Maya Angelou

This morning I woke up to the news that one of my favorite authors had died. Maya Angelou was the first female, African American author I ever read. At one point in my life, I couldn't get enough of her. I am sadden that she is no longer with us but I know her legacy will live on for years to come. Here is one of my favorite poems by her, from And Still I Rise, 1978.

You may write me down in history
with your bitter, twisted lies,
you may trod me in the very dirt
but still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'cause I walk like I've got oil wells
pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
with the certainty of tides,
just like hopes springing high,
still I'll rise

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
diggin in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
you may cut me with your eyes,
you may kill me with your hatefulness,
but still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
that I dance like I've got diamonds
at the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
into a daybreak that's wonderously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise.
I rise.
I rise.

A look back on my first blog

This is a throwback posts from my first blog back 20 November 2006: though the circumstances have changed the lessons are still applicable

This has been the longest, worse, emotionally draining, physically exhausting, mentally and academically challenging semester I have ever experienced in all my life. Despite all of that I have learned many valuable lessons....

1. All of the mountains I have had to climb and jungles I have had to walk through--brought me closer to God...I can say without a doubt that I only made it through this semester because of Him.

2. Prayer does work and miracles still happen today. When you pray, everything will be ok.
3. You can't change people. The only person you can change is yourself. People will let you down, drive you crazy, break your heart, make you laugh, help you, and uplift you. But they come and go...at the end of the day you are left with yourself..Make sure you like yourself---love yourself.
4. These quotes say it best:
On determination: "Reaching your goal requires a firm purpose and a strong resolve with the goal always insight."
On perserverance: "NO matter how difficult the goal, triumph of will power after weakness will gain success.
5. In regards to lesson number 3, you can tell a person something over and over again till you are blue in the face but if they don't want to hear it or accept it, you will not get your message across no matter how you try...if that happens...just let it go...sometimes we have to just let people be.....
6. Last but not least, enjoy life. Life is too short. Stop and enjoy the simple things. Don't take things for granted, because tomorrow it may be gone.
I hope you have learned these lessons already, if not please take my advice, it will help you out...But if you are one of those people that need to learn the lesson for yourself..I pray that you have the courage and support to continue on because it may be a tough lesson to learn.
The semester is just about over, and I did make it...I have gained many experiences and learned many lessons. All in all, I am blessed and truly happy to say...I am A OK! and will be from here on out despite what life may throw at me--I am ready for it.

Thought for the day: May 22, 2014

Flowers

My Guam family recently came back from their vacation to Bali. They brought back these flowers for me...I love them and add some color to my kitchen table.

The Katina's and Jeremy Passion Refiner's Fire...

such a beautiful rendition of this song.

Military Spouse Appreciation

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Being a military spouse, I have learned how hard this life is. It is very rewarding but it isn't easy. I want to take a moment to thank all of the military spouses out there across the world for their service. They endure missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, lonely nights, no dinner dates, and so much more. These spouses are the cheerleaders and so much more to their service members. I know for myself I am beyond proud of all that my husband has accomplished. I miss him, but I support his calling to serve our country...So thank you to all our spouses, you and your family are in my prayers....Keep on keeping on...