In Honor of Women Who Give Life...

I could not let it go without making a comment. March, a month that celebrates women for their various achievements and talents. Today, I want to celebrate two people who mean so much to me. (I will exclude my mother from this list since I would like to say more about her on Mother's Day)

First award goes to my grandmother, my father's mother, who taught me how to cook. I grew up with this old but really talented chef that cared so much about life. She had a little garden in our backyard where she grew anything she could lay her hands on. She started with peppers then moved on to yams and then tomatoes and on and on and on. She would always ask me to help her water the plants after I came home from school. I always saw it as a bother: I would rather run around or sleep under a table. (weird child, I know). Looking back now, my grandmother presented me with the warmest part of life, which is the ability to give something else life. She is the reason why I write so many stories and poems. She is one of the reasons why I miss Ghana most of the time. She is probably the only reason why I care so much about other people and act more mature than my age.

The second award goes to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. You haven't heard of her? well then you are missing out on a really good literature I had the opportunity to meet her ealier this month at the Aspen Institute and I took a selfie but that is besides the point. Because of Adichie, I went back writing and I am really happy about that. (I switched from my creative writing concentration to literature and  creative writing is never the same when things like that happen)

. I am grateful that she is a woman who writes creatively. I appreciate it even more that she has inspired my research topic for graduate school. Reading her works not only makes me feel relaxed but also allows me to be confident in whatever I want to say (well, about literature). Relevance, yes that's the word, she allows me to brings relevance to my education. I was blessed to meet her earlier this month at the

All Things Work Together for Good?

Today has been a very lovely day. It has also left me shaking my head a few times and I thought I would share because ...

I started out my day as I usually would. I had not woken up early enough for school and I was running late. I refused to be late today though because I had been late so many times. I left my house exactly at 9 am  hoping to get the 9:06 am bus  but the bus didn't arrive until 9:11 am. I walked into the bus, feeling up my jacket for my metro card but it was not there. So I looked in my backpack but it was not there either.

"Can I please get a ride?"
"What?"
"I can't  find my metro-card. Can I get a ride?"
"No"
"Please I can't find my metro card"
"You need to get some change from the store."
"Can I please get a ride?"
"No"

So I walked out. Not at all embarrassed because it wasn't the first time a bus driver had done this to me. I had learned how to handle New York City Bus drivers. I turned around and checked my pockets again and voila!. It was there all this time but the bus wasn't. It had already reached its next stop and I was determined to get on that bus. I would be in school on time and I would make the bus driver feel little bad. Nothing more. I run like I had never run before. The last time I run this much was probably in high school. I didn't make it in time to catch the bus but there was still hope. I continued to the next stop. Green Light! no no no.

Fortunately, I made it on the bus. I didn't care to let the bus driver know that I had found the card. But I had heard a sweet voice(aka The Holy Spirit), saying this would be the most difficult part of the day. Boy was I glad it was over.

Like magic my day did gradually get better. I was coughing profusely after this marathon and right before I got off the bus, the girl who I was sitting next to offered me some vix. It is the first time anyone (stranger) has ever given me anything on the bus. I was truly grateful.

When I got to school, I tutored such a lovely student. He was a music major who played the saxophone. All the while, on the bus, I had been thinking about how to spread the word and ways not to be awkward about it. I asked the student how music major was going and he said something about God giving him a great opportunity. There is that great feeling when someone knows the God that you know.

My day got way better when I recieved some funds I needed to attend a conference. I had asked for this way back in February but some Angels had moved heaven and earth to make sure I got it.

Thank You.. He does..to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Looking to Determination

A picture speaks words that cannot be written concisely.

 

Poetry Blues

La Lune

The only moon I see tonight
is hidden behind tall
bricks of clay.
The air flows like
turqoiuse water of fiji,
like the moon
it fades from my sight
but it watches over me like a dream.



Untitled

The moon enters
 the water
fills it with
ink
from the sky
the earth waits


The moon

The moon sits
white in the sky,
like a stain on
a green table cloth
like the lace of a Ghanaian bride,
Like a fire
burning.

How to Succeed in School (college) .

I was recently having lunch with my graduate professor and it was a very relaxing event. I was able to discuss my strengths and fears over an Italian meal I didn't know how to pronounce. That is not the point here. The point here is that I went to lunch with my professor. We stepped outside the classroom and actually had a conversation beyond the paper that's due next week or the assignment that I forgot to post. I have learned so much in my few years in school and I want to share some of these tips because I believe it is one reason why I am successful.

1. Be Aggressive.
That might sound a little strange seeing that you don't want to scare your professor. However, if the professor sees and understands that you are completely enthusiastic about their class then I'm sure you will be noticed. In the copy of your syllabus, you will see your professor's office hours. Make time to talk to that professor during those hours. Talk about your expectations for your class, your research, or ask any questions you have about the class. Don't forget to say your name several times. Remember that you always want to stand out.

 

2. Produce Knowledge
Getting noticed is the first part of the game. Now you have to show your professor your skills. You don't have to be well versed in the subject of discussion since there is enough time to learn. You must,however ,ask interesting questions. Questions that are thought provoking, questions that require both you and the professor to read more.

 3. Remember your professor is also a human being.
Sometimes people see professors just as professors but not as mothers, fathers, aunties or uncles. Speak to them like you would speak to a counselor (at least say something in connection to your paper). But equally important, ask them how they are doing. Ask them how their classes are going and if they are enjoying it. I am not saying these kind of questions would cause your grade to go from a B+ to an A-. Being nice to professors teaches you how to relate to people who are in authority and how to confidently express your ideas in these kind of environments.

4. Create Excellent Work
Fortunately or Unfortunately for some lazy ones, you actually have to do the work. DO NOT PRODUCE AVERAGE WORK. Take that extra mile. If the assignment asks for 5 pages, ask the professor if you can write a little bit more (unless they say otherwise). Don't be afraid to ask your professor to read over your draft and give you comments on how to revise the paper. Visit the writing center of your school to get that extra help.

5.Appreciate Yourself
Always, Always look up to yourself? (I am trying to say here that don't look down on yourself) no matter the grade you get. If you don't like your grade, go back to the professor and ask him or her to explain their grading method. If you would like to improve your grade, ask the professor whether they would take a revised rewrite. Some professors would say no while others might have pity on you. Be ready to push yourself even further when life gets demanding.

My last tip would be to ask your professor for the class' syllabus two weeks before the class begins. It makes you look very impressive and also helps you to know what books to buy first.

Valentine's Day....5 Days Later.

Here is something to keep thinking about even after Valentine's day is dead and gone. There are no more flowers to be sold and there are no more teddy-bears to be passed around. How was valentine's day for me? very interesting.

It started out as a completely normal Friday. I was of course running late for school and tried as much as possible to catch the earliest bus. I bought a crossaint which had a weird smell  but I had to eat it because I was hungry and I have decided to eat breakfast as my New Year's resolution. So on I went, eating my oatmeal and staring at that crosaaint.

The real action happened as I sat in the D train, making an effort to get home. I was so tired that all I needed was a good meal and a great nap. As usual the train was crowded so I decided to shift my skinny body to one side, hoping to get a seat as others got off. Fortunately I got a seat: unfortunately, it was next to a guy who wanted to find love that day. (At this point I would say I will use a pseudonym because I don't want to embarass the guy. Since I don't remember the guys name in this case, I will just make up a name:John)

John: Do you speak french
Me:(rolling my eyes and saying to myself mr.man I am tired don't start) No
John: Really you don't speak French?
Me: (Technically I do but I don't say all the words correctly and I have to think before speaking and I don't have the time to explain myself to you so no) No
John: Ohhhh
Me: smiling and nodding my head
John: where are you from?
Me: (If I tell him, he will leave me alone) Ghana
J:Oh that's nice. I'm from togo. My mom is from Ghana and my dad is from Togo.
Me: (to myself, thank you for sharing)
Silence
J: Do you speak ewe?
M:no
J:Hausa?
M:no
J:Oh okay.
silence
J: Tu est jolie
M:(this guy is just getting annoying by the minute)
Looking confused: what does that mean?
J:You are beautiful
M:Thank You.
akward silence then I notice him smiling
J:I would like to go on a date with you. Can I have your number?
M: pretending I didn't hear him) What?
J: I want to take you on  a date
M: okay
J: Can I have your number or will you take mine?
Me. I was so tired at that point I couldn't reach into my bag or pocket for my phone) Just give me your number. I don't motion to pick up a pen, paper, or phone.
J: how will you remember
M: (I'm not supposed to) I will remember
J:Am I bothering you?
M: (Yes) NO. why did I just say No? maybe I didn't want to be rude. Okay so no. Final asnwer.
J:ok
John then proceeds to give me his number and then I repeat it after him.
We also spoke about where we would get off but I didn't tell him where I would get off.

Lesson of the day, don't accept numbers on Valentine's Day.

Rejection Hurts!!!

I just got rejected AGAIN!!! why is rejection so difficult to deal with?
It's not what you're thinking.. a guy didn't just reject my elaborate proposal. I don't usually do that by the way. If something like that happened, the roles would be reversed. Even if I got rejected by a guy, I would not write so extensively about it since he would probably feel too good about it.

 I feel these kind of rejections are more important to talk about since they can affect how you feel about yourself and your future. Technically, I didn't get rejected  but my favorite poem got rejected from a literary journal. As an English major, this means a lot to me.  Since my concentration is in literature but not in creative writing, however, I am not too affected by such an outcome. I think the part that hurts me the most is that I took time out to write the poem. I won't post the poem here because it is really personal: (so why did you submit it to the journal?) I was just trying to be daring. Anyways back to rejection. I did not really feel so hurt about this rejection honestly because I have so many other things to think about this year. Also, I have been rejected several times and have managed(with my best-friend grace of course) to still continue on a successful path towards the future.

My first eventful rejection was in 2010. It was spring break: April 1st. My senior year in high school. I was enjoying the weather and also waiting anxiously for my acceptance letters from colleges. Yes! I had already determined that they would be acceptances and so I was just waiting for the confirmations. I opened the mail to two short letters. I knew it there and then that they were rejections. You know how a rejection letter reads right? If you don't, let me show you:

Dear Ms. Rachel Ansong,

Thank you for your application...This year we received so many  talented and intelligent applicants...Unfortunately we could not offer you space in this year's application cycle...we wish you success where ever you go.

Thank You.

I shed some wonderful tears that day. I wondered, why couldn't I be successful there, at your school, Mr. Chairperson, whose signature is signed beautifully at the bottom of the page ?Those tears were very wonderful but looking back, I can only conclude that they weren't necessary. If I had just stopped and thought about ways to make my life better instead of concentrating on the past, I would have been so much happier in the beginning years of my college life. The fact is that rejection will come. It does not mean you should always look gloomy or always expect it. Life is about being hopeful; believing that no matter what comes your way, you have a reason to smile. Even now, I sometimes still get a few rejections but I cannot allow them to weigh me down. I have a vision and VERY BIG dreams and so I have to keep on moving forward. The next time you get rejected, whether it is by a human being, institution, or literary journal always remember it is really not the end of the world: apply again or look for the position elsewhere.

FYI: The same literary journal that rejected my poem actually accepted two of my poems last year...