This Week In Review 13-18

This week has been so hectic, but it was all worth it. Graduation season was coming to a close; so in total, I attended four graduations. It was like a constant rotation of work, events, and graduation ceremonies, sometimes on the same day. I'm tired, but getting to see my friends and family happy has been worth it.





My final graduation, my own school's. I was one of the ushers for my school. It was great to see all my friends graduating. Here, I'm with some of my friends who attended and ushered.


A little Gardening with my mom.


At my bro's graduation, so proud of him!


I was a nominee for one of the awards given out by my agency. We had a lovely breakfast at The Farmington Club. This is me with the organization's Execs. "who are all those old guys you are posing with?" That's what my mom said, lol.




That same day. after work, I had to leave immediately and go to my best friend's graduation. So proud of her also.

Lastly, I can't forget one of my favorite cousins who graduated. She has been through so much this past year, and I'm really proud of her for sticking to it, and ending this phase of her educational career on a good note.

Great Week!

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When I first read "Left To Tell", I was only thirteen years old going on fourteen. One of my classmates gave it to me, so I thought why not. I could not put this book down. I was so totally and utterly engrossed that of my daily routines and ritualistic nuances became irrelevant. This story is about strength, forgiveness, and courage in the most horrid of circumstances.

As someone who has always been interested in World Affairs, I had heard of the Rwanadan Genocide before, but never in this context. The information that I got from CNN was all numbers, fact sheets, and statistics that rub you in all the wrong places. This book is about survival and the human connection. You don't have to believe in God; all you need to believe in is determination and the drive to continue when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

I found myself recommending this book last night, after meeting the First Lady and ambassador to Ghana. Their determination and faith made me remember "Left To Tell." I had to recommend this book. It's also why I'm just now doing a review years after I've read it.



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Wishy washy

If there's one thing that upsets me, it's when someone says something but does another. You say you miss me, but you don't make the effort. Just when I was steady getting along, being among the ones who love me, you decide to erode the balance I was trying to create. Yes, we both have mutual feelings of sentimental bliss for each other, but if the effort is one-sided, there's no point. Now, is there?

Summer Concert Starter

Last night I went to Hot Jam 10 and saw J. Cole & Lupe Fiasco. I rarely use exclamation marks, but lawd(!!!). I was so hyped last night, especially, considering the fact that I had floor seats. Man, last night was great. What was even better was the company of my three friends and my cousin. It was lovely really. J. Cole opened the show and I thought I was going to go bonkers. I was going bonkers at J. Cole's performance, but I was just nuts at Lupe's act. And if that wasn't enough, the line up was jam packed: Big Sean, Jeremih, Juelz Santana, Trey Songz, DJ Khaled, New Boyz, Fabolous, Ace Hood & Jim Jones. Not all the performers were my usual listening line up, but I was there to have a good time; No pretentious "conscious Hip-Hop lover" badge on. Last night really made up for my lackluster and horrid birthday a couple weeks back, so I'm looking forward for what this summer has in store for me.

Summer Teaser

Sun beamin', skin glowin'

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron
Rest in Peace is truly a morbid formality, so I'll just say, live on through us.

I was blessed to be introduced to this fine fellow three years ago by my boss who was really into Hip-Hop and Jazz. Gil had a style of his own, a definitive, revolutionary style.

Continue in light.

Despite of everything I have been trying to exercise patience, strength, and gratefulness. And believe me, I have. How can everything be going right but oh so wrong at the same time. The days leading up to my birthday and the actual day of my birthday was the worst day of the year thus far. I'm working hard. I'm trying to enlighten myself and be a good person, but I feel so unappreciated. I'm usually never the woe is me type, but I can't even shake this. I've been trying to even out my highs and my lows, but everytime I'm high, something comes and shatters the optimism I've been trying to construct. And God knows that I'm grateful for all the good things that have been happening to me, and all the opportunities that I've been presented. I'm just praying for strength and clarity because I feel weak both physically and emotionally. I've been tested so many times these past months that I feel drained I just don't know. I hope this can be a motivating time for me. This school year is almost over and I'm praying that I'll be lifted out of my distress and finish it off.