Thank you!

 I want to thank everyone who helped me graduate a success!  I can only thank my family so much; but now I want to thank a few people who have helped me out! if your not on this list don't feel bad, I could only thank so much!
To my home base:
Mahlet: I love you! can't wait to see you on Friday for yours. There is so much I could say, but you already know it all.I love all the nick names that we give random people and our weird conversations! xoxo
Shruti: You are the sane one of us! lets make plans to take over the world in about 20 years...  We will work out details in our secret meeting place! 
Swetha: Don't get mad that I listed Shurti before you lol! I cant wait to visit you this summer!  you have amazing taste in fashion I can understand your fashion sense more than Mahlets...
Its weird to know someone for half of their lives! I feel like I'm cheating putting you three on the list because you have become my sisters!
Jane: OMG! I love how you KNOW what I'm talking about even when everyone thinks I'm crazy! xxo hoot!
Paige: I love our skype conversations! I really want to go to Cali and visit you! we still need to record a song for our band!
All five of you are like family to me and I KNOW for a fact that we will be friends forever! Thanks for sticking with me, you all know my crazy personality and accept it as normal...
To my kato crew:
Sola: Thank you for everything. Thanks for being my best friend, it means so much to me you will never know... xoxo
Ruby: LIB! your honesty has helped me become more confident in myself! The days of step were amazing and I look forward to rollerblading with you!
Katie: I remember I first meet you in step and we were collecting cans for homecoming and then we bumped into Ruby and Salem!We were always on a mission! Glad you could make it here! You are so focused!
Salem: Always creative! remember those late nights? or when Mildred thought we had incense in your room? hmmmmm..... lol
I'm glad that all of us made it! it seams like yesterday we were sitting six in the back of a two door car.. xoxo
Sagel: Crazy and sane at the same time! I love our talks on the phone; or taking those poli sci classes online!
Winta: I LOVE YOU! thanks for keeping me sane this whole year! Love our random talks. You are so calm it is something that I strive to achieve! Hope we can hangout more this summer!

To my ASA family:
Thank you all for making this year a success! there are so many people who helped out. who made a difference and who grew! I love the dedication that some members put in! Thanks so much! and while I cannot thank everyone who ever came to the meetings! I would like to thank my board members from last year and this year!

Wendiinko: Mister connections! merci pour tous! tu m'as aide quand je le plus besoin... merci!
David: ahh baby dd look how much you have grown! Thanks for sticking with me! now you know what
perfection looks like! lol Congratulations on everything you are doing; I know you will go beyond the stars!
MoMo: Ill do this one in English! lol! thanks for helping me calm down when I just didn't want to! You taught me so much! I'm glad that we stayed in contact even after ASA! keep in touch and congrats!
Sheka: Thanks for helping me those random times. stay strong and focused and don't forget the people who supported you!
Milki: I'm glad that you didn't think I was too crazy during our board meetings! always calm, It helped us all relax, thanks!
Eji:It was fun showing those men who we really are! great ideas, thanks for a great year!
Kadia: I never felt bad being so honest, because I knew that you were too!  
Tenneyson: Mister VP! we put Liberia on the map this year! thanks for your help and honest opinions! being the only women was tough but i did it with your help!


ISA Family
All in! lol It would take FOREVER to type this to all the people. But you know who you are! Lets stay strong together this summer! And remember our family budget!  I still have to do a kitchen for everyone, if you are around this summer I def. will. We have GROWN so much, from the beginning of the retreat, to our spring break now to graduation! All of our cooking and discussions, talking and fun times! Wanna be dj's and poker faces! ISA 2010-2011 is an experience that can never be repeated; only we know how much it really means to us!
freaky fourth floor:
I never thought I would ever write about how much I loved the girls on my floor; but you really made my job sooo easy! All of you are crazy amazing! I love the late night talks and  attempting to clean up my room! good luck next year and hopefully you'll be able to use your study bucks! lol.

Once again thanks! to everyone else: you know you you are! You are amazing and from the bottom of my heart you have made this journey so better! 

Rant: The world is not ending, just breaking badly

source

2012, Earthquake in Haiti, flood in Pakistan, huge earthquake in Japan. Illuminati. Now the world is ending.
Come on really? let's be honest with ourselves here people. I'm not saying that the world isn't ending, but  I am saying that maybe Global warming is more of an accurate cause for these events. The Illuminati thing? The Da Vinci Code. .. Add a little bit of globalization and pop culture and there you have it.

The thing that annoys me most about this is that these statements come from people who hear about natural disasters  through Facebook and  never do research on their own. Sure they might watch CNN every once in a while, but that's the extent to it.  Being a Christian myself I feel that I can only critique the claims of those from my religion.

source

1. If you are religious, you should always be prepared for the "end times."
2. If your knowledge of the news and global happenings only extends to what you see on the television, you should not apply this to how the world is ending. The news we see needless to say is so skewed, there are MANY  things that happen that we never get to hear on our news source. Find some sources from over time that include those out of the United States,  and out of the mainstream media before you start  using it to prove the end of days.
3. You are not God, God is. He is the only one who knows when the world is ending. I am not religious as I believe I should be, and statements like this are probably why: People are always trying to use the Bible for their own cause. .. Look at World War two, wouldn't the world have been over then? Or the Second Congo War?? how many of you even KNOW what that is?  Please people before you quit your jobs, remember this Bible verse: Matthew 24:36... EVERY generation thinks the world is over during their time.

Like I said before, I didn't say that the world isn't ending, and it's not like I wouldn't care if it was, I just HATE it when people try to predict  when it is. We shouldn't wait for anyone, anything or any sign to start saving our planet and making a better world for ourselves.  Don't play God.  Just wait for the world to be over and donate some money to Japan in the mean time. Predicting the end of the world will just give you a headache.

Amen. 

forever

Memories last forever
A soul transcends time.

African Week!

2:35 am. my day just got done.

I am so excited for african night to arrive! but before that, we have African week! We will be showing movies artwork and dancing in the CSU. ASA will be put on the map this year and everyone will know who we are.

i am so happy! But like mentioned before, It's trying. I just have to keep remembering that it will all pay off. I know that many people want me to fail and I don't strive off of that! I strive off of those who come to EVERY practice, those who performed last year, and are continuing to perform again. Those students who JUST got here this semester and are already heavily involved. I strive off of success, positive energy and happiness. This repels any negativity that could ever come my way.  I strive off of the outcome I know will come! For those of you who want to see us fail I say this: You will be truly sorry. nothing can tear apart a nation or a group. We are stronger then ever this year.

ASA has taught me to have tough skin,  but  it has made me realize who I am. Most importantly,  I know now that not everyone will like me, and most of them will not have a good reason for that. I am goofy, weird, crazy and shy at times. I like to make jokes, I like to make connections, and I like for people to get involved.  Of those many things many feel that they are weaknesses or childlike features. But you know what? you only live once. I'm not going to waist my life or any second of it trying to please a person or two because they don't like how I act and my personality! My friends love who I am, my family loves who I am and that's what matters.

tired! 

With all this said, I cannot wait for African week to come! Monday starts off the event with an art gallery in the CSU ballroom! 

African Night: Holding on to Traditions

Since I have been to MNSU I have gone to African Night. If someone would have told me that I would be president of this organization I would have thought they were lying. Now our biggest event is coming up and I can't wait for it to start.

Holding on to traditions

We always want to have a continuation of last years theme, and this year, Holding on to Traditions was voted in. Simple yet bold, this theme says it all; We are here now, and we still have our African culture and would love to share that. Holding on to traditions also shows how African culture has become "main stream" in those African and non African alike. Jazz is a common example I can think of.  This night will amaze you: We will show off African Culture and talent as well as African dance through many and different ways.

Like last year we will be donating part of the ticket sales to our charity, last year it was only $1, this year its $2, because  we are raising money for two charities.

I am very interested to see the outcome, and by no means am I saying that this is going to be flawless yet. Only hard work and time can tell that.  I must say this however: With all the hard work our coordinators are putting in, I have a good feeling that things will run smoothly. Thank you to those who are helping me out, you know you are!

WOMEN

"When I am assertive, I'm a bitch, but when a man is assertive he's a boss."-Nicki Minaj

There have been countless of blogs that I have written, but have not finished. The blog that I want to write right now is one that has been haunting me forever, something that I really want you all to know, but I want it to be perfect; as I am typing it, my thoughts are racing about all the things I want to say. It's so simple yet so complicated at the same time; everyone feels misunderstood at some time in life, the key is moving on from it, but how can you when the people you work with do not support you or believe in you?

I never really understood what people thought about the double standard in women before I came to Mankato, and especially before last year, I never understood what people meant about racism and discrimination still being alive; I grew up all over the cities, and while my life was not hard, I can say that I had my own personal demons. But the problems I delt with coming to college were ones totally different.

Why do people feel like I cannot succeed? Why do people not understand that the things they see me doing is only half of what I do?

I am not an actor, I do not pretend to be something that I am not, maybe this is the reason taht people find me annoying, growing up, this is something that was hailed as a strength, and now I come to mankato, and after the year that i have had last year and this year, it is looked on as a weakness.

I leave you with this readers: my total and utter frustration. I want you to know I don't think its fair that I am supposed to be looked at as "dainty." I hate that there is more pressure on me to finish a task, I hate that there are people who just sit there, hope that I fail, and criticize me, and when I succeed, they complain, but lick their fingers and benefit from my hard work. I hate that.

Im complaining, and I know that.

I think this is part of some "process" or something. I already feel better writing this out. While simply complaining wont do anything, action will. I just want to continue being a hard worker, and even if I have to work 10 times as hard as the person next to me, I know I'll get where I want to be. Without complaining. :)

Now you know a little more about the inside workings of me:)

Annoying

Annoying!!!!!

There are several things that annoy the hell out of me. I could make a list that is so long explaining what they are, and I have decided that I will. Why? In hopes that someone who commits these annoying crimes will STOP. Or, if you see them being done you can tell the person to stop. Here it goes my fellow readers:

1o. being alternative for the sake of being alternative

I don’t feel like I need to do anything else than this: people pretend to do things just to be different. These people do this to brake away from the “social norm,” however, they if anything add to it. My advice to those who want to be different for the sake of being different: be yourself! Nothing is worse than being something that you are not.

9. Hanging up with not saying goodbye

I don’t think I need to say any more about this. It’s annoying and stupid. Especially if you hear me say buy and you just hang up. It’s so weird. It makes it weirder if I don’t say buy and you hang up. And its’ not like “ I’ll talk you later.” It’s like, “ I got to go.” Then I hear the click of the phone.

8. Religion vs. science

This annoys me on several levels. Mostly my peers who are atheist or agnostic bashing those who believe in God. Many times they say things that are false about religion, and many times, people do it to be “cool.” The other part is those who are religious who do the same thing, and bash the others by saying negative things about those who do not believe in the same thing as them. For both of these, it annoys me how it seams that you have to choose one or the other, which is not true. I feel that these groups should not be “enemies,” I feel that religion and science compliments each other, if anything. I will write extensively about this topic in my next blog.

7. Dirty bathrooms

I think this is disrespectful and hideous. Especially when there is hair in the bathroom from the previous person. Please clean up after yourself. I feel that if the place that you want to clean yourself is not clean, then you will not be clean yourself. To me it’s a bit sad to see someone shower (wanting to get clean) in an unclean environment.

6. Bystander effect.

I recently was at an altercation where I felt that I was a victim, and the thing that surprised me at the end was that no one there tried to help me. The next day however, those who saw me in distress had the nerve to ask what happened. The first thing that came to my mind was how do these people have the nerve to ask when they already know? This upset me to no other, because they only wanted to gossip. As a psychology major, I immediately thought of the bystander effect, which can be defined as, “a social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases where individuals do not offer help in an emergency situation when other people are present. The probability of help has in the past been thought to be inversely proportional to the number of bystanders; in other words, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.” To me this was surprising because I never thought It would happen to me. Especially because the people that surrounded me I knew. The only person (besides my boyfriend) who even thought to come up and say what’s going on was someone whom I knew, but we did not talk on the regular. Looking back, I can never thank this person enough for this kindness, you know who you are, and I am forever in your debt.

5. Woe is me

This is annoying because it annoys me to no end when they start listing off all the things wrong with their life, or all the problems that they encounter. Sure everyone does that, but when you try to tell him or her that life will be ok, they tell you that its not and try to explain something else. They want to make you feel that their situation is the worst. A word of advice to these people: everyone has their demons, and personal problems that is hard for them to deal with, don’t sit there and complain and list off your horrible life just for people to feel sorry for you. If you want attention, this is not the way to go.

4. Calling me Waka flocka.

This is annoying because if you were someone I knew, and respected as a friend, you would understand that I don’t like that. Friends respect others, and when someone calls me something other than my name without my permission, I know it may seam funny, gut its soo annoying you have no idea. The more you call me something that I don’t approve of, the more you lose my respect.

3. Annoying newsfeeds on facebook

this one annoys the hell out of me because in my mind I’m thinking, if your grandma’s dying, why the HELL are you telling us? Go to the hospital. Or when people do things like “happy fathers day dad.” WHY are you telling us? Your dad is not your friend, he is your fucking parent, don’t tell us, and lets hope you are not telling him through facebook. And if you are, send it in a FUCKING message. Not everyone needs to know your personal business.

2. People telling me what I can and cannot do.

Don’t limit me. Not even to the sky. I am the person who makes the decision in my life so don’t be all over me.

1. Liars

This is the ultimate form of disrespect. If you cannot respect yourself enough to tell the truth, you are someone who I do not want to be with. To me, a person that lies is the ultimate form of disrespect, especially when they get caught in their lie, and continue to lie. I feel that there are many forms of lying, and its any form of dishonesty. If you are dishonest to someone about something, you are a liar, if you do something that puts someone at a disadvantage that they would normally not be in. Manipulating others to get something that another person should justly get, or have is a form of lying. I know lots of liars, and many times they think that they are discrete, which is a lie.

That is all my fellow readers! Now you know what annoys me, hopefully next time you see me, you'll know to stop :) stay tuned for my next blog coming up soon!

A self reflection. Through my mirror of ASA

Below: me and some of the Girls From ASA 2009 entrance

Since my freshmen year, I have been involved in African Student Association. In the beginning, I was so afraid to go to the meetings by myself. But after a while I became comfortable with going there, and eventually talking to people. I'm the type of person that likes to be heavily involved and take part in activities; when I do something I give 100 percent. It is best for one to challenge one's self, and seeing fellow Africans doing positive works for others made me want to follow in their example. Gradually, I became more open, and eventually running for ASA board with others. The time and experience is something that I cherish with others and I wish it could last forever. I am running For ASA president, and I feel that for others to understand why, I must show them the reflection of how I see me throughout this process.

I have seen myself growing, learning and loving what I have gotten from this experience. The thirst for knowledge never stops, and ASA to me is an oasis that I cannot get away from.

My thoughts, experiences and feelings have lead me to this point right now in life; may it be fate, destiny or coincidence, I am here. The hard work that Our ASA president and Vice president have done has made me want to work harder. When assistance was needed, I wanted to be the first person there, not for any self gain, but for the better of this association. Through trails and tribulations, I have felt pride in this association that I know many members have. Being on the ASA board this semester has brought me joy like no other, it was my oasis, the pool of ASA family members surrounded me during times in need.

How would one ever want to leave this?

I hope.

I hope for so many things; The history of this word has slipped through the lips of so many others before me and this word is my best friend. The hope that I have in ASA is expanding every day, the confidence and assurance that WE can do anything... Our hard work has paid off. I am an optimistic person. I see things for how they are and the potential of what they are.

I am also my worst critic, especially when it comes to the service of others. There has been times when I have gotten out of line.

And for that I am deeply ashamed and sorry.

I examine my character in every possible angle for the family that raised me. I want them to be proud, I want to do more.

above: Monet's famous Nympheas painting. to me this is a visual of emotions.

I have grown.

For those who were there from the beginning, you may not remember the quiet girl sitting in the back corner, but slowly a community, no, a family appeared. This girl would never imagine who she would become. The changes, and constants in her is made her who she is now. Today that women looks back and can genuinely say that she is proud. Proud of what and who she has become, of the personal struggles that have happened in her life that she has persevered through. With every stumble fall and brake, she stood up.

These Emotions.

If only it were so simple to explain the emotions of a person, the reaction of every word uttered; the process that my brain goes through. Negativity hits me like a long nail in my heart. The intent of someone is clear through their facial expressions, their tone of voice and the way of talking. And when you do not see the intent, sometimes the words may hurt. We are all humans, we laugh and we cry. We become broken and we become fixed. Words have power, and with them, I am still learning how to harness the potential that I see others have managed. Some may use that power for the best, for personal gain or for the worst, I wish to use that for the betterment of ASA.

There has been frustrating moments in ASA when I felt that if I could only touch that person and they could feel the urgency of a task. With every phrase I utter, there is a lifetime of meaning behind It. Some say I am harsh, I don't listen to others, and that my personality is one that they could go without. I understand these concerns, and these are inner struggles that I am working on. Again, intentions do not go across as how they may have been planned. I do not intend to be rude.

I value honesty.

Perhaps this is where my harshness comes from. Since I was a little girl, I have watched many people become hurt time and time again because of lies. This is my truest value that I see in myself. I value 100 percent honesty No matter how harsh. To me, there are different kinds of lies. Cheating on a test, telling someone something that may not be the truth, doing something that may make others look dishonest, going around the truth, saying things or doing things that seam as though what you are doing or saying are the truth... and so on. Of course we are all humans, and all of us have messed up time and time again. But one of the things that I feel is important to the honesty process is admitting when you are wrong, made a mistake about something, or someone. I am no saint to this. Yet, I strive to achieve this, and I desperately want others to be honest with me, especially if they feel that I have wronged them.

My story.

I want others to know about me from me, whatever you might have heard may not be true. You who are reading this are getting a better insight. I believe conversation and dialog is the best way to exchange ideas, and express feelings. What one might think of me based on the judgements, comments may not be true. Neither I can fully judge someone without putting myself in their place, understanding their challenges, where they are in life, etc. However, we don't get to explain our life experience after giving a sentence. So my goal now is to utter each word with such justice, people will understand my every word, meaning, and feel the hint of why I said it, what life experiences brought me to this point.

The ASA poster for this year Africa Night. Made by our vice president

I am here for school, that is my brain, But ASA is my heart. This is something that will never leave me. I cannot choose one without the other, and I need two to function. Using the knowledge that I have acquired in school and through life, I am now able to run for president; and with your support, I know that I will fulfil the post to the best of my ability and beyond

signing off for now, kime p... until next time