Currently, I am an unhappy graduate student trying to find this thing called passion. My major is Applied Mathematics in an effort to teach college level coursework whether it be at a two or four year university. I had prayed for months for God to bless me with an acceptance letter to a university. I did not care the cost; I would have payed a million dollars in cash on the spot (something I do not have) or sold one of my healthy organs (something I do have). This is my first semester and I am must say, again, I am not pleased. Between the challenging coursework, my white male teacher with superiority complex, and the hour plus long commute, I am feeling quite drained. Prior to me starting graduate school, I felt like I was getting a life. My social life started Friday night and ended around four am on Sunday. I NEVER went out during undergraduate or drank alcohol so you can say I am making up for lost time. Yet lately my going out and drinking has tripled. I was so determined and focused to get into graduate school that my life was based around application deadlines and transcript cost. After being accepted and failing my first test for two of classes, all I can say is, “Where is the next party?”

My introduction to The Odyssey came from a new favorite friend. I guess she had been writing these articles all summer and I did not notice. I knew she was a writer, her major is English, but I did not know the extent of where and what she wrote. She mentioned to me about writing for The Odyssey one day and I figured why not. I was looking for a a new hobby that was beneficial to my intellect so to speak. One of my bucket list items has always been to write a book. Books can range from hundreds to thousands of words. As a math major, writing is something we are just not used to. When I wrote my first article, I loved it. It was corny but funny, I mean I laughed while writing it and after it was edited. My article count is I do not know and I do not care. I have written so many articles (not that many) and want to write so many more. Who knew that I would have so much content; well honestly I did. People have described me as quiet and maybe now I have a voice. Every emotion of my daily life or opinion I have is linked to these articles. I invest so much time in these articles for the sake of me and my reader but little did I know the best was yet to come.

Yesterday night, September 10, 2016, between the times of ten thirty and eleven pm, I received the best group me message of my life. My editor, (not mentioning her name for safety and curiosity purposes) the first one to read my article, told me how she appreciated my effort and my articles were her favorite (Some people are struggling to find content to write about; five hundred words is a lot for some people). My heart melted and I wanted to cry. That night did not get any better but I was not going to let anyone ruin it because I received the best compliment ever. She said how great of a writer I was and how she wished she could be like me. Is that not the sweetest message ever?!? Let me add that we have never met. After reading that message, she reminded me why I do it and why I will not stop doing it. Good Luck & Best Wishes to my first semester of graduate school grade point average.