Why Broken English?

No, my blog has nothing to do with "broken English" as a fragmented language. Nor is it in any way related to Broken English Jewelry, Broken English the movie, or the Broken English band, (all of which I came across AFTER selecting my blog name).

I love everything about the written word, about English Language Arts. I love to read books. I love to read other people's writing. I love to edit other people's writing. I love sharing my knowledge of literature and writing with students. As an undergrad student, I chose to major in literature and writing because it was what I had a passion for and they were the subjects that I excelled in. Two years later, I decided to become an English teacher. I went back to school and graduated with my Master's degree in Secondary Education.That was almost five years ago. I still do not have a job as an English teacher. I am currently a stay-at-home-mom, and while I love my boys dearly, I am still passionate about becoming an English teacher.

Being a mother takes center stage in my life, and unfortunately it has pushed my role as an English teacher into the background. Really far back in the background. I'm talking waaaay back; the understudy hiding in the dark wings, desperately waiting for it's moment. I feel as though my connection with reading and writing has been broken. I am losing all of the knowledge that I had about literary elements, writing styles, and grammar; they have been shoved to the side by "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", Dora and Diego, and sentences spoken with complete disregard for any proper use of pronouns, grammar, or subject/verb agreement! (In other words, the world of a three-year-old). My analytical skills are continuously growing weak from lack of use. I am no longer an "active reader", but someone who only reads for pleasure.Not to mention that I also feel myself getting "stupider" with every day I spend away from real adult interaction.

Therefore, I created this blog as a way for me to attempt to reconnect with my love and appreciation for the written word. I am trying to recreate myself as an active reader, someone who digs deep into the heart of the story to find all of the hidden messages and meanings. Someone who is able to make intelligent (ha ha ha) connections between what I am reading and the real world around me. I am a firm believer that if you don't practice the skills that you have, then you will eventually lose them. And I don't want to lose mine.

Wish me luck!