The College Experience

Good morning Friends and welcome back to Tee Time! Can y’all believe I went back to college after like, what, three or four years off??? Yeah, me too😅!

I am so proud of myself for getting through my college courses this summer. Man! I was not sure I’d make it out alive😅but I did! And you know how I did that? I got a planner, I wrote down all my due dates and study times. I dedicated 2+ hours to classes each day. But you know what else I did? I prayed. I leaned on God. I asked for help! Because I knew I couldn’t do this alone! And you know what God gave me? My support system to hold me accountable.

I want to really thank Kaysie, my step sister, for holding me accountable, making sure I sent her a list of things I needed to get done (daily) and she would ask me throughout the day whether I got things done or not. She always made sure I stuck to my plan and I thank God for her!

I also thank my boyfriend for always praising me for getting things done and reassuring me that I was doing a good job sticking to my plans of action. I felt like I dedicated more time to school than I did our relationship (it’s not true, all in my head) and he always reassured me that that was not the case and he didn’t feel that way at all. And I know it wasn’t the case just I felt like it at times. So I thank him for always making sure I was staying on task but also taking breaks and being done for the day so I didn’t wear myself out with too much studying.

Also thankful for my friends Kenn, Jess, and Britt for always sharing words of encouragement and supporting me through the semester saying I could do this and I got this! I’m so thankful to have them in my life!

I also want to thank the girls from my theater class. All of them were amazing people and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. Abby, Holly, Naomi, Sara, Chrysta, and more…they definitely made it fun to come to a 3 hour class after an 8 hour shift at work 😂 we had so much fun and I never got bored with the class. Professor Les, was an amazing instructor and I really enjoyed his class and teaching style. I also recommend Theater for Kids for anyone going into the teaching and education profession! I learned so much about creative drama and how it fits into early childhood education/development, and I strongly believe it’ll be a beneficial class to take for any type of education degrees.

Creative drama deals with movement, pantomime, puppetry, storytelling, and more. All those subjects can be turned into tons of activities to do with children of all ages! From early childhood all the way to high school! We created lesson plans with each subject we learned and I loved how each of them could be modified to fit the appropriate age range with tweaks in intensity levels of each activity, like taking it a step further the older the group.

I also took a child development course and it taught me about prenatal care, birthing stages, all the way up to middle childhood and peer acceptance. I learned so much from this material, and I’ve been in childcare for over 5 years now, but I still learned more about development. I love that because now I can take what I learned from that class and incorporate it into my job! Share my knowledge on emotional intelligence and how gross and fine motor skills are different for all ages. No child is the same. But every child can be amazing!

This was a wonderful experience. Yes there were tears and times I wanted to tap out. But I kept going. I didn’t want to go back to school, felt I was too old for it, and thought “what else is there for me to learn about?” Well I sure learned more than expected and I’m glad I took that leap of faith and dove into this for myself and my future.

Go Tee🥳 I’m so proud of you girl!

Now I get a break before fall classes start back up again and I couldn’t be more excited about a break but I’m also ready to learn more about early childhood education! Thank you to everyone was my support system and held me accountable this semester! And thank you God for being on my side 24/7!

Amen!

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk!🤭💃🏾 Stay tuned for more Tee Time! I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing weekend! I get to go party with my bestie Jess for her bachelorette weekend🥳 and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with her!

And that’s the Tee 👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

WELCOME BACK to Reviews by Tee📖! I finally finished the Twisted Series last weekend and I cannot believe how relatable and amazing book 4 of the Twisted Series was! I connected to Stella so hard, like I was actually living her life and Christian…OOOWEE! Don’t even get me started on him and how much he was obsessed with Stella but wouldn’t give in until it was almost too late. BUT before I give any spoilers, just go read this book for me, please! You will not regret it!

And that’s wrap for a the Twisted Series by Ana Huang! Please let me know how much this book makes your heart race, just as much as mine did! I am so sad that I read all these already, what a great series, 10/10!

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to READ📖!

And that’s the Tee 👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang + The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

Good morning friends and welcome back to the blog! Today, I have TWO book reviews for you! One 4 star rated and one 5 star rated! Each had they own things I loved about them and each of them were great reads that I recommend you READ RIGHT NOW!

Speaking of 4 stars, I have never really rated anything on here less than 5 but “Twisted Hate” was kind of hard to get into at first, oh but once I did…there was NO going BACK! And to wrap up the month of May, “The Fine Print” was a great binge read into summer time! Let me tell you! Asher knew EXACTLY what she was doing with this one! So, without further ado, here are my reviews and thoughts on both reads!

And there you have it! Proof on why you should get these books, or dive into your TBR right now and read both of them! I enjoyed both for different reason and I will cherish the emotions I got from these! Don’t mind me, just a romance girl, that’s all!

CURRENT READ: ‘Twisted Lies”, book four of the Twisted Series! I’ll have a review for it once I’m done, don’t worry! I can already tell how good this book will be! What are you reading? What’s in your TBR? Comment below, and follow my links below⬇️!

Have a great month, and don’t forget to READ📖!

And that’s the Tee 👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

SHIFTED

Heyyy y’all! Let’s just dive right on in!

It’s been a HOT HOT MIN since ya girl has been online and posting blogs but let me tell you! My life has been in a whirl wind 💨 🌪️ since my last post! Honestly, I had this big, big plan on how I wanted to post, what I wanted to post, and when; but God had another plan for me! He told me to sit down and focus! Get my head in the game NOW. And what I mean by that is how I literally shifted into a new, older me with a snap of a finger, starting January 1st!

At the beginning of this year, I really shaped myself into putting me first and MEANING that. For instance, if it didn’t/doesn’t benefit Tee, I am not doing it! If it doesn’t make me happy/happier, I’m not doing it. If the conversation doesn’t concern me, I’m not being in it. And in the last like two or so months, I changed even more and said to myself, if I want to say no, I will! I’ve been really standing by my own side and my own mental health/state and taking a stand for Tee, and her future self! I have accomplished so many goals this year it’s incredibly insane! And I’ve still got more to go!

God has really done his work on me. So here’s a prayer I have for me and my future self:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please keep me focused and in this way that I am in the present, and move in the direction you see fit. Open doors that are for me and close the ones that are not! Take me the way you already have planned for me. Thank you for all the things you’ve done and helped me achieve and accomplish so far in my life, and thank you always for everything you’ve ever done for me! I praise you Lord, and thank you giving your only begotten son for us all on Earth, and washing away our sins. When I got baptized, something changed, pushed me, motivated me even more than I already was by you Lord.

I love you,

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ,

Amen!

Alright! So, after all this information that I just gave you, I want to talk about what I’m going to do next. BALANCE! That’s what’s next for me. I’ve worked so, so hard on my mental health that now it’s time to shift over to balance and time management! First of all, I want to thank Brittany Lupton and her most recent podcast episode on her Fun and Gains Podcast about “balancing life” and how to really sit down and realize that not everything I want to do in a day needs to be completed. Also that all things in my life that I need to do, do not need to have the same chunk of time associated with them. That’s something I really was struggling with. I was like “oh I need to do Spanish the same amount of time I read for fun,” or “dinner and family time have to go together” or “I need to spend hours on homework just like I do this thing” NO NO NO! Everything gets their own time block, Tee! Some days, I’ll spend more time doing one thing than the next. Brittany used a great example, when she talked about working on YouTube content. She spent the majority of her day just on that content because she felt like it needed that kind of attention, and the next day she moved on to something else. Navigating time management is going to be hard for me. But I know I can do it.

Question: how are you going to do it Tee?

Here are some steps I am going to take, step by step! (Tips from Britt herself)

Make a plan and define priorities
Take action
Be consistent
Practice self discipline
Remember self care and breaks are important too!

Below is a daily planner template that I’m going to try to start using this coming week. I already have a weekly workout planner that I used earlier in the year that I’m going to start back up. I also am adding a weekly planner and weekly meal planner as well! All of these are from Canva and I cannot wait to see how it all plays out!

With all that being said, I’m going to close up here. I know that was a lot to throw at you but over the past few weeks I’ve been drafting and drafting and drafting, and each time I draft a new piece/paragraph comes out of me. Therefore, I’m really going to buckle down on balance and realigning myself with the help of time management! This summer is filling up with things I want and have to do, school is starting to buckle up on the workload, so I want to be ready for it all! Because then I can start putting scheduled free time and me time in between those things, because that’s important too!

3 Things I’m Grateful For

My ability to control my emotions and feelings
Myself for putting me first and foremost
My longing to be the greatest version of myself.

Remember:

-Don’t let the hard days win

-Your peace comes first

-You are enough

-You can do this!

And that’s the Tee 👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

It’s MAY!

Good afternoon everyone 👋🏾 how’s it going? How are we feeling about the month of May? Tons of new goals right? Well I have a few things I’m going to work on this month.

Devotional, I need to find one or two in the Bible App! Speaking of the Bible, I really want to dive into my physical copy of the Bible (WRITE DOWN THE TYPE OF BIBLE I HAVE), and write down Gods promises. It’s a study devotion Bible by the way!
Meal prep meal prep meal prep 👏🏾 I want to make more home cooked meals for my boyfriend and I. I have a template for meal planing as well so that’s a plus and will definitely help
Studying for school and staying focused! (Yes, Tee is going back to college, not sure if I ever mentioned that part but yeah I’ll get into it later😉)
Continue to practice learning Spanish
Drinking 64oz, AT LEAST, a day

I’m so excited for this new month, as we dive into summer☀️!! Oh! I recently had to up my reading goal for 2023 to 30 books because I READ 12 BOOKS so far this year and that was my original goal for 2023, so that’s awesome 👏🏾. But anyways, I’m sure you’re curious what I’m posting about this morning. So without further ado, let’s get into it!!!

Types of Content

For this summer there’s certain types of content that I want to share with you! Four main topics but I might throw in another, sprinkled in there, ya get me? So, what are those four topics, you ask?

1. Gym/workout progress

2. Books read/unboxed/review

2a. Recipe reviews will be sprinkled in there too

3. School (ideas, what I’m learning)

4. Summer Plans/events

These four topics should carry me through the summer for sure and give me lots to talk about and share with you all! I know I don’t post a lot on here so I’m trying to change that! I plan to post a lot on Instagram too, so follow the Instagram page (link below!!!!) and follow along with me on there as well. I have a ton of summer plans, so stay tuned for that as well!

3 Things I’m Grateful For

God, and his unfailing love!
My mental health
My teachers assistants for work, I rely on them so much

Remember:

-Don’t let the hard days win

-Your peace comes first

-You are enough

-You can do this!

I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing week!

And that’s the TEE👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Here’s a NEW RECIPE for you!! Super easy and interchangeable ingredients as well. I used Italian Sausage this time but you can use beef or any type of sausage you prefer! I also used Tomato Basil pasta sauce this time but I often choose Garlic and Herb, BUT any sauce will do for this!

***Tip: Add parmesan cheese on top for added flavor!

Enjoy!! This recipe is simple, and does a dinner justice! I get so full off this meal, its insane. Its boyfriend approved as well, for you ladies cooking for ya mans! Thanks for reading!

Follow the blog and the blog’s Instagram!

And that’s the TEE👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Good morning☀️ I hope everyone is having a great day so far! Today I have a descriptive book review on Twisted Love by Ana Huang. This was a book recommendation from one of my close friends, Keely, and my step sister, Kaysie. And let me tell you!!!!!!!! Twisted Love was definitely TWISTED! I’m sure I have whiplash from all the plot twits in this romance novel. I won’t spill all the details but here’s what I thought of it below!

Enjoy💋

And those are my thoughts and feelings towards the first book in the Twisted Series! Please give it a read and let me know how you like it! Either leave a reply below or comment on my Instagram Post (link below)!

P.s. I hope to finish the next book this month and if I do, I’ve read 12 books in four months! Which also crosses off one of my goals for 2023, to read 12 books this year! Which means, I have to set a new reading goal soon! Maybe 20 books? 30? Who knows!

And that’s the Tee 👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

April Discussions

Discussion 1: Handling Arguments/Disagreements

Hi👋🏾 and welcome to the blog! This morning, I just want to discuss how handling arguments in relationships. How do you handle it? Do you talk things out right away? Do you ask for advice from outside sources? Do you just shove it under the rug? Do you just agree so that there is no controversy? Chat with me about it below in the “leave a reply” or on my instagram post of this discussion! I want to know how you handle it as well.

How do I handle it? Let’s go over it shall we?

I don’t even want to say the word “argument” actually, because I don’t like using that term, so a better word for me would be disagreements. I say that because, yes, my boyfriend and I definitely have disagreements, but I wouldn’t say it’s an argument because to me the word argument means yelling, screaming, and the back and forth where neither person is being heard. We don’t do that. We don’t get into screaming matches to the point where the other can’t be heard. It’s just not something we do in our relationship. Not saying that’s a good or a bad thing or that we won’t ever get in one, we might, but so far we haven’t. Personally, I believe we haven’t done that so far in our two and half years of dating because from the very beginning we set the boundary of “never leave something unsolved” and the cliché saying “never go to bed angry”. I know how unrealistic that sounds but I PROMISE you after both of our childhood backgrounds, it’s something we have scars from and we refuse to bring that into our relationship and future. NO we are NOT perfect, because we have times where I think I’m right and he thinks he’s right. There is times were I don’t even like what he says about something, and same for him over something I say BUT the difference is, is that we don’t let those things escalate beyond that.

I’ve worked so hard on my anger and mental health, and getting a hold on my triggers and what escalates me that I don’t just blow up on my boyfriend. We like to talk things out, hash it out right there in that moment so that we don’t carried it on throughout the day. We don’t let it linger, on and on so we never get over it or so that one of us is still hurt, unsettled, or upset about it. He and I sit down and talk it out right then and there. And sometimes one of us does have to rationalize or compromise with the other.

Let me give you an example. At the beginning of our relationship, I was needy. Super needy. How do I know that? Because my boyfriend told me that. He didn’t like how clingy I was being and how it bothered him so instead of letting me continue to do that, something he didn’t like, he SPOKE up and told me about it. Did I like what he had to say? HELL NO! I even cried about it but instead of getting into an argument and a screaming match, we talked it out, for half that dang day. We both expressed our feelings and thoughts, I shed tears, but I never felt unheard. He made sure I knew it bothered him and I made sure I did things to change. I didn’t want to bother him or make him feel uncomfortable, so I did what I had to do. Another example was the other way around. There were some things he was doing that I did not like and that bothered me, and instead of getting in a screaming match or ignoring one another for days, we talked it out and get it out of the way.

I didn’t even want to go this deep into this discussion😅holy cow! I just wanted to say a few sentences and leave it open for you all to discuss with me but I went off instead😂whoops! SO before I go any further I just want to say that we talk things out right away and do what we have to do to make each other feel heard and understood. We don’t just drop it, shove it under the rug, scream, make the other feel worse, we solve it. We work through it, together, because a relationship is hard! It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. But it’s something that can be handled.

Comment below or on my post to share with me and others what you do!

Discussion 2: The Importance of Hobbies

This is more so me explaining my own opinion and feelings on the importance of having hobbies but I do want you to comment as well, either below or on my post your own opinion too!

I believe that having hobbies or a hobby is so beneficial to young adult/adulthood because it doesn’t give you a reason to stay bored. It’s healthy for you to do what you like to do in your free time. It keeps you from being stir crazy, or uninvolved. I have hobbies that are just for me, for example, the gym, reading, this blog, journaling, playing computer games. And I have hobbies that involve others, including going clubbing, going out on the town, movie and girls nights. It’s so important in your 20s for sure to have both kind of hobbies. Go be involved in things. Go spend time with friends. Stay in and read a book or what a show. Journal all day until you feel relief. DO IT. FIND something you like to do alone and with others. Go to the grocery store with a friend, when I heard that suggestion on a podcast I listen to, I laughed so hard because you literally can just grocery shop with someone and that gets you out of the house and your list done😂a win win! 🥇

What are some of your hobbies? What do you love to do alone? What do you love to do with others? Chat with me! I’m here to listen and converse.

Discussion 3: Summer Plans

What are your plans this summer? Where are you going? I want to know. 2023 is our YEAR to DO! That’s my plan to just go and do. Hike. Kayak. Walk. Explore. Read at the park/beach. Camp. Eat at a new restaurant. Take yoga class. Go to the bars. Beach days. Girls day and night! All of the above. I know for sure I’ll be doing more, if not all, these things. I got a state park sticker, I have a Chicago trip planned, I am ordering new J hooks for my kayak, I have a small savings. etc. I am ready! Are you? 🫵🏾😆

3 Things I’m Grateful For

My Mental Health
My Self Control
My Faith

Remember:

-Don’t let the hard days win

-Your peace comes first

-You are enough

-You can do this!

I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing week!

And that’s the TEE👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

Blast From the Past

Back to March 19th, 2023

Good morning everyone! How are you doing? Like really how are you doing? Because I’ve had to ask myself that ALL WEEK! This past week has been a mental rut, if you know what I’m saying 🥲 and for no reason. Like there is no reason for this rut, I just simply walked into it. So you know what I did? I prayed. I asked God every day to be with me, to keep my as positive as He could, to keep me standing and able. I sang worship music and let it out. Did I cry? I don’t remember but probably once haha 😂 but what I’m saying is that I gave my troubles and burdens to God and asked Him for a helping hand, because I know I cannot do this alone. So each morning before work and after work and during the night I asked Him to be with me. And yesterday seemed to be the first good, positive day I’ve had all week.

I got back into reading yesterday and I couldn’t be happier. Like this week was tough as heck on me, so tough that I didn’t pick up a book all week. Which is super odd for me since at the beginning of this month I said I wanted to read 4+ novels 😆 I don’t think I’m going to get that many since it’s already the 19th but I’m going to try, and I’m just proud I read a book and actually enjoyed myself while reading.

Speaking of tough, Brittany Lupton stated in her podcast “tough times don’t last, tough people do,” and I couldn’t agree with that statement more than I do now. I prayed for strength and positivity and that’s what God gave me. Little by little each day got better, and I am thankful for that. So when you feel in a rut, my advice to you is to PRAY to God, and ask for peace, positivity, and the strength to keep going, the energy to keep going, etc. And after doing that, make sure you’re actually working towards those things as well. Because as Libby Christensen explained “a bad day is still a luxury,” and that’s the truth! Also, remember that God doesn’t put you through anything you cannot handle!

Amen 🙏🏾

The Present Day

March 24th, 2023

HIIII, Hello, hey everyone! Ya girl is back and so sad about not posting a blog in like two weeks, but my mental health…let’s just say, was NOT ready. If you read my above (overdue) diary you know what I as going through, and what I did to overcome it. I will also confess that I had that same rut, went into that same rut, a couple days ago, and what did I do about it? Took the day off from work😅 AND took my own advice and sought out God and His wisdom! And where am I at now? Just fine, and proud of myself for noticing and realizing that I needed a break to reset myself and be the best version of me.

It’s okay to have bad days, just don’t dwell okay? Pray about it and act on it, and move forward. Ya hear me? OKAY💋

4 Things I’m Grateful For

My GOD
My self-care plan and mental health breaks
PRAYER!
I am also thankful for my boyfriend, just don’t know where I’d be without my lover! He’s my favorite person in the world and how much he cares for me makes me care that much more about myself. He’s an amazing person and so supportive with everything! I love you babe xoxo 😘

Remember:

-Don’t let the hard days win

-Your peace comes first

-You are enough

-You can do this!

I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing week!

And that’s the TEE👩🏾‍💻💙☕️

March 5th, 2023

Diary of the Day

Average is Over by Deanna Margo

Hey friends, and welcome back to my Diary of the Day! It’s been a minute but I want to go over some notes took for myself that I want to share with you.

Deanna Margo is a great fitness trainer of Instagram. I just started recently listening to her Mental Reps Podcast in December 2022, and she got me hooked with her realness and non sugar-coating attitude about fitness and health. She has so much advice and as much as I talk of Brittany Lupton, Deanna is just as good! One of her recent podcasts, “Average Is Over” hit me right where it needed to, right at the needed time too. I was on my way to the gym, perfect timing! Every things she spoke, I listed down in my notes app and made sure I took note of what was speaking to me as I listened. So, here’s the list: (excuse my language😅)

Stop skipping the gym
Stop breaking promises to myself
Stop eating bad food all the time
Stop accepting less of myself then I know I am capable of
Can’t go half assing my goals (procrastinating is a no)
Laziness is a no

Affirmations + Mental Health

If you needed motivation, help, or advice about your fit journey, THERE YA GO! It’s all right there in front of us. Right there for you and I to see and tell ourselves. Be YOUR 🫵🏾 own motivation and be YOUR 🫵🏾 first priority! I’m speaking to myself as well, I am holding myself accountable.

Speaking of myself, I am so proud of my mental health. I have come sooo dang far! I used to just cry and give up when things were hard, and let myself spiral until it was nearly impossible to get out of that darkness. But now, I just let go of what I cannot control. I pray. I believe in myself. I put my mental health, my feelings, first. I listen to worship music and study the Bible daily!

Dear Past Me,

Hey girl, you are doing so well, even when you think you are not. I promise everything will be okay, and you WILL get through this honey! You are strong, you can do this, you are enough, you are TEE!

Love,

Present Me🥲🫶🏾

3 Things I’m Grateful For

ME
God + Jesus for being my rock!
Prayer, without prayer, I wouldn’t be a follower of Christ!

Remember:

-Don’t let the hard days win

-Your peace comes first

-You are enough

-You can do this!

I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing week!

And that’s the TEE👩🏾‍💻💙☕️