15.) Last Blog Ever !!!!!!!!

My blog experience was at times easy and at other times it was hard to think of something to write. My writing came easy when I was stressed out about life in general. Writing the blog became an avenue for me to relieve the stress and vent a little.
The blog became harder for me to write towards the end of the semester and my life had become a little less stressed. Towards the end of the semester I felt less inspired to write and view it as a task.
Overall, it wasn't that bad. It helped me reflect on life and relieve some stress. The blog became my personal journal to write how I was feeling and what was going on in my life. As a single parent this avenue of relieve, did help me reflect and work out some problems. As a parent and older student it also became an advice column at times. I do hope that younger students learned or took some of the advice given. I might not know everything in life but I have been through alot of situations that might help others. Yet I am happy the blog is over with and probably won't look at it again.

14.) My Life This Week

Well, this week in my life has been interesting and a little stressful. The interesting part of my week happened just last night. Friday night I went with my boyfriend to his company Christmas party. It was nice to be able to put a face with the names I've heard. The interesting part was that alot of the people were drinking and to watch them was quit entertaining. But all and all it was an enjoyable night.
The stressful part of my week comes directly from English class and trying to revise the essays that we have wrote through out the semester. At least one of mine I would not like to see ever again. It has been a frustrating process and an experience that I wish to not repeat. Yet I know that wish will not come true for me or anyone that is reading this. As students we will have many papers to write and revise through out our college years.
Even though this week was a little frustrating I would like to take a moment and thank someone that has made my revision of my essays a little easier. I would like to thank Mrs Furby for helping me out through the semester and with my revisions. She has helped me out in the writing center to improve my writing skills. So THANK YOU!!! You are appreciated.

Oh how I miss home

See the sun does shine in Washington State! I just thought I would post this picture to show how beautiful Seattle is. And yes that's my daughter and what she looked like two years ago.

13.) Thanksgiving Day

A Thankful Thanksgiving
by Roger J. Robicheau
A Thankful Thanksgiving
The America we witness today has seen much sacrificeThis sacrifice for many, has meant a total giving of life for libertyDo all truly realize what the human cost of freedom isAll citizens should understand what has kept us whole
Should it not be the duty of each American to know thisTo become familiar with the reasons of why we exist todayThe notion that "that’s the way things are" is ludicrousWhen a firm explanation is so easily understood
We’ve survived because of faith, determination, and great sacrificeThe backbone of this country is the strength of its good citizensEach true American is worth more than all the gold found in historySelfishness does not rule their home, nor does it drive their thought
And don’t just look at our military as a magnificent forceRather look at each member of our soldiered family with pride"Ready, willing, and able" have been the finest of each generationWhether in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other place of danger
Whenever an American military presence moves into actionBehold the continuation of an outstanding traditionFormed through freedom, it bravely faces all adversariesAnd the flag under which it stands will always fly in freedom
We are and always will be one nation under GodHe is the strength we have turned to time and time againIf we did not have Him, we would have perished long agoGod Bless America is more than a song, it is our national prayer
Finally, I wish each fine American a thankful Thanksgiving DayMay you truly realize what we are, and pray to Almighty God for continuationBe ever thankful for our Armed Forces, and give them the total support they needAnd please pray for all American families who have paid the price for freedom
©2002,2005Roger J. Robicheau
I just thought that this was a good poem to remember how lucky we are on this day.

12.) Family

Its wierd how time flies when your busy. Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is just around the corner. I remember when it was the first day of English Comp. and I heard for the very first time " goodmorning scholars ." Now its all coming to an end.
During the holidays cherish your time off and enjoy your family. Mr Miller was right when he said that we should spend time with family but you never know if your mom and dad, brother and sister will be there next year. I'm not trying to be morbid, but we never know what tomorrow will bring. I'm not saying spend everyday with family. I'm just saying that some moments in our life belong to our family.
I hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!

11.) Passion

I would like to discuss what was talked about in upperclassman chapel this week. The speaker spoke about having passion for Christ. He also discussed living a christain life actively. Basically, that we need to stop talking and start doing.
I feel that he was speaking the truth about Christ and about our lives in general. I believe we need to have passion in every aspect of our lives. The careers we choose need to be based on other things then money. I truly believe that money can bring happiness into our lives but TRUE happiness comes from within. If you choose a career because of the money you will make then I believe you will not be happy. I've chosen to major in nursing because I love helping people and I think that is very important. Yes, I know that a nurse makes a pretty good amount of money. Yet the reason I chose this career is because I feel passionate about taking care of people.
I guess what I'm trying to say make sure your major is something you have a passion for, not for the money. Money is nice,but you can't take it with you when you die. And do you want to be remembered for your money or for who you were?

10.) Prayers Answered

For most of my adult life I have struggled to get what I wanted. I've battled with a drug addiction, divorce, being flooded out of my house, moving to the South, raising a teenage daughter, being a single parent, working two jobs, and trying to get into MC's nursing program. Through all those things I learned to give my problems to God. I could not accomplish anything without His help and love.
I am here to tell you that God answers prayers and recognizes hard work. On Tuesday, November 4th,2008 I found out that I made it into the nursing program here at Mississippi College. YA!!!!!!!! I am sooooo happy and thankful. I thanked God and then I started calling everyone. I know its not going to be easy, but I know I can do it with help from God.
A word of advice to those that are feeling like their not going to make it,"Yes, you will !" Don't give up on your dreams. The Lord will help you reach your goals. He knows what we need and what He already has planned out for our lives. I now know that all my struggles were put in my life for a reason. I believe that those situations have made me stronger and closer to God. So please don't ever give up. May God touch your lives like He has done to mine.

9.) Have We Forgotten

Every year I get a little more disappointed in society. My reason for making that statement stems from how we as a society have made Christmas so commercialized and outrageous.
The reason I say its commercialized is pretty obvious to anyone who has gone shopping. Before Halloween stores start putting out Christmas lights and decorations. Heck, we haven't even had Thanksgiving and some people are buying and putting up Christmas lights on their houses. Then there is the figurines you can buy and put up in your yard. Also, the Christmas music will start and that's all you'll hear. Department stores reap the benefits from their sales ad's because kids and adults start to get the "I want" syndrome. It gets pretty outrageous when parents start working overtime to pay for gifts. I worked with a woman who would work more and more hours to buy her kids Christmas presents. What was so outrageous about that was the amount per child she would spend($300.00). This upsets me because children are expecting their parents to spend allot of money on them now a days. We have taught our children to be greedy.
Please, don't think I'm against Christmas because I'm not. I just feel that through out the years we've lost the true meaning of the holiday. We are suppose to be celebrating the birth of our savior, our redeemer, our Jesus. Yet we have all gotten caught up in the "I want" syndrome of society.
My last thought is that I wander what Jesus thinks about how we are treating His birthday. Does He feel forgotten?

8.) Sometimes You Just Feel Like Hiding

This week for me has been a busy one. Both of my jobs have been kaotic and school is the same. Also, my daughter keeps me going with her band stuff and school. On that note, if anyone wants to hear a great high school bands, the State Band Competition is going on in Pearl this Saturday.
Even though this week has been busy the Lord has blessed me by giving me the strength and energy to work through it. I know that without Him I would have fallen out along time ago. He is truly an awesome God.
So just remember that when things seem tough He is always there for us. If you need answers to problems just ask Him for the solution. We might not always like the answer but He is always right.
May you all have a blessed and safe weekend.

7.) Community Service Project

Last week I did my Community Service project at Gateway Thrift Store in Clinton. The store itself was small and narrow. At Gateway they have household items, clothes, shoes, toys, and many other items.
When I was at Gateway I helped Mesha and Tracy put items out to be sold. I also straightened the clothes and shoes. When I was straightening things I noticed the different types of people that shop there. These people range from young to old, black and white, male and female. The income of the shoppers range from low income to well off.
While doing my Community Service Project at Gateway, I was reminded of an old saying " one man's junk is another man's treasure." Here is a note to anyone who needs household items or even clothes, go to Gateway and look before you go to a department store.
I know this blog is pretty sad this week but I've been pretty busy this week. Sorry!!!

6.) Blessed

As I was sitting in my car between classes on Thursday I realized what a blessing it is to be alive. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and I could hear the children playing at the daycare.
While I sat there for some time I thought about all the blessings that I have in my life. My daughter is the biggest and most important one. I thank God that He has given me a healthy, smart and beautiful child. Another blessing is my family and friends. My other gifts from God is the ability to pay my bills, put clothes on my childs back, keep a roof over our head, and that I have a job(2 actually). Oh ya, the ability to go back to school too. God has given me so much to be thankful for. I even have to thank Him for the two jobs because that is what pays the my bills. Now a days that is a blessing because some individuals don't have that choice or ability.
My question to you is have you thanked God today? What gifts has God blessed you with?

5.) We are Never Alone

All week I have been thinking about what to write about in my blog. I decided to share a poem that helps remind me that I am never alone in my day to day struggles.


Footprints in the Sand


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.


This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
" You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
" The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson


I truly believe that the Lord carries us when we are having troubles. I also think that he never gives us more then what we can handle. Just pray and God will give you an answer.

4.) Just a little Advice

This weeks blog has been difficult to come up with. I've thought about it and the only thing I can come up with is to give some advice.

My advice is for my younger classmates and to tell them to never quit going to school. Stay in college and enjoy every minute. It might seem like a never ending battle but in the end it will be worth it. I quit going to college when I was younger and now I regret that decision. Now as a single parent it is so hard to juggle school, work, and raising a teenager. Also, its a little bit harder to remember things when you've been out of school for 14 years.

So please don't stop going to college and do everything you want to do in life.

I read this in a quote book of my daughters and thought it was something I should share.

" To dream anything that you want to dream-- that is the beauty of the human mind. To do anything you want to do--- that is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits-- that is the courage to succeed." By Bernard Edmonds

3.) What would you change?

In my blog this week I would like to ask a question that was proposed at my daughters high school. Since MC is all about spiritual connection and stimulating you to think for yourself. Here's the question that was asked, " If you could change one major event that happened in the past what would it be?" This question was asked on September 11th.

This to me was or is a difficult question to answer, but not for my daughter. She said that it would of been the tragic day when the two towers were hit by the terrorist. She believes that because of that we are in Iraq. And that not only on 9/11 did we have innocent people die, but now are military personal are dieing. In her heart she feels that if 9/11 never would of happened, we would not be in Iraq or in the situation we are in as a country.

Yes, this a very touchy subject to write about or talk about, but as people or Christians we must pray about. Yet at my daughters school and here at MC there was no moment of silence and no flags flown at half mass. It seems to me that its become for some just another day. I highly doubt its become just another day for those who have lost a loved one on September 11th and since then in Iraq. I'm asking in this blog that we would now wherever you are take a moment and pray for the families that have lost loved ones on 9/11 and all the military personal that have died or are still fighting to keep freedom alive.

2.) Social Atmosphere at MC

From the first day I came to MC I noticed a social connection between the students that went here. Even on the first day of class I noticed that certain people had made friends or already knew each other. As an older student I have often felt out of place or even a little foriegn. Yet as each day goes by I feel more at ease.
I started thinking how being an older student made me feel after English class on Tuesday. I had walked out of class and started talking to Peng, who is an international student. We talked about Seattle and the great coffee. Afterwards I thought to myself how hard it must be to be so far away from home. Also, I pondered about the strength and courage it had to take to come here to Mississippi. Yet I believe Peng picked a great college to come to.
At MC there is a social accepting environment. As you walk through the quad you see people talking and laughing . The atmosphere on campus is one of social harmony between the ages and countries. I hope one day that it would spread to the rest of the world.

1.) Yankee in the South

I was born in the great state of Washington. My father had a job that gave me the opportunity to also live in Illinois, Texas, and Georgia. By my freshman year in high school we had moved back to Washington. I lived there for most of my teenage years until three years ago. My parents and three of my siblings still live there. I try to visit as often as my pocket book will let me. I often miss seeing the beautiful mountains and lush rivers. Of course, I miss the great coffee and Seattle's Pike Place Market.
I decided to move to Mississippi after my daughter had come back from a visit with my sister who lives here. My daughter told me that it was wanderful down here and that we she move down here. Being a single parent this was a big decision. Having a sister willing to let you live with her so you can go back to school helped me make the decision to move . So here I am, a yankee in Mississippi.
I made the decision to go back to college and become a nurse through my experiences as a CNA. I've been a CNA for eleven years and finally decided that I needed to move onto the next step. I chose Mississippi College because there well known nursing program. I'm hoping to get in this spring if God willing. My inspiritation to go back to school and stick with it is my sixteen year old daughter, Sammantha. I hope to show her that you should never give up on anything that is important to you. So here I am, a student at age thirty seven.