Happy Birthday, Dad!

This is something completely different, but I’m happy that my dad is another year older. He’s been a great parent for me and I’m glad to have the opportunity to celebrate his special day. Happy Birthday, Dad! May you have a very blessed day today!

Christmas in a Pandemic

So much separation happened

My elder extended family members were forbidden for us to see them at their living facilities

Or for them to leave their current homes

Everything was at a phone call’s length

Or a computer screen away

The feeling of hugs vanished

While I made do with what I had and got to smile

I wondered…

Who knows if it will repeat next year?

Coding the Heritage

So many trees and vines
Were cast into obscurity
No machete could ever be strong enough to unlock
This mysterious bloodline
After curious attempts, I had to find this cryptic element
One strand of wisdom had to be taken
To know who I really was
And to have pride in where my ancestors trod.

My Reasons Why

This was a huge delay, but I need to make this post.

The wonderful Kimchisama created this award tag called My Reasons Why. This was innovative and something that can spread positivity around. I can certainly use some more substantive positivity, to be honest. Thanks, Kimchisama! I was honored when you nominated me and when you specifically mentioned how we had great conversations about different things on her blog.

Here are the rules for My Reasons Why:

1. Mention the person who nominated you

2. List 13 reasons why you keep going/living (This is borrowed from the book but I’m taking it the opposite direction).

3. Nominate 10 or more people to give their reasons why.

4. Use the picture that Kimchisama created as seen in this article.

Here we go!

1. My literary projects: When I got into writing stories 4 years ago, I realized that I had so much untapped creative potential. I finally got to release some of my books.

2. The Ospreyshire Project: This current spoken word/avant-garde music project I’ve been working on for 2 years has been a great creative progression.

3. My family: I’m glad that they support me and have helped me out.

4. My friends I still talk with: I’m glad to have some good friends who still want to reach out. Since I don’t have social media, this is huge and it lets me know who my real pals are.

5. Independent and foreign cinema: I’m glad there’s quality movies outside of Hollywood. That and I get to review them. Hee hee hee…

6. Books: I’m able to read things even if it’s mainly non-fiction.

7. Learning: Despite having a degree, I had to know that learning doesn’t end. That and I want to teach others about what I know.

8. Open-minded people: It’s amazing seeing people who actually care about others.

9. Miso soup: Okay, this is a superficial one, but I can’t say no to that soup especially on the rare occasions where I have Japanese food. Hahaha!

10. Being certified to teach adults: This was very unexpected, but I was able to get certified last December.

11. Geography: I enjoy learning about other countries and cultures.

12: The blogging community: I tackle tons of topics with all of my pages. It’s a miracle there are people actually interested in what I have to say.

13: My newfound assertiveness: I was always an internalizer, but blogging helped me express my feelings with people online and real life more often.

I hereby nominate the following:

The Zone of Nerders
Jenn
Xena
AfroSapiophile
Brandon Knoll
Elleguyence
Joshua Stamper
Madekesiworld
Mechanical Anime Reviews
Joshua Hedlund

Grammy, you will be missed.

It’s been very rough for me in these past few days.

I lost my Grammy Gloria, and it just saddens me.

She’s in that picture with my Granddad who passed away when I was 12 years old.

My Grammy lived to be 89 years young as she lived a full life being a great mother to my mom, aunt and uncle. Then eventually becoming a great grandmother to my sister, cousin, and I. She always wanted the best for me and she had lots of people who loved her.

I feel bad because this was unexpected and I just yearn to tell her that I love her and care about her again.

Grammy, may the angels welcome you in the great pearly dimension. Tell Granddad I said hello. You’re both reunited in a place where there’s no more suffering.

You may be gone on Earth, but I’ll never forget the amazing memories I’ve had with you during my lifetime.

From your loving grandson,

-Curtis

Katauta #28

This has been a painful week so far and I’m still processing everything.

My Grammy died earlier this week and I want to do something in her memory.

I made a Katauta that’s dedicated to her, but I’m also going to put another post later today about how I’ve been feeling after the fact.

RIP: Gloria Bland. You’ve lived a great life and you are loved so much.

I wish you could come back and really show how much I care about you.

-Curtis