An Open Letter to My Cousin Cal

Hi, Everyone!

Today’s blog post is very special, as I am dedicating it to a special someone whom I love like he was my big brother. Today’s blog post is an open letter to my cousin, Calvin James Cunningham.

What’s a-buzzin’, Cuzzin!

Well, it took about four years, but we’ve finally made it. This is your day, Big Cal—enjoy it, embrace it, and if need be, embellish in it. You have worked so hard to get to where you are today, and I want you to know how proud I am of you. Maybe I shouldn’t use the word “proud” on account of its context (especially since we know that The Lord does not appreciate proud people), so I’ll just change my wording a little bit and say that I share in your celebration… oh, hell—I’m proud-a-you, Cuz! I’m sure it wasn’t easy maintaining a 4.0 GPA, but you sure as hell made it look easy, and for that alone, I have even more respect and admiration than I did before.

I also want to thank you for being one of many academic examples in my life. You have taught me not only to continue my education, but also to persevere in everything I do. And while it’s on my mind, I wanna thank you for supporting my dream when I was little; you were the best “student” to ever graduate from my school—highest honors all the way!

On an even more personal note, I sincerely hope you further your education and go to grad school so you can get your Master’s, but if you feel like you need a break, then by all means, go ahead and do so. In this first year at Rust, I already know from experience that this phenomenon known as “Academia” comes with a price—and you already know that I’m lookin’ forward to this summer.

Well, I’m sure that Auntie Cherri, Uncle Alex, Cousin Nessa, Gramma Jewel, and Becky are cuttin’ a shine and cheerin’ like crazy, and if I were there, I’d definitely join in and start a “Big Cal” chant because you truly deserve it. I still wish I could be out there to help you celebrate, but I’ll do the next best thing and throw you a party out here with my peeps. Oh, and I’m sure that Auntie Cherri and Uncle Alex are gonna take plenty of pictures.

Once again, I wanna say: Congratulations, Cousin—I love you lots!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

The Countdown Continues...

Hi, Everyone!

Today is Tuesday, May 21, 2013, and y’all already know what that means: In 11 days, I will be making my return to the Golden State.

I’m just about done with my itinerary, but I’m taking a break right now so I can work on what to wear when I go home for the summer. I am truly amazed at how this summer semester has just relatively whisked by. I mean, it seemed like yesterday it was May 1^st, and now all of a sudden it’s three weeks later? Where does the time go?

In any event, it will be a wonderful feeling to be home for much longer than I was around Christmastime. I can’t wait to hit up the old stompin’ grounds again—Santa Monica Pier, Auntie Cherri & Uncle Alex’s house, practically every Southern Cali mall within a twenty-mile radius of me, and of course, I gotta holla at my girl Gramma Jewel. The only reason why I didn’t mention Mom & Dad is because they’re in a class all by themselves. And I may as well go ahead and admit that I’ve been craving a double king burger with chili cheese fries for the last five months.

Y’all already know what that means—Fatburger, here I come!

Well, in other news, Cousin Calvin is all set to graduate from Cal State Long Beach tomorrow. Due to the fact that he is a business major, his ceremony will be at 5pm. I called him last night and wished him well. I also told him how much I regretted not being able to see him graduate tomorrow. “I wish you were graduating on June 8 or something—you know, so I can be there to cheer you on,” I moped. Cousin Calvin chuckled and told me not to worry about it on account of Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Brenda wouldn’t be able to make it as well, and neither would most of our cousins. And besides, according to Cousin Calvin, each graduate was given ten tickets a piece. I already knew that Auntie Cherri, Uncle Alex, Cousin Nessa, and Gramma Jewel received a ticket—that’s four right there. Now, Becky made mention of going (that’s five), and I talked to Mom & Dad this morning before my 8am class; they confirmed that they’re going as well, so that’s seven.

Three tickets remain. Whichever one of my family members gets a ticket, I want y’all to do like that song we sing in church and… Remember Me!

Well, that’s gonna do it for today. I’ve got to work some more on this final exam paper. I’ve also got to study for my other class… that’s so sad that I forgot the name of it (ha-ha-ha), but I know that I’ve got to study for it. My instructor said that everything we learned since May 1 is gonna be on the final, so y’all know that I’m gonna study like I ain’t never studied before.

Until tomorrow, y’all take care.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Graduation Season

Hi, Everyone!

The title says it all: It’s Graduation Season!

And seeing as how we are in the aforementioned celebrated season, today’s blog is dedicated t three graduates whom I know personally. Coincidentally, they are also in my family.

First of all, y’all already know that, in six days, my Cousin Calvin will be graduating from Cal State Long Beach, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Y’all also know how much I would love to be out there and help him celebrate, but since I have about another two weeks of summer school, I can only send him a graduation card with a gift certificate to one of his favorite stores. I know he likes Best Buy and Chili’s, so I’m gonna do a little shopping this weekend and get a little something-something for Big Cal.

And I just thought of something: Ray also goes to Cal State Long Beach—hopefully he may meet Cousin Calvin!

Also, my Cousin Erica will be graduating from Volunteer State High School on Friday, May 31, 2013. Now, this is gonna be a dilemma because my finals are on the same day, and I can’t mess that up. If I remember correctly, Cousin Erica’s graduation doesn’t start until 3pm or 4pm (Central Standard Time, of course), and I think my last final is scheduled at 1pm. Either way, I’m not gonna worry about it, nor will I stress over it—whatever happens, is gonna happen, and it’ll work itself out in the end.

Finally, we have the icing on the cake—the “coop de gracie,” if you will: Rebecca Ann Morgan! I’m really excited for her because she has truly come a long way from where she once was to where she is now. If I gotta miss Cousin Calvin’s and Cousin Erica’s respective graduations, then that’s just gonna have to be the case. However, I cannot afford to miss Becky’s graduation; she’ll be officially earning her high school diploma on Friday, June 21. I’ll already be home by then, and I plan on helping her celebrate Jones-Stewart style!

Well, that’s gonna do it for me today. I’ll be back tomorrow with yet another blog. Y’all take care.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha