Christina Epperly
Bio
Hello There ! I'm a blogger, writer and bucket lister! My bucket list has over 300 items on it. I am big believer in enjoying the little things in life. I also love collecting toys.
John 3:16
Stories (60/0)
Three crazy stories from my time working at a summer camp.
It has been a fair amount of time since I officially left the field of childcare. I spent a good amount of time working in childcare, during that time I did experience some things that I would describe as being surprising and even a little on the shocking side. I decided that I would share some stories from my career. The following stories take place while I was working for a Rec department. I spent part of that summer working at a day camp for kids that were around the ages of 9 - 11. During this camp we went on a good amount of field trips. Let me tell you if you have never taken a large group of kids out in public you are lucky. With that being said let's get to the stories.
By Christina Epperly2 months ago in Journal
Never move to the SF bay aera
I'm 33 years old and I have lived in the same place my whole eniter life so far. I live about an half hour from San Jose and the area I lived in has changed a lot over the years and not for the better. It has become over populated ridiculously expensive and fast paced. I know I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself so I will slow down and explain things a little better. Before the bay area tech companies really took off things seemed pretty normal here from what I can sremember. When I was gowing up the stores and the roads were not near as crowded and there were a lot less apartments and town homes around. Things seemed to move at an average pace. It was not like I lived in an empty town there were people around but it was not overwhelming like it is now. Obviously I did not have to worry about paying rent and buying food back whe n I was kid but I would be willing to bet that even when inflation is taken into account the cost of living back then was a lot lower. This area has become almost unlivable to the middle class. If you make an average amount of money the SF bay Area will make you run yourself ragged trying to cover all the basic expenses. However for some reason people keep on moving here to this area that is busting at the seams with people. Apartments are being build on ever spare piece of land that can be found. I honestly don't know what makes this area so attractive to people. Usually it is those that work in tech that want to move here but the thing is not everyone in this area can work in tech because people still need to buy food and fill up their cars with gas. However the people who work those jobs are getting driven out due to the high costs. Apartments are anything but affordable and most people have to have a roommate or five in order to be able to pay rent and eat. Many people are in love with the weather here but that would be an easy thing to give up in exchange for an affordable place to live that is not over populated but also not in the middle of nowhere. That use to be how this area was decades ago but now it seems comparable to New York City. The Bay Area is extremely fast paced. Everyone seems to be in a rush. No one seems to knows how to slow down and enjoy life anymore. It is all about getting ahead. The higher income people may be able to around to live here but they don't seem to be all that happy to me. In my experience even the high income people are stressed and can have a very short temper. The overall atmosphere of the area that I live in seems to be one entitlement. With the way things are overall in the San Francisco Bay area I do not understand why any one would want to move here. This area has nothing to offer other than beyond high rents and head ache causing traffic. Overrated does not even begin to describe how things are here. I have traveled a fair amount and there are many other areas that I rather be. If your thinking about moving here I would highly recommend that you come to visit and drive during high traffic times. Oh and I could do a whole post on this but just because our local schools have good test does not mean that they are good schools. Honestly, do not move here you will probably regret it unless you love traffic.
By Christina Epperly2 months ago in FYI
Wishing and planning for summer
It is not uncommon to have a favorite time of year however, I love summer more than any other season and as soon as a new year begins I start getting ready for summertime. I have already started planning my summer bucket list game, my summer mall weekend and of course my vacations. . There is just something that is so welcoming about summer. It usually means sunny days, vacations and a bunch of outdoor activates including swimming, hiking, camping and concerts. I also absolutely love celebrating the fourth of July. It is usually a low stress holiday full of family, friends, food and fire works. I know some people like to hate on summer because it gets very hot and that not the most comfortable thing in the world. but I can deal with the heat in exchange for the joy and fun that the summertime brings. I'm not afraid to admit that one of the big reasons why I love summer so much is because of the nostalgia that it brings me. The feeling of freedom I felt during childhood comes back to me every year . Every summer it is like I'm off of school again with days of freedom and fun ahead of me. Now, I'm in my 30's and I have to go work so I don't exactly have the the seemly endless free time that I had during my childhood summer vacations. That being said I still make the most of my summers. I'm very much looking forward to another year of summertime adventure. However until then I will be getting ready for my very favorite time of year. That does not mean that I won't be enjoying the time in-between now and then. I know some may consider it be silly to spend so much time planning for a certain time of year but I consider it to be a hobby just like the way some people get really into certain holidays or sports events. There a plenty of people who put in a lot of preparation for a one day event such as a wedding so it does not seem silly to me that I put this much effort in to planning for my summer. I enjoy researching what I want to do on vacation, What movies I want to see, What concerts will be happening close to me and deciding what songs I want to put on my summer playlist. One Thing I really want to do this year is make sure that I get to go to some fun summer concerts because I did not get to go to any last year. However it can take a while for concert dates to be published so I haven't bought any tickets or decided on an artist I want to go see yet but there are a few that I am considering going to see. I'm also keeping an out for any fun 5ks like the color run ,the bubble run or night nation that might announce that they are having events near me. I also have a Pinterest Board where I'm gathering things like art and craft projects and summer bucket list ideas. It goes without saying but I'm very excited for summertime and I can not wait for sunny days to get here. It is raining right now and this kind of weather can easily get me depressed. I know that we need rain and I'm happy that we are getting it but it has a negative impact on my mood but my summer planning is helping to keep from sleeping all day. I really hope that this summer will be one of the best ones ever! What are your plans for this summer? I would love to read them in the comments.
By Christina Epperly3 months ago in Motivation
If you are a creative person you need a journal
I have kept a journal or a notebook off and on throughout out my life. Sometimes I have been good about writing in them somewhat regularly. Other times I barley touch them. Recently I have been carrying my journal with me. This is nothing ground breaking but in today's world of smartphones, tablets and laptops taking a journal with you may seem outdated to some. I have found that keeping a journal or a notebook is one of the best things that creative people can do. A journal does not have to be a daily written dairy about what you did that day. It can be anything you want to to be. You can fill your journal with nothing but drawings and photographs if you would like to. My journal has lots of stickers and I want to add some pictures to it. Journals are a great source of inspiration when you experience the dreaded writer's block looking at your Journal can bring you a lot of much needed inspiration. Your journal can pretty much always be used since it does not need to be charged liked your electronic devices do. It is easy to grab it when inspiration strikes. I have a problem with thinking of great and exciting topics that I want to write about later and then I forget my great ideas before I have a chance to actually write them down. This problem of mine is one of the main reasons that I like to carry a journal around with me at all times. I love that when I'm writing in my journal all I have to do is focus on expressing my creative personality. I don't have to worry about notifications or calls distracting me like I do when I write on my phone. I also don't have to worry about spelling mistakes or making sure that everything makes sense. I can just let my creativity flow without a care in the world and then when I'm ready I can take those ideas and turn them into a blog post or article. One other great thing about journals is that they are very easy to find and you can find them in many colors and patterns. My current journal has a plain blue cover but I decorated it with stickers . It is a great way to show my personality. Even if you do not consider yourself to be a creative person I highly recommend that you get a journal and see what happens. You may be surprised when your everyday life brings you inspiration. Before you know it you may consider yourself to be a creative person or even a writer. Other than that it can be a great tool for keeping you emotionally healthy. Instead of sending that fiery text message when you are in the heat of anger reach for your journal instead and let your anger flow until you have calmed down. I know that modern technology has largely replaced journals and dairies but I think that this one thing that we can't afford to lose. In today's world of smart phones keeping a journal is something that most people probably don't even think about. I'm here to remind you that old things and new thing can work well together so go get yourself an awesome journal and a cool set of pens, some markers , crayons and lots of fun stickers! Maybe even get your self some glitter glue and cut out pictures from magazines and go create an amazing place for you to express your wild and beautiful creativity.
By Christina Epperly3 months ago in Motivation
The snow won't stop me
Lark looked down at her pink boots as she slowly made her way down the sidewalk. She knew she had to make it to her friends house. Especially since she had just spent an hour convincing her parents to let her walk in the worst snowstorm that their town had seen in twenty years. On top of the argument with her parents she had to pay her brother so she could barrow his ski goggles. However, none of that would matter as long as she made it Cindy's house for their sleepover. They had been planning this for weeks and Lark would not let snow get in her way. Lark had been having a hard time making friends at the private school her parents had made her go to. She had been very lonely until she met Cindy in art club. The snow continued to pour down from the sky and she could no longer feel her nose. she kept her thoughts focused on the sleepover but is was getting harder to see. She looked up and she could see that she was by the park now. It would normally only take her about three minutes to walk to Cindy's house from here but the deep snow slowed her down. She focused on making one step at a time she was going to prove to everyone that she could do this. She kept taking steps until she could see the house. She knocked and Cindy opened the door and smiled.
By Christina Epperly3 months ago in Fiction
Be bold
I'm a writer. One thing about being a writer is that my head is always filled with creative ideas about the topics that I want to write about and the grand stories that I want to tell ,but often times I never actually get around to writing about even half of the things that I want to write about. The biggest problem I have with being a writer is that I often get in my own way. I do not like to admit it, but I struggle with worrying about getting backlash from the things I want to write. I want to write my truly unfiltered opinions, but I often hold myself back. I also have a hard time making time to actually write instead of just day dreaming about it. With all that being said, I think it is pretty clear what my goals are when it comes to writing on Vocal Media this year, but since I am a writer, I will go into detail. Goal number one is to actually write. I am a writer, after all. I wish that being a writer was my main job. I know that if I want to make that dream a reality, I have to actually write. Writing on Vocal Media gives me a chance to put my writing in front of more eyes and to make some money as well. My specific goal for this year when it comes to writing more often is to write and publish three or more posts each month on vocal Media. It seems like a pretty easy goal but It is easy for work and other commitments to get in the way, but I know I can make time, and who knows? I might just be able to write my way into a whole new career. I just have to do it. As for the second part of my vocal goals for this year. I need to stop caring about what other people might think about what I write. If people do not like what I write, then they don't have to read it. It is the time to let my ideas run free on the internet within reason, of course. I wrote an article last year about some of my controversial opinions, and I was worried about what would happen, but it turned out fine and I was proud of myself. I want to really challenge myself to not hold back this year. Writing about controversial things can lead to healthy discussions and cause people to reevaluate their own point of view. I have had controversial views for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I loved Scar from the Lion King, and I was quick to defend him, and I still stand by that. Maybe I should write an article about that. When I was younger, I was bolder, and I need to get some of that boldness back. I remember that I was quick to debate other kids who had been lied to and thought that Santa Claus was real. I did not let fear hold me back from speaking my mind. I think being a writer requires a certain level of boldness, and my goal is to embrace my boldness. If I achieve both of these goals, I will at the very least grow as a writer, and at the most, I will change my whole life, in a productive and positive way. I want to encourage all of my fellow writers and storytellers to be bold as well and make your writing dreams come true. Happy 2024, Vocal writers!
By Christina Epperly4 months ago in Motivation
I left the child care industry and I have no regrets
In October of 2022, I made the choice to leave the childcare industry for good. After working in the field of childcare off and on for many years, I decided to leave it once and for all, and I'm very happy with that choice. To give all of you a quick recap. I started working in childcare while I was still in high school. Since I enjoyed doing it, I decided to make it into my career. I went to a local community college and studied early childhood education, and I earned myself two certificates in that field. During my time in the field of childcare, I discovered that it is a job with a very high turnover rate. The stress levels are very high, and in my state, the ratio is one to twelve. To sum it all up, the pressure and stress are extremely high, and the pay is very low. Teachers often spend their own money on their classrooms, and they are often mistreated by children, parents, and management. To put it bluntly, I would not recommend working in childcare to my worst enemy. Since officially leaving childcare, I have been working in the world of retail, and of course, this field of work is not perfect, but in my experience, it is many times better than the field of childcare. After a day of working in childcare, I was exhausted in every way possible. Now, after work, I'm tired, but I don't feel drained in the way I did before. I no longer have the pressure of protecting children's lives while also having to stick to a sometimes too advanced curriculum. After all my years in childcare, it became clear to me that the world of childcare is in need of a lot of help, and unfortunately, it is the children that are suffering the most from this broken industry. Of course, there are always exceptions to rules, and there are some childcare centers that are good places for children and staff to be. However, those places are few and far between. A vast majority of people enter into this industry for all the right reasons. They have a talent for teaching young children and they have a caring and kind personality but this industry as it stands now is not a healthy place for these people to be. It is not unheard of or even uncommon really for teachers to quit on the spot with little or no warning. I personally saw this happen twice, but I have also head about it happening at other schools. The pure stress and often times mistreatment that is experienced by people in this industry can turn a kind and carrying person into a bitter and cold person. It is no secret that teachers and childcare workers are not valued the way that they should be, but I feel like we do not talk about the mistreatment enough. Teachers are often fighting uphill battles in which they are trying to do what is best for the children in their care while also keeping the parents and the management happy. It was not uncommon for me to cry during my time as a childcare worker, and I'm sure many others would say the same. I sincerely worry about the state of childcare in my area and beyond. Big changes have to happen if things are going to improve. The first thing that needs to change is the ratio. A one to twelve ratio for children that are only two years of age is ridiculous and, in my opinion, dangerous. With this ratio, child care centers are able to enroll more children, but it makes the quality of care that a child receives lower. I am convinced that whoever set that ratio did not spend much time at all working with children. Even if the ratio was changed, I still would not go back to the industry after my experience with it. However, it would greatly improve the childcare industry going forward, and it would probably increase the quality of teachers who want to work in the field of preschool or childcare. To put all of my thoughts into a simple sentence, I will say that if you are thinking about becoming a preschool teacher with the rules as they currently are, especially in the state of California, don't.
By Christina Epperly4 months ago in Journal