Making Waves

As we approach the start of a brand-new year, I can’t help but think about the process of setting new goals to accomplish. For some, the start of a new year is an opportunity to tackle new goals and resolutions that have been set. For others, a new year can feel like a time of uncertainty. And while I believe in setting deadlines to accomplish specific and measurable goals, marking calendars for set plans, and having different things in mind that you would like to accomplish in a year, the reality is that life is full of uncertainty.   Sometimes unexpected things happen that can change our lives in wonderful ways and sometimes in painful ones too. But no matter what happens this year, I hope you know that you’re going to figure it out (whatever “it” may happen to be or mean for you). As a Christian, I’m constantly learning (and in recent years) have accepted that God’s already ordered my steps. Even steps that I haven’t always enjoyed or understood. But regardless, I know that I’m ...

The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach is iconic. Not only does it hold rich beauty, history, and culture, but there’s also a lovely restaurant in the hotel called Becca. I’d visited Becca for brunch with a friend before and thought it’d be a great spot to visit again with my mother. We both went for brunch a while back, and I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere there. The customer service and dining were exceptional, and the sights were breathtaking. Whenever I go to The Cavalier Hotel, I always feel like I’m getting vibes from The Great Gatsby , which is arguably one of the best books ever. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a fancy spot to dine, head into Becca and enjoy.  

Earlier this year, I’d been praying about getting into a serious relationship.   Shortly after I started praying, it seemed as if guys started popping up from all over the place – through my social media inbox, through some serendipitous encounters whenever I was out minding my business, and even through a close friend who asked if she could give my number to a guy she knew and wanted to introduce me to (who ultimately ended up never reaching out). Some of these encounters went nowhere, were very surface-level and superficial, and felt like a complete waste of my time. Beyond a few casual conversations and little to no chemistry or follow ups, I found myself disappointed at every turn.    And then I ran into someone who almost immediately struck my interest. He was nice, smart, and well put together. Though we didn’t know each other long, we chatted a bit and kept randomly crossing paths. So when I noticed he didn’t have a ring on his finger, I wondered if he was truly av...

Imagine waking up to your best life. In this best life scenario, you’ve worked hard to get where you are, are finally experiencing the fruits of your labor, and are blessed beyond measure. All your basic needs have been met. You also have a great family and incredible friends, you’re employed and have an income, and things are going very well for you. And then, without notice, your best life begins to get a little uncomfortable when you experience an awful aching in your body. You dismiss it as nothing… until you realize your aching has grown progressively worse. Then, when you see your doctor, and they tell you you’re fine, you still know that you’re not and ask to be checked out again. Your doctor runs some tests and when you return to your best life as you wait for the test results, you receive a phone call that changes your life forever. Your aches aren’t just temporary pain. The pain you’ve been experiencing is bad. Real bad. Stage 4 colon cancer bad. And then suddenly, you realiz...

Before I dive into this, let me just say that I enjoy being a teacher. I’m so blessed to be able to work in a rewarding field that allows me to do the purposeful work of pouring into the lives of children (or in my case, teenagers, as I teach at the secondary level). I work in a Title 1 school, and most of my students are Black and Hispanic and come from some challenging circumstances. I’m also one of the very few Black English teachers (there’s me and exactly two other Black specialists) working in our entire department. This speaks volumes about the lack of diversity in the field of education, and more specifically, the lack of Black educators. In recent years, I’ve noticed how the demographic of students I work with desperately need to see more teachers who look like them. But that’s another blog post for another time.    My eighth graders, whom I also refer to as my “work children,” are the best part of what I get to do. They’re smart, focused, funny, and driven. And befor...

2020 was a challenging year. Personally, I believe it was a tough one for many as we all found ourselves adjusting to a new normal while living and moving through a global pandemic. As this current year approaches its end, I couldn’t help but think about how last year impacted this year and how much things have changed, and in some ways, have remained the same. This year, I’ve experienced some significant life changes (a career switch, enrolling in grad school, purchasing my first home, and adopting a fur baby), but I’m very much aware that the pandemic has not disappeared. It’s still here, and it’s continued to have a major impact on everyone. Even with the support of vaccinations and mask requirements to help improve things, the world still seems a bit unsettled.   Throughout 2020, I, too, was unsettled as things changed. At the beginning of last year, I was heavily discontented and struggling with my faith. I was working in a field I felt drained and miserable in. I was unhappy ...

These days it’s not a major secret that, for the most part, we all live in a very selfish and narcissistic world. It’s sad, but it’s true. A lot of people are mainly concerned with themselves, their own interests, what they want, and what they need without ever taking the time to be considerate of others around them. And that’s not an ideal way to get ahead in life. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with putting yourself first (when necessary), but there should be some balance.   Philippians 2:4 reads, “Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”    In the final months leading towards the end of this year, I’ve had different people reach out to me with requests to review their writing, requests for letters of recommendation, as well as requests for networking opportunities, and more. And the common thing I’ve noticed about almost every request is that they have led to open doors and opportunities for others – w...