Monday, November 6, 2006

Sad News

My dear father passed away today after a 9 month fight with lung cancer. He was surrounded by his family and was at home, which was his wish. I am soo sad that I don't know how I'm going to survive the next few days. Please pray for my daddy he was 63 years old and fought this all the way to the end. I was hopeful, but I guess God had other plans. My heart is broken because he was in pain at the end and that this happened so fast.

Please, I hope I can remain strong

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

PLAGIARISM

Does anyone else agree that it is lame to plagiarize a simple AOL journal entry? Well apparently Sharon does not. I have given you a chance to either apologize or to give me credit for my own writing and you have not; instead, you choose to block me.

Here is my original entry dated September 22, 2006-

Note to self: Don't try to lose the child in me.

Working at an after school program, I quickly realize how often us adults lose sight of the "child" in us. There are moments where I am either too serious, busy, or afraid of the challenges that lay ahead.

Does anyone know a child who holds grudges for a long time??I think not. I admire a child's ability to adapt to environments and learn new things without being intimidated. Children are constantly amazed at finding new things and are always curious...not usually frightened. They are trustworthy and see the good that people do. Most importantly, they are not prejudiced and are able to make decisions without that component that may blindsight that decision.

Yup, children don't know how lucky they are.

Now here is Sharon's entry dated some time in October-

after my visit I had a lot on my mind. (as you can see). Working in home day care,So many different stages, ages, boy, girl ect...  I quickly realize how often us adults lose sight of the "child" in us. There are moments  I am either to serious, busy, or afraid of the challenges that lay ahead. Does anyone know a child who holds grudges for a long time?  I admire a child's ability to adapt to environments and learn new things without being intimidated. Children are constantly amazed at finding new things and are always curious...not usually frightened. They are trustworthy and see the good that people do. Most importantly, they are not prejudiced and are able to make decisions without that component that may blindsight that decision. Children don't know how lucky they are
 
Sharon, its a shame that you have tainted my view of your journal and ability to write. Without any mention of me, what you did was plagiarize and being an English major, that is a very big deal. Instead of doing what is right, you choose to block me and probably delete that entry of yours. This did not have to turn into a big deal; although, I think that you probably never thought I would see this in your journal. This is a real shame and you lost an avid reader.
 
If you plagiarized my entry, who knows who else you did this to. It's only your integrity that's at stake...
 
So readers, beware of This Momma's Drama
 
thank you
 
 

 

Friday, September 29, 2006

Picture

No, not the tears again.

But they came, as I knew they were bound to do.

Looking at old pictures can make one happy or sad...long for that moment or being glad that there's the present. Well today I decided to look inside my coffee table drawer where I came upon pictures of Summer 2005. It was a great summer, probably the best I ever had, looking at it now. My dad, mom, and I went to Germany, Spain and Poland and it was terrific.

There's my dad with a glimpse of a smile that he never shows. It is him and a kitten inside his shirt pocket. 8 months before he would be diagnosed. If I had a scanner I would show you. The contrast is incredible.

Tears flowed before I could stop them, before I could realize that its only a picture.

My dad is back in the hospital having a blood transfusion.

And I only wish he could be that guy in the picture: blissful and ignorant of a pain that can cause so much suffering...

Friday, September 22, 2006

Kids

Note to self: Don't try to lose the child in me.

Working at an after school program, I quickly realize how often us adults lose sight of the "child" in us. There are moments where I am either too serious, busy, or afraid of the challenges that lay ahead.

Does anyone know a child who holds grudges for a long time??I think not. I admire a child's ability to adapt to environments and learn new things without being intimidated. Children are constantly amazed at finding new things and are always curious...not usually frightened. They are trustworthy and see the good that people do. Most importantly, they are not prejudiced and are able to make decisions without that component that may blindsight that decision.

Yup, children don't know how lucky they are.

 

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Novels, YEA

If only school was composed of classes- without deadlines, long papers, and needless presentations and homeowrk, then school would be fun! I'm really enjoying my 3 english classes I am taking this semester since I am reading many interesting books. I am also taking 2 Psychology classes, although to be honest, they are not as "enchanting" as the english ones,lol.

Books I've read so far: The Country Wife, Ruth Hall, The Coquette, and the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (the last could have definitely been left out!).

Other then that, I have a paper due Monday and online discussions for tomorrow. BUT it'll be Friday :)

Monday, August 21, 2006

Cancer Through a Daughter's Eyes

It's been a little longer then 6 months since my father's diagnosis and the pain is evident everywhere. The truth is I cannot imagine a world without my daddy when all the odds are stacked up against us. I feel the injustice of it all. It was not the lung cancer that prompted an emergency 911 call and ride to the hospital last Feb 6, but the pressure of the tumors on his brain that made him act funny and incomprehensible. Since then, not only has his stage 4 lung cancer gotten more aggressive, but so have my family's fears, cries, and anger.

My dad has always been strong. Never one to take a sick day, he taught me to bear it through, sometimes more then necessary. Now, seeing him wince in pain, trying to ignore it always makes me teary eyed. Then I get angry. How is it that some fathers are healthy, have wonderful children, wives, jobs, etc., and don't ever appreciate, or tell their families how much they love and cherish them? Why do they judge and complain, as if they are never going to get sick. How is it that my dad is always there for us kids and his time is spent in agony. This I will never understand and it will always make me angry.

My dad has lung cancer that has spread causing 3 tumors on his brain, tumors on his right shoulder and arm, his right knee, and now one on his clavicle which is right on the collarbone.

My life is torn in two. There are times when one part of me wants to destroy and ruin me. It wants to deny my ambitions and my relationships and I get to feel okay with that. Then there are days when I feel so very lucky. I've got two great and awesome parents, my own apartment completely paid by my parents, a 3.8 GPA which I am very proud of. I thank God every day that He has given me strength that goes against all odds. The last semester alone was one in which my dad was diagnosed, and my best semester gradewise ever. I can't forget my boyfriend whom it seems is a direct Godsend. Although sometimes I can. There are times when I need so much more than what I know may be his absolute best. Is it fair? Maybe not. But what I wanted in a guy maybe a year ago, is revised. I also absolutely hate that I have met him only two months after my grandmothersdeath.

I have a best friend whom I've grown closer with this summer. I guess people go through different phases and I know she might have went through one where school was the most important thing to her. She, out of all people, knows exactly what to say when need be. And she is honest in that ability. I know that her life is tough as well, maybe that's why I don't get angry or frustrated with her and don't say, "oh she's another one who doesn't understand." We both have huge responsibilites within our families but manage to have a blast whenever we hang out. That common ground keeps us together.

I don't know what my Babcie would have done if she were still alive. Knowing that her son has cancer would cause such hovac that I don't think she would ever have lived through it.

There are moments when I wish I was older-married with kids, employed, and just "set". This way I know my dad would have seen all of these milestones and I would be happy that we had shared them. But what of all these moments? What of my graduation and future? Who will look after me then. Who will look after my mom? My future husband- Jason or not, needs to welcome everyone. And I likewise, need to be welcomed by his entire family. Its funny how the thought had never even crossed my mind before all of this happened but now I cannot stand any other way. Even though I am asking these questions and have these feelings, sometimes they do not feel my own. It feels as though none of these horrible things are happening to me. Then I get the feeling that because it is, I should be compensated with something especially great in my life.

For now, my dad is a trooper, if not for himself but for his family. As the baby of the family, he knows I need him longer. I think back to those early days when I felt, "how am I going to look at my dad during his chemo sessions or when he won't have any hair?" "How am I ever going to get used to saying that my dad is retired and disabled, as he currently is?" No one understands until he or she has lived through it. As daddy's little girl, I know that these are the hardest moments in my life. Seeing the markered X's all throughout his body don't only signify "radiation" marks but life marks that enable my dad to live for another day. I will take these days over any knowing that my dad is safe and breathing in thenext room beside me.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Fill it in

Hi friends, I realize I have not written in a while so here is something to read about me in case you might not know :)
I Am  Joanna. I'm smart and intelligent- double major in Psychology and English. Thisalso means I can analyze you AND pick apart your language in bits, haha
I Want to win the lottery
I Have a dog named Bengie who is overweight and lazy but the best dog in my world :) Oh yes and an apartment!!!!!
I Wish my family lived close to me
I Hate the cold, not sleeping, doing chores
I Fear bugs. yuckk
I Hear music from channel 13-WNET
I Search for the truth!
I Wonder if the Mets will win the World Series
I Regret not joining enough clubs, sports, etc when I was younger
I Love my family, boyfriend, friends, pets, books, and cell phone
I Ache not now thankfully
I Always have time for people
I Usually am very responsible and considerate 
I Am Not who you think I am...
I Dance with my girlfriends :)
I Sing rarely
I Never curse out loud ():)
I Rarely drive, it's a pain in my butt 
I Cry easily
I Forgive if its a proactive apology- meaning there has to be a change. I usually forgive always but forget hardly
I'm Confused about my dads future :(
I Need lots of reassurance since I can never make up my mind,lol
I Should trust myself more
I realize that life is hard but worth living