You so gangsta

Three afternoons a week I host a time where kids can come and do homework. Not the most popular of the events we have but some students are taking advantage of it. The other day I had two that needed to be in seperate rooms from each other. So, I placed them in the oh so creatively named red room and orange room (due to the fabulous paint colors, clever huh?). So I was doing a little geomtry and went back to check on Brandon in the orange room.

Miss Jessi: You doing ok Brandon?
B: yep, I'm almost finished reading this and then need to do this questions
Miss J: Alright, I'll be right back in but if you need help holler at me
B: aaaahhhh dog, Miss Jessi, you so gansta you said HOLLA
Miss J: (laughter) right, so gansta
(as I left the room)
B: Miss Jessi is a gansta

I then removed myself to laugh even harder because it's like laughing at a baby when they do something wrong. Especially as I was setting such a great example and being gangsta, ha.

But, reality is- I think that's a South Dakota thing? Anyone? My roots have come out loud and clear and little did I know they would make me the coolest homework helper around, the gangsta.

Girls Night!

Picture this: 6 junior high girls, Miss Jessi, one small house, brownies, pizza, cookie dough, movies, music, dancing, crafting, and just a little bit of sleep.

Yep, that's what it was. Girls night at Miss Jessi's house. We spent the night laughing and dancing and eating enough for three days. All the mentoring girls were invited over for a pre night of fun before the big event the Girls Matter conference on Saturday. They slept little, I slept much (fortunately, I can sleep through anything!). But, come 7:00 on Saturday morning we were moving much more slowly than the dance moves I saw the night before. (For those of you are worried after hearing about my dance abilities at the gym, do not worry I restrained my urge to dance throughout the evening...yeah right)

We had to be out the door by 7:45 to pick up the rest of the neighborhood girls to head out to Novi for the conference. The conference was a day all about girls and empowerment. The keynote speaker reminded us that the way we play games is the way we live life. We had a blast with her and were inspired to wake up each day and remind ourselves, "I am beautiful, I am smart, I am legendary..." and so on.

Though we were sleepy from the previous nights fesitivies but the weekend was a success and there were so many beautiful moments shared with these incredible young ladies.

Stay tuned for girls night #2- if I'm really that brave!

(I hope my youth pastors wives are reading this...I've been repaid for all those hours....late at night...well worth it though, right?)

please join me...

for a little glimpse into my world

(disclaimer: this is in no way meant to be offensive or racist, just pure comedy!)

I go to Bally Total Workouts probably 5-6 times a week. It takes me about five minutes to get there, but is technically considered to be in the next Suburb over. When I get there I'm always greeted by a lovely brown skinned trainer who's arms are bigger than my legs- he's huge. Normally with a 'hey baby, you ok?' I respond with a yeah, you? and translate in my mind. He's not asking, 'you ok?' like something is wrong but rather Hi, young lady how are you? I don't miss a beat and I keep on walking usually encountering a few more, you oks.

I make my way into the aerobic room (never did I think I'd be one of those workoutters in the aerobic room...alas, thats where I am). Everybody joins in to help Rodney get everything set-up. I'm one of two white people in the room- though that doesn't even phase me anymore as it is such a common thing in my world. Before I know it Kirk Franklin is blaring through the speakers and soon set-up turns into a pre-class dance session and I busy myself with the weights and try to smoothly put a little hip and hop in my step. (you can start laughing here :)

Class has started and we do 50 bazillion jumping jacks all counted outloud (how do you count to 50 bazillion.....) and then we run up and down the three flights of stairs three times- all the while counting outloud. I'm about to die- and that's just the warm-up! Anyways, we're doing the combo schoolcraft (that's the street my school is on) workout. There are about 10 stations and between each one you do the schoolcraft. The schoolcraft though is no longer a street today but an aerobic move. Because of the poplulation this aerobic move doesn't strictly stay a move, but rather an aerobic dance move. So, here I am only white girl getting my butt kicked and trying to blend in and they bust out the DANCE MOVES?! If you know me at all you know not only do I hate dancing, but I can't dance. So my heel touch heel touch remain just that as these incredible women behind me do the schoolcraft and turn their heel touch heel touch into a beautiful expression of who they truly are. (and do they look dang good doing it!)

I somehow survived through the class probably because I was so entertained by the beauty of this culture. Incredible encouragement, some jokes, slight fear of the instructor, loud singing, and of course 'the schoolcraft'. The entire time though I wanted so badly for everyone to know I'm not just a tall white girl but that in my heart I was doing the schoolcraft too. I wish I could put a sign on my forehead proclaiming my love for the city and for this culture! I hope that instead my feeble attempts at the schoolcraft and smiles and laughs with my sista next to me it was heard loud and clear.

All that being said, I was laughing on the inside as I secretly coveted so many of the moves by the talented schoolcrafters. Also, as I walked down those same stinkin' stairs I knew that this is my culture too and these other crazies in the aerobic room are my sisters and brothers.

Just a little look...

(BRI AND DONNA COME THIS WEEKEND! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)