
• The "Ex" is about to be released from prison. He's been approved for a half-way house and should be out in the next week or so. He's still pressing for us to try to make it work. He says it's his goal to marry me. (He is on me to change my locks.) Keep hope alive, my brotha, keep hope alive.
• I ran into an old crush about three weeks ago. We've known each other for over 10 years. It was good to see him and we've been texting since then but haven't been able to hook up yet due to my traveling and other hecticness. He has invited me to celebrate his birthday though as soon as possible (it was February 3rd).

Home

• One of the youth from my church is now living with me. She is 17 and a senior in high school. She will be 18 in two months, graduate in three months, and go to college in six months. Can you say "instant motherhood?" It's been crazy and I'm still trying to make sense of it.
• As you can imagine, it's not a good situation. (The causation, not the fact she's with me; that's good.) She reported her dad for abuse and after dealing with police, social services, hospitals and not the least her controlling father, she's safe with me. It's tenuous so I've got to make sure I keep social services on the case, but we're just trying to make it through until April when he legally cannot control her anymore. Keep us in prayer y'all.
• My dream of buying a home this year is starting to slip away. I'm not sure I can afford it and I'm not happy about it. But I'll keep praying on it because God is able no matter how bleak things look to us (and our bankers).

Church

• Other than the extra attention taking the young lady in has brought, things are staying pretty even. I've only been to church once since it all happened and I've avoided speaking directly about it other than to the few people who already knew and/or are close to me. But, blessedly, I do continue to get voicemails of encouragement from people.

So what's up with y'all?