My Perspective on Popularity

Hi, Everyone!

Well, I promised that I would post a blog today, but I never promised that it would be at least five hundred words. I’m gonna try to make an attempt at it, though—so here goes everything!

Yesterday evening, I was watching a clip on YouTube in which one Mean Gene Okerlund was interviewing the legendary Randy “Macho Man” Savage. After the interview was over, Mean Gene said: “Some are born into greatness, while others have it thrust upon them—and some others steal it. Which have we seen? It’s not for me to decide.”

I said all that to say this: Ever since my Rust College debut a little over a year ago, I have noticed that the guys have been giving me a lot of attention. I hate to bring up that jerk-ass Richard Cornelius, but unfortunately I’ve got to. And then of course, there was Mr. Hernandez from my high school days… but that’s neither here nor there. Lately, however, I’ve got fellow Rustite and future college alum Craig Dixon crushin’ after me; we’ve been chattin’ it up for a minute now. And then there’s my secret admirer whose identity has still yet to be revealed—and Ruby still has kept the name clandestine; she ain’t spillin’ the beans at all! I gotta give Ruby credit for keeping a secret; she’s really good at that.

Now, as it relates to what Mean Gene said about popularity and greatness, I guess if I had to choose, I would say that it has been thrust upon me. While I’m only nineteen years old, I’ve never really fashioned myself as a popular chick. I will freely admit that in high school, I was no Halle Berry, nor was I Gabrielle Union—and I sure as heck ain’t no Tina Turner! Hell, I’ll go y’all one better and say that I’m not even my mom or my Auntie Cherri! I have always been Natasha Renee Stewart, the petite little background chick, and I like it that way. And while I’m thinking about it, I want to once again reiterate something that I mentioned last year: I came to Rust College to learn how to be the best damn kindergarten teacher in the world. Granted, I do appreciate the attention that I’ve been getting, but I am not setting out to be the most popular chick in Bearcat Country… okay, so I’ve thrown my name in the hat for Miss Rust College 2015-16, but that’s only because I want a challenge. Besides, according to my dad and my uncles, I’m a knockout anyway!

Well, I guess I’d better close this post, but I’ll be back tomorrow with a “greaten!” You read correctly—it’s not a gooden, but it’s a greaten!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Hindsight Really IS 20/20!

Hi, Everyone!

Next month, I will be celebrating my 20^th Birthday, if The Lord spares me nothin’ happen. I’m the second youngest of my entire family (Cousin Erica is a year younger than I), but I gotta say that I am very excited to know that in a month’s time, I will be celebrating two decades of this wonderful thing that I like to call “The Life of Natasha Renee Stewart.”

I said all of that to say this: Though I am only nineteen and three-quarter years old, there’s an old saying that I’ve been hearing from my Gramma Jewel, my parents, and even the late Mrs. Harriette Fields—they all have mentioned to me at some point in my life that hindsight is always 20/20. A clear example of this old adage dates back to just a few years ago, when I wanted to get my mom a very special gift for her 40^th Birthday, but I only had thirty dollars in my allowance. The best gift that I could get for her was a lavender stationery set, which consisted of a notepad, a purple pen, and stickers—all of which had her first name engraved. Well, to this day, my mom is crazy about that purple pen (she takes it everywhere she goes); she says that I picked the sweetest gift because it came straight from the heart.

Imagine that—we were celebrating my mom’s birthday, but I somehow received a present in the form of wisdom. Yes, Mom showed me through her actions that hindsight is 20/20.

And now we fast forward to this present day in time!

Incidentally, Ruby and Theo did ask me about Ray, and as soon as I told them that we had split up, it hit me like a bolt of lightning! Yes, the break-up did hurt like hell, but then I got to thinking: All things considered, I never once said that I loved Ray. If anything, I said that I was in love with him, and that I liked him. I also made mention that I would be careful not to put all my eggs in one basket. And while I know that I did my damnedest to make the long-distance relationship work, I wasn’t so far in love to where I was unable to focus on my studies. And then, too, while I am not immune to disappointment, I almost forgot one important factor: I am Natasha Renee Stewart—Papa Ben’s little honeybee, Mama Dani’s little smurfette, Gramma Jewel’s little bright eyes, and one third of the Tripod! How dare I forget my own worth?!

Aw, snap—the Vipress is back, y’all, and she ain’t takin’ no prisoners!

And by the way: I absolutely love this visual aid for today’s blog post—it suits me perfectly!

Peace Out!

Natasha

Giving Thanks

Hi, Everyone!

Here is a special Saturday edition blog post, simply entitled “Giving Thanks.”

 

You know, I admit that I kinda pined over not spending Thanksgiving with Mom, Dad, Gramma Jewel, and the rest of my family, but then it hit me: Even though I’m east of the Mississippi River, I still have a family to go home to. Yes, I am out of my comfort zone, but I still have a place to lay my head when I get bored with dormitory living. It really didn’t hit me until this morning, which is why I am writing this blog. Now, don’t get me wrong—I do realize that being homesick is natural, but I’m just saying that I have truly understood the meaning of giving thanks.

 

I don’t know why, but for some reason, Gramma Jewel’s houseguest Rebecca has been on my mind so heavily for the past couple of days. I thought about the conversation that we shared, in which she let me know how fortunate I was to have a grandmother like my Gramma Jewel. That was really sweet of her to say, but in addition to that, I can’t help but replay the advice that she gave me afterwards:

 

“Natasha, I envy you because you’re the richest girl I know. You’ve got a family who loves you so much—they haven’t stopped talking about you. I wasn’t so fortunate to have such a caring family like you do. Listen, I want you to promise me this: Never stop thanking God for your family.”

 

Rebecca’s testimony really spoke to my heart, so much so, that I started crying—not for me, but for her. I know that Rebecca and I have never met, and it’s obvious that I don’t know her situation, but my heart really goes out to her. Listening to her brief testimony has made me feel that much grateful. Yes, most of my family is in L.A., but guess what—they’re still my family. And besides, the greatest blessing is that my Great Aunt Reesie lives in Nashville, and my Great Aunt Donna lives in Memphis; both of them are just a phone call away. I also have another Southern family in the form of Ruby’s parents, who may have adopted me as their honorary daughter. And I sure as heck can’t leave out Gramma Jewel’s college roommate, my newly adopted honorary Auntie Gladys.

 

Rebecca is absolutely right—I have so much to be thankful for.

 

With that said, I leave you with this final thought: The Thanksgiving holiday may be over, but to a Christian, every day is a day of giving thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Until Monday, y’all take care.


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha