JoJo's Blog- Peek into my Life

A Total 180

Things are finally looking up... Fall semester sucked but I think I'll be doing a 180 once this semester is over. I took my first midterm which I did well on and its 1/3 of the grade so that should work in my favor... It is official...I have a paid clerkship for the summer with Cleveland Metroparks... I don't know how much I'll be getting paid but at this point I don't care...I'm sure it will be reasonable and it's just great to have some legal experience to add to my resume... I do hope it's enough to get an apartment for the next school year...I'm supposed to be dealing with real estate, labor & employment, and contract law. I have no clue how real estate law fits in with Cleveland Metroparks but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough... My supervising attorney's office is in the zoo...That means I'm going to go to work and get to see and hear monkeys on a regular basis...I think that is absolutely awesome... Well hopefully things keep looking brighter and I'll be alright... I can't say it enough....Thank you God!

Posted by jnl8 at 10:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Being Altruistic is it Worth it?

I think I am a pretty altruistic person. I do things to benefit others knowing that it may be at a disadvantage to myself. In the long run I guess I always figured that it would pay off. You know as in the Christian way of being Jesus-like and all. But then I got to thinking if God helps those who help themselves why am I helping people that are continually trying to hurt me.
I just have this idea that I have the upper-hand when people think they are getting over on me but I know their true intentions so I continue to be kind even though I haven’t killed any one with kindness. I used to be big on grudges and I’m not sure if I have really changed or not. I know I have a temper so I think I displace my anger. Other than with family and probably boyfriends I do not like people to see me angry at them so unfortunately someone else usually catches the backlash. I feel as if many people anger you intentionally and when they do so they are exercising a negative force over you. Literally the fact that you can let your emotions get the best of you indicates that they do hold some sort of power over you but I believe as long as they don’t know it you avail. As long as I don’t keep it all bottled up I think I will be aight. If I did that I would really feel bad for whoever was the victim of my exploding. Even though I don’t curse trust me I can go off. But I believe that if I have gotten better with forgiving people. Of course I don’t forget and there are some things I couldn’t see myself forgiving people for such as cheating but then again maybe I would but I would not let them know it. I think forgiving someone has a positive impact on you own soul so that is why I would do it but that does not mean I would have to treat the person like it never happened. He would still have to face the repercussions so there is no way I would stay with him. If you were wondering why I decided my blog to start out with altruism I was read about it in an anthropology course and the theory is that altruism is only beneficial when they surround themselves with other altruists. Which makes sense since they'd be essentially looking out for those that have their back. I believe my closest friends are altruistic at least when it comes to me so I'm getting their. I believe in intelligent design so I am gonna give the natural selection concepts a rest for now.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted by jnl8 at 03:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Random Childhood Memories

Brace yourself for random stories you probably didn’t want to know but you may find special regardless….

I started walking at 9 months but I never crawled so a Dr. said my clumsiness was due to the fact that I never developed my coordination skills which apparently would have happened if I wasn't in such a hurry to grow up. Maybe that's when it all started. As you see being an overachiever has its setbacks.

My uncle/God father is a real jokester like most of my family so when I was really little he would try to get me to say bad words...At the time I didn't know they were bad words I figured he was trying to make me learn his name or something cuz isn't that what people do to little kids...So one day we were in Value City and my mom was like, " Tell your Tio (uncle) to come here". So just like a lil kid instead of literally getting him I beckoned, "A**hole my mom wants you"....From then on he never tried to get me to curse again...

On another occasion my Uncle knew the guy that operated the ferris wheel and they had me chillin on the top of it for a while which seemed like forever at the time and till this day I haven't been on another one...But I love rollercoasters so its really retarded.

So when I was little about 3 or 4 I was afraid of my shadow….One day I was outside our apartment and I just started running and screaming “It’s chasing me!!!!” or something along those lines….My mom was with me and she thought it was a bug ‘cause I wasn’t a fan of those at all but she was mistaken….I had just discovered my shadow and I was terrified.

Oh another interesting discovery I made was when I noticed that people swung their arms when they walked. For whatever reason I didn't relaize I did it too. So in my mind I had actually made an effort to start swinging my arms like everyone else.

So one day my mom had company over so she wante me to entertain myself...She was "letting" me play with this doll she had since she was a little girl...It looked like a female version of Chuckie to me....I swore it's eyes moved by itself...When we moved to a house I made her keep it in the basement and when I started goin to the basement to do laundry she had to get rid of it. I didn't like clowns either b/c of "It". Bozo and Ronald McDonald were ok though. I love scary movies regardless.

My mom discovered I was dyslexic when I was like 4 and my theory is that even though it doesn’t effect my reading now it affects other aspects of my life. I personally don’t think dyslexia is limited to seeing letters in reverse. Someone should do some research on this but when I was learning how to do maneuverability in my car I had the most difficult time figuring out how to reverse in terms of turning my wheel way and the car going the other way. I would also say it plays a role in my ability to look at people dancing and my ability to do it myself. It kicks-in in many other areas too so I’ll keep you updated.

When I was like 5, I got a wart on my belly. I swore that a frog jumped through my shirt while I was standing it from of my grandparents’ house. I was a very honest child but I think I had a very vivid imagination. Till this day I feel as if it could have happened even though frog-giving warts are a myth.

I am self-conscious because of my forehead. I always wore bangs and it wasn’t until like my Senior year that I got rid of them. They returned but that looked a lot better than the ones I used to have. The reason I bring this up is because I spent the night at my grandparents and my grandpa did my hair. He put it in all in a ponytail so I had no bangs. Man, my mom came to pick me up and she was upset. She was like, “You see her forehead she can’t have her hair back like that. I’ve never done her like that” Again this is a very rough paraphrase cause she wasn’t happy. I think from that day forward I never liked how I looked with my hair completely back. Thanks Mom…Lol j/k

Ok well I think that’s enough random childhood memories. Hope you enjoyed the random ride down memory lane.

Posted by jnl8 at 03:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A Little Personality

 
 I desperately search
for a way to reveal
my thoughts, my empathy,
my happiness,
and yet,
I don't say a word.

The solution stares me in the face.
Just speak your mind,
let it out,
so they know there is so much more
and yet,
I don't say a word.
Why is it so difficult?
There is no barrier,
though I feel there is.
I should not have to surrender
to something that cannot stop me,
and yet,
I don't say a word.

Why is it that I have
given fear a chance
to hold me back
I could choose any moment
to break away
and never return,
and yet,
I don't say a word.

Posted by jnl8 at 03:29 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Who Had the Best Week Ever?

Your one and only me…I had two great interviews…Soon as they get the National ok I will have a fall internship with the Catholic Commission for the 07-08 school year…10 bucks an hr. 15 hrs a week and a paid trip to Washington D.C. not too shabby…

I had an interview for a 3week summer job that has a nice stipend to work as a Teaching Asst. at Case for a summer high school program…Problem is I’m not qualified really in the academic arena since the class I would be helping teach I took in high school so I’m no expert and these are advanced students that are doing 10 months worth of work in 3 weeks…I could self-teach myself prior to the program but they haven’t hired the teachers yet and they are not required to turn in the syllabi until the last minute so it is not really an option anyways I’m glad that she’s actually considering trying to hire me anyways b/c she thinks I’ll be great with the kids…

This Friday I was the Mistress of Ceremonies for Unity Banquet and it was an honor to be chosen to do that…I was able to take a picture with Angela Davis since she was the keynote speaker…

This week I checked my mail as a fluke since I really didn’t expect to receive anything worthwhile but to my surprise there was an envelope from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund…I figured it was going to be a letter telling me to apply for something but it turned out to be a check for $2,500. I felt like I won the lotto b/c I completely forgot that I had applied/ figured I didn’t get it. I received it my freshmen year but I don’t think I did last year. I was able to pay off my balance to Case so they can’t keep my transcript after I graduate. I also bought a digital camera and ordered my laptop for law school. The rest will go towards my car. Hopefully it will be practically paid off.

Yesturday I also found out I was chosen for a paid trip to Washington DC for this Latino student discussion thing.

Thursday it was confirmed that my favorite band with my future husband Travis McCoy will be performing at my school the day after my birthday.

My mom quit her job and got a new one with basically a promotion and a raise.

I just came back from in my opinion the best party I’ve ever been to at Case. Well it wasn’t the best but I had more fun there than ever cuz I danced with so many people. I sent my deposit to Cleveland- Marshall College of Law so my decision has finally been made. Things are starting to fall into place.

I have an interview scheduled for the job I really want to have next year that wiould provide me with free room and board and a nice stipend.

All I can say is I have been blessed and I want to thank God for all the good things that have been happening. I can’t remember another time in which so much good happened at once.

Posted by jnl8 at 01:46 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Remember Me???

I know you must have been worried since I haven't let you peek into my busy life at Case but it got a little to chaotic for me to take time out and blog. But now that I have finally received a much need4ed break I thought I would take advantage of it and let you in on what has been goin on. Well this summer I worked as a student custodial assistant which was challenging since it was so hot at times and unfortunately some students trashed there placesleaving it for hard working people to clean up after them so they would be ready for their new inhabitants. The work could be pretty tedious especially the wall scrubbing but the work ethic that my mom instilled in me as a child through the long list of chores and responsibilities I had made me quite capable of everything that was thrown my way. That is more than I can say about many of my co-workers who couldn't bare it. There were students who never even fixed a bed in there life and others who somehow got away with literallly sleeping on the job and leaving repeatedly hours early without getting caught. Even though not everyone got the same out of the experience they should have all realized how much hard work the custodians had to do to make Case a clean environment. The summerstarted out a little rough since I did not have internet access and the dorm room I stayed in was smaller than any room I have lived in while at Case. The worst part was it would get so hot in the rooms that sleeping was not an option.
Don't get the wrong idea because it was not all work and no play. When we finally got our month late paycheck that had as practically starving I did find time to enjoy the summer by going home for the Lorian International Festival, going to the movies, Cedar Point, and out to eat. One day me and some friends went to Moda, a nightclub. We had been to the club on previous occasions and heard it was on the verge of closing. According to local radio stations and the club itself, it was closing to remodel. So we went that Saturday and it was alot of fun; nice crowd, good music, & no drama. We decided that since we did not have any plans for the 4th of July we would return to the Moda with some of our other girlfriends. So that is what we did. This night was nothing like the that night even though it happened only 2 days later. The first difference that should have been a sign was that they did not check our ID or purses like they did every other time we went there. Then when we walked through the curtians we were practically devoured by the bodyheat immitted from everyperson in the overcrowded club.
You are probably wondering why we did not leave. Well the answer is simple we had just paid $20 which is more than we had ever paid to get in too and the only reason we paid is b/c we had went through the effort of getting ready, drove all the way down there and it isn't like we could go anywhere else since many clubs have become 21 & up. So we stayed and tried to make the vbest out of the fact that we couldn't actually dance since movement was more like a product of the entire mob of people instead of your own deliberate action.
We were managing to still "enjoy" ourselves despite the mishaps but then there were incidents that changed everything. It all started when a fight broke out and instead of them just throwing out the culprits as usual they decided they would pepper spray the entire club which resulted in people panicking because they could not help it but to cough and some even had to vomit. Within minutes the club was practically vacant but many belongins were left behind: purses,jewelry, clothes, hats, shoes, you name it. Thwe girl that drove us lost her keys and I stayed with her to find them but we lost track of the other girls we came with. What is even crazier is that she had just pouchased the car that day. After we scanned the club repeatedly we finally found a worked who had found her keys. Don't get ahead of yourself. That is not the end of the story.
I have the worst sense of direction and we could not find the car since we parked it on the street and that was a first since we usually are able to find spots in the parking lots. While we were walking down the stree we see a group of guys in the middle of the street. It looks like ther are going to fight so we don't pay it no mind. Unfortunately there was no fight because one of the shortest guyz pulled out a gun and shot it. When I seen the gun he was aiming it towrds the boy across from him but I have no idea if anyone was hurt because I ran away as hard as I could when I heard hte gunshot. My shoe and earring broke but it did not slow me down. After walking around and makeing an phone call we finally found out car but we were still missing our girls so we drove around and found them walking.
I had not gone to a club again until last Sat. I'm happy to say it was a positive dram free experience. This time we went to Spy Bar. By the way I forgot to mention the real reason Moda got closed down. According to the newspapers it was run by drug money and the money raised was being laundered for terrorist organizations, so much for remodeling. Well alot more has happened so I will keep backtracking until you are posted.

Continue reading "Remember Me???"

Posted by jnl8 at 11:16 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)