Admin Walk-Through during Virtual Classes

 Today was the first day that we had virtual visits from the administrators at our campus. Since the beginning of the school year we learned that they were going to do this. Our district is implementing a 90 minute model, where the students are active with us for 30 minutes, 30 minutes of independent practice, and 30 minutes of independent work. However, how much can you really connect with the students if you do that? You see them for 30 minutes and are there to answer questions but...that doesn't really feel like a class now does it? 

I don't teach in a 90 minute cycle if I can avoid it. I also don't lecture more than 30 minutes. I break it down into mini cycles. I know some of my students have a hard time writing and listening at the same time. So I give them 20 minutes to write their notes, and I go over them in the next 20. Then I provide a mind map, an AVID strategy, or even a practice worksheet for us to do. I show them how to do it, go over a few parts of it with them and then let them work on it. 

For me, every class is different, and part of being a good teacher is to know your students and how they learn. Not one of my classes is conducted the same. Some have more time to do certain things, some have modified assignments, ect. Not one class is the same even if it is the same information. Anyhow back to the admins. 

The walk-through for both admins today were just so strange. Admin A walked in during the independent practice, as my students were completing a mind map. Admin A didn't say a word. I noticed because I was looking at the attendance list. Admin B on the other hand, introduced herself/himself. Of course, my students know how to control the PowerPoint on their own already, they already know how to do Cornell notes, and they already know how long they have. I had to let this admin know the kids were taking notes and that they could control the PowerPoint on their own....he/she called it "magic". 

I have come to the realization that we don't really know what to expect when an admin walks in. There could be a lot going on in your class behind the screen...but all they see is a PowerPoint. Both times I freaked out. Not because my lesson wasn't good, but because the truth of the matter is....the admin only saw a PowerPoint and silence. I never thought it would feel so strange. But to my teachers out there who are feeling overwhelmed. It is okay. Trust that the magic is happening outside the screen. That the magic is happening as they are listening to you speak, as they are trying their very best to learn in a world that is very different from anything we have ever lived before. Be patient and remember that kids know you care. 

KISS True Volume Natural Plump Eyelashes Review

Today's review is on this really pretty set of eyelashes I got. I think they are so cute! I am not a frequent user of fake eyelashes at all. I use them only on really special occasions such as my graduation or a very important party. This particular set I was sent courtesy of Influenster which is a company that sends you products to try them. Anyways let's get to the review part. :)

These lashes claim that, "True Volume looks fuller yet natural at the same time. It gives the perfect Vavoom with a natural plump."
Yeah I had a weird reaction to the word vavoom too.


The ends of the lash is tapered. Which is what is supposed to give them the natural look. The particular set I was sent was named Posh. The lashes are actually very voluminous and long. Not exactly something you would consider "natural". Looking at the band that holds them together I thought they were going to be extremely fragile. As it turns out they are not fragile at all. The band holds together really well and the texture of the lashes is so thick. The putting them on was actually really easy because they have a good shape. They are a little long but they could easily be cut. I just prefer not to. Once they are on they don't feel heavy or too long. They actually fit quite perfect in my opinion. Overall I think these are worth the price at 2.98 at Walmart.

Overall Rating: 5/5

*Product Courtesy of Influenster for testing purposes only*

Premier Protein Bar Review

I was sent this protein bar in the Fiesta VoxBox courtesy of Influenster for testing purposes only. All opinions expressed here are mine only.

I have to say that I was really excited to try this protein bar since I am always on the run in the mornings and I thought it would be a good bar to take on the go for breakfast. I want to first mention what is supposed to do. This bar has 30g of protein and is very low in calories, sugar and fat.This is also supposed to give you energy somehow. Here is my review on it.

My breakfast for the most part is just a coffee. I feel satisfied for the most part with just the coffee, but for testing purposes that morning I decided to eat this as a breakfast along with the coffee. Flavorwise its alright. It isn't the most delicious bar I have ever had but it is pretty good. The problem came after eating it. It is quite a bit of protein and I think that is what made me feel so heavy and sluggish throughout the day. Also it didn't crave my hunger, the exact opposite by the time I usually eat I was almost starving which doesn't happen when I just have the coffee. I do like the size of the protein bar. It is quite big. I felt so sluggish throughout the day and hungrier than usual as well. Because of the fact that I didn't have a good experience with it, I would rate it 3/5 stars. The reason why is because for the size of the bar I would pay 2 dollars, although instead of the protein I would just have the fiber bar instead. Not my cup of tea and not something I would repurchase often. This would be more of a I really don't know what to eat type of thing.


Overall Rating: 3/5

#PremiereSelfie  @PremireProteinbars

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Singles Review

I went shopping a while back and the Wet n Wild Color Icon singles were on sale. I was so tempted to buy the one named Nutty. My friend told me she had it and that she didn't use it so she gave it to me. It was practically new. I started using it and let me tell you...I love it!! I will review it since I have been using it quite a while. On another note I do have to mention that the glitter color Icon is a different formula. Let's begin! :) 

Packaging

I find that the packaging is so compact and cute. You get a lot of product on these singles. It doesn't seem like it would break easily and this is so travel friendly. 

Formula

I find the formula on these to be amazingly good. It is so soft to the touch. Almost like a silky feel. These are also amazingly pigmented. It does have shimmer but it is so small that to be honest you really can't see it. It just makes it have this almost metallic color. I wish I could describe it but the color is just so pretty. This is my every day color. I feel the color is so pretty. I also have to mention that depending on how the light hits it it might look like different shades. This comes in handy when doing a one shadow look. I actually find that this is decently long lasting. I say that because I do find that even with primer it does crease a little bit if it is really humid outside. Of course I do have greasy lids so that doesn't quite help

Price

These are .99 cents. 

Overall I think I would give this a 4.5/5 because the color is gorgeous, the formula is great and for the price this is really worth it. 

Don't forget to subscribe, comment and share :P 

Daily look of the day using this eyeshadow :) 

Driving Practice

I have something to confess. I suck at driving and I didn't quite enjoy it at first. When I was 16 my dad attempted to teach me how to drive. He made me get on the freeway on a just bought brand new car and I was freaked out. I decided I didn't want to learn with him. So I settled for not driving. For a really long time I have been taking the buses because of that. 

Don't ask me how but somehow I manage to look like I'm awake at around 5:30am. Who knows. Yet, I am restricted to where I can go between a certain time frame and a certain distance. Now that I am older I decided to give driving another try. A good friend of mine decided to teach me and here I went trying to learn to drive. I have to say that I have finally succeeded. I was super afraid of driving with my dad again because as a teacher...well....he kinda sucks. But I managed to impress him today which is a very good thing. Now I can't wait to get my license and be able to drive my baby. A 2003 GMC Envoy. Not the newest model but it is my baby nonetheless :) 

Centennial Plaza

Today's blog I want to show you guys some pictures of the university I attend to. This is now known as the Centennial Plaza. I feel like it was such a nice addition to the campus. It is actually located in the middle of campus. The idea behind it was to have an area of campus to remember that the campus has officially turned 100 years. Well it did in the fall of 2014 when the construction was supposed to have been done. Yet, I feel like the result was well worth the wait. I am definitely not an outdoor person, but having such a beautiful area on campus, I have started reading and relaxing there more than the union.

The only thing I guess I could complain about is that the trees are very young and because of that, there isn't much shade around so be ready to get a tan. :)

Overall I think I am blessed to have the opportunity to study in such a beautiful campus. For those that ever come to El Paso, Texas, visit UT El Paso. It is a beautiful campus.

My journey

Today I decided to do a very personal blog entry. The reason behind it is because today I saw a girl get bullied by some guys at UTEP because of her weight. They were giggling and making fun of her behind her back and I overheard them. I want to share my journey and my story in hopes of changing people's perspective. 

When I was 16 I was diagnosed with PCOS. PCOS stands for Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome. For those who don't know what it is,  PCOS is a syndrome in which you develop Ovarian cysts and a hormonal imbalance due to insulin resistance. Thankfully I didn't develop the cysts part but I do suffer from the hormonal imbalance. Some of the symptoms include acne, hirsutism, infertility problems, ovary cysts, not having a period (amenorrhea),  weight gain and inability to lose weight. This of course isn't much fun to have. It takes a toll on your body.  For the majority of my teen years I thought that if I took the medication like I was supposed to that everything would be ok.  I was a busy student and never really had attention towards my health. The problem is that the older I get the more I realize that all the bullying due to not losing weight,  acne and societies standards of beauty I was left vulnerable and feeling like I wasn't worth it.  It hurts even more when the people around you don't understand the internal struggle you are going through and unconsciously judge you. 

 My biggest problem is my weight. I won't lie that I have such a hard time losing weight and because of that I became very defensive and had very low self esteem.  I hated how I looked.  I didn't feel pretty despite being told otherwise by many different people. Until one night having a conversation with a very close friend, she opened my eyes for a big reality check.  So what if I didn't have the perfect body??  So what if my hair wasn't as long and pretty as that of the girls on TV?  What if I didn't have perfect skin? She made me realize that those things I believed were "flaws"  were a part of me that I had to embrace.  She then turned around and told me that just like the good things about me like being smart, loyal, sincere and empathic (which I didn't believe was me) were a part of me,  so we're my flaws there to make me unique... To make me who I am. After that night I started to embrace who I truly was. I love being me.  I also realized that the lifestyle I had taken where I didn't take care of myself wasn't what I wanted for my life. So I attempted to lead a healthier lifestyle. 

Since 2013 I have taken better care of my health. I've had ups and downs and succeed at certain things and failed miserably at others. I have to admit that I lost weight for a while and after a year I gained it back. But then I realized that I hadn't failed. I was still 3 sizes smaller than what I started despite the fact that I had gained the weight back. Since I had started swimming, my body was becoming stronger. 

 At first I thought I sucked because I could only swim freestyle and only 25 meters at a time. So when I gained the weight back i thought to myself that I had failed. But in January of this year I started swimming again only to realize that my endurance and my body were stronger than ever. I can now swim 100 yards for a warmup and do about 2 hours of interval training in almost all strokes. When I couldn't do a single push up now I can do ten,  which you might think it's a small number but it is a victory for me.  

I have never been a quitter and because of that I am trying again to lose the weight not to look better but to feel better.  I want to start taking care of myself because I have so many plans and dreams that I want to achieve.

 Anyways, the reason for this post is for people that are struggling like me and that feel like you are on your own you are not.  For those who don't feel "pretty"  or like they are "enough",  you are beautiful and you are enough.  Love yourself for your flaws and your strengths.  It's time that we change our perspective of beauty and start loving ourselves. It is time to stop being so judgemental and become more supportive with one another. You are pretty and you are enough.  

With much love,

Sam