BUSY

I have been unbelieveably busy lately. But I really can't complain. I don't mind being busy. After all, Merriam-Webster defines busy as "engaged in action." So, it means I have something to do...and I'm not bored. At this point, I'm not too busy that I'm losing my mind, but busy enough to be classified as such. Presently, I am taking 3 classes at school, working full-time...and quite some over time, planning my high school class reunion (pretty much on my own) and planning my boyfriend's birthday bash. The only thing I wouldn't possibly mind adding is a choreography gig... At that point, I would probably loose my mind. LOL So, I okay with it. Just really haven't had the time to write any blogs worth reading...............

My Baby Brother...

~ Ages 15 and 3
~(2 vs. 18) ...isn't a baby anymore. My brother, Brandon, turned 18 yesterday. 18! I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday he was attached to my hip. I'll never forget the day he was born. I was almost 12 years old and had just started 6th grade. My sister (nearly 13/7th grade) and I got into a fight with a couple of girls on the way home from school. Turns out Candace owed one of the chicks 75 cents! Can you believe that? 75 cents and they're ready to kick our asses! Well, as we believed was the right thing to do...and actually sensed some urgency to get home...we kept walking while the girls (and what seemed like half the school) followed us. Long story short...we essentially got our butts beat, because we didn't fight back. The girl who Candace owed the money to got a good lick in and put a knot on her head...I came away without a scratch (the other girl who was trying to jump on my back was smaller than me and I easily threw her off a few times.) At the time, our walk was about 25 minutes from the house...the fight lasted anywhere from 10-15 minutes. The last 10 minutes we were sprinting home crying and ticked off, only to get home and find out that we were locked out of the house {we didn't have keys at the time} and a note telling us to go to our grandmother's who lived across the street (literally.) As were heading over, our neighbors told us that our mother's water broke at a bus stop downtown and that we were supposed to go to our grandmother's. We get there, Candace all banged up...and we had to tell our aunts, uncle, and grandmother the story...who were very disappointed because we didn't fight back. That same sentiment was shared by our father when he arrived a few hours later... He yelled at us unlike anything I could ever remember...(stressed maybe??) before he even told us what was going on with Mom. Her water broke around 2pm on Friday, September 16th. She ended up having some complications and delivered Brandon around 2am on September 17th by caesarian... He was 1 month premature, weighing in at only 4lbs.

From the time he was born until I left the house at 18 (he was 6) we were inseparable. I literally was this kid's 2nd Mom. I took care of him all the time...even Candace hardly participated in "babysitting." When I left the house, I know it was hard on him, but I didn't realize it until he was much older. Once he got into high school I tried my hardest to participate more in his life...even if that meant being his chauffeur at times... It was worth it. I'd do anything for that kid within my means. He's my heart. Happy Birthday, Brandon!


~ On his 18th birthday.

Old Friends

"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" ~ Stand By Me (1986)

Last night I went to dinner with some old friends. These were the friends I made in 6th grade (one of them even in 5th.) These were the friends that you would write notes to every night, even though you would see them the next day and talk to them all day long anyway. These were the friends, that in those notes you would write: "Friends 4ever"...and if you were us: "Friends Forever Forget this and you die!" Those were the days. Life was simple, yet we were in a hurry to grow up. Grow up and grow apart, apparently.

Last night was great. I hadn't seen the girl who I grew to call my "best friend" in about 15 years. I found her on classmates last year. Another girl, I had seen after she mailed a letter to my parents house with her married name on the return address...about 8 years ago. The last I had made contact with after 9/11 and I was a on big kick to find everyone who ever meant anything to me...lucky for me...the friend is a he and his last name remained the same. :) I've hung out with him about once a year since 2002 and within the last year or so have seen him from time to time as we work out at the same gym. :) My "best friend" said, "You know, although we all look different, we all look the same." It was too funny, yet so true. All of our personalities were the same...mannerisms while speaking unchanged...only time had passed. It was almost like we picked up where we left off. Such a good feeling.

At this point, I am determined to keep in touch with them and have had them all send me their contact information so I can distribute. And I believe it will happen. I actually have been successful in staying in very good touch with 2 of my friends I made in that era...one from 5th grade, Annette, (who coincidentally later becomes my sister-in-law) and another when I was 6th...my genuine friend, Peter. So, I know it can be done...

The quote above is one of my favorites, and up until recently, I believed it was a 100% true. I still believe there is a lot of truth in it, but I have been fortunate to find a group of friends, whose friendships are comparable to those of the ones I had when I was 12. There's nothing like it. I think it helps keep us young and sane.

Life

I'm writing because I realize it's been nearly a month since I've written last. I really don't have anything to say. At this point, life is what I'm making it and I am content. I'm actually more than content... I'm pretty happy. I have an AMAZING boyfriend, a family who LOVES me genuinely and everyone gets along, FANTASTIC friends, no enemies (that I know of) and I'm finally getting my life together.

There are only a couple things at this point that would make my life complete...and hopefully those things will come to pass within the next couple of years, GOD WILLING.