"Do the Right Thing"

I have spent the last 48-ish hours helping 150+ high school students make sense of the political chaos that now surrounds us. I talked with all six of my classes about the results of the election and I prefaced each talk with I am not here to tell you what to think. I also told them I would not share who got my vote (although I did admit to voting mainstream), I would not comment on my thoughts of Trump as president, and I felt Hillary conceded the presidential race in a very classy manner.

We live in North Dakota, a solidly red state, but that does not mean we unquestioningly follow the doctrine of a certain political party. I am not here to say I voted red and I am not here to say I voted blue. I will say that I chose to cast my vote as I did because I researched, discussed, and agonized over how to make the best use out of the political voice that was given to me.

What ensued in all six of my classes was any number of questions, some of genuine wonder, some of well-intended misunderstanding, and some with no other purpose than to just stir the pot. In one of my senior classes, a young man, who has been vocally pro-Trump for the entirety of the school year, commented that he couldn't believe a Hillary supporter was standing at a protest holding a sign that said "Do the right thing!" He couldn't believe how somebody could hold such a sign in that particular circumstance. My heart skipped a beat and I honestly had tears come to my eyes because I was sitting at the front of a room of completely silent high school seniors, some of whom voted in this election, looking at me for a comment and reaction. I looked this young man straight in the eye and said,

"You sure as hell* better do the right thing."

I continued with some form of "Regardless of who you voted for or who you desired to win, you have the responsibility as a decent, contributing human being to do the right thing in every situation life places before you. Your political affiliation cannot, under any circumstance ever in your life, dictate your decency as a human being. You owe it to yourself and to those around you to do the little things each day to make this country the best it can be and, in turn, the world the best place that it can be. I would fail you as a teacher and as a fellow citizen if I did not expect that best from myself and each one of you simply because an election may not have panned out as you desired."

I am not proud of myself for using such language, but I was so caught off guard. I am still sad, and at the same time I still feel the bubbles of anger in the pit of my stomach, that I have 17 and 18 year old young men and women who are processing this election in terms of "right and wrong," "good and bad," and "me versus you." That is exactly where our country is going to fall. As a Christian, as a teacher, as a female, as a white person-- I now feel a greater responsibility than ever before to cultivate a next generation who is not only competent, but caring. And wise, gracious, aware, discerning, responsible, and all those other good qualities we want in our fellow citizens.

I really don't even know how to end this post. I just keep chewing on this conversation and so many of the others I had with my students these last two days. I feel a greater responsibility to live my life with even more intention because (my relatively) little ones are watching. Granted, the "right thing" may look different for each of us at different points in time, but human decency is pretty much always the same. If we don't want to have this same mess of division and accusation in four years, that change needs to start now.

**Now, part of the beauty of teaching seniors is that they really are young adults and sometimes the language reflects the more mature age (even though the seniors aren't as mature as they think). While this was not my finest moment as a teacher, I have come to understand it may be one of my most effective.

Five Friday Things: Clothes, Facebook, Email, Simplicity, and Plans

One. I love Pinterest and the ability to build my virtual closet at no actual cost to myself. Too bad I spend most of my time pinning outfits that are just not practical for Bangkok. If I lived in northern Thailand, I would be able to get away with some of these outfits. But, alas, I live in the tropic megalopolis, so all cozy outfits will have to remain on Pinterest. I'm currently loving this outfit...


These riding boots in black...



This necklace...


This bag... 


This versatile top... 


Two. Earlier this week, my Facebook notifications were up to something like 50+ after just three days of not logging in and I couldn't handle it. I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook as it is, but then seeing that made me want to run from the corner and not come out until all was back to normal. I finally put on my big girl pants and dealt with it but uffda.

Three. Along with my Facebook being out of control, my emails are currently out of control. I am working on switching over from Hotmail to Gmail (I know, shun me), but even within Gmail, my inboxes are insane. Part of getting a grip on life again is getting my inboxes under control. Yesterday, I was able to get my graduate school account under control. I am going to conquer my work email next. My personal email will just have to wait and continue to haunt me for the time being.

Four. I haven't been homesick per se as of late, but I have really been missing the simplicity of North Dakota. I daydream about driving my own car, about quickly running to the grocery store after work, about leisurely strolling around outside and not breaking into a fierce sweat. Yesterday I went to Home Pro, a glorified home improvement store, and found myself wishing I could go to Menard's and shop around for a project. Like I said, I'm not really homesick, but I am missing a more simple way of life.

Five. I am off to the beach this weekend! I'm also looking at tickets to Singapore and seeing how I really don't have many more free weekends until June! I can't believe how the spring has filled up already but I'm looking forward to everything to come!

A. Liz Adventures/Carolina Charm

Hello! Happiness/The Good Life Blog

The Farmer's Wife/September Farm

A Little Bit of Everything

Grace and Love/Momfessionals

18||My First VLOG

Record a VLOG! It can be about anything you'd like!

PS-Sorry for the abrupt ending. Closing things up is not my style, remember?

QUESTIONS

1. Your Name
2. Where you're from
3. Pronounce the following words: Aunt, Roof, Route, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Pajamas, Caught, Naturally, Aluminum, Crackerjack, Doorknob, Envelope
4. What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
5. What is a bubbly carbonated drink called?
6. What do you call gym shoes?
7. What do you call your grandparents?
8. What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
9. What is the thing you change the TV channel with?
10. What is the bug that when you touch it, it rolls into a ball? How about the one that lights up at night?
11. What do you say to address a group of people?
12. Do you speak any other languages? If so, say something in that language(s).
13. Do you think you have an accent?
14. End by saying any 3 words you want.

"Borrowed" from The Other Juliette

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Day 12. Day 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18.

8||Describe Your Favorite Season.

Tell us about your favorite season. Why is it your favorite and what does it say about you?

The English teacher in me doesn't know what to think of today's prompt. It's the kind of prompt students love to hate because it is just vague enough to allow for creativity and teenagers these days don't always seem to embrace thinking for themselves... Ha!

I'm going to go with a literal season here and say that my favorite season is fall. 

What does it say about me? 

As a teacher, I embrace the fresh start a new school year brings. I know the new year technically begins in January, but, in many ways, I feel like August brings a fresher start than a new calendar year does. 

As an American, I really enjoy football, Thanksgiving, football, cooler temperatures, chili, football, hooded sweatshirts, chili, boots, football, plaid shirts, chili, jeans, football, and scarves. 

I really grew to enjoy football during college. I would sit happily and watch an entire day's worth of games while doing my homework on Saturday and Sunday. I enjoy the tradition of Friday night football at school (Friday night soccer in Thailand just doesn't quite do it for me...) and Thanksgiving football at home.

I also really like chili. In my humble opinion, my mom makes some of the best chili I have ever had and I *think* I may have mastered her recipe last month. I need one more trial run before I'm ready to go public with it, though. I got my love of chili from my dad and I think he and I will both happily eat it once per week if mom will make it. I have made chili multiple times since coming to Thailand, regardless of the tropical temps.

I don't know why, but I love Thanksgiving. In high school, it was always a welcome break towards the end of the fall semester. And it meant the beginning of basketball season which is always a win in my book. I love the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and diligently set my alarm each year. As I watch, my mom makes me the best chocolate chip muffins and I watch intently as my inner 8 year old has never died when it comes to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

And, really, can anybody deny the comfort that is fall clothing. We already know I'm all about comfort and class, and I feel like the fall season is the epitome of both. It's not so cold that we have to wear layer upon layer upon layer upon layer to prevent freezing to death but it's cool enough that we can comfortably wear the clothing that is just too warm for the summer months. I have a pair of boots that I love with all my superficial fashion heart; a hooded sweatshirt collection I've spent years perfecting; a selection of jeans that showcase Old Navy over the last 8 years; and a long sleeved flannel shirt that makes every September, October, and November day a possible delight for my arms.

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Fall is one of the things I miss the most about living in Thailand. As my Thai tutor said, Thailand's seasons are like this: hot, brutally hot, humid and rainy, and cool for two days. I'm looking forward to living in a place with fall once more some day, but these days are not those yet. Until then, I'll keep watching football highlights on the internet, managing my fantasy team, eating chili, and longing for the day I can wear my boots again!

Clearly my problems in life are few if I can be as dramatic as I am about fall and clothing. Thank you, Jesus!

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8.

12|| Many Summers in Medora

Tell us about a favorite tradition. It could be a family tradition or from a holiday, university, you-name-it. What makes it so special?

My favorite family tradition is our annual getaway to Medora, ND. I know my mom knows the exact number of years we have gone but I have recently lost count. I know we have gone (at least!) eighteen summers in a row.

I still remember the moment mom and dad told us we we're going to Medora for the first time. I'm pretty sure it was the summer before I went into fourth grade. The picture above is from one of those first summer we went. I still remember the shirt I was wearing. I also had another one in the same pattern, but it was in shades of greens and purples. My habit of buying the same shirt in every available color started at a young age. #Sorrynotsorry

We have done most everything Medora has to offer throughout the years. I am in my third-ish year of college and my sister and I ran the Bully Run that morning. I enjoy walking around to the various shops and just being there. Things move a little slower in Medora and I don't mind one bit.

Another evening at the Burning Hills Amphitheater. I wish I had a better view of the scenery. And the sky. Dear heavens-- the stars are just amazing.

When we first started going to Medora, they had a shooting gallery. A couple of years into our summer sojourns, the shooting gallery closed and our hearts were broken. But just a couple of years ago, the shooting gallery appeared again and you can bet your bottom dollar #Punintended that it is again one of our most anticipated stops. I'd also like to point out that these two shooting gallery pictures are from two different years, three years apart. I am just wearing a purple shirt both years. See my above comment about buying the same shirt in different colors? I also buy the same colors over and over again. #IknowwhatIlike

As our family has grown in size, more people have joined us on our summerly adventure. Sometimes we go for a weekend, sometimes for just a couple of hours, but the popcorn and musical remain the same. It's the people and the memories that count.

6|| Currently, I'm...

A "currently..." post. Tell us what you're loving, hating, reading, eating, etc.

...reading A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David by Beth Moore and any number of thesis-related books and materials. I'm in the market for some good fiction to just suck me in and give my brain a break from the other two, but I haven't found that yet. I'm a little mentally exhausted after finishing the train wreck that was Allegiant and am still working to recover.

...watching Private Practice albeit very inconsistently.

...trying to win an Ebay auction for a new phone or iPod. Mine is no longer in my possession as of last night which really bums me out because it has all of my pictures from my first seven weeks in Thailand. 

...eating nothing but definitely thinking that I am in need of a snack. I'm not going to make it until supper without one.

...pinning anything and everything. If it's for home, school, eating, sewing, knitting, or reading, I have probably pinned it in the last couple of weeks.

...tweeting not much of anything. I've been staying on top of my feed but haven't been doing much tweeting myself. I should really change that. You can stay on top of my lack of tweeting @bedosaygo.

...going to try a new church. I'm really looking for a way to get plugged into the city of Bangkok and it looks like tomorrow's church has some great opportunities!

...loving my Saturdays. Praise the Lord-- my last couple of Saturdays have been pretty darn productive! Today has been fairly productive as well... I just need to finish my thesis proposal before I go to work on Monday!

...discovering what living in a new city halfway around the world means! 

...enjoying the street market not too far from where I live. This morning, I bought about five pounds of various produce for 180B... A little more than $5 USD. I'm sure my vegetables would have cost at least $12 in the States!

...thinking about my thesis proposal that I need to get finished ASAP. It's going on a week late now and I need to get it finished! (Or started... I'll let you be the judge of the situation. I'm pleading the 5th.)

...feeling very grateful to be in Thailand but still missing home. Fall is my favorite season and a North Dakota fall just doesn't compare. I'm missing high school football and my choppers and thinking about pheasant hunting and the smell of the air as it loses its summer heat and moves to the fall cool.

...hoping that I focus enough to get my paper finished tonight so I can edit it and send it off tomorrow!

...listening to Christmas music. I've already listened to Barry Manilow twice and have now moved on to Mannheim Steamroller. I will be home for Christmas and I think I feel a little less homesick when I envision the December days to come.

...thanking God for the life He has given me. It's not anything like I envisioned for myself but it is so much greater than anything I envisioned for myself!

...starting to feel like I might be hitting a little bit of a groove with this school year. I say that very tentatively, but after a very difficult last two weeks, I'm feeling ever so slightly more comfortable in my new teaching role.

2|| Happiness, A Little Re-Post

Write about what makes you happy, from the little joys to the huge game-changers.

This spring I wrote 32 Things that Make me Happy. I am reposting those 32 things today, not because they are the only things that make me happy, but because they are still so true. Please enjoy!

One. Living in a part of the country with four seasons. As much as I am OVER the snow right now...
Two. Having grown up in North Dakota-- I love the rolling plains and wide open skies!
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Three. Waking up early each Thanksgiving morning for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Four. Seeing a student finally make a connection and get something.
Five. Standing in a gym on a Friday night while hearing basketballs bounce and smelling the popcorn.
Six. Hearing the first crack of a baseball bat each spring.
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Seven. Finding a new pair of shoes that fits just right.
Eight. Looking down at my gas guage and knowing that today is a day I will not have to stop and fill up.
Nine. Crawling into my bed at the end of a long day knowing that it was a day lived and spent well.
Ten. Being able to see as many different places as I have.
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Eleven. Realizing the fact I am living in God's will and purpose for my life as a teacher.
Twelve. Seeing my family together around the dinner table.
Thirteen. Sitting around a bonfire on a summer evening.
Fourteen. Getting completely lost in the stars of a night sky.
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Fifteen. Driving through the countryside in the summer and fall evenings.
Sixteen. Updating my planner for the next day... Especially when I've been productive!
Seventeen. Folding laundry that is still warm from the dryer.
Eighteen. Putting the last piece of said laundry away.
Nineteen. Holding a baby.
Twenty. Eating supper that I have had time to make myself .
Twenty-one. Spending the first, crisp fall night watching football.
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Twenty-two. Relaxing in the recliner and catching up on my Tivo-ed shows..
Twenty-three. Catching one of my favorite movies on network TV for no reason at all.
Twenty-four. Smelling the first evening spring rain.
Twenty-five. Jogging outside on a cool, still night.
Twenty-six. Submitting the last assignment for a class and knowing it's all out of my hands.
Twenty-seven. Browsing Pinterest and obnoxiously feeding my wanderlust habit.

Twenty-eight. Realizing that I have found a book I simply can't put down.

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Twenty-nine. Dreaming of all life can be but knowing it's everything it's supposed to be right now.
Thirty. Shopping online and then waiting for the packages to arrive!
Thirty-one. Knowing we have only 34 days left in this school year!
Thirty-two. Living my life with the knowledge that it is not my own. I take such security in that!

1|| About the Author

Imagine the front sleeve of a hard cover novel. Give us your "About the Author" so we can get to know one another, and for fun tell us what your imaginary novel would be about."

Born and raised in North Dakota, Aubrey is the author of be.do.say.go. (in Bangkok) but as been a blog stalker for much longer. Being close enough to thirty to induce mild heart palpitations, Aubrey is holds a B.A. in English with minors in music and psychology from the University of North Dakota and is currently finishing an M.S. in Reading Education from the same. After teaching three years at a small, rural high school in North Dakota, Aubrey now teaches at a (relatively) small, international high school in Bangkok, Thailand. She enjoys dark chocolate and even darker coffee, hopes to become a morning person someday, and lives with the prospect that the next adventure may be right around the corner.
______
If I were to write a novel, I envision something along the lines of creative nonfiction and autobiographical in nature. Think something along the lines of Sparkly Green Earrings meets To Kill a Mockingbird-- just Midwestern dreamer instead of southern belle. I have the first three paragraphs of the book written and I even have a super secret working title for the manuscript. Only time will tell if my project ever sees the light of day.

Radio, Driving, ATM, Proposal, and Punches

One. I am using iTunes radio for the first time and I can't believe I didn't know about this earlier! I've been going through Pandora withdrawals for the last six weeks and I didn't even know I had an alternative right in front of me!

Two. I'm currently listening to the Country Weekly Top 50 playlist and it's taking me right back to cruising the country roads of North Dakota. I loved driving home on a warm fall evening with my windows down and country music playing. It'll be awhile before I'm back in North Dakota for another fall evening, but I'm already looking forward to the next one when I will be!

Three. The ATM ate my bank card tonight so I'll be venturing out for a new card come Monday. Thankfully I can use my bank card from the States for a pretty minimal fee, but I need my Thai card since that's where my paychecks are deposited. So my Monday evening adventure will be going to the mall to get a new bank card. Chalk that one up for another Thailand experience.

Four. I have a thesis proposal to write this weekend. And a million papers to correct. I slowly started to fall behind last week and the wheels just fell off this week. This weekend will be a weekend of no plans and self-imposed grounding... Especially since I don't a bank card anymore.

Five. Thailand apparently does not have three hole punches. Seriously. They use an odd two hole punch system that annoys me because it doesn't have a centering point. All of my paperwork from the States is on the three hole system and I didn't bring a punch because I didn't want the extra weight. I figured I would just pick one up when I got here. And the paper here is a funny A4 size. I've not found my adjustment to Thai office supplies to be the easiest. Clearly mine is a hard life I am living overseas.