Moving on...

Well, today, I was at small group, my one actual delight out of the week, besides singing on Sundays and church, too, and we were all discussing things that we are compelled to do, things we have been weighed down by, things that we would change, if money and such were no object...and it was really great. I really enjoyed everyone's comments, their viewpoints on things, and, in general, just having the opportunity to be among my peers and have open conversation about spiritual matters and practical ones, too.

A special shout out goes to Jamie, who I was SUPER EXCITED to see today, especially since I haven't seen her since before her trip. Yay! I think we think a lot alike...she just says it so much better than I do. But, I like writing, so maybe I write better than I speak? Hopefully so...

Anyway, I'm going to take Jamie's advice today, and make an accomplishment list of things that I've actually done in my lil lifetime. I say lil because I definitely haven't been here on the earth long enough to think I'm old, no matter what my younger brother says. ;P

This list is going to serve as my motivation to continue to try to get that leg over the edge and get out of my boat! So, here it goes...

My Accomplishments

1. Singing in concert at church at the age of 3 or 4, I think. I definitely traveled and sang with my grandfather, Reverend Charlie Watson, when I was 3 and 4.
2. Being able to write in cursive at age 5. That's just neat.
   
3. Winning the lunch with the principal contest at Bruce Shulkey Elementary in 1st grade.
   
4. Being invited to participate in the first E.A.G.L.E. class held at my school.
   
5. Writing my first play in the third grade. It was about a flower garden. I also directed.
   
6. Being the top five in the nation in Bible Verse Memory at the National Baptist Convention of America. That was sooooo crazy being on stage in front of all of those people...
   
7. Becoming captain of my church's drill team. I was elected by my peers, and that meant a lot to me that they trusted me to be a good leader.
8. Having a book "published" in my elementary school library.
   
9. Becoming a Mustang Wrangler! Wow, who remembers that? I was a captain, too.
10. Winning the first talent show ever held at my elementary school.
    
11. Going to regionals for extemporaneous speaking in 7th grade, and for my poem recitation of one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems about a sad clown who was accidentally funny.
12. Getting inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, and before I left Crowley schools, joining band and playing the clarinet.
13. Being in Mr. Spangler's band in 8th grade.
    
14. Meeting Ms. Paula Bledsoe, and having her get me into debate and geography contests...our debate team was hottt! And I got second place in the geography contest I entered. :)
15. Becoming a YFC at the end of my freshmen year of high school.
16. Winning various awards in Spanish at the Language Fair my junior year.
    
17. Meeting Mrs. Batlle and Mrs. Murray and having them as teachers.
    
18. Being a finalist for the National Merit scholars. I was a National Commended Scholar.
    
19. Becoming a National Merit Scholar. And a Superintendent Scholar. And a four year Tandy Scholar.
    
20. Being a Natural Helper, mentoring kids, and other volunteer activities.
    
21. Being a band section leader two years in a row.
22. Becoming co-editor on the Newspaper staff in high school, and getting some great editorial pieces. I was also on the Yearbook staff.
23. Taking 7 AP tests, and passing 5 of them. I became an AP Scholar, a pretty decent award given in each state...I just wasn't traveling to Austin to pick up my plaque.
24. Organizing a "fan drive" for the elderly at my church, asking stores and church members for donations to keep the older folks with older homes (meaning no AC) cool during the summer!
25. Completing the Transformation Program. This program changed my life for the better, and really made me think about the person I wanted to be.
26. Getting scholarships to just about every college I applied, including full scholarships from FAMU, University of Alabama, Washington University, NCA&T (My alma mater), Howard University, Dartmouth, and the list goes on...
27. Graduating in four years with two degrees - a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Yup. Praise God, and I graduated Cum Laude (with honors).
28. Making the Dean's List all four years of college.
29. Being inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Sigma Delta Pi honor society, the IE honor society, and the Golden Key honor society.
    
30. Marching in the Blue and Gold Marching Machine - I loved that band. I learned so much by being a member of this organization.
31. Becoming clarinet section leader in the Blue and Gold Marching machine. Again, a position I was given, not one I asked for, and I was overwhelmed and honored.
32. Auditioning for and making the Award winning Gospel Choir at NCA&T. I just never actually joined. My loss. :(
33. Running the Algebra Lab for BCDI-Greensboro. I was asked to do it after only one year of volunteering.
    
34. Getting a full fellowship to the University of Michigan for graduate studies in Engineering.
35. Getting my first full-time job as an engineer. I was so proud that day.
36. Becoming a volunteer for the Tarrant County Women's Center.
    
37. Becoming a Fort Worth Jaycee, and being put in charge of the Habitat for Humanity project.
38. Becoming a teacher.
39. Meeting the guy God meant for me, and making a committment to him.
40. Becoming a Mommy.
41. Having really good friends who love me and challenge me to be better.
42. Being a big sister to two really great guys. I love you!
43. Having a relationship that is constantly growing with my parents.
44. Auditioning for and making Zion's P&W team. I overcame some serious fears.
45. Teaching Sean to say "please" and "thank you" and the clean up song...and he cleans!

...more accomplishments to come, but for now, I'll be continuing to move on...