An Ultimate Tribute

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Today’s blog post is a rather bittersweet one, as it is dedicated to the memory of a wrestling legend.

Jim Hellwig—best known to the wrestling world as the Ultimate Warrior—was a former WWE Champion and a former WWE Intercontinental Champion. His matches with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Ravishing Rick Rude, and Million Dollar Man are legendary. The Ultimate Warrior reached another pinnacle of immortality when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame just last Saturday. He graced us with his presence at WrestleMania 30, and followed that up with a heartfelt speech the next night on Monday Night Raw.

And then, on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, the wrestling world was turned upside down when the following headline broke out: “Ultimate Warrior Has Passed Away.”

James 4:14 reminds us that our lives are but a vapor, here one minute and gone the next. That scripture came to mind when Ultimate Warrior literally gave his final speech to wrestling fans:

“Every man’s heart, one day, beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe deeper in something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and, and make whatever that man did live forever.”

Looking back on the events of this week, especially in hindsight, I can’t help but wonder if Ultimate Warrior had a feeling that his time was winding down. No doubt that his sudden passing sparked a constant reminder that life is both precious and short, yet there’s a part of me that believes the weekend of nostalgia was designed for Ultimate Warrior to show his love and appreciation to us, his fans. Those who grew up watching him as a child obviously feel a certain loss—Warrior was considered a childhood hero to many—but like the Warrior said in his last speech, his spirit will continue to live on in those who loved him.

In closing, I would like to say one final thing…

THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES, WARRIOR—WE LOVE YOU!!!

Wishing A Happy Birthday to the "Neo One"

Hi, Everyone!

Yep, I am definitely back on a roll again… hahaha!

Today’s blog is very special… and I really, really need to quit saying that! But seriously, today’s blog post is dedicated to the one and only Theodore James Campbell, otherwise known as “Neo Theo” or “The Neo One,” as he has been known throughout Bearcat Country.

In case you missed it, today is Theo’s birthday—he is officially 20 years old.

For obvious reasons, I haven’t really talked much about Theo; as a matter of fact, the last time I made mention of the Neo One, he had given me such a sweet Valentine surprise. After that, I hadn’t really talked about him much. However, I can say that Theo is really a sweet guy, and he’s quite the charmer. And if y’all want me to be brutally honest, I’m a little sweet on Theo… yes, I like him, but for right now, I need to stay focus on my studies.

I will say this about Theo, though: I like that he doesn’t try so hard to get my attention. He’s been the same crazy guy ever since he revealed himself to be my secret admirer, and that is a plus in my book.

As I close today’s blog post, I just want to say: Happy #20, Neo One—God Bless!

Smooches,

Natasha

My Future Looks Very Bright, Y'all!

Hi, Everyone!

Wow! This is my third consecutive blog post in a row—THAT’S PHENOMENAL!!!

I want you all to know that this here final module of my sophomore year is truly bringing out the best in me. I really don’t recall the last time I was this busy, but I still say that it’s all worth it. And besides, this is the only time I have had to cut down on blog posts, so this is actually a rarity.

Nevertheless, let’s get on down with the getdown!

In yesterday’s blog post, I made mention of the upcoming Class of 2014 commencement, and it got me to thinking about my own graduation. You see, this module is coming to a close in just two and a half weeks, and once I take my final “final exam” (I really tried to avoid redundancy… LOL), I will officially become an advanced junior. Then again, I’ve been taking a lot of junior classes this semester, so I’m probably gonna be an advanced senior. But anyway, the point that I’m trying to make is this: Summer School is right around the corner, and seeing as how I won’t be home until May 31, I’m gonna knock out all the classes that I can, just so I will be able to walk that aisle in two years’ time.

Y’all think I’m dreaming, but I’m not the only one—Ruby and Theo are totally with me on this one. The three of us have made a promise to one another that we ain’t gonna be caught slippin’ come to the big day. I know my graduation is not for another two years, but I’m still ultra-excited! I can clearly envision my entire family watching with awe and glee, as the announcement is made: “Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, Miss Natasha Renee Stewart!”

And the crowd goes wild—heck, there might even be a “Vipress” chant… hahaha!

Okay, now that I’ve officially had my silly moment, I can close up today’s blog post; besides, I’ve gotta get mentally prepared for my Psychology of Exceptional Students class in a few hours. Did y’all catch that inside joke I made? I actually used “mentally” and “psychology” in the same sentence… hee-hee-hee! I’ll holla at y’all later.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Stirrin' Up Excitement in Bearcat Country

Hi, Everyone!

It’s about that time again up here in Bearcat Country—we are just three weeks away from the 148^th Rust College Commencement. Even though I’ve got two years until I walk that aisle, I gotta say that I am very excited for the Class of 2014. Y’all should see how they’re all scurrying around the campus, making sure that all of I’s are dotted and their T’s are crossed. I wonder if that’s gonna be me in two years? I pray that I have all of my academic affairs in order, because I don’t want to be caught slippin’ at the very last minute. Seriously, y’all—I’ve heard stories about how some seniors were denied graduating on account of one class… one class, y’all! And from what I’ve been told, this has happened on more than one occasion. Now, I do realize that it’s all hearsay and that folks do make up stuff just to scare you, but I’m not taking any chances; I’m gonna make damn sure that I’m on my P’s and Q’s so that I can hear my name called out as I am handed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

And speaking of accolades, that brings to mind yet another accomplishment of mine that took place just this afternoon. Guess who made the Dean’s List for the second year in a row? I’ll give y’all three clues: She is a petite four feet eleven inches tall, her favorite color is lavender, and she’s sometimes known as Vipress… that’s right, y’all! I am happy to report that I, Natasha Renee Stewart, made the Dean’s List for the 2013-14 school year. I’m not the only one—Ruby made the Dean’s List as well, but we gotta give credit where credit is due. You see, our homey Neo Theo made the President’s List… he’s such a smartypants! And I will admit that I coerced Ruby to starting a “Neo Theo” chant, but Ruby insisted that we do that after the ceremony ended… hahaha!

 

Well, that’s all the news that I have for today, but I shall holla at y’all real soon. Until then, y’all take care, and remember to keep a sista in your prayers.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

The Streak Has Officially Ended!

Hi, Everybody!

A wrestling fan always remembers where they were when certain pivotal moments take place. Well, I will never forget where I was and what I was doing when I found out that the Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania streak was broken just last night.

Although I didn’t watch WrestleMania at all last night, I was kept up to speed by round-the-clock updates. I was on my laptop refreshing my browser every fifteen minutes, and I seem to remember around 8pm CST, Undertaker was about to face Brock Lesnar. Well, I knew it would be a pretty lengthy match, so I waited about twenty minutes, then I hit F5 to refresh my browser. Much to my surprise, I received an error message, and for some reason, I had a feeling that it was bad news. I closed my screen and reopened the website I was on, and I received another error message. Five minutes later, Neo Theo called.

“Tasha, you and Ruby are not gonna believe this,” he said, almost despondently. “Are y’all sittin’ down?”

I was already lying down on my bed, so I just sat up. I told Ruby to brace herself for some shocking news—and what a shock it was!

“Well, y’all, Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak is officially broken,” Theo lamented. “Brock Lesnar has defeated the Undertaker.”

Ruby and I were shocked, to say the least—after all, up until yesterday evening, Undertaker’s undefeated streak was unbreakable. The Streak in and of itself is legendary, and now, it has a blemish.

Theo went on to tell Ruby and me that from what he read, thousands of wrestling fans were thoroughly pissed off behind this decision. Well, to be honest, I’m more shocked than anything. First of all, regardless of what others believe and perceive, the bottom line is that the streak is broken. It doesn’t matter who broke it—all that matters is that an historic event has taken place in the annals of professional wrestling. No true wrestling will ever forget where they were and what they were doing when they saw 21-1 flash across the screen. I know I certainly won’t.

One last thing in closing: There have been talks about Undertaker having his last hurrah in the wrestling business. Well, even at the ripe age of twenty, I know that Mr. Booga Red (as my Gramma Jewel loves to call him) has had one helluva career. The very first time I saw Undertaker wrestle, he was in a First Blood Match against Stone Cold Steve Austin in the summer of 1999. Overall, though, my favorite Undertaker moment is WrestleMania 23, when he defeated Batista for the World Heavyweight Title. If this truly is Undertaker’s last hurrah, then I just want to say: Thanks for entertaining me, Taker! You will forever be known as the conscience of the WWE.

And lest I forget: Long Live The Streak!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

First Freestyle Friday of April

Happy Friday, Everybody!

After yet another eventful week of homework, class projects, and the like, I am so ready for this weekend. I don’t have anything to do, except catch up on some well-deserved sleep.

I would like for you all to know, however, that I received good reviews from all of my instructors in my courses for this module. Hard as it is to believe, I’m really shining in my Mathematics for Elementary Teachers class, as well as my Intermediate Algebra class. I think I’ve shared with you all that I am not too fond of mathematics—after all, English is where I shine—but in these past couple of weeks, I’ve been knocking these math problems out of the park. As a matter of fact, both of my instructors of these respective classes have complimented me on my last couple of assignments. And I swear—everytime I tell my instructors that math is not my forte, they gotta tell me that I need to stop being so humble.

Who’s being humble? I am not a math whiz—never have been, and I seriously doubt if I ever will be! Besides, I’m more of an English fanatic.

Well, y’all, I’m gonna cut this blog post short, but I will definitely holla at y’all real soon. By the way, it is to my understanding that WrestleMania 30 is this Sunday. I gotta tell y’all: I’ve been so caught up in my classwork that I really haven’t shown a bit of interest in the thirtieth anniversary of the greatest event in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment. I will, however, say that I am interested in this year’s Hall of Fame class. I made mention a couple weeks ago that William “Paul Bearer” Moody will be inducted, but also Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Scott Hall, and the Ultimate Warrior will be inducted this year as well. Hey, YouTube is a nostalgia buff’s dream, don’tcha know! And besides, the aforementioned inductees are legends in the game.

Until next time, y’all take it light!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Recognizing the 108th Birthday of An Icon

Hi, Everyone!

Today’s blog post is very special, because it was on the day that my great grandmother, Lynn Agnes Coleman, was born. If she were alive today, she would be 108 years old.

I think I mentioned in several past blog posts that everytime my Great Gramma Lynn’s birthday rolled around, she would say: “It never ceases to amaze me how a smart, educated woman like myself would be born on a day that is purely designated for fools!” I’ve even talked about how she was a pioneer in my family. The legacy of continuing education began with Great Gramma Lynn. Oh, sure—there were other women who broke barriers back in the day, but it does my heart proud to know that I am a descendant of a woman who not only broke barriers, but also paved the way for everyone in my family to continue our education and be the best that we could be. It also does my heart good and well to know that the Rust College legacy and lineage began with my Great Gramma Lynn.

I could go on and on about the precious legacy of my great grandmother, but I’d much rather let you read all about her in a blog that I posted a couple months ago, simply entitled “The Legacy of Lynn Agnes Coleman.” Oh, but one thing that I do need to mention: Great Gramma Lynn’s favorite color was purple, and it makes so much sense, considering that my favorite color is lavender.

So, I guess there was a hidden agenda as to why I chose the purple flower for today’s blog post—either that, or Great Gramma Lynn’s spirit is speaking through me.

Smooches,

Natasha