Amped Up to the Max!

Hi, Everybody!

Y’all ain’t gonna believe this—and then again, some-a-y’all might—but I had a dream that I was back at Rust, and I was in a celebratory mood on account of it was eight days until I returned home for the Christmas vacation. Now, I don’t mean to sound like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but Ruby was in my dream, as was Theo, Azalea, and Craig, and they were all shaking me, trying to calm me down. The strangest thing—Theo kept saying, “Wake up, Honeybee. Wake up, Honeybee.”

Come to find out, it was my dad—and that’s when I woke up!

That dream was so real… and come to find out, it really is eight days until the 2015-16 semester at Rust College officially ends. I guess Rust has become a huge part of me that it has seeped into my psyche. Now, check this out: I just got an email from Ruby ‘nim, and they expressed their excitement about the end of the semester, as well as their upcoming finals next Thursday. Ruby then went on to ask me to pray for her and the rest of our group—that they will ace their finals and move one step closer to graduation. She also mentioned that she would pray for me and my internship paper.

Speaking of my internship paper, I was up until eleven-thirty last night, making sure that everything was perfectly in order. I printed it out and made damn sure that I placed it in one of those safe spillproof folders, and then I left it on my dad’s suitcase with a note, asking him to FedEx it to Rust College for me.

And yes, y’all—I went ahead and emailed my academic advisor with an attachment of my paper. Either way, my internship paper is complete, and it will be at Rust before this Friday!

That’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time, y’all take care and be good.


Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

Wacky Wednesday!

Hi, Everybody!

The title of today’s blog post is quite apropos, if I do say so myself—and I just did… hahahaha!

Yes, it was indeed a Wacky Wednesday, but it was a good kind of wacky. You see, with all of the excitement surrounding the end of my internship just last Tuesday, I forgot to write up my report and email my academic advisor. Well, imagine my surprise when I get a call from my advisor this morning around 7:30am PST, reminding me that my paperwork needs to be emailed to him no later than this Friday. I almost got in a panic, but then I remembered my trusty notebook with all kinds of pertinent information that I had written down since I started working alongside Mrs. Martin just three months ago. I took a great big sigh of relief and thanked The Good Lord Up Above for easing my nerves. And even more so than that, I remembered a brainstorm that I had, in which I wrote down a great introduction to start off my paper.

Once again, I was shown that I had absolutely nothing to worry about… matter of fact, once I complete this evening’s blog post, I’m gonna type up my internship paper and email it to my advisor. Just to be on the safe side, though, I’m gonna FedEx a hard copy to my advisor—ain’t no harm in keeping all my ducks in a row, don’tcha know!

In other news, this afternoon’s rehearsal for the Christmas play was quite interesting, to say the least. Let’s just say that a couple of the teachers may have been hit with a giggle stick, because they were laughing and giggling like nobody’s business. I’m almost convinced that it was an inside joke because Principal Miller, Mrs. Martin, and two other teachers were just tickled… and it caused all of us to laugh. Needless to say, we got through our rehearsal with relative ease.

Well, I guess I had better end today’s blog post, but I’ll be sure to holla at y’all later. Until then, y’all have a good rest-of-the-day.

Smooches,

Natasha

Happy #85, Auntie Thel!

Hi, Everybody!

In today’s blog post, I’m would like to recognize a very special young lady—Mrs. Thelma Jean Davis.

All things considered, I have known Mother Davis all my life; she is my Gramma Jewel’s best friend of over thirty years… matter of fact, Gramma Jewel refers to Mother Davis as her “sista from anotha mista.” In that same respect, Mother Davis has become honorary auntie and a second grandmother—she is just the sweetest lady that I’ve ever met, and she is truly a joy to be around. Most recently, I’ve christened Mother Davis as my Auntie Thel.

There’s a big reason why I’m making such a fuss about Auntie Thel: She is officially 85 years old today!

I just want to say that I thank God for the gift of Auntie Thel. As I stated earlier, she is just the sweetest personality, and a joy to be around. Granted, I’ve only really gotten to know her in such a short period of time, but within that short time, I am as crazy about her as I am my Gramma Jewel… and while it’s on my mind, I must make mention: During my freshman year at Rust, Auntie Thel called me every Thursday, if for nothing but to say hello. Now, I remember when we had a phone conversation that lasted about an hour and a half—she gave me some sound advice about boys. I’m not at liberty to repeat what she said, but I can tell y’all that some cussing was involved… hahahaha!

Oh, yeah—I think I posted a blog two years ago where I had the honor of kickin’ it with Gramma Jewel and Mother Davis, and I was thoroughly entertained by their rendition of “You Know How We Do It” by Ice Cube… matter of fact, Becky was with me when it happened. I remember dropping my head and trying to keep from bustin’ out laughing when Mother Davis turned to my Gramma Jewel and said, “Uh-uh, Viv—turn that up; that’s the Cube!” And then she rolled down her window and started boppin’ to the beat.

I said it then, and I’m saying it now: Thelma and Louise ain’t got nothin’ on Auntie Thel and Gramma Jewel!

Y’all may have noticed that I fluctuate in calling her Auntie Thel Mother Davis, but she is still that same sweet, stern lady, and no matter which name I use, she still gives me a warm smile, a big hug, and a gentle “Hey, Tasha-Dear!”

As I close today’s blog post, I would just like to say:

Auntie Thel, this is your day, so live it up to the max, like I know you will. You’re a shining star, no matter who you are. Happy #85, and I love you lots!

 

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

And the Beat Goes On at Carter Elementary

Hi, Everybody!

Well, as I may have mentioned once or twice (or several times), my internship at Carter Elementary officially ended on last Tuesday, but I volunteered to finish the remainder of this semester before I head back to Rust. Besides, the volunteer work at Carter Elementary has done wonders for me—it’s keeping me from going stone cold crazy at the house… hahahaha!

And I believe I also mentioned that Carter Elementary is in the middle of rehearsing for our Christmas play, and I’m playing the role of a guardian angel. Now, y’all already know that I’ve informed my peeps… and incidentally, I emailed Ruby ‘nim back at Rust, and they told me that I had better send them a copy of my acting debut… hahaha! In all seriousness, though, I am so excited about being in this play; it’s been years since I’ve been in any kinda play, unless I count the play that we put on at my church. Either way, this is gonna look great on my resume.

I apologize for going around the world in eighty days, but I said all of that to say this: We’ve been rehearsing for about a week now, and I am in awe at how the “Carterites” are memorizing their lines and stage prompts. I guess it helps that I kinda sorta help them along in the whole ordeal, but the bottom line is that I can tell that they’re doing their damnedest. Now, admittedly, I messed up a line during rehearsal this afternoon—one of the characters is named Vivian, and I guess in hearing the name I called this girl “Gramma Jewel” out of habit… hahahaha! We all had a good laugh, and then I picked back up like ain’t nothin’ happen.

Well, that’s gonna do it for today, but I’ll be talking to y’all again sometime this week. Until then, y’all take care and be good.


Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

A Fantastic Fourscore for Auntie Gladys!

Hi, Everybody!

Now, y’all know that I was not about to let this day slide by without recognizing a very special somebody in my life. She’s a proud native of Memphis, Tennessee, and she is a Rust College alumna—Class of 1957. She’s also my Gramma Jewel’ s best friend of over sixty-two years; this friendship developed into a sisterhood, and thus today’s birthday gal officially became my auntie…

That’s right, y’all—I’m talking about the lovely and lively Gladys Lorraine Williams-Nelson, and I am happy to report that she is 80 years old today. And trust me when I tell y’all—she don’t look a day over sixty!

In celebration of my Auntie Gladys’ greatest milestone thus far, I thought I would celebrate by playing one of her favorite songs.

 

  

 

 

Happy #80, Auntie Gladys—love ya lots!

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

My Official Last Day of My Internship

Hi, Everybody!

Well, here we are—Tuesday, December 1, 2015… and while it’s yet on my mind, I would like to wish my Cousin Calvin a Happy #24 today. That’s right, y’all—it’s Calvin’s big day, and I’ve got a funny feeling that I know what he would like for his birthday… hahahaha! All kidding aside, Cousin Cal, I do hope that all of your birthday wishes come true, especially your one particular heart’s desire. Love ya lots!

So, today is the last day of my internship here at Carter Elementary, and I gotta tell y’all: I truly enjoyed working alongside one Mrs. Ingrid Martin! I learned so much from her lo these past three months. I am really gonna miss these little ones… but then again, it’s not time for me to head back to Rust just yet. And besides, just because my internship has officially completed, that doesn’t mean that the fall semester has ended, especially considering that I’ve already volunteered to help finish out the last couple weeks. Of course, like I mentioned a couple days ago, there’s the added incentive of playing the guardian angel in the upcoming Christmas play. We start rehearsing our parts tomorrow afternoon at around 2pm… and yes, I will be sure to give y’all an update.

Well, that’s all the news I have for today, but I shall holla at y’all tomorrow. Until then, though, y’all take care and be good.


Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

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