Preparing for My Birthday Weekend

Hi, Everyone!

So, it’s Friday, February 8, 2013, and that reminds me: I want to wish my Uncle Ronnie a Happy 47^th Birthday. It’s a shame that I can’t be back home to celebrate with you, but I’m gonna help you celebrate it anyway. Be sure Auntie Brenda takes you someplace sweet!

Well, y’all—let’s just cut right to the chase: I missed five out of fifty questions on that Geometry midterm. Trust me when I say that I am not complaining. I’ve earned a 90 percent on my midterm, but now we’ve got a final exam in about three weeks. And talk about climbing the rough side of the mountain—the real challenge on the midterm was having to show my work, i.e. drawing those damn geometric shapes and things. However, my saving grace was the standard deviation questions. Once I saw those, I had that Kanye West mentality—you couldn’t tell me nothin’!

Now that I’ve gotten my midterm out of the way, I can fully focus on my birthday weekend. As I may have mentioned before, this is going to be a big change in more ways than one. I’ve spent eighteen years of my life in my hometown of Los Angeles, California, and now for my nineteenth birthday, I’ll be spending it without Mom and Dad. However, every cloud has a silver lining: I still have Great Aunt Donna, Great Aunt Reesie, Auntie Gladys, Cousin Jade, and Cousin Erica… and of course, I cannot leave out Ruby and Theo. Besides, they’re gonna treat me to a day in Memphis. I hope I get the chance to holla at Great Aunt Donna and Auntie Gladys since we’re heading that way, and like any responsible adults, we gotta check in with Mr. and Mrs. Hudspeth.

Hey, we may be young adults, but we’re responsible young adults—I’m just sayin’!

Well, it looks like I’ve got to close out this blog post, but before I do, I want to point out that last night, I emailed my mom the tribute that I have written to the memory of Mrs. Harriette Fields, and she said that she would be sure to turn it in as a resolution. That would be so cool if my tribute to Mrs. Fields were to be read at her homegoing celebration tomorrow. I do know that Gramma Jewel has agreed to speak on my behalf, and I know that she's gonna have the church shoutin'!

Well, until tomorrow, y’all take care and be good.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Mother Fields' Spirit Shines Through Ruby and Theo

Hi, Everyone!

Ruby and Theo are just as sweet as they could be.

 

I got out early in my Geometry & Trig class, only because my midterm is tomorrow. Well, when I entered my dorm room, I just lay out on my bed and looked up at the ceiling, then I got up and finished up the rest of my eulogy to Mrs. Fields.

 

Around noontime, I got up to go to the cafeteria, and as soon as I walked in, I noticed that Ruby and Theo were awaiting me, each holding three yellow roses. After I got my food, I sat over by them (as usual), and I was in for quite a surprise.

 

“Yo, Tash, we got you a little something to let you know that you have our deepest condolences,” Theo said. “We know that you can’t be home to celebrate the life of your beloved church member, but here is a card signed by me and Ruby. Oh, and here are six yellow roses—Ruby told me how much your mentor loved yellow roses.”

 

I tell y’all—I was moved to tears.

 

There are truly no words to express the gratitude that I have for Ruby and Theo. I mean, for them to go out of their way and do that for me… I am flattered. And I know that somewhere in Glory, Mrs. Fields is just grinnin’ away.

 

For the record, I know that Ruby was the mastermind behind the whole project. I just squeezed her hand. She simply squeezed back.

 

I recognize that Ruby, Theo, and Judy didn’t have to do what they did, but I really do appreciate it very much. And as an added bonus, the three of them are treating me to an afternoon in Memphis this Saturday. I know, I know—my birthday is on Sunday, but I can celebrate it early if I want to!

 

Until next time, y’all take care, and say a prayer that your girl gets a decent grade on tomorrow’s Geometry & Trig midterm.


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Remembering Mrs. Fields

Hi, Everyone!

I’m still a little shocked behind the news of my beloved church member, Mrs. Harriette Fields. Forgive me for sounding selfish, but I kinda wish that The Lord would have waited just a little while longer before calling her home. She was one of the dearest, sweetest ladies that anyone could meet. She was always positive and upbeat, even when her husband passed away in 2003.

You know, I just realized that Mrs. Fields was darn near a carbon copy of my Gramma Jewel, with a couple of exceptions. For one thing, Mrs. Fields was a few inches taller, had fewer strands of grey in her hair, and she only wore glasses for reading. However, that sweet, inviting personality could not be missed.

I see that I have given a sneak preview of my eulogy to Mrs. Fields, but I want to be careful not to give too much of it away. I can tell you this, though: When you read it, you’ll know that I spent more than enough time with her while she was here.

And just in case you’re wondering, the photo of the yellow rose serves as a tribute to Mrs. Fields, seeing as how she loved yellow roses. When I write my eulogy on Saturday, I will be sure to include the picture that we had taken on Sunday, December 30, 2012—the last day that I got to see her.

I’ve actually been working on Mrs. Fields’ eulogy since Mom called and broke the news to me the other night. I know exactly what I want to say, but I’m just looking for the perfect introduction. Once I get it, my eulogy will be complete.

Well, I guess I had better close this blog and take a little breather before my Geometry & Trig class… and now that I think of it, I need to clear my mind anyway. I’ve got too many irons on the fire as it is—I’m finishing up the Valentine’s Day present for Ray, I’m studying for my upcoming finals, I’m writing this eulogy in memory of Mrs. Fields, and on top of that, my birthday is this weekend. So, yes—I do need to take a break.

Oh, before I forget: Mrs. Fields’ homegoing celebration will take place this Saturday, February 9, 2013 at my church. I would love to be there, if only for the weekend, so I can pay my respects, but due to various (and obvious) reasons, I cannot do that. I’ll just do the next best thing: In my Saturday blog, I will give my personal eulogy to the life and the times of a beautiful woman whom I will truly miss.

 

I’ll holla at y’all tomorrow. Peace Out!


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Bittersweet News Back Home In L.A.

Hi, Everyone!

 

I’ve got some bittersweet news to report.

 

Last night, my mom called to tell me that Mrs. Harriette Fields, one of my church members back home in Cali, received the call from The Lord to come home. She was 89 years old.

 

Mrs. Fields was known as the “hardest working woman in the history of St. Matthew Baptist Church.” She was on the Mothers Board, she sang in the choir, she was a Sunday School teacher, she was on the hospitality committee… and I want to state for the record that Ruby is wrong as two left shoes! She just said, “Damn, Tasha—ya girl literally worked her way into Heaven.”

 

I know that Ruby’s just trying to cheer me up—and it worked! Lord knows that I was not intending to laugh at that joke, but then again, I kinda thought the same thing. Nevertheless, Mrs. Fields worked willingly and gladly, and she was one of the few who didn’t care about recognition, because she gave it all to God. Whenever someone at church would thank her for her help, Mrs. Fields would just smile and say: “That’s sweet of you, Dear, but don’t thank me—thank God.”

 

My last memory of Mrs. Fields was Sunday, December 30, 2012. Service had just ended and everyone was saying their farewells to me, but Mrs. Fields waited rather patiently, with a big smile on her face. When I finally got to speak to Mrs. Fields, she gave me a big hug and kiss, then she handed me a lavender envelope and said, “Now, Tasha, I wants ya to do me a favor: Keep up the good work and stick it out to the very, very end. I love you, Dearie.”

 

I told her that I loved her back, and then I took a picture with her.

I know that Mrs. Fields would not want me to cry over her—and I’m sorry for disappointing her—but unfortunately all I have are tears and sorrow. I know she’s in a much better place, but I never expected her to go to Heaven so soon. I am really gonna miss her beautiful smile every Sunday morning when I step foot into the church. I’ll always remember how she spoke with a British accent—just for me—and say, “Natasha, my dahlin!”  

I had better get going. Take care, y’all—and be good.


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

The Countdown to Valentine's Day Officially Begins!

Hi, Everyone!

Well, we have exactly ten days until Valentine’s Day, and my present for Ray is just about done. The only thing I need to do is bake his chocolate brownies, and I'll get that done this Friday. Of course, I need a stove to bake Ray's brownies, so I called Mr. & Mrs. Hudspeth and asked for permission. They said that they’ll be more than happy to accommodate me.

Now, I do have a back-up plan in the form of my Auntie Gladys. I just talked to her this morning, and she said that all I have to do is give her a call and she’ll be on the highway to get me lickety-split.

More back-up than reverse, don’tcha know!

I’m really, really excited to make a sweet gift for such a sweet guy. If you want me to be honest about it, Ray deserves it. I mean, let’s face it—he’s truly won my heart in such a short amount of time. I’ll tell you the other thing that I like about Ray: Despite the fact that neither one of us know what the future will bring, he is still willing to wait for me. I mean, that is so romantic! However, like my mom and dad pointed out the other night, nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes. Notwithstanding that, I must admit that I’m scared. I’m scared of the fact that some chick at Cal State Long Beach may scoop him up by the time I get back home—and heck, I could get scooped up by some dude up here at Rust. Let’s just face reality: We are over sixteen hundred miles away, and truthfully, we are not officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Anything can happen between now and then, nevertheless it’s really sweet of Ray to go through all of this fuss for me.

I’m blushing again—I just know it!

Well, I hate to cut this blog short, but I’ve got some studying to do for my African Diaspora II class, and then it’s off to tutoring with my homey Neo Theo. Until tomorrow, y’all continue to keep your girl in prayer.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Three's Company Reunion at Rust!

Hi, Everyone!

 

So, yesterday evening, Ruby and I went to visit Theo at Davage Smith Hall, and we decided to sit in the lobby and watch television, especially seeing as how the lobby was vacant. Lo and behold—it was an episode of Three’s Company. All things considered, it was a really good episode. I honestly don’t remember the double entendres or the ridiculously funny puns as a child, but I sure noticed them this go-round.

Anyway, after the show ended, the three of us decided to head over to KFC and chill out. We discussed at length—and maybe even ad nauseum—the whole premise of Three’s Company. Theo boldly admitted that he didn’t have a problem sharing an apartment with two women, to which Ruby and I just looked at him and scoffed. Ruby then brought up an excellent point: A huge problem would arise in that the guy would probably favor one woman over the other, which would cause some serious dissention.

Finally, I brought up an interesting point of my own: In a roundabout way, the three of us pay homage to Three’s Company anyway. I mean, think about it—Theo automatically makes a great Jack Tripper… and by the way, all three of us emphatically agreed to that statement. As for me, I make one helluva Janet Wood on account of I’m simple, sweet, and straight to the point. However, Ruby made it perfectly clear—and these were her exact words: “I’ll be damned before y’all make me play the role of Chrissy Snow. Matter of fact, I make a better Mrs. Roper than I do Chrissy!” We all laughed, and then Ruby decided that she would be Terri Alden, to which Theo said, “So, you’re just gonna come on the show all late and sh**!”

It was a real fun discussion in which we agree that Three’s Company was “a cool show with such a simple storyline, and of course we decided to take a group picture when we returned to the campus. Y’all already know that Jack—I mean, Theo was in pure heavenly bliss after having been surrounded by such gorgeous beauties! Hahahaha! But seriously, it’s nice to know that Ruby and I made Theo’s day, all things considered.

Well, anyway, let me go ahead and close this blog, but before I do, let me just say one last thing:

Down at our rendezvous, Three’s Company, too!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Advice on Romance from Mom & Dad

Hi, Everyone!

So, I had a good long conversation with my mom and dad last night. I told them about my academic studies and how I am experiencing miracle after miracle in Geometry & Trig. Naturally, they were glad to hear the good news, and then I asked them about the first time they met.

Dad fondly recalled that it was on a Tuesday afternoon in 1990, at a basketball court at the University of Southern California. He was playing basketball with his buddies when he saw Mom carrying her bookbag, some notebooks, her purse, and some food from Wendy’s. Dad said that just as he had hit a three-point shot, he voluntarily excused himself from the game and helped carry Mom’s bookbag and notebooks. Mom further explained that she was very appreciative of Dad’s “gentlemanly character,” just to help a damsel in distress. Dad pointed out that he was not really trying so hard to impress Mom; all he knew was that she looked like she needed help, and he helped her—straight simple.

And then, Mom made a paradigm shift in the conversation by asking me point blank about Ray. I quickly denied the claim, realizing that I had further proved Mom and Dad’s point.

Dad took full advantage of Mom’s silence and said: “Honey Bee, check this out: I know that you like Ray and all, but don’t let him be your top priority. Besides, you need to focus on your studies, especially when you’ve got problems in your Geometry class. And then too, if you and Ray are meant to be together, then the both of you will know it. I’m not destroying your dreams—I’m merely showing you the grim reality that you and Ray are literally miles apart, and while it is a great gesture on his part to wait for you, absolutely anything can happen between now and then.”

I realize that my dad is right, but he didn’t really have to point out the obvious to me—I’m just sayin’.

Anyway, the whole gist of the conversation with my Mom and Dad simply revolves around Matthew 6:25-34. Again, I know that they’re right, but when you’re an eighteen-year-old college student who is in love, both extremes tend to confuse you.

Until next time, please say an extra prayer for your girl!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha