two thousand fifteen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Yes this is it the year we've all been waiting for, two thousand fifteen. The amazing thing about a new year is even without thinking each person unconsciously reinvents themselves or at least a part of themselves.

Allow me to reintroduce my self...

I started this blog as an assignment and I promised myself that I'd keep up with it even after the class is over...so much for that. The year 2014 was such a roller coaster ride. About a year ago today I was in my last semester of college only five classes away from receiving my degree. This time last year I was focused on my studies but also on my last year of undergrad. Ever since graduating high school in 2009, it felt as if I was standing in at the tallest thrill ride at an amusement park and it would take me 4 years (more like 5) to get to the front for my chance to ride. Upon entering 2014 I was ready! I had seen so many of my friends ride before me and I just couldn't wait for my turn. The first week of school I was ready, I had registered for all the correct classes, I was set with all of my clubs and programs and I had already planned my spring break ;). I set fourth with nothing but good intentions and hopeful expectations fore I had no idea what this ride had in store for me. "Please fasten your seat belts and keep you hand and feet inside at all times"

The ride took off immediately! Inching faster and faster into the sky--One things I know 2014 has taught me is that it okay to look forward to the future but if you don't take steps to plan for the future right now, you'll be disappointed at what your future may hold. I was so looking forward to graduation that I had no idea what I was going to do once I actually graduated. I know what want for my life career wise, or I at least have an idea but I had 4 months to figure out how I was going to start my post graduate career. I dove head first into conventions, and seminars, and conferences and career fairs for my field just so I can get some clarity on where I could start. I searched jobs and internships, meet and greets anything and everything I could to find someone, ANYONE who was going to hire me based off of my degree. As it turned out I was already behind--have you ever been on an old roller coaster and as it reaches its peak position it starts to slow down as if the chain is about to snap and send you plummeting backwards in the other direction...

Word of advice--Senior year is not the best time to start thinking about what your going to do after graduation. Those seeds must be planted at least in your Sophomore year if you want more than a fighting chance of getting any job remotely related to your field. (At least that's the way it is for #Media and #Communications)

With my heart in the pit of my stomach, I persevered. I continued to study for my classes, attend conferences and look for jobs and before I knew it, it was graduation day. April 26th 2014 at 2 p.m. I walked across the a stage to receive my Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications. FINALLY! The roller coaster peaks, the moment I have been waiting for. I would walk around with my head in the clouds taking in the height of that moment. Being the first person in my family to graduate from college and to top it all off I was even offered a job in my field.

The saying goes its all downhill from here, meaning that if a person is walking or riding a bike uphill once they reach the top going downhill will be easy because the hard parts over. But in my opinion going downhill is the beginning of the end.

Being offered what looks to be my dream job, weeks after graduating from college sent my roller coaster into an exhilarating downward dip with loops and turns. I was elated until I found out I would have to leave my hometown of Atlanta GA, but then  my coaster shot back up when I found out that I'd be moving to my birth place of St. Louis MO. So many mixed emotions joy, pain, nausea they were all there! I moved back to St.Louis to start my job on August 1st, 2014 and on August 12th 2014 a young man named #MichaelBrown was shot in #Ferguson MO less 20 minutes away from my house and on Christmas Eve 2014 another young man named #AntonioMartin was shot across the street from my sister's house, both unarmed, both shot by police and both black males.

Two thousand fourteen was a roller coaster ride, so much has happened. A young man I graduated high school with and who was very close to my family was murdered a week before my graduation and none of us could attend his memorial because it was on the day of my graduation. Exactly one week later my nephew was born. The year 2014 went by so quickly and I loved it, I also hated it but most importantly I learned from it. My lack of preparation for 2014 gave me clarity for 2015 and I refuse to be behind again.

I don't have a plan (because how often do those ever work out) but what I do have, more of, now is diligence. Care and persistent work or effort.

No matter what I find myself doing this year I will be diligent. 

Have a good week go fourth and #beDILIGENT