The Perfect Mother's Day Present for Momillennium

Hi, Everybody!

No surprises here, folks—today’s blog post is a very special one, as it is dedicated to the one and only Mrs. Danielle Renee Stewart, affectionately known to me as Momillennium… and how apropos is it that I dedicate today’s blog post to her, considering that this is the first time in three years that I will spend Mother’s Day with my precious little mommykins!

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then Mom and I are about ready to burst with love and excitement!

All things considered, I think it’s safe to say that I am the perfect Mother’s Day present for my mom. I mean, think about it: I was away at Rust, and Heaven only knows how much I wanted to fly out and be with my mom, if only for Mother’s Day weekend. Oh, sure—I always made sure that I mailed off a Mother’s Day card for her, and I always called her on the day, just to hear her voice, but yet and still, it just wasn’t the same without me being there to see that warm smile on her face and hear that light chuckle in her voice when she says, “Oh, you little HoneyBee!”

Well, all that is gonna happen today! In a few moments, I’m gonna surprise her with her Mother’s Day roses and card, and then she’s gonna realize that I’ve got ribbons stuck to my cheeks… hahahahaha!

Let’s face it, y’all—I’m the gift that keeps on giving!

Well, let me go ahead and close up today’s blog post, but I’ll be talking to y’all later on. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

So, What's Next for Natasha?

Hi, Everybody!

Ever since I’ve been back home, I haven’t really done a whole lot of anything…  granted, I did go to church yesterday, and I received such a hero’s welcome! Pastor Clark made it emphatically clear yesterday during morning worship service that he and Mrs. Clark were excited and honored to witness my graduation ceremony at Rust. As a matter of fact, Pastor Clark said that mine was the first college graduation that he ever attended, and he was very impressed with the entire ceremony. He also made mention that when my name was called to get my degree, Mrs. Clark was yelling louder than he was… hahahaha!

Imagine that, y’all—looks like I’ve set the standards for my fellow youth and young adults at St. Matthew Baptist Church! I honestly didn’t plan on making history like I did, but I am humbled and honored to have achieved such a milestone in my young life.

So, now that I’m back home, what’s next for me?

Well, I had planned on just staying home all this week and not doing anything productive, especially considering that I dedicated four years of my life to Rust College. However, as I may have mentioned once or twice before, college life has completely made me over. Gone are the days where I would stay cooped up in my room like a hermit—Rust College has helped turn me into a social butterfly, and I reckon I’ll be fluttering around all day tomorrow. I just remembered that I’ve gotta buy some thank-you cards on account I’ve got a lot of people to thank for helping me along my latest academic journey. And believe me when I tell y’all—the list is extensively long! Yes, I know I made a redundancy, but that’s exactly how many people I gotta thank… and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ruby, Theo, Craig, and Azalea are on that very list!

I also plan on visiting Mrs. Martin sometime this week… and I just remembered something: Before I left for Rust in Decemeber, I promised Mrs. Martin’s kindergarten class that I would pay them a visit when I returned home. I reckon I had better cash in on that promise…

And now that I think about it, they’ll be graduating themselves in about a month!

Well, y’all—it goes without saying, but my dance card is starting to fill up!

Until tomorrow, y’all take care and be good.

Smooches,
Natasha

Hello, L.A., My Old Friend!

Well, it goes without saying, but finally, “The Vipress” has come back… home!

Our flight arrived in L.A. around 4:30pm PST this afternoon, and I gotta tell y’all: I’m still suffering from bittersweet emotions. I’m glad that I have accomplished my academic goals and all, but no one told me that I was gonna suffer from Bearcat withdrawal. Look, I’ve barely been home, and already I miss Rust College so much. If I was back at Rust, I would be finishing up the first week of Summer School, and I’d be hanging out with my peeps. We’d either kick it at the Hudspeths or we’d be in Memphis chillin’ at the mall or with my Auntie Gladys.

Nevertheless, that old saying still holds true: Be it ever so humble, there is still no place like home, and I am glad to be back!

Well, I really hate to cut this blog post short one today, but I gotta do so—a sista is tired and hungry, and Mom and Dad ordered pizza and chicken wings, and we’re gonna do some serious snacking tonight! Well, at least I let y’all to know that I made it back to the Golden State safely.

Until next time, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Thank You So Much, Rust College!

Well, y’all—this is it!

First of all, I wish to point out that we have made it to Blog Post #700, and it’s quite apropos that this particular blog post would fall on my last day here in the South. In about two hours or so, I’ll be boarding a plane with my mom, dad, Cousin Becky, and Gramma Jewel, and we’ll all be heading back to Southern Cali. Y’all already know what this means to me—no more frequent flyer miles, no more college living, no more road trips to Memphis, and no more visits with my Great Aunt Reesie. It is officially over, and I am saddened by it.

Yesterday evening, I had one more get-together with Ruby, Azalea, Craig, and Theo, and we had a real good cryfest. All things considered, it’s hard to turn off four years of friendship! The five of us were all but joined at the hip, and we shared a lot of our time together. We had a lotta fun times, and we even had some not-so-fun times, but we got through them all together. Truth be told, y’all: Ruby, Azalea, Theo, and Craig are the very first best friends that I’ve ever had. They’re more than just my Rust College alum—they’re my family, and they always will be! So, suffice it to say that when we met up for one more round yesterday evening, a lot of tears were shed and a lot of hugs were given.

I told y’all that I’m fickle… and I’m also a big ol’ softie!

Well, I reckon I’d better close up this blog post and get ready to head to the Memphis Airport one mo’ ginn, but I just want to say that Mississippi and Tennessee were great hosts for this little ol’ city gal. I have learned so much in these past four years, and not just within the confines of Rust College either—I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about life. I am definitely the richer for my Southern experience. It’s just a shame that it’s got to come to a close.

Now That I Am An Official Rust College Alumna...

Hi, Everybody!

Even though my commencement was a mere three days ago, I still feel the excitement in the air now that I am officially a Rust College alumna. The reason why y’all didn’t hear from me at all yesterday was because I spent most of the day packing up and moving my things out of Emma Elzy Hall. I’ll be heading back to L.A. this Friday, which I count as a blessing on account of I’m just not ready to say goodbye just yet.

I kinda touched base on it a couple days ago in my late Saturday evening blog post, but I don’t think I went into full detail. I omitted the fact that I suffered a minor anxiety attack. Thankfully, I was lying down on my bed when it happened. I just started hyperventilating and my heart was racing like crazy. Let me ask y’all a question: Have you ever hoped, wished, and prayed for a dream to come true, and when that dream did come true, how did you feel? Well, lemme tell y’all: When I realized that I was just mere moments away from my commencement ceremony, all of those emotions that I had my freshman year returned maybe ten times worse! I think I had stated that it was the same emotions but a different scenario—well, the pomp and circumstance is over, but those emotions never left me. When I packed up my last item and zipped up my suitcase, I got hit real hard by reality. I actually had to look around the room for a couple of minutes. My days as a Rust College student are officially over, and I am now about to enter the real world, if I haven’t done so already.

Since I’ve moved out, I’m staying with my Great Aunt Donna until I leave this Friday… and now that I think about it, Neo Theo is leaving this Friday as well. I reckon we’ll meet up with each other at the airport. My fellow alumni have got to meet one last time before we officially go our separate ways… and we will, too!

Until next time, y’all take care, and I’ll holla at’cha later.


Smooches,
Natasha

I Done Did It!

Well, Y’all—I DONE DID IT!!!

As of yesterday afternoon, I am an official graduate of Rust College, Class of2016… and dammit—it feels fan-freakin-tastic!

Now, y’all already know that my family cut a shine during my commencement ceremony. When I stepped up on that platform and received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, the first voice I heard was that of my mom’s. Yes, y’all—Mama beat Gramma Jewel to the punch! My mom was all like, “You just go ‘head on, Tasha-Girl, wit’cho bad self!” And to tell y’all the truth, I was not at all embarrassed; in fact, I pointed directly at her and blew her a kiss, and as I headed back to my seat, my entire support group was literally chanting “Natasha! Natasha!” And right then and there, I imitated Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and soaked in the cheers.

What can I say? My family knows me all too well, and vice-versa.

After the ceremony ended, I caught up with the rest of my peeps, and we just got together in one big group circle and cheered. Of course, we took a couple of selfies, and then we met up with our families. Y’all should’ve seen the look on my Gramma Jewel’s face—I could tell that my commencement meant so much to her, especially considering that she is a Class of 1957 Bearcat. Technically speaking, the Bearcat legacy ended with my Great Aunt Reesie in 1959—well since I rekindled that fire, that leaves room for future generations in my family to keep the legacy alive.

And I want to say right now: My entire family notwithstanding, I was not at all surprised to see my former kindergarten teacher Mrs. Martin, nor was I surprised to see Pastor and Mrs. Clark, Mother Davis, and Brother Hawkins. However, I was really taken by surprise when I saw Mr. & Mrs. D and Pastor & Mrs. Rich in attendance. And what a thrill it was for me to introduce Mrs. Martin to Mr. D… and y’all already know that Gramma Jewel took a picture of me, Mr. D, Mrs. Martin, and my fellow alumnus Craig.

You know, I would love to talk about every little detail that took place yesterday afternoon, but we would be all day. With that said, I’m gonna have to cut today’s blog post short, but I promise that I’ll have more to talk about in the days (and probably weeks) to come. Until then, y’all take care and be good.


Smooches,
Natasha

I Am So Scared Right Now!

Hi, Y’all!

So, I’m back from my evening festivities as a graduating senior, and I’ve decided to write a little somethin’-somethin’ right now, because I may not get this chance tomorrow.

Can I be honest with y’all? I have officially come to grips with reality—I am a fickle little girl. Four years ago, when I first arrived at Rust, I was kvetching about how I wanted to go back to L.A., or at least transfer to USC after I completed my freshman year. Well, here it is, four years later, and I’m kvetching again, but for a different reason: I just realized that I am closer now than I’ve ever been, and I don’t wanna leave Mississippi. Yes, I know that this was only temporary, but as y’all know, I’ve made some great friends and I’ve got some great memories stored up in such a short time. I can’t deny it any longer, y’all—Rust College has become such a huge part of my life, and I am eternally grateful for every experience, both academically and personally.

In addition to everything else, the scenarios have changed, but my emotions are still the same—I am scared out of my mind, y’all!

Oh, sure—I’ve got a great future ahead of me, but what scares me is the fact that I’m about to go to the next level. Once I receive my Bachelor’s Degree tomorrow, it’s all over. No more dorm rooms, no more assemblies, no more talent shows, no more evening runs at McNasty’s, and no more kickin’ it with my peeps at our table in the cafeteria. When I return to Southern Cali this Thursday, I won’t find another group of people like Theo, Ruby, Azalea, and Craig. Everything will be different… well, even more so than it already is.

I tell y’all—just when I get out of one storm, here comes another storm.

Well, this is it, y’all! For obvious reasons, you may not be hearing from me tomorrow, but I guarantee that you’ll hear from me sometime on Monday. In the meantime, please keep me lifted up in prayer—I’d really appreciate it.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha