I have been talking about writing for a long time, and I've been writing for even longer. I used to hustle the freelance gig a bit, but Aidan was little, and it was far easier to take on a more permanent role as a sports writer for the local newspaper than it was to actually hustle articles for larger assignments. I'd had a few published here and there in various small outlets, but it was no big deal, and I definitely wasn't making a lot of money. It was almost more work than it was worth, and Aidan was seriously, just a little kid. So I took on more jobs as adjunct instructor instead. More money, fewer hours, but it did mean I was out of the house a lot. It also meant he was able to spend more time with his dad. In many ways, it was a win-win for all of us. 
But I'd put freelancing aside. And recently, I've been so busy spinning my wheels in so many directions that I just haven't given the hustle much thought. Until the other day when I tried something my colleagues suggested in the classroom with newer technology. 
Then I wrote an essay about it. Then I wrote a query. Then I submitted it. Then it was published.
This happened pretty much in the course of a single day. I'm mind-blown right now. I am so energized, excited, proud, and happy. I used to read this online magazine when I first became an adjunct instructor and was always a little nervous to submit. I mean, what could I possibly have to share with others? Well, it turns out, the person I've been reading since I was a young mom teaching at ITT Technical Institute decided that I had written a good enough essay to publish. One of the people I've most admired from afar, sent me an email that said it was "magnificent." Holy moley. Talk about an ego boost. 
So that's what has happened this week. And I'm on fire. 
Here is the link if you would like to see it. AdjunctNation is the source, and trust me, they are strong advocates for better pay for those of us who are on the frontlines at most universities. 
https://www.adjunctnation.com/
"Using iMovie to Help Students More Deeply Engage with a Text"

I’ve been so busy. I have been writing like the wind, Bullseye, but nothing is any closer to resolution than it was a day, week, or month ago, except for about 3 food blog posts and 3 essays I hope to submit for publication. I am making a ton of progress, though. Stuff is coming together, and it’s exciting. Stinkbug is taking so many twists and turns: things I hadn’t intended, in fact. I mean, that novel is telling itself. I was a fool to think I could have it finished by January, and now that January has come and past, I’m a fool to think it will be done by Spring Break. I haven’t even allowed a soul to read it. One student read 2 paragraphs, and that was the extent of it. It’s got its flaws, but it’s so much fun to write. I’m enjoying it.
I have been writing for Hotel Andaluz. Writing about food has been incredible. I mean, I’m eating amazing foods and pairing them with wonderful wines. I’ve covered several dishes, and this weekend, I’ll be interviewing Chef Marc Quinones, an award winning chef who runs the kitchen at Mas Tapas Y Vino in the Hotel Andaluz. I’m very excited about that. If you want to read some of what I’ve written, you should look at that blog at https://hotelandaluz.com/category/food-beverage/
But in other news, I’ve had the State Student Council Conference (amen. Come and gone. That’s my spring marker until I get to Prom). That kept me busy for the last few months, and thank goodness, I’ve had good kids who have made it easier. We were very successful in a lot of ways. We earned another Gold Student Council of the Year, and next year, we hope for Platinum. We earned 3rd place Judges’ Choice for a project based on my Discovery in Georgia: Coastal Cleanup. That was extraordinary. But even better? A 2nd choice Delegates’ Choice for that same project. Jasmine made this gorgeous board that earned that honor. The kids wrote up a great summary after Discovery last year. We’ve learned a lot, and next year, we hope to do even better at Eldorado for NMASC. We just keep getting better.
I began a reading challenge to complete 52 books in a year, and I’ve successfully read 3. I threw one out, and I have 5 that I’ve begun. One is actually from the 1980s: Iacocca, and I love this book.
And…I COMPLETELY forgot to tell you that I spent this most amazing weekend in Paris. France. That is Paris, France, people. I will have to devote an entire separate post to that, however, because it just is too exciting to try and do quickly here.