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

Looks Like I Really Did Thrive in 2015!

Well, y’all—here it is!

This is my very special “Year in Review” blog post, where I highlight the greatest moments in my life in the year 2015… heck, this year was so good that I actually have a Top Ten list!

Lest I forget: I want to point out that the ten highlights are in no particular order, but at the same time, I do have a number one highlight—so let’s stop talking about it, and let’s get on down to the nitty-gritty.

AUNTIE STEPHANIE’S #50

When Auntie Stephanie hit the big 5-0 in April, little did she know that we were planning the perfect birthday party for her—a 70s birthday party, if you will. Granted, I wasn’t there to help celebrate Auntie Stephanie (a.k.a. Foxy Brown Suga) on account of I was preparing for finals at Rust College, but thanks to some major assistance from my fellow Bearcats, I threw my own 70s party in Auntie Stephanie’s honor… and yes, we were decked out in groovy seventies costumes, Man!

SUMMER JOB AT THE CULVER CITY CHILDREN’S CENTER

Special thanks to Jessica Torres for putting in a good word for me at the Culver City Children’s Center, where I gained firsthand experience as a tutor and a teacher. It seems as though everywhere I go, little kids flock to me—and the Culver City Children’s Center was no different. Granted, it was only a one-month deal, but I learned so much within that one month. And that led to…

INTERNSHIP AT CARTER ELEMENTARY

Those fourteen weeks at my old elementary school proved to be the greatest fourteen weeks of my life, and the added bonus was working right alongside my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Ingrid Martin. Much like my summer job at the Culver City Children’s Center, I had so much fun at Carter Elementary… and heck, I even discovered that a couple of little fellas had a little crush on me. On my last day, Mrs. Martin and the little ones gave me the sweetest Christmas present—plenty of gratitude and appreciation.

THE COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION

Almost immediately after the 2014-15 semester came to a close this past April, I began celebrating with a countdown to my graduation. I’m just four months away from earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and I know that I’ll have more back-up than reverse on the day of April 24, 2016.

THE GREAT 2-1

It’s not everyday that a gal turns 21 years old, and not too many youngsters get to see such a great age, so y’all could imagine my attitude of gratitude when God allowed me to see the great 2-1. And if I may be so bold to say: I’ve never felt sexier than now!

COUSIN CALVIN AND MISS KAREN

This cute little love story actually began sometime last year, but it really took off this past summer. It started innocently enough: Cousin Calvin admired Miss Karen from afar, and finally worked up enough gumption to ask her out on a date, to which Miss Karen said yes. As of this blog post, Cousin Calvin and Miss Karen have been going out on several dates since then, and they are really enjoying each other’s company. Stay tuned, y’all, because this story is getting real good.

WINSTON CAMPBELL

It looks like I have room for romance after all! Over the summer, a young gentleman by the name of Winston Campbell found a way to my heart, and has taught me that it’s okay to love again. I’m not gonna say that I’m head over heels in love, but I will say that I have enjoyed Winston’s company over these past couple months, and thus far he’s proven to back up his words with his actions.

FAMILY REUNION 2015

So, as y’all are aware, the Jones Family continued with our new annual summertime tradition in the form of a family reunion. This time, our reunion took place in Southern California, at Auntie Cherri and Uncle Alex’s house. This year’s reunion was very special, in that Cousin Becky got baptized that same weekend. It was truly a great way to close out our family reunion. I’m really looking forward to next year.

GRAMMA JEWEL’S FOURSCORE

It’s no secret that Gramma Jewel is the true legend in our family, and that’s why it made perfect sense to throw her a surprise birthday party when she turned 80 years old in October. I still remember how surprised she was when she realized how much of a fuss that we made over her. I promise y’all—no expense was spared for the crowned jewel in our family, and to prove that, Gramma Jewel stated that a surprise party was the second greatest gift that she had ever received.

AND THE NUMBER ONE MOMENT OF 2015

I FINALLY JUMPED THAT HURDLE!!!

Considering that it just happened yesterday afternoon, this deserves to be the greatest moment of the year, simply because it was a long time coming. I knew in my heart that I had forgiven Ray Hernandez for his treacherous ways, but I still had that pent-up anger and frustration. Well, when I finally met him face-to-face, I let him know that my sentiments had not changed—he is still forgiven and I wish him nothing but the absolute best in this life. However, when he told me how his heart was broken far worse, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I let him know that he would get over the hurt eventually, and that it was time for him to heal. I really could’ve been a vindictive little vixen, but I chose to take the high road, and in the end, I am the richer. Now, it’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life!

Well, y’all—these are the Top Ten moments of 2015. With the new year just a couple of hours away, I am very excited. Granted, I cannot see in the future, but I do know who holds the future, and as long as He’s guiding me along the way, I am most definitely in good hands.

With that said, I hope to see y’all on the other side, into a brand-new year!

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha