Thursday, December 1, 2011

Clinicals for fall semester ended today!


After 12 wks of 16 hrs of clinicals/wk I have completed my rotations for the fall semester : )
Over the next two weeks I'm going to be focused on studying and succeeding on my two remaining finals, and working at my work-study position at the illustrious Founder's Library. (see picture). God bless.

NM

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Our New Home

Bonnie and I are all moved in to our first place together! It's a basement apartment, in a safe area of town, and [...drumroll] a mere 5 minute walk to my campus! I'm very excited to begin this last year of my undergrad years with Bonnie by my side and so close to campus. More to come soon.

NM

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A New Year

Today I sit at the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, LA, waiting for a flight back to DC to begin a new year.

This is an exciting time in my life...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

This passage spoke to my heart and this time in my life

"Healing Is A Choice" by Stephen Arterburn
Today I choose to heal.
My healing begins right now, in this moment
I am no longer bound by my sick past
There is healing in my future
No matter how difficult the struggle, I choose to persevere
I will accept that healing is sometimes slow and delayed and will grow in character in meantime
Today I will step outside of myself and serve others
I will find a need and fill itI will find the hurt of another and help heal it
I will not become self-absorbed or filled with self-obsession
Today I choose to live
Today I choose to love
Today I choose to heal.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Spring 2010 Sunday Chapel Service @ Howard University!

January 10
The Rev. Dr. William D. WatleySenior Pastor, St. James A.M.E. ChurchNewark, New Jersey
January 17
The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.Pastor Emeritus, Trinity United Church Of ChristChicago, Illinois
January 24
The Rev. Dr. Michael Louis PflegerPastor, Faith Community of Saint SabinaChicago, Illinois
January 31
Bishop John R. BryantPresiding Prelate, Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. ChurchChicago, Illinois
February 7
(To Be Announced)
February 14
Dr. John W. KinneyDean, School of Theology, Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, Virginia
February 21
Dr. Anthony CampoloProfessor Emeritus of Sociology, Eastern UniversitySt. David’s, Pennsylvania
February 28
The Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III Pastor, The Abyssinian Baptist Church; President, The University of New York College at Old WestburyNew York, New York
March 7
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenziePresiding Prelate, Thirteenth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. ChurchNashville, Tennessee
March 14
(Spring Break)
March 21
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia HaleSenior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian ChurchDecatur, Georgia
March 28
Palm SundayThe Rev. Dr. Renita J. WeemsScholar/Author and Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Community ChurchNashville, Tennessee
April 4
Easter SundayThe Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.Pastor Emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist ChurchCleveland, Ohio7:00 A.M. Sunrise ServiceDean of the Chapel
April 11
Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.Senior Managing Director, Lazard Freres & Co.New York, New York
April 18
The Rev. Otis B. Moss, IIIPastor, Trinity United Church of ChristChicago, Illinois
April 25
Dr. Cornel WestProfessor of Religion, Princeton UniversityPrinceton, New Jersey
May 2
Dean of the Chapel

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

One Last Splash for Summer 2009!

Lilly and I @ Summersville Lake in West Virginia

Friday, August 7, 2009

Squamish B.C. ehh !

I've recently concluded my second trip up to one of my favorite places - Squamish British Columbia; located in Canada one hour north of Vancouver and 45 minutes south of Whistler, Squamish is an idealic outdoor enthusiasts dream nestled along the Howe sound.
The atmosphere is particularly exciting up there this year as final preparations for the February 2010 Winter Olympics are being finalized!
Along with my friends Dom, Laura, Jimmy, Melody, Sarah, Erica, Tony, Andrew, and Dave, we camped, rock climbed, swam, hiked, sunbathed at lakes, slacklined, and just enjoyed some pristine R&R up in this paradise of the northwest (or southwest depending on what country's perspective you're coming from).

note: click any pic to enLARGE

The highways in Canada are in kilometers (i.e. 80 km/h = approx. 50 mph)
...I was NOT driving when I took this picture. lol


The rock in Squamish is high quality granite, which, although high in friction holds few good holds! Very challenging yet fun too! : )


All my organized climbing gear laid out the day before my biggest rock climb to DATE: The Ultimate Everything-A meandering "hike" up a 23 pitch big wall in 7 hours, 6minutes I did with my friend Dom; a treasured memory for the vault.


Along the way... (note: Mount Garibaldi can be seen behind me)

and finally... my attempt to slackline over @ Lake Murrin! SOOO much fun : )

Monday, June 15, 2009

A Milestone Trip for the Family!


(click to enLARGE any pic)
On Wednesday, June 3rd I made my way to San Francisco via Seatac airport to do a "cousins-only" roadtrip with my sister Ana, Ray, and Maya (our recent High School Graduate in the family)!


I was met by Ana @ the airport...she was standing amidst the chauffeur limosine drivers! lol.

Ana and I then made our way downtown on the "BART" to our cousins Ray and Maya who had flown out from Connecticut earlier (SNAPS y'all!). We stayed in the Cathedral Hill Hotel (http://www.cathedralhillhotel.com/) for two nights.


Our activities while in San Fran included:
-eating at a delicious Indian Restaurant (it was Ray's first time eating Indian food-she liked it!)

-walking around the at-times sketchy Tendorloin district (there are a LOT of homeless and drug addicted folks suffering there... let's pray for 'em)

-riding the famous Cable Cars!
-shopping @ "Out of the Closet"- a Queer thriftstore whose proceeds benefit AIDS relief efforts


-checking out China Town

-getting some fresh air and clam chowder down at the Fisherman's Wharf
After San Fran, on Friday, June 5th we rented a Jeep!

A 3.5 hr drive led us to Yosemite National Park where we enjoyed a 2-night stay at the Evergreen Lodge (http://www.evergreenlodge.com/). Thanks Dad and Kat!...what a great experience we had there.

Very relaxing and inspiring scenery! We enjoyed playing board games, cozying up by campfires, watching deer and bears (from afar!), feeling very small below some of the most massive rocks,
trees, and waterfalls in the entire world.
I feel blessed to have discovered and shared this place with three of the most important people in my life.

...as well as some locals we had the privilege of meeting!

After Yosemite, Ana, Maya, Ray, and I drove on Sunday, June 7th down the coast thru Big Sur to Ana's pad in Long Beach California. This drive marked a PERSONAL RECORD for me: 12 hours straight... it was rough y'all, but we made it- we soulJAH'S!!
This guy was fidgety in his seat too! lol.

To culminate a beautiful trip, Monday, June 8th we went to the movies and Ana's roommate Lisa (who is a manager @ Disneyland) surprised us with free tickets to Disneyland! It was my first time there !! It was a 26 year-old kid's dream-come-true! lol. Thanks Lisa!
One of the mild rides we went on! lol

Tuesday, June 9th Ana was due back to school, and my cousins and I had flights to catch.
I dropped off Ray and Maya @ the airport, the rental car was returned, and I caught a flight back to Seatac airport.

Praises be to the Lord for keeping us, guiding us, counseling us, and bringing our family closer together thru the experience of this trip... now a collection of precious memories. Thanks to everyone who helped make the trip a success.

Yosemite San Fran Big Sur

Ray of Hope for Free Healthcare in DC!

I am very inspired by the efforts of the medical students @ Howard University! Props!

As we all know all too personally, America’s health care system is in crisis. Millions of people lack insurance and access to vital care. But soon, medical students at Howard University will be doing their part to support those in need.

The New Freedmen’s Clinic – created and operated entirely by medical students – will open its doors to the city's under served community on June 18.

Dr. Charles Mouton is the group’s mentor, and soon-to-be chief attending physician in the weekly clinic. Mouton is professor and chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Howard. He’ll oversee patient treatment plans and sign prescriptions.

“Anytime you have young folks that are full-time students and asking them to design, plan, populate a brand new undertaking like a clinic is huge,” he said.

Let's keep hope y'all. Pray for my involvement in this important project for next school year.

NM

For further info about what's happening with that check it:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=134279

Sunday, May 17, 2009

The COST of being a climber.

(click to enLARGE)
I estimate that I spend somwhere in the range of 280 US Dollars each year on climbing equipment (i.e. new rope, gear, shoes/resoles) plus maybe $500.00 each year on climbing trips. Total, less than a grand- that's it (right now anyways!). For something that cost less than 10% of most people's annual salary (e.g. tithing @ Church), climbing's role and value in our lives I'd estimate to be of MUCH higher percentage than that. Looking at it that way the price is not bad!


I find the demanding cost(s) of climbing isn't money, but the sacrifices we make...

for the trips to happen,

for the lifestyle to be LIVED,

for our body's fitness to be sustained at a level up to our potential,

for our relationships with one another to thrive,

for waiting out crappy weather!


The COST?... money is measureable- that isn't it. The cost of being a climber is our more personal sacrifices made to make experiences happen.

Let's face it...

memories, dream destinations, and climbing projects

...priceless.


NM

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Finals are DONE! SUMMER 2009 !!!

This marks a significant milestone for me; I have successfully passed all my pre-requisite coursework for entry into upper division courses for completion of my BSN in May 2011.

I'll be starting my clinical rotations in the fall in Howard University's Nursing Program here in DC.

I thank God first and foremost, my family, and my friends (y'all know who you are!).

The support, prayers, cards, phone calls, and just positive thoughts my way have been much appreciated (and definitely felt).

This semester was stressful for me, but now it's time to:

RELAX
WORK steady shifts @ the hospital as a CNA (to $ave/gain clinical experience)
&
begin my TRAVEL plans for out west! (Oly June-August 14th, LA Roadtrip w/ Ana June 4th-9th)
...oh yeah, and
try to CLIMB up things!
lol

NM

Monday, April 6, 2009

The LONG-AWAITED next posting of: http://www.pebblewrestle.blogspot.com/ !
lol.

NM

Saturday, March 21, 2009

SMITH rocks!

(click to enlaRGE )

I just wrapped up a 5 day rock climbing trip to Smith Rocks State Park in Oregon along with my friends Scott, Dom, Laura, Jimmy, and Jeremy. It was such a blast pulling hard, scouting out some new areas and lines, eating well, and just laughing and conversating all together.

I arrived 10am Friday, March 13th at Portland Int'l Airport and impatiently waited SIX HOURS for Scott to arrive (he had a full work day)...we quickly got on our way, grabbing some grub @ Taco Del Mar before speeding to Redmond, where we found a sweet weekly special rate @ Motel 6 (w/ ALL the amenities: Internet, Cable TV, two Queen sized beds, Hot tub)... I felt a li'l guilty because the other guys coming were camping out in the cold, but they were cool about it- deciding to preserve our friendships and just call us 'wimps." The weather forcast called for 90% precipitation with temps in the 40's F, but feeling like the low 30's F... ...fortunately, for everyone's sake, the weatherpeople were high on crack because the next day arrived with sunny, T-shirt weather and an early start by our standards (8am)...we convened @ the parking lot with Dom, Laura, Jimmy, and Jeremy. It was really good to see everyone...although I wish Micah and Jared could've come too. We enjoyed 1 and half days climbing together, before Dom, Laura, Jimmy, and Jeremy headed back home; then Scott and I stayed and climbed til Wednesday.

Top Highlights for the trip:
Jimmy's Onsight of Five Easy Pieces, 5.12a as a WARMUP!
Scott's flash of his hardest TR @ Smith Honey Pot, 5.10a
My flash of my hardest trad lead Wartley's Revenge, 5.11b
Exploring a new area @ Smith- North Point (Thanks Tegan)
Starting my new Smith project Aggro Monkey, 5.13b
Climbing the 2 pitch trad classic Spiderman, 5.7 with Scott


(click to enlaRGE )
My high point (L) on Aggro Monkey 1st day on it.
Note: the 1st two clips were unclipped to reduce rope drag after subsequent clips were made

(click to enlaRGE )
Dom getting stOked. 1st day, 1st route of trip!

(click to enlaRGE )
Scott sending Phonecall from Satan, 5.9

(click to enlaRGE )
The immaculate Spiderman buttress...really good! The best moderate multipitch I've done.


( s-l-0-w) footage of my 3rd go redpoint of 5 Easy Pieces, 5.12a...again PROPS to Jimmy for the Onsight as well as Dom for flashing it a year ago.

GOD bless y'all,

NM

Friday, February 27, 2009

Why do you climb?

Okay, stick with me here... I'ma get abstract for a sec. lol...

In the movie "Chariots of Fire" Eric Liddell says:

"I want you to do more than just watch a race.
I want you to take part in it.
I want to compare faith to running in a race.
It's hard.
It requires concentration of will...
energy of soul.
I believe God made me for a purpose...
[God] made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure..."

This sentiment is what my climbing is about.
Climbing, for me is a form of physicality that prayer and meditation take. Climbing at its worst is self-centered loathing and arrogance; climbing at its finest is shared, fun competition, healthy shanagans, psyKed road trips, and the realization of possibility.

If prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening. A hypothetical "conversation" with God can be found thru life pursuits that involve both active prayer and active meditation. Climbing I guess is an abstract conversation of sorts, for me...a lifelong one.
Just one more minute...

I want to compare faith to a rock climb. It's hard.

Like prayer,

the balance, strength, tenacity, forgiveness of pain, surrender of anxiety, humble confidence, and unforgettable experiences as a result of climbing are a testament and vehicle for the magnificence of God's creation.

[click to enlarge]

Amen.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Training continues...


Grandma hooked me up with an Iron Gym™!
+
My new inspiration: http://novebi.ning.com/video/campus-boarding

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Inauguration of our 44th President!


President Obama, First Lady Michelle, Malia, & Sasha

Well, first off, I consider myself extremely lucky to have been part of the less than 1% of American citizens who witnessed, first-hand, a HISTORY-MAKING MOMENT: the Inauguration of President Obama, our nation's FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT! A proud day for us all. Here are a couple photos from my day out alongside two million fellow citizens (a record attendance) ...

[click on any picture to enLARGE]


A photo I snagged the Wednesday prior to Inauguration, during final preparations @ the U.S. Capitol (How nice would it've been to have had a seat HERE for President Obama's speech!)


"SuperObama!"...one of many fan-favorites


My cousins Maya & Raynel



The Washington Monument


Have YOU ever stood alongside two million people?
It's mind-bending! What was particularly (lol, dare I say) trippy was that everyone was really well-mannered; there was NO yelling, fights, ransacking, or rioting (Metro Police & city officials reported similarly)... It was powerful during the Inaugural prayer service having that many people pray together too. "Yes we CAN!"


Uncle Charles, Raynel, & Maya marching on!


A photo mosaic of my view @ the Inauguration; an experience-of-a-lifetime...one I'll never forget.

I've been reminiscing on the significance of this occassion for my people of the past (who are no longer with us physically), and I am looking forward to sharing stories of this moment with future generations; in the words of President Obama, "for our childrens's children."


This is my proudest day as an American citizen.

God bless you Mr. President ,

and God bless the United States of America.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Climbing Tick List for 2009

Big goals for me this year are to redpoint 5.13b/8a, do a one-arm pull up, go to Yosemite for the 1st time, and (follow in my friend Micah's footsteps) send v10

(Notice: this list is bound to be added to! I'll be ecstatic if I get half of this order done!)

Routes:

@ Smith
Pioneer Route 5.7 A0
Spider Man 5.7
Blue Light Special 5.11a
Magic Light Extension 5.12b
Vision 5.12b
Latest Rage 5.12b
Full Heinous Cling 5.12c
Go Dog Go 5.12c
The Quickening 5.12d
Churning in the Wake 5.13a
Aggro Monkey 5.13b

@ Exit 38
Mr. Big 5.12a
Stihl Fingers 5.12a

@ Exit 32
Bust a Rythym 5.12c
Propaganda 5.12c/d
Californicator 5.12d
Californication 5.13a
Chronic 5.13b

@ Squamish
... something up at the Big Show @ Cheakamus Canyon

Boulder Problems:

@ Yosemite
...anything! ... as many moderates as I can get my hands on!
Midnight Lightning v8
The Force v9
Thriller v10

@ Leavenworth
The Fridge Left v8
Millenium Traverse v8
WAS v8
Kobe Ty v8?
Dirty Dude v10
...I'll look for what else is possible for me

@ Goldbar (getting here in '09 will be weather/circumstance-dependant)
Obesity v7
Lighten Up v9
The Rubix Cube v9
Ross Bongo v9
Ebriosity v11
... I want to do more exploring here too

@ Squamish
Gull Skull v6
Lounge Act v6
Immunity Challenge v7 (props to Dom for his inspiring send of this line!)
ATD v7
Mantra v8
Worm World Cave v9
The Backseat v10

...wheeew, makes me tired just thinking about all these climbs! We'll see how feasible this all is (I also have to make $2-3000 for school ) lol. Have a beautiful, inspired 2009 y'all.

NM

Friday, January 9, 2009

Washington (State)

Well, my winter break is officially over.

With my first week of course work for spring done and a 8hr shift @ the hospital tommorrow, vacation's officially OVER. I had a wonderful, refreshing, surprising, and warm holiday in Olympia, WA with my Mom, Corey, my brothers Cheyne and Oni, as well as their cat Skittle!

(Skittle isn't in this family portrait; he's hiding somewhere scared...this photo was taken on New Year's Eve, which also was Cheyne's 15th Birthday!)

I was surprised by the amount of snow there in Washington... approximately 2 feet! Probably the second most that I've EVER seen in Washington. My brothers and I had fun trekking around, sledding, having a snow ball fight and building an Igloo, which, I'm sure I speak for my brothers, was the coolest thing I've ever helped build and I'm proud of it!

I also enjoyed long walks with my Mom and good conversation with Corey during our car travels

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Warehouse Rock Gym Session


Click on images to zoOM.







This is a funny outtake of me climbing @ Warehouse Rock Gym (lmao...I'm fine after this incident).







My send of a difficult (for me) boulder problem - "Climbing Barbie" v8 (good one Jimmy)



Saturday, December 13, 2008

(Brief) History of Howard University

The land that now occupies Howard University was an Indian reservation prior to the start of the Civil War. Washington, DC was dubbed the “capitol of the freedman,” by the end of the Civil War, because there were several primary and secondary schools available to blacks; thus the area was an ideal location for black higher education.

1862
Freedman’s Hospital opens (in building that’s now Howard University’s Nursing & Allied Health Sciences Department Building); predecessor to Howard University Hospital

January 1865
US Congress passes the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery

January 1867
The Freedman’s Bureau purchases first 3 acres of campus (147 acres added)

May 2nd, 1867
School chartered (first four students were white female); the school quickly evolved from exclusively a theology school to a teaching school and finally a full-fledged 7-department University; FIRST & ONLY SCHOOL OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES FOR ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE OR GENDER

The name of the university is derived from the third president of the school, a white man named Howard- believed blacks should be educated. The school was twice investigated by the US Federal Government to check how the The Freedman’s Bureau’s funds were being spent- there was suspicion as several Howard faculty were former generals of the Civil War…both inspections were passed. Howard University’s first vice president was John Mursa Langston- the Dean of Law School.

1869
First black School of Law in the United States founded at Howard University (founded in part to meet the legal needs of newly freed slaves)

1873
“without the Freedman’s Bureau, Howard University wouldn’t be here today”
The Freedman’s Bureau withdraws funding Howard University; $500,000/yr

1873-1879
period of struggle; University relied entirely on private donations + revenue from sale of adjacent property---present day reservoir

1879
Frederick Douglass passes (member of Howard University’s Board of Trustees)

1879-1928
Subsidy granted by US Congress (annual fight for funds…constant fighting)

1911
Howard University’s first Black History course taught

Howard University’s last white president (to date), President Durkee, is pressured to resign after it was discovered that he was simultaneously, presiding over a racially segregated college elsewhere. The first black elected president of Howard University, Bishop John, declined the promotion.

1926
First Black President of Howard University sworn in, Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson; served, to date, longest tenure as University’s President 1926-1960 referred to as Howard University’s “Golden Age”; during Dr. Johnson’s tenure, Howard University went from 8 schools- none accredited to 10 schools-all accredited; the “Golden Age” was defined by the successful tenure of Dr. Johnson (including dropping all pre-collegiate courses) and a virtual monopoly of black intellectual America (whereas today talented black minds can do scholarly work at any higher education institutions without prejudice/discrimination)

1928- ?
Appropriation from US Congress to Howard University “for Construction, Development, Improvement, and Enrichment” (made annual $ allotment to Howard law); Louis Cramton (which the auditorium is named after) instrumental in this effort to secure federal funding; At present, funds from US Congress constitute one third of campus budget …”with the economy how it is, things can always change…the goal is to be self-reliant [stable] regardless of government funds.”

1879-1926
Segregation & Discrimination

  • Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896) landmark United States Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation even in public accommodations, under the doctrine of "separate but equal"
  • WWI (1914-1918)
    Blacks are allowed to enlist as officers for the first time in US history; 1200 black men serve-200 from Howard University; Howard University’s ROTC program founded in 1919
  • Revolt of the Black Intellectuals
    Howard’s faculty rejects philosophy of Booker T. Washington (founder of Tuskegee Institute- pioneering black vocational school) during his tenure at Howard; Classical Education vs. Industrial Education is the famous debate between him and W.E.B. Dubois
  • The New Negro (1925), Synonymous with, and a catalyst for, the Harlem Renaissance; 'The New Negro' essay was written by Howard University Professor of Philosophy Alain Locke- describes the psycho-social transformations in response to oppressive systems of power…not relying on older time-worn models but, rather, embracing a 'new psychology' and 'new sprit'. Central to Locke's prescription was the mandate that the 'New Negro' had to break all racial, social and psychological impediments that had long obstructed black achievement.


1930
Thurgood Marshall is accepted to Howard University’s Law School (after being denied access to, and successfully suing, University of Maryland); later, Marshall along with Howard University’s Dean of Law, Charles Hamilton, would construct their case Murray v. Pearson, a crucial civil rights case that would lay the foundation for Brown vs. Board of Education, which brought an end to segregation in the United States; Thurgood Marshall would later become the first black US Supreme Court Justice in history.

1955
Howard University’s first doctoral program is started

1958
Howard University’s first PhD graduates

1960-1969
Howard University’s President Dr. Nabert’s tenure

1969-1989
Howard University’s President Dr. Chaeek’s tenure

April 12th, 1975
Howard University Hospital opens on Georgia Ave; seven stories, 515 beds; former site of the Washington Sentinels baseball stadium

1990-1994
Howard University’s President Dr. Jenifer’s tenure

1995-2008
Howard University’s President Dr. Swygeat’s tenure

2008- ?
Howard University’s President Dr. Sidney Ribeau’s tenure (nice man, he attends Chapel routinely with all the students and is very accessable and knowledgeable, which I respect)


Today
200 areas of study
25 PhD programs
22 institutes/research centers
95 buildings
515 bed hospital
10,000+ undergraduate/graduate students
4,565 faculty/employees

Friday, December 12, 2008

Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays to You!

I hope this time of year finds everyone well...I just finished my first semester at Howard University and I am looking forward to seeing family and friends in Washington State on December 18th-January 3rd. Be blessed y'all.


Holiday Banquet Hosted by Grandpa's Shiloh Baptist Church (righthand picture is of the church deacons, Grandpa is front-row center)


The legendary artist/producer Quincy Jones was on campus the other day...it was fun seeing and hearing him in person!


The hustle and bustle...DC never sleeps (well...the metro does stop between midnight and 5am)













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