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!!!

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.

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!"

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.

Pulling Back to Push Forward

January 2, 2014 - My boyfriend for the past 2.5 years broke up with me.

January 6, 2014 - I started a new semester of school taking 15 credit hours in order to keep my scholarship. Within this semester I joined two new organizations and my work hours per week for my on campus job went from 10 to 20.

Summer 2014 - I was a Peer Counselor for incoming freshmen taking summer classes.

August 24, 2014 - My ex-boyfriend tells me he's beginning a new relationship. It's been like a love triangle since we broke up in January. I had been trying to "win him back" for months.

August 25, 2014 - Another 15 credit hour semester begins. This was my first season working with the football team. Might I add we had a game the first week of school. Of course practices start during the summer. Matter of fact within a week of finishing the summer counseling program I began working with the team. My campus job transferred me to another location and I began working the evening shift 10 hours a week after practices.

January 2, 2015 - I received a text about my ex being married. I had just found out after Christmas that his girlfriend was pregnant.

A Letter to My FAMU Self

Hey y'all I've been doing lots of reflecting lately. From time to time I'll be sharing these thoughts and revelations from God. In the meantime please read "A Letter to My FAMU Self."

I wrote it my junior year at the request of my classmate Gladys. It's purpose was to reflect over the past few years of college and give advice to the freshman me. As I prepare for graduation that's quickly approaching I reflect over this letter. My counselor suggested I write a letter to myself as a reminder of what actions work when I become overwhelmed. My original letter still helps but I'll write another one. This is a great activity.  It's a great way to keep faith and stay encouraged.

P.S. Check out Gladys' website Get Livted (IG: getlivted)

A Letter to My FAMU Self

     Congratulations you made it to FAMU. You’ve been waiting your entire life to attend this prestigious university. Making the Dean’s list is no issue for you. But I also can tell that there is something in you. You have so much potential inside of you. Now it’s time to let it out.
      Girl have confidence in yourself. Do not doubt yourself. Make decisions for yourself. College is about finding out who you are. You can and you will break the mold. You are going through a metamorphosis.
     Sweetheart why are you sitting in the room? Get out and network. You need to make a lasting impression. You may know them but honey do they know you? Remember the first impression is a lasting impression. So take pride in your appearance. No wrinkles, face beat, and hair laid. So spend the extra time ironing clothes. You have beautiful skin so make-up isn’t needed all the time. But it’s okay for you to dabble. And please do something about your hair. Pay someone to do it or learn how to do it yourself. Barter if you have to. The cameras are always lurking. Every day is photo op. It’s time to stock up on your business casual. You want to look the part.
     Continue to grow spiritually. You can still be a Christian and have fun in college. God brought you this far do not drop him when you get to college. This is the time when you can fully experience him by yourself. The responsibility of going to church is all on you now. Mommy and Daddy aren’t here to wake you up for church. You’ll have fun. Trust me.