A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes


What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

And 5...

Alex will be leaving on deployment soon. I don't know how to approach it. I already miss him.

LKDC graduation

Today was my 2nd graduation in two years. The first I was the student, now the teacher. I didn't think it would feel this good or sad to see my kids go. But I found myself smiling wider than some of the parents, and equally as proud. I even teared up a bit when the valedictorian said her speech (without a hitch!) I'm so happy I could teach these kids and look forward to another semester with them. Trying as it may be, it is rewarding. I even got a perfume set and rose from the director in recognition of my hard work. Ive gotta get something for my mom as well ... Couldn't have made it there without her and i couldn't have dealt with the mental stress without Alex... Cheers to a successful year!

Here today

Alex left on his flight back to base this morning. As usual it was a hurry and he made the flight by the grace of God. And I'm sure it will be so on his deployment. He will be protected and guided by God's grace and favor. Babe, God bless you. I love you. Be safe and come back to me.

Symbol of a Loving Boyfriend

A few days ago I was not feeling well at all. And it had to happen soon after Alex got here for pre-deployment leave. Like a good boyfriend though, he stayed with me instead of going out. He spread a blanket over me, made me tea and let me sleep. And when I woke up he brought me food so we could eat together.

Whatever I did to deserve you babe, I'd do it a thousand times over. You're such a good man and you treat me like the pinnacle of your day, every day.
I love you!
I love you!
I love you!

I'm on my lunch break, but for the past 3 days I haven't really been able to relax. It started off with my nieces completely stressing me out on monday, I even started hyperventilating going back to work. And today the kids at work was stressing me out... Too many kids in one room, me trying to do 2 different lessens with the added bonus of jittery 3 year olds, one of which I'm not even supposed to be teaching. I can't wait to move forward from this job, I feel like I'm busting my ass but i keep getting side tracked by a co worker that does next to nothing. Honestly, I find myself teaching her kids sometimes just because they are left to annoy my class if I don't. Meanwhile she's doing her books and I'm playing catch up with mine.... So tired of it

Trayvon Martin was a 17 year old teen in florida visiting his dad, when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman. Zimmerman is a self-appointed neighborhood watchman who admits on tape that he followed Martin in his car because he thought he was suspicious. This even after the police officer told him not to follow Martin. A month later, Zimmerman has not been arrested and now the FBI are investigating. The Florida "Stand Your Ground" law is the main defense for Zimmerman who claims he killed Martin in self-defense. The law is as follows:

"(3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony."

There are 2 problems with this scenario.

1. As an invited guest to his father's residence, the law applies to Martin as well as Zimmerman.

2. Zimmerman is recorded on the 911 tape saying that he was following Trayvon Martin. The police officer to him not to follow Martin. Therefore, it stands to reason that Zimmerman caused any alleged confrontation and was NOT attacked. In consequence, Zimmerman had a "duty" to retreat and had no "right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force" because it was not necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself. The necessity here, if there was one, was to obey the order to not follow.

Hence, Zimmerman had no legal right to shoot Martin and should be arrested and charged with first degree murder.