Plenty Reasons to Celebrate Today!

Hi, Everybody!

 

Yes, I am aware that it’s been a minute since y’all last heard from me, but the bottom line is that I’m here. And as y’all can see from the title of today’s blog post, I’ve got plenty good reasons as to why March 24, 2016 is so special to me. For one thing, today is my Auntie Cherri’s forty-eighth birthday… that’s right, y’all—my Auntie Cherri is 48 years old today, and as is evident by the picture, she doesn’t look a day over twenty-three.

By the way: This picture of me and Auntie Cherri was taken after our family reunion two years ago. Auntie Cherri’s the one who taught me that the most dangerous woman in the world is the one who knows her worth—well, thanks to her teachings and inspirations, I happen to be one of the most dangerous women in the world! Heck, this picture is enough proof that we are definitely forces to be reckoned with.

The other reason as to why this day is so special: Well, I am officially one month away from my graduation. It won’t be long until I hear the dignitaries call my name to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I’m thinking about strutting up to the stage… that is, if they’ll allow it.

Wow, y’all—I’m really a month away from graduating! Where in the world did all that time go?

Well, I hate to cut this blog post short, but since there’s nothing else to talk about, I reckon I’ll holla at y’all later. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

And All of My Academic Credentials Are Officially Completed!

Hi, Everybody!

Well, it goes without saying, but yes—my Rust College academic career officially came to a successful close this morning. I completed my last final exam ever, and now it’s time to take it to… a whole nutha level!

Yes, I know that my last academic class was merely a seminar, but y’all gotta understand—that was no ordinary seminar, and I had to prove to my professor, my class, and myself most of all, that I had what it took to ace this class. Well, I proved myself once more and again, and I’m a winner in the long run.

So, seeing as how I have officially completed the world of academia, the only thing standing between me and graduation is plenty of space and a helluva lot of opportunity. I’ve thought about taking another elective just for the heck of it, but to be honest, I would much rather hibernate in my dorm room and catch up on some much deserved R&R. We shall see what I do come Monday, but I know that I am grateful that I have completed my last class.

Look out, Commencement—here I come!

The Prodigal Son Has Returned to the WWE!

Hi, Everybody!

Yes, I realize that it’s been a minute since y’all heard from me, but that’s not the issue right now. The real issue is…

SHANE MCMAHON IS BACK IN THE WWE, BABY!!!

Now, this may not be news to some of y’all, and I understand that, but when you’ve grown up with your grandparents and have watched years of wrestling like I have, then you know how epic this news is for a wrestling fan! You see, Shane McMahon left the WWE about six years ago, and since then, his presence was heavily missed. When I first started watching wrestling in 1999, I remember Shane McMahon as one of the prominent figures on television. Although I didn’t like him as a bad guy, he earned my respect rather quickly when he proved that he could stand up to the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and even his own dad!

And let’s not get started on his “Love Her or Leave Her” street fight against the late Andrew “Test” Martin… WOW!!! When Shane leapt off that turnbuckle and dropped an elbow across Test on the announcer’s table, even I had to give Shane his props.

Well, imagine my surprise when I come back from the library, and I get calls from my Uncle Ronnie, Uncle Gregory, and Cousin Jade, all demanding me to watch only the first half hour of Monday Night Raw. I knew it had to have been good, and let’s face it—I hadn’t watched a lot of WWE in a while, so I decided to go ahead and watch it on the WWE’s YouTube channel. I saw that Stephanie McMahon had won the Legacy Award, and just as she was about to speak…

 

HERE COMES THE MONEY!!!
HERE COMES THE MONEY!!!

The crowd in the arena was crazy-loud, and they got even louder when Shane McMahon (now grey-haired but still stylish in his suit and fresh Jordans) burst through the curtain and performed his legendary Shane-O-Mac Shuffle! I was so excited that I started screaming. Ruby and Azalea said that I had tears in my eyes… hell, I probably did! I mean, it’s been a minute since I had a feel-good moment like yesterday evening.

Long story short, Shane is sick of his sister Stephanie running the WWE into the ground, and he wants his place back in line. Well, Vince McMahon stated that he will grant Shane’s wish, so long as Shane defeats the Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 32.

Talk about a conflict of interest! I want Shane to have control of WWE, but damn—not like this!

We shall see how this plays out until WrestleMania, but until then, let’s just enjoy the fact that Shane-O-Mac is back, Babies!


Smooches,
Natasha

I Never Forgot You, Mother Fields!

Hi, Everybody!

Today’s blog post is short, sweet, and to the point.

It was three years ago today that Mother Harriette Fields, one of the sweetest and dearest, most respected ladies at my church, was called home to be with The Lord. She was just five months shy of 90 when she passed away, and she was one who truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. Though I’m grateful that she’s in a better place, I’m still a touch heartbroken that she went to Heaven so soon. Yes, it’s been three years to the day that she passed away, but she left such an impact on my life that sometimes I can’t help but shed a tear or two.

What can I say, y’all—I am but a selfish little girl, but y’all can’t blame me.

Mother Fields invested so much in me, from the time I was a little infant to the moments leading up to her transition. She spoke with so much passion about wanting to be there to see me graduate from Rust, but alas, that cannot happen. Yes, I know that she will be there in spirit, but a part of me still wishes that Mother Fields would be right there in the auditorium alongside my family when I receive my Bachelor’s Degree in just two months.

Well, I know this much is certain: Mother Fields will never be forgotten.

Hey, Y'all! It's Been A Minute!

Hi, Everybody! Long time, no holla!

Yes, I am fully aware that it’s been a good month since y’all last heard from me, and I can assure you all that I have a valid reason behind my lackadaisical (and perhaps even backsliding) blog posts: As you are all aware, I am just eighty-one days away from graduating from Rust… not that I’m counting down or anything (LOL!), and in the process of preparing for my big day, I have been catching up with all my friends and fellow Rustites, bringing them up to speed what I was doing in Southern Cali while I was away for eight months.

Even though a month has passed since I last spoke to you all, not much has really changed since my return t o Bearcat Country. At the same time, though, I do have a story that y’all might find interesting: I may have mentioned once or twice that I have only one class left to take—Student Teaching Seminar—afterwhich I will have fulfilled all of the requirements to obtain my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Well, as it turns out, I have to take Student Teaching Seminar this module as opposed to next module. No biggie—I just enrolled in the class during registration day. And then I messed around and missed the first day of class! I was so embarrassed, but then I got an email from the instructor explaining that she would start the class on January 13.

Talk about a great big relief!

By the way: My instructor treats this class just like a seminar. We meet every Wednesday at 10:30am CST for two hours, but we had a bonus class this past Friday, and there is plenty of dialogue between the instructor and us aspiring teachers. I gotta tell y’all—I am really enjoying this seminar/class because it gives the students an opportunity to experience the life of a teacher, and considering my internship at Carter Elementary, my summer job at Culver City Children’s Center, and my experience as a Sunday School teacher, I already have some experience under my belt… and yes, y’all already know that I shared those experiences with my instructor and my fellow classmates. There is a parallel in teaching a Sunday School class, an elementary school class, and an after school children’s learning center, in that the students learn something in all settings.

I can tell y’all now: I’ve got about three and a half weeks left until my finals, and at the rate I’m going, I know that I know that I’m gonna pass this seminar/class!

Well, I hate to cut this blog post short, but I gotta do so. However, I will be back sometime this week with another update… heck, I may just have a random blog post about whatever is on my mind. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

I Knew Exactly What I Was Doing!

Hi, Everybody!

So, here it is—my second day back at Rust, and check this out: The sun is out, but it is freakin’ cold out here! It’s like I never left Southern Cali… but then again, I got an email from my Cousin Calvin, and he said that it’s pouring rain back home. Well, speaking as a Cali girl, I can tell you that California needs all the rain they could get. As far as Holly Springs goes, it’s gonna be nice and sunny, but we’re supposed to have a high of at least forty-seven today… and it’s only 37 degrees as of this here blog post! But then again, I’ve got all kinds of warm winter clothes with me—and never mind the fact that I’ve got the heater blasting like crazy in my dorm room.

Well, I’ve had some time to think about it, and after conversing with my girls Ruby and Azalea last night, I gotta say that had made a great point—I am a creative, calculating chick! Y’all know that I had to give my girls the latest update on what has thus been known as “The Ray Incident,” and of course, I didn’t leave out any detail. I told Ruby and Azalea how I gave in and agreed to meet Ray, but only on my terms—I chose the place and the time, and I was there a half hour early. Ruby and Azalea were looking at me as if I was a movie screen… matter of fact, Ruby repeated numerous times that she wished she was there to see me in action, and Azalea pointed out how it was rather sly of me to ask Ray to meet me at the exact place where he can meet “his replacement.”

“Yo ass knew exactly what you were doin’, Girl—you ain’t slick!” Ruby declared.

Yes, I knew exactly what I was doing, and my plan worked all too well. At the same time, though, I just couldn’t do to Ray what he did to me, especially after knowing that he was two-timed far worse. Like I said in a recent blog post: I guess I just have too much compassion in my heart… but then again, Gramma Jewel always reminded me of the golden rule, and I just couldn’t find it in my heart to rub it in his face. Believe me when I tell y’all—the thought was there; it presented itself on more than one occasion, but in hindsight, I killed Ray with kindness and forgiveness, and that is a reward in and of itself.

Well, whaddaya know—this little Vipress is really growing up!

Until next time, y’all take care.


Smooches,
Natasha

Back At Bearcat Country, And All Is Well!

Happy New Year, Everybody—and greetings from Bearcat Country!

That’s right, y’all—I am back at Rust College, and I am ready to take it to… a whole nutha level! Now, I would like to state for the record that I had a great New Year’s Day celebration with my family… and of course, it was a double celebration, what with my Cousin Vanessa turning 26 and all (she’s a New Year Baby, don’t’cha know). And of course, there was my last Sunday at St. Matthew Baptist Church, where Pastor Clark asked me to give my church family a brief oratory. Well, never one to back down—especially nowadays—I walked up to the podium and said, “Well, all I have to say to you, my church family, is this: We are literally three months and counting until that great day that I, Natasha Renee Stewart, receive my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.”

And I trust that 2016 kicked off in a big way for each and every one of you… shoot, just by the mere fact that this is Day #4 of a brand-new year is a great testimony for all of us. Millions didn’t make it, but I’m so grateful that I’m one of the ones who did.

So, as I am typing up this blog post, so many thoughts are running through my mind. For starters, I was totally thrown for a loop when I saw the results of the tornado that touched down just a few weeks ago. I couldn’t do anything except say a prayer for those who lost lives and homes, and then I thanked God that he spared my girl Ruby—after all, I’ve looked at Ruby as the sister that I never had, and her mom and dad have become my second parents lo these four years.  I am also grateful that Rust College is still standing strong, and that Ruby and I are this close to graduation.

And speaking of which, I got preregistered this morning, and much like I figured, I have only one class left that pertains to my studies, and it’s not until the fourth module. What am I gonna do with all this time on my hands? I mean, the last thing I need is an idle mind—and we all know who uses that for a workshop! Well, I’ve got plenty ways to keep busy, so I’m be pretty darn occupied until the fourth module.

Well, y’all, I really hate to cut this blog post short, but I gotta do so. Besides, it’s my first day back, and Ruby, Azalea, and I are having our first girls’ night since summer school… and y’all know that they wanna know what happened when I met up with Ray the other day!

Until tomorrow, y’all be good.


Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha