Thursday, February 25, 2016

And All of My Academic Credentials Are Officially Completed!

Hi, Everybody!

Well, it goes without saying, but yes—my Rust College academic career officially came to a successful close this morning. I completed my last final exam ever, and now it’s time to take it to… a whole nutha level!

Yes, I know that my last academic class was merely a seminar, but y’all gotta understand—that was no ordinary seminar, and I had to prove to my professor, my class, and myself most of all, that I had what it took to ace this class. Well, I proved myself once more and again, and I’m a winner in the long run.

So, seeing as how I have officially completed the world of academia, the only thing standing between me and graduation is plenty of space and a helluva lot of opportunity. I’ve thought about taking another elective just for the heck of it, but to be honest, I would much rather hibernate in my dorm room and catch up on some much deserved R&R. We shall see what I do come Monday, but I know that I am grateful that I have completed my last class.

Look out, Commencement—here I come!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The Prodigal Son Has Returned to the WWE!

Hi, Everybody!

Yes, I realize that it’s been a minute since y’all heard from me, but that’s not the issue right now. The real issue is…

SHANE MCMAHON IS BACK IN THE WWE, BABY!!!

Now, this may not be news to some of y’all, and I understand that, but when you’ve grown up with your grandparents and have watched years of wrestling like I have, then you know how epic this news is for a wrestling fan! You see, Shane McMahon left the WWE about six years ago, and since then, his presence was heavily missed. When I first started watching wrestling in 1999, I remember Shane McMahon as one of the prominent figures on television. Although I didn’t like him as a bad guy, he earned my respect rather quickly when he proved that he could stand up to the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and even his own dad!

And let’s not get started on his “Love Her or Leave Her” street fight against the late Andrew “Test” Martin… WOW!!! When Shane leapt off that turnbuckle and dropped an elbow across Test on the announcer’s table, even I had to give Shane his props.

Well, imagine my surprise when I come back from the library, and I get calls from my Uncle Ronnie, Uncle Gregory, and Cousin Jade, all demanding me to watch only the first half hour of Monday Night Raw. I knew it had to have been good, and let’s face it—I hadn’t watched a lot of WWE in a while, so I decided to go ahead and watch it on the WWE’s YouTube channel. I saw that Stephanie McMahon had won the Legacy Award, and just as she was about to speak…

 
HERE COMES THE MONEY!!!
HERE COMES THE MONEY!!!

The crowd in the arena was crazy-loud, and they got even louder when Shane McMahon (now grey-haired but still stylish in his suit and fresh Jordans) burst through the curtain and performed his legendary Shane-O-Mac Shuffle! I was so excited that I started screaming. Ruby and Azalea said that I had tears in my eyes… hell, I probably did! I mean, it’s been a minute since I had a feel-good moment like yesterday evening.

Long story short, Shane is sick of his sister Stephanie running the WWE into the ground, and he wants his place back in line. Well, Vince McMahon stated that he will grant Shane’s wish, so long as Shane defeats the Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 32.

Talk about a conflict of interest! I want Shane to have control of WWE, but damn—not like this!

We shall see how this plays out until WrestleMania, but until then, let’s just enjoy the fact that Shane-O-Mac is back, Babies!


Smooches,
Natasha

Thursday, February 4, 2016

I Never Forgot You, Mother Fields!

Hi, Everybody!

Today’s blog post is short, sweet, and to the point.

It was three years ago today that Mother Harriette Fields, one of the sweetest and dearest, most respected ladies at my church, was called home to be with The Lord. She was just five months shy of 90 when she passed away, and she was one who truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. Though I’m grateful that she’s in a better place, I’m still a touch heartbroken that she went to Heaven so soon. Yes, it’s been three years to the day that she passed away, but she left such an impact on my life that sometimes I can’t help but shed a tear or two.

What can I say, y’all—I am but a selfish little girl, but y’all can’t blame me.

Mother Fields invested so much in me, from the time I was a little infant to the moments leading up to her transition. She spoke with so much passion about wanting to be there to see me graduate from Rust, but alas, that cannot happen. Yes, I know that she will be there in spirit, but a part of me still wishes that Mother Fields would be right there in the auditorium alongside my family when I receive my Bachelor’s Degree in just two months.

Well, I know this much is certain: Mother Fields will never be forgotten.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Hey, Y'all! It's Been A Minute!

Hi, Everybody! Long time, no holla!

Yes, I am fully aware that it’s been a good month since y’all last heard from me, and I can assure you all that I have a valid reason behind my lackadaisical (and perhaps even backsliding) blog posts: As you are all aware, I am just eighty-one days away from graduating from Rust… not that I’m counting down or anything (LOL!), and in the process of preparing for my big day, I have been catching up with all my friends and fellow Rustites, bringing them up to speed what I was doing in Southern Cali while I was away for eight months.

Even though a month has passed since I last spoke to you all, not much has really changed since my return t o Bearcat Country. At the same time, though, I do have a story that y’all might find interesting: I may have mentioned once or twice that I have only one class left to take—Student Teaching Seminar—afterwhich I will have fulfilled all of the requirements to obtain my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Well, as it turns out, I have to take Student Teaching Seminar this module as opposed to next module. No biggie—I just enrolled in the class during registration day. And then I messed around and missed the first day of class! I was so embarrassed, but then I got an email from the instructor explaining that she would start the class on January 13.

Talk about a great big relief!

By the way: My instructor treats this class just like a seminar. We meet every Wednesday at 10:30am CST for two hours, but we had a bonus class this past Friday, and there is plenty of dialogue between the instructor and us aspiring teachers. I gotta tell y’all—I am really enjoying this seminar/class because it gives the students an opportunity to experience the life of a teacher, and considering my internship at Carter Elementary, my summer job at Culver City Children’s Center, and my experience as a Sunday School teacher, I already have some experience under my belt… and yes, y’all already know that I shared those experiences with my instructor and my fellow classmates. There is a parallel in teaching a Sunday School class, an elementary school class, and an after school children’s learning center, in that the students learn something in all settings.

I can tell y’all now: I’ve got about three and a half weeks left until my finals, and at the rate I’m going, I know that I know that I’m gonna pass this seminar/class!

Well, I hate to cut this blog post short, but I gotta do so. However, I will be back sometime this week with another update… heck, I may just have a random blog post about whatever is on my mind. Until then, y’all take care and be good.
 
 
Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha