07.30.07
True Friendship
What is a friend? The word, “friend” to me is synonymous with reliability, counsel, advisor, dependent, a listener, understanding.
It’s funny how you learn who your true friends are when you’re going through a rough patch. Friends are supposed to stick by you and provide their support (even if it means seeing your most vulnerable side.)
Honestly, I am going to quote my ex-boyfriend and say that I have alot of associates and few friends. We toss that word around so lightly when it weighs so much in times of crisis.
I have been at war with myself and the many activities that have kept me occupied for the last seven months. I have won a few battles but the war is not yet won.
I found at times that I wanted to be myself and say goodbye to the world, but friends wouldn’t let me. Here’s the funny thing about that. I have always learned to be dependent on myself, because I have been disappointed too many times.
These friends were friends at first and then became associates. My biggest gripe about needing someone when you’re down is that people think problems just disappear after 24 hours. It just doesn’t work that way. You can’t be a half-assed friend. There is no such thing, at least not when it comes to me. If you’re going to be a friend, you need to know what the qualifications are before you take the job.
It’s not always glamorous, very difficult, requires a high level of tolerance, patience, and understanding. There are too many characteristics to list, but if you have all of those qualities then you’re on the right step to true friendship.
My friends, you know who you are, have heard and seen me cry. You have never judged me, always remained optimistic, and patient when I was stubborn.
I love you always and thanks.
07.14.07
Ratatouille
Rats. I never thought I’d say it, but rats are not as disgusting as we would like to think. Well at least in this latest Disney flick, rats are quite adorable, funny, intelligent, and extraordinary chefs.
As New Yorkers, we can’t stand to see them running around in the subway system. I actually enjoyed watching these rats run across the movie screen. There was an added incentive to see this movie, because it focused on a rat that was passionate about cooking. In a way it all makes sense, since a rat’s livelihood is to find scraps to eat.
The main character was an extraordinary rat that had to look beyond the fact that his father disapproved of his passion and that he was an actual rat before he could really pursue cooking.
I can’t cook. I would love to learn, but haven’t really made any time to shadow someone in the kitchen. I felt that this movie was written to inspire its audience. I know it did for me as it reiterated that anyone can cook, even a rat. Not to compare myself to a rat, but at least I know there is still hope for me. Hmm…if only I could learn how to drive?
Despite the fact that I am 21, this flick is entertaining to all ages-both young and old.
I won’t ruin it for you by giving away the plot if you haven’t seen it. If you’re looking for a cute film that will have you falling out of your seats in laughter, then this is the one to see.
Life As We Know It Is Full of Surprises
Everyday we wake up, take a shower, tune into depressing news, drink our cup of coffee while eating breakfast, and rush right out of the house trying to get to work on time.
What is life really all about? As I sit and watch Monsters Inc. on ABC 7, I am wondering that very question. Life is not all that its cracked up to be.
It’s hard, stressful, happy and sad, long and short. Life is a variety of things.
Take the time to enjoy it. Visit family and friends. Get out and just take a personal day. It’s not all about work. It’s not all about “hustling for money.” Life needs to be lived and not planned. Put away your pda’s and blackberries. Just relax.
Never forget that life is what YOU make of it!
Three Credits Short
Eighteen credits left to take in my final semester as an undergrad at Brooklyn College. I was working part time in the office of a local congresswoman four days a week and the editor-in-chief of my campus student newspaper, The Kingsman.
Against everyone’s advice, I took on those responsibilities head on. It was sink or swim and I started to float. As I got further and further into the semester…….I began to sink and wonder whether or not I would make it to the finish line.
I had four classes that I was highly concerned about. I still don’t know why I even registered for such tough courses as electives. I knew I took Personal Finance just to know how to avoid being broke. I took Mass Communication, because I felt it was related to my major, Journalism. I took Intro to American Government because I work in that industry and felt it would give me a better sense of what I work for. The final class was The Principles of Marketing which was entirely online. So I stressed about these six classes as I prepared for the big day….GRADUATION!
I couldn’t wait until the last day of production with the paper. Our final issue for the semester was a hit and I was proud yet determined to never ever become an editor. Last day of classes came and went. Took all of the finals and waited for the grades that came in sporadically.
Thursday May 31, 2007 at 10 a.m.–Graduation Day! I pulled on my burgundy robe and carried my flag with pride. I took my seat among over 3,500 graduates under the hot summer sun. I stood up when they called my academic field of study with joy as they pronounced us as official graduates of the college. I sat down and hoped that the last few grades to be submitted would seal the deal.
I went to Florida mid-June for a week just to relax. My first vacation and plane ride, I was anxious to grasp a new experience. I was one grade away from knowing whether or not I was a college graduate or destined for summer school. I got a hunch and decided to check my email at my cousin’s house.
My heart and jaw just sank as I read my grade. I had gotten an “F” for Intro to American Government. It didn’t make sense. Things didn’t add up. I was upset, distraught, and in shock but did not say a word. I had 117 credits, just 3 credits short of meeting the 120- credit requirement to graduate. I had worked so hard to graduate on time in four years, for this to happen? Why me? Was it a mistake? It had to be. I decided to let it go and deal with it when I returned home to New York. Why stress about it when I can’t do anything about it in Florida. Besides, how often do I get a vacation? Why let this spoil it?
I simply called my friend Jay in NY and told him to pray. I text two others and asked them to do the same. I only shared this information with my sisters and not my parents. How could I steal that pride from them? Their firstborn daughter was a college graduate. Every night when I came home, I was greeted by my ecstatic mom calling me graduate, but was I really?
I sent emails back and forth to my professor demanding an explanation. He just kept stringing me along saying that he was out of town and would have to get back to me later. I was in limbo. College Gradute, Yes or No? I did not worrry about it and just kept living my life. I weighed out my options but hoped for the best. I spoke to my friend Mike and broke the news to him. He simply encouraged me to get the job done and I did. The next day I sent another email to my professor but this time I got a response. I passed with a C+.
I can proudly say that I am an official college graduate, CLASS OF 2007!
Praise God is all that I can say.
Friends Forever?
Remember those high school days when you used to roam the hallways with your clique. You went everywhere and did everything together. Completely inseparable. Always promised to stay friends forever. Surprise, surprise many of you don’t even talk anymore.
I have always been the type of person that tried her best to keep in contact with everyone, especially with the numbers I have stored in my cell phone book.
This week, I got bored and decided to send out numerous text messages that said, ” hey stranger, long time no hear.” I got responses almost immediately. Yea so I cheated and didn’t make a phone call. No one has time anymore for traditional communication. It’s all about being on the go and communicating quickly. Phone calls just don’t cut it anymore, I smiled and thought to myself. Just a quick message that took less than five minutes to send out, I was able to get updates on everyone. Funny thing is a few of them actually called me.
I had a conversation with one of them and it felt to odd. We lost touch for so many years that we were practically strangers. It felt great to reconnect and share good news.
Why is it so hard to keep in contact with one another? Why is it so hard to keep friends versus making them? I love facebook and myspace. As a member of both, I find it easier to keep tabs on my friends. Sad but true, I depend on those sites to keep me posted and everyone else (who cares to know) posted on my whereabouts.
Friends forever? Hmm…did we really mean it when we said to each other as we parted ways after graduation? I know I did. Many of us probably did. We just never realized how busy our lives would get when we accepted our place in a hectic society.
Make an effort to reach out to those you once called friends. Find the time to catch up, you never know when that person will save you when you’re in a tight pinch.
