“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less” – unknown
The Beginning: The comforts of the melting pot of Northern Virginia/D.C., as I settled comfortably in the city known well to the Simpsons: Springfield (except my Springfield is obviously in Virginia, hahaha). An elementary school is built, Sangster, and I am in the first group of students to enroll, a signature on the wall, from the 80s, indicates the momentous occasion (boy am I old-only in numbers though, not in heart!)…
Middle school: Washington Irving, not the writer, the school :)… a point of growth, defining yourself, and being a nerdy goofball who played the violin and loved Math.
High School: West Springfield. The era of knowing everything but really knowing nothing, an age of ego easily heightened or defeated. An understanding of cliques and either selecting a group to join or maintaining your own personal being… a confusing place to be. Academia, wonderment to our survival of 7 am classes, where motivation was something that we were constantly lacking, especially b/c the ac was on during the winter, and the heat was on during the summer. Hm… sounds like my TKD classes!
And, then Randolph-Macon Woman’s College: To the comfort and challenges of the intensity behind the Red Brick Walls set at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A place where two nicknames evolved: Riki and Energizer Bunny. The understanding that smarties were enough to cause me to go “off the wall” and have 2 AM pillow fights in Main Hall, causing Ms. Peggy to close the door. Insistent upon being involved in clubs to grow and understand the qualities of a leader are not to necessarily lead, but is really to simply guide and follow. An academic realm where professors acknowledge your abilities and constantly raise the bar such that your successes are never good enough, and the statement “anywhere else it would have been an A” cannot be challenged without all nighters, coffee, stress, and most of all hard work! And then finally, graduating, knowing that my college had molded me into a young, independent, capable woman, who could accomplish anything and overcome all challenges!
Ah then a small part-time job until the spontaneous adventure of Peace Corps arrived, May 2005! Nairutia, Kenya was where I lived, and a mwalimu (teacher) I became. An adventure into the unknown indeed, for only 22 was I, with only the need to be given the tools and an opportunity, and then I would fly! Little did I know seeing people die daily of HIV/Aids, the poverty, and the constant struggles of my community would be a daily job to face. However, the gentleness of the community, their constant smiles, and their willingness to see beyond their struggles and look at the small gifts (like clean water) that they received was enough to keep me in awe and in gratitude. While it was the hardest job I had, I can never take credit for teaching my community, for I believe that they taught me more about life and living each hour and day to the fullest, as if it were your end. Not that it wasn’t dangerous, or that hassles did not occur, for they did, but one goes in knowing that it safety is a concern…and ones leaves understanding that they will be affected by the trauma…
And then I had to leave, medically separated, ah the beauties of anaphylactic shock, to milk! However, it is a great natural diet :)
Return to home, and realized I had truly applied what I had learned in college. I had seen what I had read. I wasn’t attempting to put a Band-Aid on the issues; rather I was trying to untangle a web of issues to find the 1 core concern to help my community develop a sustainable project to address whatever they needed! Home was different, electricity hmmm…that’s new/neat, Valentines-what’s that, warm-clean-baths, really?
As I settled in, TKD and BJJ, became a stress relief and a good exercise…sparring MMA style was the name of the game, and black eyes were war wounds, that were given, but never fully accepted as they were not “good enough…”The shorty bball player now on the mats, never avoided injuries, they are still coming strong and fast! But, while some of you are skeptical, I still do believe, that now, I will truly not have any more injuries, even if I am a well-defined clutz.
Then George Mason, no GRE, sweet! MSW, yes again, part-time, even better. 3 years of working hard and long, 6 am-11pm if not later. Sleep, not in Tarika’s dictionary! But, the infamous Randy-Mac days, taught me well, start the work early-and it’ll all end well! Macon, well thank you, for I felt prepared for any Graduate Program indeed. And, don’t forget the adventures of Costa Rica, mmmmmm the food was great, the scenery breath-taking, and the course, “Human Rights and Sustainable Human Development,” who could ask for more?!?!?!
2010 May rolls around, and finally I graduate! Travelled and visited friends: Lynchburg, Bedford, Atlanta, NY, New England, and Toronto, a nice relaxation indeed it was! So many pictures and memories! A graduation present from me to me…yes, it was well-deserved!
And now here I am, with experiences and an education, but my job only is to seek one, a full-time job it is indeed, perhaps I should ask to be paid! I wait patiently, in hopes to start a new journey where I settle into a career, and let it take me somewhere, out there, where ever that may be!- Over the rainbow?!?!?! Hahahaha
Till the next entry, enjoy, and thanks for reading!
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