First Day of Early Childhood Development Class

Hi, Everybody!

 

So, here it is—Day One of Summer School, and already I’ve learned something in just my first day of class.

As I may have made mention of in yesterday’s blog post, I’m only taking one class this summer, and it’s an elective—Principles of Early Childhood Education. You see, this class talks various activities and experiences that are intended to bring about developmental changes in children prior to their entry into elementary school.  As I previously mentioned, this is only the first day of class, but I believe that I have already learned the gist of this class. As a matter of fact, during my professor’s lecture, I couldn’t help but to think about the various headstart programs, some of which I know…

Uh-oh, y’all—I’ve got an idea!

I’ve got a family friend back home in Cali who worked at the Culver City Children’s Center for at least ten years, up until she became a Third Grade teacher at Sapp Elementary—Jessica Torres-Douglas. I’ve had several chances to talk to her, and I’ve all of a sudden have an idea to interview her for a future term paper in this particular class! Now, of course, I’m gonna do my own research throughout the next couple of weeks in the class, but in the interim, I can call Jessica and ask her for some tips… heck, maybe she could even give me some rare jewels on the Culver City Children’s Center.

Hot Damn—I’m on a roll, y’all!

Well, with that said, I guess I had better close up this blog post and call Jessica right now. I’ll holla at y’all later on, but until then, y’all take care and be good.


Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

It Officially Begins!

Well, y’all—it’s finally upon us!

Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2015, and I am happy to announce that I am officially a graduating senior! As you are aware, Rust College had its 149^th Commencement this past Sunday, and for once, I was sitting in the auditorium/gym to witness the entire thing… well, for the first half hour, anyway. You see, this family came in late, and there wasn’t any available space in the overfill room, so Ruby, Theo, and I gave up our seats. At least I didn’t miss the entire ceremony, though. As usual, it was a beautiful sight to behold—that sea of royal blue robes, each graduate receiving their respective degrees from Dr. Beckley… and to think, around this time next year, that’s gonna be me!

 

In the meantime, though, I’ve gotta get through Summer School. Classes start tomorrow, and check this out, y’all: I’ve got one class to take—Principles of Early Childhood Education.

 

In all actuality, this is an elective that I have to take, but it’s a class in which I have found great interest. As a future kindergarten teacher, I believe that every child can learn outside of the classroom. Truth be told, I learned my alphabets and my numbers when I was eighteen months old (Mom and Dad didn’t waste any time with me). I guess it can be said that I was a gifted child, but I don’t believe it to be true, simply because I’m not that great in mathematics, but that’s neither here nor there.

 

Oh, by the way, Ruby and I are very fortunate again—we didn’t have to move out of Emma Elzy. However, when the 2015-16 school year officially begins, we will be in Wiff Hall. Of course, I won’t be around the Rust campus as much, what with my internship and all, but nevertheless, I will be a resident of Wiff Hall.

 

Well, y’all, I guess I’d better get going, but y’all will be hearing from me sometime tomorrow. Until then, take care and be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

And My Junior Year is Offically Done!

Happy Friday, Everybody!

Well, it goes without saying, but I’m gonna say it anyway: My junior year at Rust College has officially come to a close!

Technically, it ended yesterday morning after having taken my last final exam—and I gotta state for the record that it was a helluva toughie, but I managed to pull through. And while I have this time, I want to also state that my junior year was very very challenging. I mean, this year was one of the most challenging years ever, all things considered. I’ll just say this: It gave no surcease whatsoever… well, that is until yesterday morning around 10:30am CST.

And yes, y’all—I learned me a new word: Surcease!

So, now that my junior year is completed, that means it’s time for my next hurdle—Summer School 2015. I know that I’ve mentioned this several times before, but I have two classes and my internship left… and come to think of it, I just realized that I am officially a graduating senior!

Of course, I cannot share this accolade all by myself—my fellow peeps have earned the aforementioned honor as well.

And it’s gonna go down this evening—Ruby, Theo, and I have invited Craig and Azalea to help us celebrate our greatest accomplishment at Pizza Hut… that’s right, y’all—we have two new members to our group. I haven’t come up with a catchy name for our group, but I know we can’t call ourselves the Tripod anymore… at least officially, anyway! I told y’all that a lot has happened since the start of the second semester, but as y’all were already aware, I couldn’t really post as much as I wanted on account of this busy academic schedule. I will say this, though: The addition of Craig and Azalea was made official sometime last week. I know that I mentioned them in previous blog posts, but I’ve probably done so in passing. One day soon, when I find time to do so, I’m gonna dedicate a blog post to them.

Well, y’all, I had best close up this here blog post and call it a day, but I at least wanted to holla at y’all and let y’all know what’s been up with me. I’ll definitely holla at y’all on Monday, but who knows—I may have something to talk about on tomorrow. Either way, y’all take care and have a great weekend.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

Status Update

Hi, Everybody!

Well, with the exception of a few blog posts here and there, I haven’t really had a chance to talk to y’all like I want to. Then again, I did say that I wouldn’t be talking to y’all too much, what with these last three classes that I’ve got… and trust me when I tell y’all: These three classes that I’m taking ain’t no cakewalk! Don’t get me wrong—I’m enjoying them and I’m learning all I can in them, but I’m just saying that I can’t just can breeze by these particular classes like it’s nothing.

 

In case I didn’t mention it once upon a time, the three classes that I’m taking in this final module are: Methods of Middle School Instruction, Integrative Teaching Seminar, and Educational Technology. I’m not gonna lie to y’all—I kinda chuckled a bit when I discovered that I had to take a class that appears to be related to teaching middle school students, but then I got to thinking: Supposing I decide to change my mind and teach middle schoolers? Well, that’s what this Middle School Instruction class is all about! Personally, I feel that teaching kindergarten is my passion, especially considering that I love little children (hell, I was a kindergartener once upon a time)… LOL!

 

Also, I am happy to report that I made the Dean’s List for the third year in a row up here at Rust! I told y’all that I was here to show the world, and Rust College brought it on—and as y’all can see, I’m still doin’ the damn thing! Yes, I know that I’m talking outside myself, but that’s that confidence factor that I have. Do I have to remind y’all of what my Auntie Cherri says: “The most dangerous woman in the world is the woman who knows her worth.”

 

Well, trust me, Baby—I knows my worth!

 

And I would also like to announce that, after this module is completed, I will only have two more classes and my internship left, and I will be an official Rust College graduate. I have to take a look at my catalog again, and I also have to speak with my academic advisor as well. I already know that I’m gonna take my internship during the fall of the 2015-16 school year; it’s just a matter of those last two classes that I have left. Can I take them during summer school or not?

 

Well, y’all, I reckon I had better get going, but I shall holla at y’all later. Until then, take care and be good.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Auntie Stephanie Officially Turns 5-0!

Happy Wednesday, Everybody!

I am so freakin’ excited today, and it’s all because today is a very special day for a very special woman in my family! Now, I’m sure that she has already paid her taxes (LOL), but this very special woman has hit the greatest milestone of her life thus far.
 
I am happy to report that my Auntie Stephanie is officially 50 years old today!
 
Yes, y’all—my Auntie Stephanie has hit the big 5-0. I know that some of y’all are looking at her picture and wondering what her secret is to staying so young and sexy. Well, that’s a question that you will have to ask my Auntie Stephanie, but I will say this: She wears 50 very well!
 
I really wish that I could be back in Southern Cali to help celebrate her greatest milestone… and I realize that I say that about everybody back home, but it’s the truth anyhow! In any event, I know that my Auntie Stephanie has already kicked off the celebration with a bang. If I know her, she’s taken the day off from work, just to pamper herself. I know all of this because she told me all about it when I called her a couple days ago. She’s been talking about getting a spa treatment that comes with a massage, a mani, a pedi… the whole works. She’s also talked about treating herself to a movie and a special lunch. Shoot, Auntie Stephanie is even talking about trying to get her senior citizen perks. If I remember correctly, the appropriate senior citizen age is fifty-five, so it looks like Auntie Stephanie has five more years until that happens. However, if I know Auntie Stephanie—and I do—then she’s gonna try it out anyway.

Auntie Stephanie, since I can’t be out there to celebrate your 5-0, I will do the next best thing: I emailed Bobby-H from KCLD-FM, and asked him to play “Grazin’ in the Grass” by the Friends of Distinction. I know that is one of your favorite songs, so I do hope that Bobby-H gets my email and plays it for you. In the meantime, I also know that you absolutely love this song right here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, I wish you a very Happy #50, Auntie Stephanie! Celebrate it well, and party it up! Love ya lots!

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

Happy #73, Mrs. Martin

Happy Sunday, Everybody!

There was no way that I was gonna let this day go by without acknowledging a woman who helped shape me into the smart, strong, and sexy woman that I am today… and I’m really trying my damnedest to be modest here (LOL)!

I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to my kindergarten teacher the legendary Mrs. Ingrid Diane Martin. When I spoke with her this morning, she boldly and gleefully announced: “I am a sensational 73 years old!”

That’s right, y’all—Mrs. Martin is threescore and ten plus three, and she’s still teaching kindergarteners up at Guiding Light Elementary School. She shows no signs of slowing down, and she prefers to keep on teaching until she decides it’s time to pass the chalk to her successor, whomever he or she may be.

I know that I have talked at length about Mrs. Martin in several of my past blog posts—and today’s post ain’t gonna be no different… hahaha!

Mrs. Martin is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she is a mother of three daughters (all of whom are teachers themselves), a grandmother of nine, and a great grandmother of five. I am also happy to announce that Mrs. Martin and her husband have celebrating the fiftieth wedding anniversary… oh, and I failed to mention that her husband is a retired college professor from the University of Southern California, having taught Mass Communications for forty-plus years. The last letter I received from Mrs. Martin, she made mention that her husband retired this past December, but decided to come back and finish the rest of this semester, “all because of his love for teaching.”

I know that I’m all over the place with today’s blog post (like that’s anything new), but I just wanted to share a little glimpse of Mrs. Martin with y’all, just so you will know why I admire this woman so much. Like I’ve always said: I am always putting Mom, Auntie Cherri, and Gramma Jewel on a pedestal, but in case, Mrs. Martin deserves her very own pedestal. And coincidentally, especially on this day, Mrs. Martin gets to receive her props!

Once again, I wish you a very Happy #73, Mrs. Martin—love ya lots!

 

Smooches,

Natasha

Welcome to Club 21, Neo One!

Happy Friday, Everybody!

 

So, there’s really no need to give an introduction to today’s blog post—after all, the title is pretty self-explanatory. Having said that, I would like to officially welcome Mr. Theodore James Campbell to “Club 21!”

 

That’s right, y’all—Neo Theo is officially 21 years old today!

 

In the three years that I’ve known the Neo One, I know that his favorite song is “You Know What’s Up” by Donell Jones, he is big wrestling fan like me, and his favorite actress is Vanessa L. Williams… oh, and his favorite singer is Janet Jackson. He’s got this fantasy of one day meet Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Janet one day, but until then, he’s gonna settle for me and Ruby—yes, he actually said that Ruby and I are great substitutes for Vanessa and Janet.

 

I don’t know about Ruby, but I’m kinda flattered behind that compliment!

 

I know that I shared in a blog post sometime last year that Theo was my secret admirer. Well, I want y’all to know that a whole lot has not changed between me and the Neo One—we are still the best of friends, although sometimes I do wonder what would become of us. I admit that I would like to go out on one date with Theo and see what he’s all about. I mean, there’s no harm in two crushes going out and kickin’ it. I reckon we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it.

 

In closing today’s blog post, I would like to once again say: Happy #21 Neo Theo, and I hope that all of your birthday wishes come true. Love ya lots!

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

 

 

Recognizing the Foundation of My Family

“It’s amazing how I—a smart, educated woman—was born on a day that was designated for fools.”

—Lynn Agnes Coleman, 1906-1984

 

 

Hi, Everyone!

 

If the aforementioned quote sounds familiar, then you’ve probably read my blog posts about my great grandmother, Lynn Agnes Coleman. Today, I take time out from my busy academic schedule and recognize what would have been her 109^th Birthday. Having said that, in honor of Great Gramma Lynn, I’m actually wearing my favorite long-sleeved lavender dress on today, and I’m also writing with a purple pen.

 

In case you missed that, Great Gramma Lynn loved purple!

 

And I just thought about a story that Gramma Jewel told with such fondness. She said that she and Great Aunt Reesie loved to stake out in the hallway and watch Great Gramma Lynn cook Sunday dinner. Great Gramma Lynn didn’t mind them watching, so long as they didn’t get in the way. Well, one particular Sunday, Gramma Jewel wanted to sneak a little batter from a mixing bowl… and this is where it gets funny: Gramma Jewel said she had carefully and remarkably snuck past Great Gramma Lynn and was about to sneak some batter, but Great Gramma Lynn grabbed her wooden spoon and almost popped Gramma Jewel with it. Gramma Jewel also pointed out that she was afraid of wooden spoons, even to this day… hahahaha!

 

Well, y’all, that’s today’s blog post, but in closing, I would like to say to wish a Happy #109 to Great Gramma Lynn. I know that she’s celebrating it real good up in Glory, but her legacy continues to live on through all of us.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha