So, the first couple of weeks...

have been a mixture of chaos, sadness, and everything in between. At the beginning I felt like I didn't know anyone and that I wanted to just give up and go back home. But I thought "When am I ever going to get the chance to get a degree while living in DC?!?" Then I realized how fortunate I am to be where I am today. Since being here I have made one of the greatest friends I have ever had and continued a friendship that already existed to the fullest capacity. Even though I miss people like my mom who is the prime example of "inspirational", my nanny who has shown what hard work and love means, my pawpaw Calvin who is the best father figure I have ever had, my nephew Branston who I love more than words can explain, and my sister Mya who is just beginning to speak, plus several others, I hope that they understand why I am here. This experience has the potential to open up so many new doors and I can hopefully inspire people to live life to the fullest capacity. I know that at times it will be the hardest thing I have ever done, but ultimately this is exactly what I wanted and I will not give up.

By the way, my friend Selam gave me this amazing poem when I was down once and it has kept me uplifted every time I read it. It is: 

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry go round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask "How are you?"

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores 

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

"We'll do it tomorrow?"

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short. 

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift...

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music.

Before the song is over.