Pages

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Dear Tera M.,

Carrots!!!! What can I say? I honestly did not see this friendship coming my way, but it did, and I am so glad and delighted! I remember seeing you on my first day at KMHS; it was the new teacher orientation. We didn't talk... but it wasn't until a scandal broke out at the school that we started really communicating like everyday! You would let me come into your room and give you all the dish, LOL! That whole thing was bananas! That was our first year there and we have been friends ever since. Then I think the next year we were named, "Peas and Carrots" because we were always seen together. Does anyone ever notice that we call each other "peas and carrots"? Well, even though I left teaching going on three years now, I am so, so happy that we became friends and talk very often. I adore all of your talents! Literally, I can call you and ask you a cooking question and you ALWAYS have an answer. I love how you are so open and honest. You have shared personal experiences with me that has been priceless and you have listened to me and my issues without judgement, thank you! I look forward as we continue to be friends and be new mommies. You are the best Carrots!

Love,
Peas

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Dear Angela F.,

Honestly, I am not sure how our relationship became so sour. Well, maybe I do, but still I don't understand why it had to get that point. Believe it or not you taught me a lot when I worked with you at the school. I learned a lot about my work place relationships. What to do and what not to do. Towards the end of me teaching I know we really, how should I put it, get along. But the one memory/ moment I appreciate is when you went with me on my first field trip, my first year teaching at the school. I took my marketing class to an advetising agency, but the thought of taking 20 something teenagers out of school into the city just scared me. When I was asking you questions prior to the trip about the logistics I think you could see it written all over my face. You asked me, "Do you want me to go with you?" It was such a sigh of relief... YES! I can't thank you enough for that. From then on I always felt so prepared and confident about going on field trips. A true testiment of how successful it was, I had a student I had in that class email me a couple weeks back asking me about the firm we went to. She wants to do an internship there because she is majoring in marketing in college. You were a part of that and I can't thank you enough. It may have been a little thing, but it was definitely a big thing to me.

Best regards,
Shannon

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Dear Andrea B.,

Hey girl! When I think about how long we have known each other it truly blows my mind. Since 2003, right? I think I am amazed because we don't talk everyday, but I know I could call you right now and we would pick up where we left off. I love that about us. I actually noticed you before I even met you. At the bookstore at Georgia Perimeter College. I noticed you because of your hair of course. I thought, "what a cute haircut!" Then I met you in my accounting class. Which by the way, did I ever thank you for helping me pass that class? Seriously, I wouldn't have gotten through that class without you. You would think Ben would have helped, but frankly, he is not a good teacher, but you are. I remember all of our conversations and how true and honest they were and still are. I used to think to myself, she gets me, Andrea gets me. I love your sense of style (thanks for turning me on to my favorite BR pink, suede, riding slippers!) And I believe you are a wonderful mother. Thanks for always believing in me and supporting me in all I do. You are the best Andrea!

Love,
Shannon

Friday, April 8, 2011

Dear Freda,

My goodness... I don't know where to start?! Well, of course I met you at DLP. It was the same day I met Greg... at UGA. But I remember sitting with you and I think Rodney too, but also some others who were from LA. You all were talking about your lives in LA and I was over the top fascinated. It wasn't until the end of that weekend when I got to have a one on one conversation with you. Then for the next four summers I got to spend time with you, talk with you, hang out with you and I adore everything about you. And I am not the only one that feels this way about you Freda. I have witnessed for myself how everyone you come in contact with you make an impact on their lives. It's like we are "Fredanized"! Seriously! You have this gift to make people feel special when they are in your presence. The last summer I saw you was in 2008 when you were here in Atlanta. We met for an early dinner. Thanks for being an open heart that day and letting me dump my life on you. You gave me a different perspective on my life that I took to heart and I cherish the conversation we had. Also, thanks for introducing me to Landmark; I made some amazing life long friends. I know I can reach out to you anytime on Facebook, text, or email, but I look forward to the day we can hang out again. Thanks for your open heart, making me giggle, and keeping it so, so real. You are the best!

Love,
Shannon

I flunked out of college....

Yeah, I did... See, I read this blog by Becky Higgins almost everyday. Becky is in my "apple" so she will be picked one day, but today I just wanted to write about what she wrote today in her blog. She talked about when she failed an English class in college. You can read it here: http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/2011/04/i-failed-english/

It instantly reminded me of when I flunked out of college. I guess if you were close to me you would probably know this story, but maybe for a lot of you, you had no idea (well, now you do). I will never forget that day when I found out. And what is so crazy is that the "writing" was on the wall, but I was still in denial when I get the notice in the mail. The experience seemed so surreal when it was happening, like so many other major events when they happen in my life. The next thing I know I received a delivery from my mom saying "Congratulations on completing your first year of college!" It was from my mom. Then I thought, how was I going to explain this to my mother?! But I made the call and when I tell you that was the hardest phone call I had to make... Well, I remember there was something going on where she couldn't pick me up right away and I couldn't bare to stay another minute on campus. I was so ashamed. So I called an ex-boyfriend to come and pick me up and take me home. Yeah, that's crazy, right? But he did and I am forever thankful that he found it in his heart to do it with no judgement. The whole way home I thought about how I needed a plan. So I decided I would go back and work at the hair salon and try to attend Georgia State and not even think about going back to UGA. When I told my mother this plan, I don't remember her exact words, but my plan was shot down quickly. She said I needed to find out how to get back at UGA and finish what I started. Becky talks about how failing English didn't and doesn't define who she is. Furthermore, any "marks" we receive from others is not who we are, it's our thoughts and our actions that defines who we are. She is right. My mom was right too. I think if I had gone along with "my plans" I was going to let that situation really "define" who I was as a person. BUT, I did what my mom told me to do. I went back to UGA and finished my degree. Side note: It's funny what people think when you flunk college.  Some of my friends asked me, "So what did you do, work?" Yeah, that an understatement. Let me tell you how this works, at least what I had to do.
1. Go to another school and take 30 hours (we were on qtr. system then) and make a 3.0.
2. Personally, I had to raise money to go to school because I did not qualify for HOPE or financial aid anymore.
3. Once I made the academic requirements I had to have an interview/ meeting with the Dean of Arts and Sciences at UGA and basically talk about why I should be able to come back! Not to mention... raise more money!
But I did it all! In fact, I went back a couple years later and earned my Masters degree. Yeah... it was tough, but I did it. I owe my mother the world for that... And right before I took that long drive down 316 back to school, my mommy and daddy took me to Disney World to see the love of my life... Donald Duck!