Reflective Thinking

Hey, Y’all!

I guess you all can tell by the title and the photo that I’ve been doing a whole lot of reflective thinking, especially as it relates to my inevitable return to Rust. I actually had to sit back and laugh, which was very difficult to do around this time last year. If y’all had met me a year ago—believe me when I tell ya—I was a totally different person.

I think I shared my story about the emotional rollercoaster that I had been on, as it relates to the “stranger in a foreign land” syndrome. The homesickness kicked in literally hours before I even stepped foot on the plane for Memphis. I remember actually trying to stall, just so I could miss the plane and go to a community college. Alas, it was all in vain. I also remember my first night in E.L. Rust Hall, literally crying myself to sleep—that homesickness was very strong, and very unrelenting. Hell, it was so bad that I made a promise to myself that I would just live in my dorm room and not come out unless it was time for class.

Well, as y’all can tell through my blog posts, that plan didn’t really work out for me very well!

In addition to making new friends, I also found myself embracing my home away from home on so many levels—walking around on the track, meeting up for study sessions in the library, and an occasional road trip or two. Also, I discovered that, even though I was away from my Cali family, I had my extended family in Nashville, Memphis, and even as close to me as Olive Branch. That’s right—I’ve got a family that is about a half hour away from me, and they treat me like their long lost daughter. Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, I’ve gotta get a gift for Mr. & Mrs. Hudspeth, per the directive of my mom and dad. After all, my great grandmother taught me that goodheartedness begets goodheartedness—it goes above and beyond, and it never asks for anything in return, because it gives straight from the heart.

Yes, I know—I wasn’t there when she said it, but I’ve been hearin’ it for the past nineteen years of my life, and I stand on the record to let y’all know that my Great Gramma Lynn sho’ wasn’t lyin’!

As far as my attitude today compared to around this time last year, it goes like this: When I board that plane for Memphis on August 19, I will be sad and a touch heartbroken, and maybe a little homesick. However, since this is my second year and I kinda know what to expect, I’m ready for the challenge now! I’m like my man Dolph Ziggler: “I’m here to show the world, so bring it on!”

Well, it looks like I’ve gotta close this blog up, but you can best bet your… bippy (LOL!) that I’ll be back tomorrow with another post for y’all. Until then, y’all take care and take it light.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha