A Weekend to Remember

So as I informed all of you I went back to my hometown this past weekend to visit and attend a wedding of one of my friends. It was a very interesting weekend. To start things off I got home on Friday early afternoon. I surprised my mom cause she thought I would be coming home on Saturday. It was a good surprise and she was happy to see me. I spent most of the day laying on the couch and just relaxin. See my cell phone charger wasn't working so I didn't really have much of a way of communicating with anyone. I got word that some of my friends and were already in town but I decided to relax and just chill at home.

On Saturday, my mom and I went to a Verizon store to see if they could tell me why mom phone wasn't charging. Well come to find out it was only my charger. I got a new one for FREE so I was happy and now I could charge my phone so I could communicate with the world. WE went back home and I found one of my friends and basically hung out with her all day. We were running around trying to help our friend get some last minute stuff for her wedding. Man let me tell you I have to say that I am a good friend but that's another topic and post all in its self.

On sunday was the wedding and I pretty much go tup and got ready for that. After the wedding was done we had the reception. The reception was great because I got to see and talk to old classmates that I hadn't spoke with in a while. It was great seeing everyone and chatting. I went out with some of my classmates over that night and it was definitley a night to remember. OH my gosh. All I have to say is some people don't need to drink. Those of you that have talked to me have heard the story. For those who don't know I will tell yo uthis I had to physiclaly hold down one of my friends(well probably ex friend is a better way to put it now) wh o was drunk in the back seat of the car while we drove all the way up from Cincinnati to Middletown. yeah it was crazy and a very eventful one for those who were there to witness the madness. Let' s just say that I won't ever be going out anywhere with my friend anymore.

Monday I went to the memorial day with another old classmate/friend and then we went around visiting family and just enjoying the day. It was good. I relaxed and even talked a little with my sister.

Overrall it was a very good weekend. I enjoyed it and I hope my next visit to the Middie is as much fun.

Well there are only a couple things between me and graduation. Tomorrow is my last day of class and then next Wednesday I have both of my finals. Ugh it sucks that they are going to be on the damwe day but oh well. I am ready to be done with school. Less than two weeks til June 11th. Yeah I am also planning my graduation party at the moment. Hopefully that all works out. Well I am sure you all will hear more from me ths iweek.

I am America's Nightmare...

Memorial Day Weekend

Well readers I will be gone for the weekend. I am taking a trip back to my hometown. I haven't been home since Christmas. I know five months is a long time to go without seeing your loved ones. I am excited. It should be good but we will see what happens. I am excited to eat at the restaurants that I don't get to eat at in Columbus. Gold Star Chilli and Cassano's Pizza. Yum yum yum. I can't wait. (Yes its sad that I am excited about eating some pizza and chilli dogs but that's life!)

I will be hanging out with my mom probably most of the weekend and just resting and relaxing. You can't ask for anything better.

I only have one day of class left. That's next Wednesday. And then two finals on the Wednesday after that. I can't wait to be done. I am tired of going to class and having to study. Oh yeah I guess I forgot that in the next couple of months I will begin studying for the CPA exam.

Well ain't much else to say, I am America's Nightmare...

"Without Struggle, there is no progress"

This was the theme of the 10th Annual Slater/Johnson Memorial Scholarship Banquet of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus at The Ohio State University. The banquet was very good. The banquet committee did a very good job. I really enjoyed myself. The keynote speaker was Aya Fubara Eneli. She was very amazing. Just to give you some background info on her. This is taken from the program...

"Aya Fubara Eneli was born in Columbus, Ohio and grew up in the West African country of Nigeria. As an eight year old, she was the keynote speaker ofr Nigeria's national celeration of the International year of the Child. She attended The Ohio State University where she earned four degrees in 7 years - 2 Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and English; a Master's degree in African and African American Studies; and a Juris Doctorate."

Wow that's just a brief sample of her biography. I usually don't get into speakers when I go to events. They are usually long and boring. Let me say Aya Fubara Eneli was tremendous. She blew me away. She was very entertaining and had a great message. The theme of the banquet was "Without Struggle, There is No Progress". She noted that we as african americans are full of struggles. Each person has there own struggle. She even noted that we are very far from progressing. She read of some very terrifying statistics of African Americans. Did you know that even though African Americans make up barely over 12% of the population that we make up over 50% of new HIV/AIDS cases in the US! yes that very crazy. I believe another statistic that she quoted was that only 40% of African Americans that go to college actually graduate. In whites the rate is 61%! Yes just those two statistics alone are very scary. It also is a reminder that African Americans are still struggling. Even though some may think we have progressed, we still are struggling. The statistics that she read came from a book titled "The Covenant". I believe she said Tavis Smiley wrote it. I could be wrong. I plan on picking up this book to read more of these amazing statistics that they have about african americans. Everyone needs to take note that we as african americans are still struggling. We have a long ways to go.

I often times sit and reflect on my own life. I have come along way. I never imagined that I would be where I am today. I always knew I was going to go to college but I thought I would become a doctor. That's what I always dreamed of being. Never in a million years did I think I would end up becoming an accountant. If someone would have told me this I would have laughed in there face. I guess you can't always tell where you life will end up.

The keynote speaker also took time out to thank many people who were mentors to her. This made me think about my mentors, or should I say lack of mentors. I couldn't think of anyone that has actually been my mentor. Don't get me wrong, I have had many people that has had a positive effect on my life, but I can't think of anyone that has actually served as my mentor. It's kinda of sad. I wish I had someone that I could talk to about my career goals and get sound advice from. Maybe one day this will happen, who knows though.

I want to encourage everyone to give something back to their community. There are many african americans children in my neighborhoodl that are growing up in single parent homes and don't have a positive role model in their life. During my breaks from school I take time to go back to my former 1st grade teachers class (she teachs kindergarten now) and read to her students and play games with them. Just seeing how happy it makes the kids brings a smile to my face. Since Columbus will be my permanent residence for at least the next couple of years, I won't be able to do that anymore. Hopefully I can find somewhere in Columbus to go and help out at an elementary school. I really do think it is important to give children postive role models and show them examples of people making without have a musical or athletic career. (I have nothing against those that do make it that way!).

As you can probably tell coming from the banquet I had a lot going through my head. Anyways that's enough for now. I am America's Nightmare...

Don't settle for less...

"Don't settle for less!" is what one of my football coaches in high school would always say to us. I can distinctly remember hearing him yell those words to us. It's kinda been my theme for my life. Many times in my life I have been doubted and questioned on why I do things. I haven't had anything given to me. I have worked very hard to get to where I am at in my life. I was raised in a single parent, very low income family. One of my many dreams was to go to college and get a degree so that I don't have to live or raise my family like I was brought up. I don't regret the childhood that I had. My mother worked her butt off to give us everything she could. I never really had an understanding to how poor we actually were, but now when I think back to how much money my mom was making its very apparent that we were definitely poor. I made the decision not to settle for less and try to achieve the best level that I could. With that said I am pretty much on my way to achieving something that means a lot to me. In less than four weeks I will be receiving my masters degree! It's kinda hard to believe but I am glad that I went on to do it. I have never settled for less and am very proud of myself!

Now on a lighter note...This week the major networks gave their presentations on their fall primetime tv schedules. As most of you know I have become addicted to tv. I was really nervous to see what was going to happen with two of my favorite shows that I watch every week. Girlfriends and Half and Half. In case you didn't know the UPN and WB network are merging together to form one network The CW. The CW took shows from each network to come up with their fall schedule. I was keeping my fingers crossed that Girlfriends and Half and Half would make it. Well sadly only Girlfriends made it on to the CW. And to make matters worse its being moved to Sunday nights at 8pm. Why is this a problem? Well another one of my favorite shows, The Amazing Race, will also be airing at this time. Yeah so I will be flipping back and forth between those two shows. Well to get back on topic what I am upset with is that with the new network CW many of shows on the UPN with predominantly black casts would be left out. UPN was the only network that had shows with predominantly black casts and i loved those shows. I wasn't an avid viewer of all them but it was great that at least one network had shows for my people. Well hopefully in the future these networks will get shows with predominantly black casts. I love our comedy sitcoms. Its nice to see people like you on tv. I doubt that this will happen but heres to hoping.

Well summer is almost here and I can't wait. Big Brother-All Stars will be on in July and anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to this show. I am looked forward to watching this show. I am sure I will write about it over the summer.

Well I am America's Nightmare...

Go Shorty it's your birthday, we gonna party like its your birthday...

Happy Birthday to ME!!! It's my 23rd birthday. Man I don't really feel that old but it feels good to celebrate another year on this earth.

I won't be doing much to celebrate today. I have two classes, a group meeting, then a race forum and I won't be done with all that til around 9pm. We will see how things go. Thanks to all those who have wished me a Happy Birthday so far and to those who will be doing it in the near future.

Season Finales

Oh my goodness did everyone watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy!!!!!!!!! Wow that was a very good two hour finale. I really do love Chandra Wilson (that's Dr. Bailey for those who don't know) she really brings a lot to that character. She manages to stand out in every episode. She relaly has a hard time with those interns but you gotta love her witty comments and the way she takes charge of every situation she is in. Even the chief has a hard time standing up to her.

Things I liked about last nights episode
1. Chandra Wilson cause she is the best thing since sliced bread.
2. Denny dies!!! I know some may not agree but I saw this coming. It provided great ending to the episode and now we are left wondering if Izzie is really going to quit.
3. Doc the dog being put to sleep. I don't really like Meredith and Dr. McDreamy together so I was happy to see the one thing connecting them put to rest.
4. The interns all sticking together and deciding not to confess to the Chief who cut the UV cord on Denny.
5. Dr. Burke and Christina at the end. She finally came in at the end to be by his side. They are definitely the best couple on Grey's. I thought I am gong to quit watching this show if they kill him off.

Things I didn't like about last night's episode
1. Meredith and Dr. McDreamy going to kiss and feel each other up during the Prom.
2. The Prom thing was very unrealistic.

Overrall a great episode. Can't wait til next season.

And Survivor also concluded this week. I was glad that Aras won, even though I was rooting for Cirie. It's okay cause Cirie won the car. I can't wait til next season.

Well that's all for today. I will have more comments on the remaining season finales I will be watching this week. Don't expect anything on American Idol because that show is for the birds.

I'm America's Nightmare...

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone who is a mother a Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!

I am very thankful for my mother and all that she has done for me. I know at times I can be a knucklehead, but she still managed to raise me well. She did her best and looked at what all I have accomplished so far in life. I love her and I dont' think words could express how much I love her and am very grateful for everythign she has done for me.

I love you MOM and one day I will be able to repay you for everythign you have done for me.

Someone has a birthday coming up...

That someone is me! My birthday is on Wednesday. It's exciting that it's coming up. Not sure if I will be doing anything special that day but it will be fun to just celebrate another wonderful year in my life.

Well my mom call's me yesterday and is like you got a card. I was like for what? She went on to tell me that it was a birthday card from my father! Well some of you are probably wondering why that is a surprise. Well my father has been nonexistent in my life. He has never done much for me. A couple years ago he gave me 50 dollars for some odd reason. Not sure why but he hasn't ever done anything for my sister and me. Well he sent my sister and me both a card. I am actually surprised that he took time out of his day to send one. I guess when you are in jail you really have a lot of free time on your hand. Apart of me wishes he wasn't such a dead beat and could be apart of my life. I have always kidded myself thinking he was going to get his life together and potentially take care of his responsibilities. So far I have been wrong, but you never know. He did call me once last year to congratulate me on my graduation from undergrad and tell me how proud he was. I told him that I would like it if he could make it to next graduation being that he wasn't at this one. He then went on to explain that he couldn't promise anything. Not a real surprise there. This year for my graduation he will be in prison once again. He claims that his recent relapse was due to my grandmother's (his mom) and my aunt's (his sister) death. I still hold out hope that one day he will turn his life around. It could be false hope, but who knows. Deep down inside I wish there was something I could do to change him, but I doubt its possible.

Those of you that know me and are close to me know that I don't talk about my father at all. Mostly due to embarrassment that he hasn't done anything for me. I always have prayed that when I become a father that I am nothing like him. I could never see myself abandoning my kids. I would want to take care of my responsibilities. Oh well though, I have the best mother in the whole entire world. That's all that matters. I love ya Mom and couldnt' have asked for a better one.

Until next time I am America's Nightmare...

What's Happening...

Well everyone it's been a busy week for myself. I had a midterm and attending events for the african american heritage festival. Overrall it was a good week. I have to say I enjoyed it. I went out and partyed a little this weekend. I am ready for school to be done though. Only a little over a month til graduation. It's exciting. I will hold a MASTERS degree in a matter of a month. Dang makes me feel so accomplished thinking about that.

Well of course I have been watching a lot of tv. I love Survivor. It's my favorite show. I am so rooting for Cirie to win this season. She has come a long way. On the first episode she was told that she was either going to be voted off first or second. Well she survived the first vote and has made it to the final four. I am rooting for her.

American Idol has really gone down the drain. How about Paris (with out a doubt the best singer left in the competition) was kicked off this week. I really don't understand the people that actually watch this show faithfully. I thought it was a competition to pick the best singer. Obviously this competition has evolved into something else. I don't know but they don't have to worry about me watching the show. I am officially done with this season of American Idol.

Can I just say damn to the UPN and WB for merging together. Now a couple of my favorite shows won't be on TV next season. That's Half and Half and Girlfriends. I am hoping they are able to live in on the next season. I enjoy those shows and arent' ready for them to end. I am rooting on them to make it. Come on CW keep these two shows.

Is anyone else bored with this season of America's Next Top Model. I really am bored with this show this season. Hopefully she can do something next year that will spice this show back up.

Now College Hill. I am really enjoying this season. Those students are funny, crazy and full of drama. They are very entertaining and I look forward to seeing this show every week. This is the first season that I have actually watched more than one episode. It's very good and hopefully they will keep it going.


Well that's all for me for now. I am America's Nightmare...