It's Thursday...writing for a cause !!

Okay..so how fast can I type?!?!? Working on laptop without my power cord and already down to 70% power. I hate this laptop. So ready to buy a MAC. So how fast can I write and edit? Hmmm. Writing and editing ....brings back memories !!

I've never liked writing long book reports or English papers...things written to receive a grade. That's stressful to me. But I do have a small, hidden passion for writing; at least I used to. It's slowly coming back to me though.

I can remember when it started...elementary school, Mrs. Tribbit's sixth grade class. It was this mean teacher that sparked my interest in writing. I can remember a city-wide essay contest. Myself and another young lady were competing for a chance to have our essays entered in this city wide contest. I won (between the two of us) so my essay was submitted !!! The topic was something about what my city meant to me. Living in Washington, DC in 1987...hmmm, can't really remember what it meant to me. All I remember is being one of 12 or 13 city-wide winners and getting a chance to go to the Supreme Court and meet Justice Thurgood Marshall. Unfortunately, Mr. Marshall wasn't available that day for the award ceremony so we met his wife, Mrs. Cecilia Marshall. That was quite an experience if I must say so myself. Being honored at a ceremony at the Supreme Court, having my name appear in the Washington Post newspaper.... all in the sixth grade...wow !!!!

Next it went to Junior High school. Now I'm a little old so I can't recall the teacher's name here that, again, saw something in my writing and entered my writings in a few contests. She even convinced me to apply to Duke Ellington School of the Arts' Literary and Media Arts program. I was accepted to the school. I didn't go, for reasons that as an adult I now know were the dumbest reasons in the world. I often wonder what path my life would have taken had I gone to Duke Ellington.

High School came with some challenges....same teacher for three class periods in a row. That was torture for the mind. But again, now it was journal writing...everyday. Recently, mom did some house cleaning and gave me a lot of my stuff from high school and college. I was shocked to read some of my writings. I could still remember the reasons I wrote some of those things.

College (the first time around) was the same thing. Writing for a reason, with a passion. I even had a piece printed in the school newspaper.

And here we go again. College, Take Two !!! And this blog...my chance to do what I haven't done in years....write. I find I like using this opportunity as a chance to do something else I like, inspire. At least, I hope I inspire people. I know there are a number of people that inspire me to do different things in life. My family, my friends, even some co-workers inspire mean. A few of them inspire me to drink....but that's another blog !!!!

Recently, I've wondered exactly how far can I take this writing thing. My BFF Tara wants to write a book. I'm not looking to go that far. I have, however, had thoughts of finding out how I can be a contributing writer for Essence Magazine or have a poem published. I read the magazine faithfully each month so why not become a part of what I pay for. Hmmm, guess that's how I ended up blogging here !!!

Well until, next week people....be inspired. Step out on faith and take a chance with something you enjoy doing. Don't be afraid to take it to the next level. If I get an answer Essence Magazine while I'm still blogging this semester, I'll let you know what it reads !!!

Alright, Way to go.....blog written and 42% memory left. I'm good !!! Again, stay blessed until next week.