TBT: Sophomore Slump

Featured under 3...2...1, this entry has made it to Throwback Thursday once again lol. It's from my Beaufort High Classmate Albert Padilla. I believe he's in New York now. Hopefully he'll bless us with an update soon.

June 25, 2015

TBT: Sophomore Slump

It's Throwback Thursday!!! In a previous post I mentioned the desire to start a newsletter for my classmates. Shout out to Beaufort High Class of 2011!!! These eagles are soaring to amazing heights. I pray God continues to bless my classmates. Since I had entries but no newsletter it seems like a good idea to present them on my blog. Someone has to read these stories.

First up is one of my favorites!!! My classmate Albert Padilla went from a below average high school student to a successful college graduate. He is one of my main supporters even though he is now in New York. God is so amazing. Below you'll see the email along with his recap of sophomore year. Look for an update from Mr. Padilla any day now lol.

HairStory, HerStory Tuesday: Part 1

My hair has been going through some changes in the past 2 months. I got the idea to do a HairStory, HerStory series that will show my hair throughout the past few years. Each hairstyle has a story. Enjoy!!!

First Year at Florida A&M University

Freshman Move-In 2011
-I had micros for the first time going into college. I've been wanting them since middle school when everyone had them lol. It was a going away to college gift. I got them so I wouldn't have to worry about my hair as I transitioned into college. Who wants to worry about having to do her hair when moving to a new area?

Flashback Friday: Welcome Home

Exactly one month after publishing this under "Set the Record Straight," I published Going Home. Here's some pictures from one of my many football travels. We played Hampton University. Also if you haven't already read Going Home. Enjoy!!!

Rattler and Tiger Throwback

So I don't remember the exact date I published this. I wrote this in the middle of the 2014 football season. I wrote it as sneak peak before the launch of my blog. Didn't even have an estimated time for the blog launch lol. You can still see the growth in my writing in this piece compared to Check Mate and Spring Cleaning. I pray you enjoy. 

321 - Birthday Girl

Composing this entry took awhile. I wanted to capture my birthday correctly. This has to be one of best birthdays. It was going to be lengthy but I've decided to give the briefest summary as possible.

I'm here. Where are you?

For the month of May I decided to study the book of Ruth. Not just Ruth but the entire book of Ruth. I wanted to grow deeper in my relationship with God. Reading different plans on the Bible App wasn't cutting it for me. I was all over the place. One Sunday at church my pastor mentioned he was studying Genesis. Eureka!!! I needed to choose a specific topic or book in the Bible to study. Otherwise I would be reading aimlessly. For weeks I was stuck on what to study until that particular Sunday. I realize in this situation I had to make myself available by choosing and let God work. There are times when I feel like I'm not in tune with God so I become fearful with my decisions. In moments like that I end up not doing anything. So I made the decision to read Ruth in faith and allow God to work.

Victim Mentality: Part 1

For a final paper for one of my classes I had to write about Ben Carson's theory on victim mentality. I felt so vulnerable writing this. I'll share this in parts because even though the semester is over this piece is still incomplete. Take a look...

I believe I have a victim mentality. While reading this paper a reader can see the presence of the victim mentality.

I'm just not as motivated as I used to be. I over think and become overwhelmed. I don't ask for help until it's too late. But when I express my issues I'm told to suck it up and stop making excuses. When I am motivated if I get rejected after so many times I give up. Rejection doesn't motivate me it puts more fear in me. It causes me to doubt myself. I can list numerous writing opportunities I passed because of fear. There are assignments I missed in class because of my fear of red markings. I had such high hopes for myself entering Florida A&M University. Now as I get ready to walk across the stage I am disappointed in myself. As much as it seems I have accomplished, I let fear dictate my life at FAMU.

Saturday Schooling: Audrey S. Brooks

Who is Audrey S. Brooks? She was the daughter of the late Dr. Albert S. and Annie R. Smith. She was born on the May 23, 1921 in Baltimore, Maryland and died December 27, 2003. She was the mother of Wesley A. Jennings and Colonel Sidney A. Brooks.

What's her significance to me? Well if you didn't know, I'm an Iota Sweetheart. Mrs. Audrey S. Brooks is our Eternal Sweetheart.

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

It's been almost a year since I told y'all the reason for this blog. Here's a refresher.

January 30, 2015

 

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

So in my bio I mentioned God told me to start this blog over a year ago. Why the wait?? Let’s take a look back into summer 2013.

I was an editorial intern at The Gadsden County Times in Quincy, Florida. Just completed my sophomore year at FAMU. Devin Taylor and Brandon Hepburn were both drafted by the Detroit Lions and Candice Glover won American Idol.

What does that have to do with me? Well, Devin and Candice are classmates and we all graduated from Beaufort High School in Beaufort, SC. And Brandon graduated from FAMU. His wife was actually my life group leader for Every Nation Campus Ministries lol.

Where does that leave me? Just a girl trying to support other people.

Release the Dancing Machine: Isac Gaitan

Everyone meet Isac. He's like a little itty bitty brother to me. Haha he's a young adult. Recently, Isac has choreographed a dance routine and asked me to promote his video on my Instagram page. I wanted to do more than just post on IG. People will always need a reference without scrolling through weeks of videos and photographs. So I eagerly asked if we could collab his video with my blog. Thankfully he replied, "Of course!"

Spring Cleaning: Blog Anniversary

So it's my Blogversary!!! Wait. Is that a thing to say in Bloggers World lol?!? Well today makes one year since I posted my first blog post "Check Mate".

I am extremely thankful for all my supporters. It means much more than words can express. The texts, comments, and shares let me know that God is truly working. There are times when I doubt people are thoroughly reading my entries. I'm sometimes leery about being transparent. Then the support comes rolling in. I've been asked by people to continue blogging. It's like really? You really want me to keep writing? You actually like what I write? I'm thankful that God is using me to reach others.

Moving forward, it's Transformation Tuesday!!! This entry is about change. I have been doing some spring cleaning. Some clothes, shoes and books have got to go. Negative thoughts have got to go.

A Detour is Not a Dead End

Happy New Year!!! Yes I know it's not the first but it's my first entry of 2016. We usually spend a few days or even weeks in December and January collectively reflecting over the year. It's a time when people make new goals or resolutions. During reflection, we're happy about the goals we accomplished over the year. You may have a goal or two or maybe fifty leven (yes fifty leven lol) that were not accomplished in 2015. Shoot you probably don't have goals completed from 2013. Well you know what?

A detour is not a dead end.

Remember everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord. This doesn't mean everything will be good but everything will work for your good. I want to share a few examples from Genesis. Please bear with me.

Ishmael and Isaac - Even though Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands, God's word still proved to be true with the birth of Isaac. God was even able to use the descendants of Ishmael to fulfill another purpose.  Ishmael married a woman from Egypt and was lacking nothing. Now don't go purposely creating Ishmael situations in your life. We don't want to take advantage of God's forgiveness.

Jacob, Leah and Rachael - Not your ideal story. Although when I would watch Love & Hip-Hop (NY and ATL) I would refer to the love triangles as JLR situations. I'm not encouraging being a sidechick or waiting on a married man but we know the JLR story. Despite the detour of her husband marrying her sister first and not being able to bear a son for sometime, Rachael gave birth to Joseph. With the sister wives competition the 12 Tribes of Israel came into place.