In my day, Disney Channel was known for its crossover episodes. Previews were shown months before they aired and were always exciting to watch. One crossover that I wished I could have seen would be between two of my favorite shows. These shows are Kim Possible and The Proud Family. These shows not only made me laugh but showed me how strong and independent a woman could be. The title of the crossover episode is called "Puff Possible." The episode would begin with Kim Possible having lunch with Ron Stoppable and Rufus at none other than Bueno Nacho. Kim and Ron are having a great time eating Nacos and enjoying each other's company when her Kimmunicator rings with its iconic ringtone. Kim answers the call saying, "What's the sitch?" It is none other than Wade on the other line. Wade informs them that Shego and Dr. Drakken have taken Suga Mama's dog Puff. Ron takes his Naco to go, and he, Kim, and Rufus are on their way to the Proud family's house. On the way to the Proud's house, Kim, Ron, and Rufus are stopped by The Gross Sisters. The sisters demand money from them, including Rufus. Kim gives them the spare change in her pockets while Ron hands them the rest of his Naco and runs the other way with Rufus. Kim gives a hesitant shrug before catching up to Ron. Once Kim and Ron arrive at the Proud's house, they talk with Suga Mama, Oscar, Trudy, and Penny Proud, along with Penny's friends LaCienega Boulevardez, Dijonay Jones, Zoey Howszer, and Sticky Webb. BeBe and CeCe, Penny's two younger siblings, are also in the house. Not long after Kim arrives at the Proud Family residence, she gets another call from Wade. Kim answers, "What's the sitch?" Wade confirms with Kim and Ron that they have made it to the Proud's house. He also begins to explain that he has located the area in which Suga Mama and Puff are in town. As he is speaking, Sticky Webb begins to explain where he thinks Suga Mama and Puff are. He and Wade start arguing with each other. It turns out Wade and Sticky Webb are cousins. It takes Suga Mama to quiet the two of them and help the cousins see that they can work together to solve this problem rather than try to argue with each other. Kim hands over her Kimmunicator to Sticky as he and Wade work together. They eventually find out that Suga Mama and Puff are with Shego and Dr. Drakken at his lair. Kim, Ron, Penny, and her friends, with the help of Wade, come up with a plan to get Suga Mama and Puff back to the house. Wade and Sticky Webb help everyone get into Dr. Drakken's lair. When the group arrives, they find Puff. Except, it is not Puff. It turns out Dr. Drakken and Shego have been cloning Puff. Kim finds Dr. Drakken and Shego. Kim turns off the cloning machine while Suga Mama hits Shego and Dr. Drakken over the head with her cane. They are able to stop the cloning and find the real Puff. Dr. Drakken and Shego are taken to jail while the whole gang celebrates. As they continue to celebrate on the way home, they run into the Gross Sisters, who demand money from them before the screen cuts to black and the episode is done. This would be the first of many interactions between the Proud Family and Kim Possible!

Each Barbie dream house is unique and perfect. My Barbie dream house would be no exception. In real estate, location matters. My dream house is located in a mountainous coastal town. The beauty of the mountains combined with the seaside makes the location the best of two worlds. It is a ranch house with a basement. Everything that you could need is located on one floor. The exterior of the house is comprised of stone. There are some flowers planted in front of the house. The interior of the house welcomes you with a cozy family room. The family room has an electric fireplace, a couch, and comfy chairs. There is a television and model train displayed above in the entertainment center. There are three bedrooms, each with a full bathroom attached to it. Continuing through the house, there is an additional powder room for guests to use when they visit my dream house. My favorite part of the dream house is the kitchen. This kitchen has everything you could want in a kitchen. There is plenty of counter space, and the counters are quartz countertops. The stove is wide with multiple burners to whip up any meal you can think of enjoying. The oven is a double oven to ensure all cookies, pies, and cakes are baked to perfection. In the kitchen, there is a door that descends to a cozy basement area. The basement has a projector and seats to make a small, intimate movie theatre. There are comfy chairs that recline and there is a space for your drink in the armrest. It is the perfect spot to watch the Barbie movie or any other movie that you may like. Back up the stairs, you reenter the kitchen where there is a sliding glass door. As you open the sliding glass door, you walk out onto a deck with a grill and outdoor seating. The yard is roomy and surrounded by a fence. This allows a dog to freely run about without running off of the property. There is a stunning view of the mountains and is the most tranquil spot you can relax and take in the fresh air. My dream house is the perfect space to relax and call home. The beauty of the mountains combined with the tranquility of the ocean makes this stone house a one-of-a-kind. Anyone is welcome to come over for dinner, a movie night, or a quick stop to say hello. We can make some popcorn, head down to the indoor movie theatre, enjoy good company, and watch a movie, most likely the Barbie movie.

Each of the four Hogwarts houses showcases the unique qualities of the individuals in that house. If you showcase bravery and are fans of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or any of the Weasley siblings, you might see yourself as a Gryffindor. If you are cunning and side with Draco Malfoy or his buddies, Crab and Goyle, you may see yourself as a Slytherin. Two additional houses, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, are forgotten. These houses, not always given the respect they deserve, also provide individuals with a home, and members of these houses bring valuable talents to the table. I identify as a Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff may seem as though it is the weakest house of the four. However, that is not a statement I agree with. Some of the traits that Hufflepuffs possess are hard-working, friendly, and loyal. These are traits that I also use to describe myself. I work hard in every task I complete and give one hundred twenty percent every time. I provide a smile and friendly helping hand to anyone who needs assistance or could use a smile to cheer them up from a gloomy day. I am loyal not only to my friends and family but to my colleagues and my job. In addition to the traits above, Hufflepuffs are an inclusive bunch. Their house is the most welcoming out of the four houses of Hogwarts. Their acceptance provides a safe space for all. As someone who is a teacher, this is the type of environment I provide for my students every day. My students know they can be their authentic selves without fear of being judged by others. When situations arise, I show my students the talents everyone brings to their community and showcase how each person is unique and special. This instance is just one example of how a member of Hufflepuff contributes to the greater society outside of Hogwarts. Most people see the glitz and glamour of being associated with Gryffindor or the rebelliousness associated with Slytherin that they do not take the time of day to recognize the other houses in Hogwarts. Hufflepuffs are excluded by the rest of their peers, especially when compared to Ravenclaws. Hufflepuffs are not one to brag about themselves. However, when it comes time to find someone who will stand by you in times of need and lend a helping hand, there should be no hesitation in seeking a Hufflepuff to be your companion. I am proud to be a Hufflepuff and be a loyal, hard-working friend by your side.

Everyone loves a good reality television series. People find the drama of situations, made up or accurate, fascinating and want to watch more of what will happen next. There is a reality show for just about anything these days. From finding love to cooking, dancing, fashion, and everything in between, you can always find something to binge-watch at home. One particular reality show that is exciting for me to watch is Drive to Survive. This Netflix Series goes into the lives and race weekends of the drivers and team principals of ten Formula One Teams. Twenty drivers compete for the title of world champion. To become a world champion, you need to score the most points. It does not necessarily mean a driver needs to win all the races. The top ten drivers earn points for each race, with first place earning twenty-five points and tenth place earning one point. Eleventh through twentieth places do not receive points. Points earned by team members are combined to determine the Constructor’s championship, designating the best team for that season. You would be amiss to think that it is a boring show since all the drivers race around a track for a certain number of laps before a winner is determined. Anything can happen during a race. Unfortunately, if a driver steers the car in the wrong direction, he may crash into a wall. A yellow flag will slow the race in specific sectors, a safety car will slow down the whole race, and a red flag will stop the race entirely. It does not matter if it is raining at the circuit or the track is dry; no one can predict the outcome of any race. In this Netflix series, there is humor, suspense, and action. Each driver brings a sense of humor to interviews about the upcoming race. Of course, you could always look up the results, as the episodes air after the racing season. Each season of Drive to Survive starts with introducing new drivers for the year and the preseason preparations for team principals and their drivers. It is atypical to find an American racing in a Formula One car. No season of Drive to Survive has featured an American racer, although that may change if the Netflix series is filming the current 2023 season. However, the Haas Formula One team is out of the United States. Due to the series becoming more popular in the United States, not one but three races are occurring during the 2023 seasons. Americans can see a Formula One race in person in Miami, Florida, Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Most races throughout the season featured on Netflix are usually from the perspective of one or two teams in each episode. Once you watch Drive to Survive on Netflix, you will be a fan of Formula One in no time. With some help from reality television, each race gives viewers a thrilling series to watch from start to finish, season after season. If you are looking for the next series on Netflix to binge-watch, look no further than Drive to Survive.

Are you Team Pumpkin or Team Apple? This question defines the autumn season. Do you choose the classic pumpkin spice latte or a standard hot apple cider? As the season changes from the heat of summer to the cooler temperatures of fall, the drink of choice has to be a perfect match. Answer incorrectly, and you may end up in a fight between your friends. My drink of choice is perfect for the start of the fall season until the holiday drinks appear on the scene. My favorite drink from Starbucks is the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. As a cold brew, it is a perfect thirst quencher in the hot days of August, when pumpkin drinks are new. It will continue to be my favorite drink throughout the fall season. I am a fan of cold brews, particularly from Starbucks, so there is no question that my favorite fall drink combines the best of the best. Pumpkin cold foam sits on top of this drink. On top of the cold foam, there is a good sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. It is a pumpkin pie in a cup. While I do not start every single morning with a Starbucks run, on the mornings that I can take the time and enjoy a Starbucks beverage, it will be a great day. A Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew coffee is the perfect partner to help me focus on my daily tasks and settle into my daily routine. Even right now, I am finishing up my Grande Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew that I purchased this morning. The season of fall is a season of change. School starts up again, and students are embracing new challenges and experiences. Younger students are starting school for the very first time. Some students may be starting at a brand new school this year. Other students may be starting a new phase of their education. They may be starting middle school, high school, college, graduate school, or their first job out of college. As a teacher, I know the beginning of the school year quite well. As I return to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree, I join thousands of others embarking on a new chapter. The one thing that remains consistent with each start is a partner that will help me stay focused and help me reach new goals that I have set for myself, both as a student and as a teacher. As I gear up for the first day of classes and the first week of school, each day will have the same start to help me prepare for the journey ahead: a Grande Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks.

I have been obsessed with Disney for as long as I can remember. Although my childhood was not filled with many park trips, I was always excited for a new Disney TV show, movie, book, or DVD to come out. Even from a young age, I have been able to recite many a line from a movie or show, practically quoting Hocus Pocus from start to finish. While there are many things that I love about Disney, my favorite thing about it is not on land or on a screen, but at sea. There is no place I would rather be than setting sail on a Disney cruise. My first voyage on a Disney cruise was when I was eighteen years old. In the inaugural year of the Disney Dream, I embarked on a five-night cruise with my then-boyfriend, now husband, and his parents. It was truly a dream come true. From that moment on, I had caught the cruising bug, but specifically with Disney. It is the only cruise line I have sailed on and the only one I will ever choose to sail on. Each time you embark on the ship, Disney proudly welcomes you, announcing your name for everyone on the ship to hear. Cast members applaud as you make your way through the atrium or grand hall. It is beautiful and surreal. Every time they announce our names, I immediately tear up. Memories of past cruises come flooding back, and the excitement of making new memories is ever-present. You truly become a part of the Disney family. A Disney cruise is a place where everyone can experience the magic, no matter who they are. On board the ship, there are multiple opportunities to meet characters. Even now, I still get excited to high-five Goofy, hug Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie, and tell Donald he is the number one duck. Whether it is waiting in line for the perfect picture or a spontaneous encounter on deck, you can never meet a Disney character too many times, and each is special. While Disney is a place of magic and fun for kids of all ages, it also provides incredible experiences when some quiet and relaxation away from the excitement is required. When you step off on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, it is a fantasy in paradise. The clear blue water and white sands at Serenity Bay, the adult beach, are picture-perfect. Dinner or brunch at Palo, an adult-only restaurant on the ships, are some of the most delicious meals I have eaten. Disney has given me the blessing of celebrating my honeymoon, anniversaries, and birthdays aboard their ships, all while exploring new places and providing a magical experience that no one else can match. The worst part of visiting Disney, whether on land or at sea, is leaving. There is so much joy in a place where all your wishes come true and all your worries disappear. Disney Cruise Line creates welcoming spaces for everyone—a place where you are welcome, no matter who you are or how old you are. Magic and wonder are always there if you truly believe in them. There is no question for me; a Disney cruise will always be my favorite place to be.

My future self is a brave and confident woman that is a leader in and out of the classroom.