Alabama Rain: New Beginnings

    On Monday as I was walking to dinner, I heard thunder and even saw some lightning, but it wasn't even drizzling. I thought that I should get my umbrella, but decided against it. "I'm a big man. I don't need no stinking umbrella!", I thought to myself. After dinner, I walked out the cafeteria and I was confronted with a torrential downpour. I tried to wait it out, but eventually I had to make a break for it. As I was running in this deluge of H20, I thought back to my last days of high school.

Alabama Rain

     For my last intensive at Steller Secondary School, I took a film class. In this 2 week class, we watched movies and tried to identify literary elements, within the films. One of the things that stood out to me, was the use of Rain. In film and in story telling in general, Water symbolizes change or rebirth. Rain is a common tool for film makers to show that the main character is beginning a new journey (Example: In Disney's Mulan, when she's about to run away or In The Matrix, right before Neo meets Morpheus, for the first time). So as I was being soaked from head to toe, with Alabama rain, I felt like it was marking a new a beginning. It marked a new stage in my life, from adolescence to adult hood, or, at least, it represented the start of a new academic year.

A Venue For Greatness

   The first day of classes, was one of the most anticipated days of my whole life. But at first, It seemed just like high school. The course work didn't seem too difficult and the teachers didn't seem merciless and cruel. Even though it may have resembled high school, I knew how different it was. The other students and I were paying for these class. It wasn't paid for by the government. We were there voluntarily, with the urge to learn. I knew how much was riding on every grade and every assignment. These classes can make or break a successful future. When I thought of this, I took a big gulp and prayed.

    Later that day, I went t the library. I was walking up the stairs when I saw a portrait of William Shakespeare with the worlds "Will Power". This was kinda my phrase throughout high school, along with "When there's a WILL there's a way." This boosted my confidence a bit and helped me through my day. I'm definitely going to need a lot of this "Will Power", for the next four years.

WILL POWER

200th View!

I Just Got My 200Th View, Today!! Thanks For Taking An Interest In My Journey! Thank You, Everybody!! 

THANK YOU!!

The first week of many...

     This is my first post since, I have arrived at the illustrious Tuskegee University. Just to let everybody know, I'm loving it already! I feel like I was meant to be here. When I walk I around the campus, I'm walking in the footsteps past innovators, leaders and visionaries. I just hope I can live up to this legacy
   
     On the first day of Orientation, I felt nervous. This is a typical response to one's first day. My Aunts and mother were still there to accompany me and everyone seemed friendly so my butterflies eventually went away. As I walked into registration, I saw a very welcoming poster that made the instance a little more real. I proceeded to sign all the necessary paper work and then we headed to the first general session, for parents and students, held in the school chapel.

                Enter Into the Tigers Den      Signing in for Success
                 
     
     The session was packed. We got there early so we got good seats. The chapel was daunting, to say the least. It's huge stage and walls made of rustic hand made brick made quite the impression on me. The speaker at the session gave us the stereotypical "Welcome, we are glad to have you" speech, but what stuck out to me was the way she emphasized the history of this iconic school. She told us that we are now becoming part of history. This was a lot to take in. I never really thought that I could go down in history, but now that I think about it, we all can.
                                

The First General Session

     The next thing we did was get my dorm room. We drove around the campus a couple times trying to find "Younge Hall", but eventually we had to ask for directions. I looked upon my future home, for the next 9 months, I realized that this wasn't the first time I seen this building and not the first time stayed I had stayed here!. As a rising 9th grader, I participated in the Tuskegee Vet-Step program. It was a preparatory program for future veterinarian. During that time, I stayed in Younge Hall and now I have come full circle. I met my dorm mother, Momma Night, and she directed us to my room, #217. One of the craziest things that happened so far this week, was looking at my dorm room door and seeing the name "Will" etched into it. I knew that I didn't deface a door on my last stay, so I was a bit freaked out. But I took it as a sign that it was meant to be. I brought all my luggage in and moved into my new home.

"Will" Etched Into my Door

The Hall

                                                      My Room Before

My Room After

     Orientation lasted all week, and we did so many things I won't be able to recount them all. The catchy chants and interactive games will always stay with me. We had tours of campus, got acquainted with our colleges and academic advisers and even had games of kick ball! 

     Coming from Steller Secondary School, possibly the least ethnic school in Anchorage, Alaska (other than south), and going to a Tuskegee University, a prestigious southern HBCU (Historically Black College or University). I have the definition of culture shock. But as the Professional Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. said "A true champion can adapt to anything." 

My College I.D

     George Washington Carver's Grave, and standing next to a bust of Carver, at GWC Museum                       

 Biology Department!!

 

 Lightning Lighting up the Tuskegee Sky!

Shaking hands with the Student Government Association President, Antonio Minifield. He's got me thinking about running for freshman class president!

     

The next big step: 3,439 miles

     I'm taking my next step to becoming a Tuskegee Golden Tiger. This step is about 3'500 miles long and spans the entire continental U.S! For an Alaskan with a substantial amount of family in the lower 48, flying is a part of life. I can not imagine how many hours I have been in the air. For many, flying is a spectacle or a nuisance, but to me it is routine. But, this trip is an exception.

     I am leaving my family friends to embark on a educational/social  journey that will most likely mold me for the rest of my life. I might sound dramatic, but it is a big deal. I've heard of so many "horror" stories from college. It is safe to say I'm scared straight. I know I can have fun, without getting wasted. I know I can meet girls,without ending up being someone's "Baby's Daddy". Having a strong family background helps, as well as having faith in God. This gives me a personal integrity that can not be budged.  

     As look out at anchorage I think about the majesty of the mountains, the endless forests, and diverse wildlife. I know I will miss this great land and I'm already excited about coming back for Christmas.

Looking out at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska 

Alaska Airline decal in Seattle

     

    Luckily, I'm not taking this trip alone. My Mother, and my Aunt Tanya are accompanying me. My Aunt June will meet me in Atlanta, where she lives. I love my family so much. There is no way that I could be where I am, without them. My aunt coined the name of our trip as

"Operation: Tuskegee Drop off".

My Family left to right
Cousin Chuck, my mother Dionne, me, my Aunt June, my cousin Brian, and my aunt Tanya

     If I had to recount half the misadventures we had on this trip, I would need a another blog. But  I will talk about our adventure to Zoo Atlanta. I'm going to major in Biology and, If you've read my other blog posts, you know I love animals. So going to the zoo is the most logical activity for this college bound freshman. I had so much fun at the zoo I felt like a big kid in a candy store. I think I might have had more fun than all my three chaperons combined. The animals were incredible and they made me even more excited for my major.

Zoo Atlanta was ferociously fantastic!

     Tuskegee was a two hour drive from Atlanta. As we crossed over the state lines into Alabama, I felt so close to my future, I could taste it. The amazing state of Alabama will be where I take my innumerable steps to become the best I can be.

Alabama: We Dare to Defend Our Rights

     After getting lost a couple of times, we finally made it to the campus! I haven't been to the infamous Tuskegee University for years and it felt like a huge wait was lifted of my shoulders. I finally made it.  3,439 miles and 4 days later, I made it to my home away from home, Tuskegee University!

My family and I, in front of the famous Tuskegee statue "Lifting the Veil".

It depicts Tuskegee's founder, Booker T. Washington, lifting the veil of ignorance off of a slave. It is the iconic symbol of Tuskegee. 

WE MADE IT! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

Memories on the Kenai

Ever since I was a child, I have participated in dip netting with my family. For the non-Alaskans out there, Dip Netting is a form of fishing wear you take a huge net, wade out into to the ocean, and wait for the swift swimming salmon to stumble upon your net. Locations to dip include Kenai River, Kasilof River, and the Chitina River. It typically lasts two to three weeks and is a subsistence fishery to Alaskan residents only. But to me, It's more than a fishing trip. It's a family bonding experience. I have been a part of countless stories and memories and I wouldn't trade them for the world. The salmon are just a added bonus. 

Here are a few pictures from my most recent excursion with the family, at the Kenai!