Should've Waited 5 More Mikes...

That's minutes, in military terms.  Seeing as I'm delving into the world of blogging, I should've waited 5 more minutes so I could officially birth my very first blog at midnight, August 1, 2012.  But I didn't...which is the story of my life.  I physically am unable to wait. For anything.  Patience is not my forte, and it is illustrated by the fact that I couldn't wait for a perfect, even-numbered time to start this blog.

Regardless, here I am.  I can't say I know too much about what I'm doing or what I've gotten myself into.  However, I'm somewhat excited to get the ball rolling on this so I can share my daily adventures for anyone who decides they're bored enough to read this.  Disclaimer:  my life is not perfect or all that interesting.  If you're looking for something profound, this ain't it.  If you want a blog that moves your soul...keep looking.  So what exactly can you expect from this blog? A retelling of my life: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

A little about myself.  I am 33 (almost 34) years old and grew up in Grand Rapids. I went to IHM and Catholic Central, then Aquinas for a little.  Then I decided to take a break from college, went to live with my sister in Detroit, worked as a teller for about a year, then decided, "I think I'm going to join the Marines."

So I did.

Fast forward 5 active duty years later.  I came back to Michigan, finished my Associate's at GRCC and graduated from GVSU in 2009.  I was hired then and currently work for Grand Rapids Public Schools as an 8th grade special education teacher and absolutely love it.  Last year I decided to start a business and went ahead and got that ball rolling, too.  What do I do on the side? I get rid of lice.  No, you're not drunk, you read that correctly.  I have technicians who go to people's homes and get rid of head lice for them.  I'm sure we'll talk more about that later.  Then I decided I should start my Master's and here I am.  I love technology. I am in the process of using gamification and components of the flipped classroom with my students.  It's my first year doing it and I'm scared out of my mind, but more excited than anything.  Oh, and did I mention I have 4 kids?

Yeah. It's gonna be a busy year. 

So that's me.  I hope I can provide you with some form of entertainment.  Either that, or I can provide you with enough reading to put you to sleep if you struggle with insomnia.  Either way, I'll tell you as I tell my children: "Hold on to your butts." (Thank you, Jurassic Park, for that line.) Get your beverages ready (alcoholic or non), your fuzzy socks on, and prop your pillow.  The Rivas Show is about to begin...