Understanding Your Journey? (Lonnnnnnnnng Post =/)

    Hey Guys, I am back woahhhhhh; it has been a time. I have to catch you up on a lot! Let's start with my personal life; then we will shimmy over to my academic life, and lastly, my mental. 

    Kicking this thing off with my personal, in a nutshell, I am still learning so much about myself at a daily rate. Being in vet school is my first time that I consider myself an "adult" living in a different state from my parents. Although it is only like 4 hours away, it was a big jump to another state but honestly, I'm fine. But I do love living here. Even though my brother was supposed to be my roommate in this condominium (yesssssss I live in a two-story condo), I genuinely love having this space. I LOVEEEEEE being able to talk my lectures out as loud as possible! I also have this new habit of cleaning my apartment every day, EVERY DAY. It is like my body refuses to allow me to study if my house is a mess. Speaking of messy apartments, I haven't cleaned today -____-, well I started (sorry for the tangent).

    I have been writing this blog post for months, so the first paragraph is oldish, but I am not deleting it because that is how I felt. With this being said, I finished my first semester of veterinary school. Although it feels like at least a year, nope... one a semester. I finished strong. When people say vet school is hard, it is challenging. But I am finding my path on how to balance this new chapter of my life. I stepped up, and I am the first African American Class President that my vet school has ever had. It is a large position to fill, but my degree comes first at the end of the day. I love my position, but I vow to not let it stress me out. On another note, I am super excited to meet the class of 2025. I am super happy about the possibility of one of my close friends becoming a Hokie (we shall see). 

    Vet school is a beast. Not only the quantity of the material (256 ppts this semester) but the mental aspect is a huge factor. One quality you have to have be when entering this program is CONFIDENCE! As a Black male, this is a field of study that does not have a lot of representation from individuals that look like me. Of a class of 126, there are maybe at most 10 Black students. For the most part, my experience has been okay with most of my classmates (mainly due to the inability to socialize w/ them due to covid, I am sure I would have experienced way moreeeeee uncomfortable situations than I have already) except for the ones that are to be closest to me. I wish the majority would realize that statements like "this is the Original Gangster (OG) Hokie bird (school mascot), let's take pictures throwing up gang signs" are hella offensive or statements like "I worked this summer like a slave and I did not get paid." Like sis, you have no clue what it is to be a slave.

    On the contrary, I do not either, but this statement from a white person (more than likely your ancestors owned slaves), this is extremely offensive. Like why is it soooooooooooooo hard to understand this? It has been tough being in these situations where the people that are supposed to be close to you during this panoramic; are the ones making you feel as if you NOT are worthy of being here. It's the passive-aggressiveness for me. Behaviors like over-talking another person, repeating what another has said (on multiple occasions because you weren't listening because my opinion isn't as necessary), and other displayed mannerisms are not acceptable. CHIIIII, y'all know me. I am nice affffff, but at some point, after countless disrespect, you will get READ. I told them about themselves, and that was it. We were supposed to meet and discuss, but that didn't happen because LIFE (maybe it was God, I had a lot to say I am sure I would have hurt feelings), but this is another story. It got better than instantly worse again; at this point, I am over it. Something that has gotten better about my personality is that I honestly mind my business. If it isn't mine, do not tell me chi. I do not want to know; I do not want to be apart. 

    Other than this, I have made some really good friends (being the president, a lot of people walk on eggshells around me). Without Cynclair, Ana, Erykah, Julie, and others, my experience would have been different. We have had good moments ALREADY! I look forward to the next few years with them =).  

    Next, let's discuss relationships. So I am still locked down, so do not slide in my DMs, lol. But I have to learn how to live in a lengthy distant relationship. At first, it was hard finding the balance between school, studying, and finding time to talk. But, we have a routine. On the days I want to cook (Yess, I have been cooking, and WELL, if I must say), we will cook together via video call. We also have a tradition of drinking together, taking shot every now and then. This is why I have this random motivation to write. It has been a learning curve though sometimes I feel like I am not as "successful" in my relationship, meaning I am giving my all, but I never feel truly connected due to the state difference. The short weekends make me reminisce on the old-time together; I always cry when we leave. 

    I will cut the post here; I will continue w/ part II later. It is kind of long. Thanks for reading as always; feel free to message me!!

Love,