I have also incorporated riddles into the class to promote critical thinking skills. On Friday the riddle was, "People buy me to eat, but never eat me." Of course, one of the student's answer was "A prostitute." Yeah, no. Not quite. The answer was actually a plate. LOL! This is just one example of what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Needless to say, I stay laughing and my day goes by very quickly.

“A man does not come to the almshouse or jail by the tyranny of fate or circumstance, but by the pathway of groveling thoughts and base desires. Nor does a pure minded man fall suddenly into crime by stress of any mere external force; the criminal thought had long been secretly fostered in the heart, and the hour of opportunity revealed its gathered power.”

I now know the memories and moments are priceless and often free. In the past, I focused so much on providing material "things" for my family that I missed a lot of moments. I missed moments of conversations where my innocent children wanted to ask me for permission to do things like curse. I spent so much time working, building businesses, and seeking degrees to get me better paying jobs so that I could provide. This came at a cost. It cost me some memories.

I am the bird, FREE! Free to truly explore the depth of me.

This incident really made me think about how I handle conflict. It made me reflect on how I do not always speak up when there is an issue, which eventually leads to bigger issues. "Feelings buried alive never die."

So yeah, this is what my life has come to...missing pineapple. Luckily, I am too busy teaching hood alchemists to prep for the GED using real life, relatable examples.

I have made more friends here now. We have been staying up, sharing our stories, and our dreams for what the future holds once we leave Atwood. My tribe is growing.

I have to keep reminding myself that I am here for a purpose, to learn something, and once I have learned those lessons, then I will be released on all levels.

Probably the most exciting part of my day was having a great conversation with two ladies about our views on spirituality. As I continue my spiritual journey, I have been seeking to increase my studying and understanding of the bible.

Today was another reminder to take the time to play. To find joy in the little things.

This week, I have branched out a little. I have started building my community, my tribe. My Bunkie and I have started to talk more and are sharing with each other. And there are the ladies from the prayer service who I always speak to and even go up to and initiate a conversation. Then there are the ladies on my hall who I always pass as I head outside. They would be playing cards. I would speak, but I would keep on walking to my destination. Today, however, I did something different. I stopped and watched them play, and eventually I joined in.

…calls are hard for me because it forces me to come face to face with what I left behind. It is a reminder of my home, the love, my children, my parents, everything that I am currently away from. Calls force to me feel feelings that quite frankly I do not want to feel. The unresolved guilt that brings tears to my eyes every time I get off the phone. The pain and trauma of this experience that I am still processing. And that is the truth of why I do not call as much. I am hiding.

I started reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X a couple of days ago and I can't put it down…His prison experience completely changed his life. He even says in his autobiography that it saved his life. I truly believe the same is happening for me. Actually, I know it is. I can already feel the weight of the world lifting from my shoulders and for the first time in a long time I am truly still.

It is amazing what can be done with a pack of tuna, instant rice, and Asian sauce. And you thought Starbucks could whip up a mean frap? Oh no honey, you’ve obviously never had a prison frap with ice that was crushed between the door jam. And all I hear about is how everyone is ready for the air conditioners to go off and the heaters to come on. Apparently, there are plans brewing to make some mean grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas. We have a whole food court up in here.

So, me and my happy hips are going to the basement to the Education Department. Not exactly the illustrious university faculty position I just left, but hey, I have to use this degree somehow. And...as I was sitting with my decision this weekend, something (my soul) said, "be who you are no matter where you are." Ase'

…when I conducted my morning email check, I had received a message from my daughter. In the message she said, "momma you just have to climb this last mountain." This brought tears to my eyes because whenever I was down while I was fighting my case, my husband would say, "You got this. You have just one more mountain to climb. It is a big one, but you can do it. Soon this will all be over."

I am fortunate enough to be armed with a box of tools and skills to support in my shift. I also am blessed that I have a tribe that sends me things to read to keep me on the right path. I have recommitted myself to my daily spiritual practice and have expanded on it as well. I refuse to return "The SAME.”

I gave myself permission to grieve and sit with the sadness I was experiencing…The lady [then] began to speak very encouraging worlds. She reminded me to have gratitude for the fact that my daughters have a family around to support them, to take them to school, to care for them. She spoke about how I will have other first days of school and birthdays to celebrate and be there.

I then shared with her a construct I learned from Brene Brown, foreboding joy. Many of us are on auto-pilot mentally. The moment we feel joy, we automatically begin to think of something negative.

I have come to peace with this. I will walk out of here when I am complete. My release is not for a physical place. My release is from a spiritual place that surpasses all understanding.