Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A happy blog post

Because my real life --with the exception of certain relationships and recent tragedies--is fairly entertaining in a positive way, I am bringing some of this energy to "Keysha Does Amherst" this morning. I don't like to burden my "offline friends" with my inner thoughts and insecurities as they are, unless they are spilling over; primarily my very close friends are the only folks who access this blog at all (thanks for checking on me :) ). For the most part, however, 2012 is closing out well.

Some updates:

1) I found a counselor/therapist who has helped me through this very tough period (See posts "So I Went To See a Shrink..." from last December through "When keeping it real goes wrong", late September 2012). She has been amazing and has helped me rein in all of the craziness going on around me. If she ever reads this, "Thank you." And I will probably never let my SB faculty advisor read this, but he definitely sat with me while I recounted events, resisted help, and eventually called Every Woman's Center to set up sessions while crying (finally) happy tears. Thanks, Nat.

2) I've resisted writing new posts so I would not have to read the old ones. For a while, they were just too painful for me. Talking about what has happened does help, though. And finally, I recognize how entirely abusive and unnecessary that entire situation was. I will not say that I regret any of that experience, however. I learned quite a bit about myself and my resilience; for instance, I have a pretty mean right hook...and I hope never to be pushed to use that skill again.

3) I'm happy in my skin. I've been through a lot of other people's BS in addition to those limitations I imposed upon myself, but I'm spiritually and emotionally good. Very little people can say to me or about me will make me react. I'm not at all claiming invincibility; I'm just saying that life is good, in spite of how terrible some folks want it to be.

4) I'm ABD. Finally!

5) I've realized how blessed I am to have the best friends in the world. Friends who scope out rooms to ensure your safety (or check out the guy who you were checking out to see if he was checking you out). Friends who can pinpoint (literally) the longitude and latitude of every memory you share together. Friends who welcome seven-hour conversations just to catch up...even from midnight to daybreak. Friends who hold you accountable. And, finally, those very important friends who raised you and/or grew up with you and know you better than you know yourself. Thank you.


Amherst is really starting to grow on me. I've even earned a nickname from who I see as the local Gandalf: "Clove".

No apocalypse jokes on those last statements, please :)