I HAVE A DREAM...

Soooo, It's been a minute since my last posting! Between the holiday, meetings with my job, and SLEEP, I haven't been able to keep up!  As a matter of fact, I'm seeing double today so I hope I can make it till 5.  I hope you all had an awesome Labor Day...I did :)  Joey was able to escape from the field for one day (whoo hoo) so he came down.  We went to see "The Help".............which brings me to today's topic!

In December of 2010, I went to visit a friend of a friend.  While there, the mother made the statement.."Ok girls, tell Miss NaToya what movie y'all are going to be in"...they replied "The Help".  At this point, I had never heard of the book or movie.  How cool is that?...amongst little movie stars and didn't even know it.  Months passed, anticipation grew (esp in MS), and I began to hear more and more about it.  I wanted to hold off seeing the movie until I finished the book. Even though I have yet to finish (idk what I'm waiting on ) we went to see it this past weekend.  Mae Mobley (played by both Emma and Ella Henry) did an outstanding job!...I'm sure you would agree :)  As much as I adore those sweet little babies, they are not my topic. I wanted to focus on the racial aspect of the movie/book.  Go head, adjust your collars beacuse it's about to get real.  As we know, MS is the capital of racism.  Sure, it exists everywhere, but it was and still is VERY prominent in MS.  We all flocked to the movies to see what the big screen had to say about racism in Mississippi...but truth is, we are living it.

On June 26, 2011 a 49 yr old black male was brutally attacked by several white teenagers....teens y'all!  If that were not enough, one teen deliberately ran Mr. Anderson over with his Ford F-250.  Mr. Anderson's lifeless body lay there, as a result of yet another hate crime in MS. Yes, it sparked national attention....but only after the video went viral on YouTube and other media outlets.  I know racism did not start yesterday, but it's something I do not understand.  Who says that one race is superior to another?  I know my little blog will not change the way things are, but sometimes it takes one person to make a big difference.  I won't go further with this discussion because it can easily be taken out of context.  My question is, why does skin color matter? Sure, I may feel more comfortable around my people (African Americans) but I have no problem with any other race.  I guess I'm living in a fairytale world where I can blink my eyes and we all be equal........I'll keep praying on that one.  Please don't get me wrong...I love my state...I love my southern upbringing...wouldn't change it for the world.  I just wish some things would change.
I will leave you with this...
"I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice." -MLK

Until next time
XOXO
t.RAE :)

Keep the FAITH!

Soooo, It's a must that I start off by congratulating our DAWGS on their victory over Memphis!! HAIL STATE!

While laying in my bed last night, I was trying to think of a topic for today....nothing came to mind.  I got to work....still nothing.  I started going through my to-do list and I got completely stressed out. Thanks to this little frenzy, I came up with today's topic---keep the FAITH!
Just a few days ago I was speaking with one of my line sisters (OO-OOP).  Over the past few weeks, she has been mourning the loss of her father.  However, she has been using this time to really lean and depend on God.  Now, I'm no saint for sure, but I am a believer.  After our conversation something hit me.  So many times we (self included) can give great advice "Oh girl just keep the faith", "Trust in God, he will bring you through", "Don't worry, just pray"....these sound familiar?..no? ok, well they do to me!  However, when it comes to us, and our own situation....are we eager to take our own advice?  Generally speaking, no. 

Again, I can only speak for myself...so, I am by no means trying to step on any toes...
When things are going good, I'm happy...on cloud 9...thanking God for his many blessings and trying my best to bless others.  The minute something goes wrong, I get in slump.  I'd rather not be bothered (if you know me you know this is true).  I never lose faith, however, it gets shaken a little.  In the midst of trial, our vision can become a little blury.  I get sooooo stressed out when things do not go as planned.  From now on, I am really working on letting God handle situations that are beyond my control. 

So, when things go wrong as they sometimes will....KEEP THE FAITH! I would like to share a couple of my favorite bible verses with you.

"If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength." Proverbs 24:10

"Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I know this post is all over the place but it is simply because I am speaking from the heart (forgive me).  I hope this helps someone; I challenge you to KEEP THE FAITH!

Until next time...
XOXO
t.RAE :)

HAIL STATE!

Hail dear ole STAAAATE,                                     
fight for the victory toooodaaaaay!
Hit that line and tote that ball,
cross the goal before you fall....
and we will yell yell YELL YEEELLL,
for dear ole STATE we'll yell like H-E-L-L!
Fight for Mississippi State...
Wiiiiin the game tooodaaaaay!
GO STATE!

Soooo I'm sure everyone is excited about tonight's game against Memphis, right?...Of course you are!  Football in the South is not a tradition...it's a way of life!  You aren't born a male or female...you're born a Rebel (excuse me, black bear) or a BULLDAWG! It's only right that I start your day off with the fight song!  Myself, along with thousands of other TRUE MAROON fans will be tuning in for tonight's victory over the Memphis Tigers (yes, I'm claiming a victory). 

Some people (very few) have questioned my love for STATE.  When asked I simply reply "I love my school." I must admit, I was very apprehensive about going to college. I have NO idea why because college was never an option in our household.  I knew I was going...I just wasn't very thrilled about moving away from home and assuming responsibility; which I suppose is normal.  Once I made the decision to go to STATE.....my life changed.  From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew I made the right decision.  So when I say I love my school....it's genuine.  I love the people, the atmosphere, the sports, the drill field, the union, the junction, not to mention the friendships created...I could literally go on and on!  I have nothing but great memories from my undergraduate years at STATE.  Everyone associated with STATE is no longer an Alumni, Faculty, Student...in my book, we are family. 

As I think about tonight's game, I can't help but get teary eyed thinking of our fellow Bulldawg, Nick Bell.  Nick was a great guy and an even better friend.  He is gone, but definitely not forgotten.

I'm so ready for 5oclock I can hardly contain myself!  I was VERY tempted to bring my cowbell to work, but since I'm still fairly new....I'll wait :)  But when the clock strikes 5, I will be in front of the television, with my cowbell in hand, grindin' for OUR STATE!

Wrapped in MAROON AND WHITE
t.RAE xoxo

                                    Myself, Bully, and my baby brother Braxton-Homecoming 2009

                                                                  RIP NICK BELL

                                                              This is OUR STATE!