I cannot express how happy I was to meet my new mentee today. Here's the thing... the counselor told me that she has a problem with sharing too much of her private life with anyone she happens to come across during the day. Parent volunteers, other teachers, older students she doesn't even know - no one is safe from her spillage. So the counselor, who I already consider a genius at the ripe old age of 20-something, has come up with an amazing plan. Her teacher is going to give Cali a "Penny for Your Thoughts" book. And when she wants to share something, the teacher will suggest she write it in her book to save for when I come. Is that adorable or what?

We spent an hour together today and she told me she wished it were longer. Her parents got divorced this past year and her dad works offshore, so she's not happy that she doesn't get to spend a lot of time with him. She has three much older sisters: 18, 20, and 26 (all from a different dad), and the youngest two live at home. She shares a bed with her mother so her sisters can each have their own rooms. She told me that her mother wants the two sisters to share the master bedroom with their own bathroom so that she and Cali can have their own rooms, but the girls don't want to. So what's wrong with this picture?

Also Cali's legal name is Khaily something Jones, but she goes by Cali (for California) Love Smith. Last names have been changed for privacy. The school obviously uses her legal name, but her teacher calls her Cali, as do I. She told me she's still very sad about the divorce and that her best friend is moving in December. We have a lot of work to do and I already can't wait to see her next week!