Jboulware's blog

Easy Like Sunday Morning

It was so gloomy outside this morning, that I really did not want to turn the bed a-loose.

I ran to the mall to help my mom buy some back to school gift certificates for a friend's children. They've been going through some difficult times for the past couple of years. Her husband of ten years died last November after battling a drug addiction, leaving my mom's friend with three daughters to care for. So, we try to do our part to help out. Last year we purchased school uniforms, since the city finally came to their senses and made them mandatory.

At anyrate, whilst walking through the mall, I decided to stop into GAP and pick up a basic pair of jeans. Since I've been following a vegan diet, I've dropped a clothing size and can finally make "in store" purchases. As I was searching for the perfect pair of jeans, my favorite sales associate, Martha, walked by with a military jacket. I'm not into the military look, but everyone was raving about this jacket. And my mom said that I must get it. So, needless to say, she bought it for me.

 

Surplus jacket

Finally, Martha took over and sent whomever was helping me to the front register. She is after all my favorite sales associate. I tried on a few pairs of bootcut jeans, but they weren't giving me the look I was going for. Martha and I discussed how I'm not really into trends, but I like to be fashionable. She said that there was a pair of limited edition skinny jeans in the front that would help accomplish the look that I was going for, but she wasn't sure if I wanted to spend that kind of money on a pair of jeans I wouldn't wear that often. Well, I tried them on anyway, and we both fell in love. I've never been into trends, but I officially have two trendy pieces for my fall "wardrobe."

 

LTD Jeans

I noticed this vintage baseball cap in the men's section, and it was a good thing that I purchased it given the torential rain that was pouring down when we were leaving the mall. Here's the kicker, the car window got stuck (in the down position)! Yea, I'm back in pajamas until further notice...

Enjoy your Sunday folks! I'm going to dry out and catch a little WNBA action.

 

Chilaxin,

Beans

The Beginning of the End (Sorta)

 

May 2008 will be here before I know it. It is now crunch time; that place in time where time is moving too quickly yet too slowly. Part of me is excited that my undergraduate career is drawing to a close, and the other part realizes that there is so much yet to be done.

When I officially transfered to Purdue last fall, I wasn't sure what to expect. It certainly was larger than my small liberal arts college, population wise at least. But I grew to love the atmosphere. The upper level classes have been challenging without the pretense and self-adulation of the private school classroom. Once I dove into campus life, that was it. I've spent every day on campus since last August.

Month of April

Last Friday, I told my manager that I needed time off. My doctors confirmed that I'd offically run myself into the ground with work and worry (i.e. school). So, I am taking a temporary leave of absence a possible permanent departure from my job. School starts up in about 10 days. Classes don't start for about 15 days, but I have other "activites" on campus.

For the past few months, I'd been searching for another campus gig because I felt under valued. The people in my department "forgot" to give me my raise, and they tend to assume that any work that gets done around the office was exectued by my coworkers. Which is far from the truth. I decided that I need a job with a little more autonomy, and began to pray about it. Last week I was called in for an interview to teach a statistics class in the fall. Confirmation??

Ironically enough, I was also asked to interview with a local Christian school. They are looking for a college aged student to mentor the low income youth in the community. After meeting with the director yesterday (which somehow landed a small portion of my life story in the newspaper?!), I feel like God may be calling me to do this. He said there's "no pressure" but I feel drawn to these kids and his mission. Considering all of the opportunites that have cropped up, I have to go into serious prayer mode.

Month of August

In a few weeks I'm diving into five classes, a research project, a teaching gig (possibly), and a non-profit mentorship, a role as campus ambassdor, and the role of editor for the Social Justice newsletter. It's everything I wanted, except all at once! In the meantime, I'm going to focus on enjoying the last few days of vacation time. Shopping with Lauryn, helping Crys with wedding plans, and hanging out with the family. Enjoy these last days of summer!

 

In Christ,

Beans

B.A.P. Talk: Michelle Obama

Michelle, on how she pulled Barack Obama:

The Obamas

“What I talk about with my girlfriends is that before you start worrying about, ‘I don’t have a man,’ where are you in your own space, in your own head? What do I need to be as healthy and happy on my own with or without? And the minute you get that in order, it seems like things fall into place."

wasted potential

boundless possibilities of childhood
turned to broken promises of today
dreams and hopes
lay waste in the valley of cynicism
completely jaded.

intellectual prowess once called
wrinkles upon the brain were immaturely formed
only to be stunted during the formative years
and seen of
no more.

the gears ceased to turn.
the ivories went untickled.
the body was broken.
feet did not dance.
songs died unsung.

Neglected Child