Subscribe
I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn’t,
So I jumped in and sank.
I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn’t a-been so cold
I might’ve sunk and died.
But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.
I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn’t a-been so high
I might’ve jumped and died.
But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I’m still here livin’,
I guess I will live on.
I could’ve died for love–
But for livin’ I was born
Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry–
I’ll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
-Langston Hughes
The end of the summer has come. I completed The Grapes of Wrath this past week, but have yet to finish any others. I started Hip Logic by Terrance Hayes today and absolutely love it. I did an OK job with reading this summer but could’ve gotten through more. Oh well, there is always the rest of my life.
I also watched all three seasons of The Big Bang Theory and finished season four of Seinfeld. I saw Dinner for Schmucks last week, it was painful but funny. I hope to see Eat, Pray, Love before it goes out of theaters.
I am on the eve of the first day of the last day of my undergraduate journey. I’m unsure if this will be my last semester in college forever, nonetheless it’s the beginning of an end, of a momentous goal.
When I was a wee one, college seemed like a distant notion that was talked about, that I hoped to achieve and was something that I both feared and was in awe of. I was unsure if I would ever be able to actually attend because it seemed like such a costly endeavor and while I did really well in school, college seemed like it was bigger than me. It’s a bit how I feel now about being engaged, married and pregnant. I know that it’s likely these things will happen, but it’s really hard to imagine them actually happening to me. I wanted to be those people I saw on IU’s campus, walking with their books and bags in and out of the limestone buildings for class. I wanted to be the first in my family to make it to and through college.
In high school, I realized that college was an adventure that was indeed going to happen. After I finally, poorly picked the college I would attend (ISU) I decided I’d go with my strengths and seek a degree in English. I changed this at orientation and went with Criminology (Criminal Justice at IUPUI). After a semesters worth of college-ing at ISU, I transferred to IUPUI and have overall enjoyed my experience since January of 2007. I again changed my major from CJ to English.
Currently, all that stands between me and this achievement is 15 credit hours. Sometimes, I play this down. While I’m not sure what I want to do in the future or if my diploma will serve as a leg up anywhere, I must always remember when I thought I’d never reach this point. When I felt like I wasn’t big enough to walk in the shoes of a student. I may not have always given everything I could at every point along the way, but I put in the time, effort, tears and thought to complete my Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) with a minor in Religious Studies. I will accomplish a goal 17 years in the making. On May 15th, 2011 I will walk across the stage and receive my diploma with family and friends looking on and I will know I completed something I promised myself many years ago.
Looking forward at this final semester in this part of my journey, I have these courses to look forward to:
Introduction to the Study of Grammar (required linguistics course)-I probably should have taken this course ages ago, but alas, hopefully it rounds out my English degree a bit.
Advanced Poetry Writing- For my 400 level writing course, I decided on Poetry. I feel most comfortable and interested in this genre of writing. I’m friends with nearly everyone taking this course.
Introduction to Oceanography-For my final science credits I decided on a course that lacked a mathematics aspect. Also, I learned about the heavens in Astronomy, I thought I ought to learn about the deep blue seas as well.
History of Western Civilization-Need I say anything about this?
Introduction to Christianity-I wanted to stray from the Christian religion to complete my religious studies minor, however this course was the only class that fit into my schedule. I do love the professor.
My goals for the semester are fairly simple:
Attend every single class.
Maintain my spot on the Dean’ List (but I’m shooting for As)
Learn. While I do every assignment, I often feel I’m doing it to be done with it, not to gain the knowledge I should.
I know that, whether I seek to further my education or enter the workforce full time, I will continue to expand and share my knowledge. I feel prepared for what life may bring and I look forward to tackling each obstacle as they come.
Fifthteen credit hours stand between me and this:
Aisha,
I have reviewed your records for graduation and I find that with the successful completion of your fall classes, you will qualify for your BA degree.
Best,
Sherry Kendall
1.) Material possessions do not prove your worth. Most of the time it proves you’re materialistic or selfish. If you want to feel like you’re worth something be a positive influence for the world. Change someone’s life, help someone, do good.
2.) Unless you have a condition, you do have control over your body and maintaining your Weight. Now, I know you’ll hear me say, “I’m fat” from time to time, but that’s the I don’t have the exact flat tummy that the world tells me I need too. I know I’m not fat and I do love the way I look. I guess I get frustrated hearing people be so upset with their physical appearance but yet not getting off the couch, putting the beer or chips down doing something about it. The most important thing here is having a healthy body and keeping your heart strong. I don’t work out every day, but I do my best to get some form of physical Exercise in, I do my best to eat veggies and fruits, I take different supplements to keep good nutrients in my body (magnesium, fish oil, garlic, etc). Get up, go for a walk, do some Weight lifting. Ease in to a healthy lifestyle.
3.) Just because you have an opinion, does not mean that your opinion is correct. While I understand that we should respect everyone’s opinions, this does not mean I’m just obliged to roll over and accept your opinion. I most certainly won’t think it’s correct just because you’re entitled to one.
4.) Love without expectation. My friend gRegor is one of the most prime examples of being able to to do this and I owe him the credit for even the thought. Be someone’s friend, someone’s lover or just a human being without expecting the world to give you something back. Don’t expect everyone to be exactly what you want them to be. People are always going to disappoint you if you expect that from them. Your opinion of how you think someone should be is only your view of it, what makes you the expert on everything anyway?
5.) Along with the one above. Don’t get upset when someone doesn’t pull through for you, attend something you want them attend, be who you want them to be when you’re utterly failing in the same regards. If you give the bare minimum, expect it in return.
That’s all for now, I need to be getting off into the real world. Those aren’t directed at anyone and may seem rantish. That’s fine. I need to read them some days too.
I'm an exuberant 20 something year old seeking, exploring and finding my way.
