JoJo's Blog- Peek into my Life

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.

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.

School Year is Over

Once again I was a bit too busy to blog on a regular basis but luckily the school year has practically come to an end. May 5th was Study Break, the last African American Society event. It was a success with a new DJ and all. There was a slow start but that was no surprise. What really made it a success was the Cavs going into overtime and still beating the Washington Suns. If they would have lost there would have went the party. The Cavs actually had a slower satart than our party crowd. That game ended up being very excitinng toward the end just like the Lakers game the day before. I usually don't watch sports on TV because I can usually find something more interesting to watch but my b/f was on his lunch break at work and I was describing to him what was going on and actually got interested myself. Those two great games have not made me an avid fan in terms of following the games on TV. Don not get me wrong I like watching them live but I barely get the chance. While in Cleveland I should really go more often. After I graduated from high school I went to se the Indians play for the first time wqith my Mom. We had a blast. My junio year I went to the Browns' Stadium but I've never been to a game and I seen the Cavs my senior year too. They also won. Enough about sports. I also went to the IX Center the day before it closed. I did not know it stood for International Exposition Center. While I have been away I turned 20 years old. My birthday fell on Easter, which was nice since that hasn't happened since I was a little girl. I went to a Casino in Canada. It only took two and a half hors to get there from Elyria.
The reason I haven't blogged for over a month is because most of the papers for my classes were due during the last two weeks of April. Being that it was my birthday I did a few things to celebrate. I went to the Improv for a comedy show and dinner with my friends. With another groups I went to Moda, a nightclub. The entire month was filled with events in general too. My friends and I throw a White Party in our suite which was quite a success. All of the necessary forms were filled out so it was liegitimate and we proved that we could throw a successful party alcohol free. That same day Afro-Am held a Kickin' It Weekend Event at the United Skates of America whcih was quite an experience because Chris Brown was the feature attraction. The following week was Spring Fest and I brought my brother along. We both had fun: rockclimbing, shooting hoops, eating, listening to live bands, racing in the jungle challenge, boxing with the enormous gloves, and balloon fencing... Afterwards I took him to his first college party and then back home. Sometime I also went to movie night with 3.0 & Up Club. I seen "Inside Man " which I thought was an interesting movie even though it ripped off and Independant film for a scene I first seen in the Cleveland Film Festival.
Training starts for my summer job Monday morning. I'm going home today to drop off some things I shold not be needing this summer especially since the room I'll be staying in is fairly smaller. I had an interview today for a position in the Case's Center for Women. Hopefully I get the job. Well I think I have blogged enough so I probably will not be writing back until school starts up unless I find myself bored. Till then Peace.

TGIF

I can't believe I'm a sophomore at Case and I did not even know their were public computers in
Crawford Hall. It must be because when I usually come here I go straight to the ground floor
since that is where the offices that concern me are. Well it is windy outside and I'm in my
business attire since I'm going to OMA's Unity Banquet. I'm a tad early as usual so I needed some
where warm to spend my 30 minutes waiting for the bus. It was nice finding a computer so close
because I would rather be writing a blog since it is more productive than twiddling my thumbs for
a half an hour.
For lunch today I went to a Community Service Luncheon honoring students that volunteer. Most
of my serive consists of tutoring and activities in the service learning component for my Ethnic
Studies class. I was able to hear form strudents first hand about their Spring Break which were
spent helping out in New Orleans. I had new idea that over 15,000 college students went there
over spring break to lend a hand.
I went of on a tangent as usual but it was a necessary one since stewardship is very important
aspect of life. I believe it gives it meaning. Well Unity Banquet last year was fun since the
Speaker was Nicci Giovanni. She was very entertaining and made it a worthwhile experience. This
year we were looking forward to listening to Judge Mathis. Unfortunately he was in an accident so
he will no longer be able to make it tonight. Jim Chones will be speaking instead. I'll
give you a very brief bio since you might not recall who this person is. He is an ex-basketball
player that played for the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Wolverines. He was also a host of on of those
sport shows. It should still be interesting so I chose to come regardless of the fact that Judge
Mathis wouldn't be there. Next year the governor of Illinois is supposed to be speaking. Rumor
has it that he may posibbly run for president a few elections from now. From what I hear he's an
exceptional human being.
This week has been busy but Thank God it's Fri. because there is so much to look forward to.
Afro-Am is having Spring Bling which will serve as the official after-party for Unity Banquet. It
should be tons of fun since we will be playing Spades and that is practically a tradition that had
come about last year among my friends. Saturday La Alianza will be having a Pre-Fiesta Latina
Dance Party which should also be fun. I have been elected the VP for next year and am quite
excited. Being Secretary of Afro-Am has given me substantial leadership experience. Footloose a
Musical group on campus is also have their spring show this week. They are performing "A
Philadelphia Story." Oh and last night was Case Idol which was hilarious. Their were no official
judges but the ridiculous host made a great substituion. Well there are fraternity/sorority
activites going on as well but it is about that time. So I'm going to be on my merry way but of
course I SHALL RETURN.

Spring Break is Over...

Spring Break went by so quickly it is ridiculous. While about eight friends or so went to New York for Spring Break I spent it for the most part in Cleveland. I did visit my mom at home on her days off though. I read so much for my classes it was in itself tiring. I got a head strart on some papers whose deadlines are trying to creep up on me. On the first Saturday of Spring Break I arranged at get-together with some of my friends. It truned out to be a couples night amongst us which was nice. Everyone had a great time which was a much appreciated given the fact that my two best-freinds from Lorain cam with their boyfirends and didn't know my suitemate and her boyfriend. We eneded up going to Gookies which is a superb soul food restaurant on Superior Ave, which is only about 15 minutes away. It is not in the best neighborhood but once you get inside you can't tell at all. I recommend the restaurant simply for their cornbread muffins. After this night I realized my suitemate could make cornbread just as moist and tasty which was a pleasant surprise. Anyways that was not the only night I had fun this break. There were other days that we (my suitemate and our boyfriends)took advantage of having the suite to ourselves by cooking and playing spades in a clean suite. I live in a suite of 5 but we have at least 9 people in our suite at any given time. Over spring break that number was reduced to 4.
Along with catching up/getting ahead with school work I decided to rack up some Service Learning hours. There is a Service Learnign Component in my Ethnic Studies class; Women in Developing Countries. We are working with the largest Middle Eastern Newspaper in the Ohio; Al Sahafa(the reporter). We have to do 20 hours of work with them. For distributing 150 newspapers I earn two hours of work. I have done that twice but as you can imagine that will not suffice in reaching the 20 hour requirement. So on the day I would rather be sleeping-in I was getting up early and driving with a peer and future suitemate to thew West Side of Cleveland which is about a 30 min. drive. So far I have 16 hours of which is quite an improvement compared to the former 4 hours. Included in these hours is the time we spent at the Cleveland Film Festival which was on St. Patrick's Day. It was held in Tower City which was packed with people dressed in green, eating corn-beef. I seen "Red Mercury" which was a Middle Eastern Movie about terrorism which I found quite interesting. With that said my blog-break is over and I must keep reading...