Thank You So Much, Rust College!

Well, y’all—this is it!

First of all, I wish to point out that we have made it to Blog Post #700, and it’s quite apropos that this particular blog post would fall on my last day here in the South. In about two hours or so, I’ll be boarding a plane with my mom, dad, Cousin Becky, and Gramma Jewel, and we’ll all be heading back to Southern Cali. Y’all already know what this means to me—no more frequent flyer miles, no more college living, no more road trips to Memphis, and no more visits with my Great Aunt Reesie. It is officially over, and I am saddened by it.

Yesterday evening, I had one more get-together with Ruby, Azalea, Craig, and Theo, and we had a real good cryfest. All things considered, it’s hard to turn off four years of friendship! The five of us were all but joined at the hip, and we shared a lot of our time together. We had a lotta fun times, and we even had some not-so-fun times, but we got through them all together. Truth be told, y’all: Ruby, Azalea, Theo, and Craig are the very first best friends that I’ve ever had. They’re more than just my Rust College alum—they’re my family, and they always will be! So, suffice it to say that when we met up for one more round yesterday evening, a lot of tears were shed and a lot of hugs were given.

I told y’all that I’m fickle… and I’m also a big ol’ softie!

Well, I reckon I’d better close up this blog post and get ready to head to the Memphis Airport one mo’ ginn, but I just want to say that Mississippi and Tennessee were great hosts for this little ol’ city gal. I have learned so much in these past four years, and not just within the confines of Rust College either—I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about life. I am definitely the richer for my Southern experience. It’s just a shame that it’s got to come to a close.

Still Ain't No Place Like Home, Y'all!

Hi, Everybody!

Well, Thanksgiving 2015 is in the record books, but when you’re a Christian, the season of giving thanks is year round!

It should come as no surprise to y’all that I had a great time with my peeps yesterday afternoon… shoot, I had a blast! And why not—I mean, after all, it was my first Thanksgiving back home in Southern Cali, so it was a great big deal for me to be with my mom and dad, my aunts and uncles, and my Gramma Jewel.

And speaking of my Gramma Jewel, I want to state for the record that I have a newfound respect for her Thanksgiving tradition, which takes place after the big family dinner. You see, everything Thanksgiving, my Gramma Jewel asks for everyone to name at least one thing for which they are thankful. Well, it shouldn’t surprise any of you that Gramma Jewel goes first every year; she is the family matriarch after all. Gramma Jewel also makes it known that she is grateful for another year where she can spend time with her family. Everyone had some good reasons as to why they were thankful. Case in point: My mom professed how grateful she was for having me back home for another thanksgiving, and my dad expressed his gratitude for his queen and his princess.

And then it was my turn—and coincidentally, I was last.

I simply let my family know that I was extremely grateful to spend Thanksgiving 2015 with my Southern Cali family. I further expressed my appreciation for my Great Aunt Donna, Great Aunt Reesie, Auntie Gladys, and the Hudspeths for welcoming me into their homes during my time at Rust. It was then that my Auntie Brenda explained to me that home is always where the heart is, to which I replied that I must have plenty of homes across the country.

Afterwards, we played the Taboo game—it was me, Cousin Candace, Cousin Trisha, Cousin Vanessa, and Cousin Becky against Mom, Auntie Cherri, Auntie Brenda, Auntie Stephanie, and Auntie Glo. According to Uncle Alex, this was the battle of youth against experience, and I’m not afraid to admit that in the end, the experience prevailed over us youth. Granted, they cheated a little bit… hahahaha! I’m kidding, but Auntie Stephanie did admit that my team was in the lead by five, and then Cousin Trisha accidentally said one of the taboo words. I guess our youthful pride occurred before our fall… hahahaha!

Well, y’all, that’s gonna do it for me today. I’ll be sure to holla at y’all on Tuesday… and lest I forget, this Tuesday is the end of my internship. I cannot believe that fourteen weeks have already flown by. And speaking of my internship, I have to call my academic counselor on Wednesday and let her know that I will prepare my documentation and send it off in the mail by the end of this week.

And after looking at my catalog, I see that I have only one class left, and I will officially be done… WOO-HOO!!!

Until next time, y’all take care!

Smooches,

Natasha

The Results of Thanksgiving 2013

Hi, Everyone!

Well, we done did it again, y’all—we’ve hit another milestone. Just in the year 2013 alone, this is Blog Post #300. All I have to say about that is simply: WOW!!!

I trust that everyone had a great Turkey Day yesterday—I know I did. Before I begin talking, though, I want to state for the record that I did buy the stuff for my rocky road brownies, but I made an executive decision and chose to make them either this evening or tomorrow. Besides, Cousin Erica and I were too busy helping Cousin Jade bake all kinds of pies and cakes… and for the record, Great Aunt Reesie did make her red velvet cake; she said that she would make another one for me to take back to the campus, so I can share it with Ruby and Theo.

Here’s what I thought was so cool about yesterday evening: As you know, my entire family is Christian, so of course we prayed before we sat down to eat. However, Great Aunt Reesie had a special request—with a big grin on her face, she squeezed Cousin Keith’s hand and said, “Son, seeing as how you’re back home for good, and seeing as how you’re also the only fella in the group, I would like for you to lead the prayer.” Well, Cousin Keith smiled back, then he kissed Great Aunt Reesie on her cheek and said, “Mama Ree, I would love to lead the prayer.”

Suffice to say, y’all, Cousin Keith prayed such a prayer that all of us couldn’t help but shout. He thanked God for helping him with his depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and for keeping him sane while he was away in Afghanistan. He also thanked God for such a loving family who constantly prayed for him until he returned. Finally, he thanked God for “such a momentous occasion—one that I will forever cherish in my heart.”

After Cousin Keith’s powerful, poignant prayer, we sat down to eat, then we shared the things that we were most thankful for. Such as it was with me last year, I expressed how grateful and thankful I was to God for blessing me with several places to rest my head other than my dorm, and not just for national holidays, either. It seems as though every year, I drive myself crazy in trying to decide where I’m gonna spend Thanksgiving or Spring Break, but I do recognize that there are so many who would love to have just one place to spend the holidays, so for that, I am grateful.

Well, y’all, it’s time to close this blog post, but I’ll holla at y’all sometime tomorrow. Until then, y’all take care, and remember that every day is a day of Thanksgiving.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha