Grinding.

7 hours straight in the computer lab...frozen dinners...meetings...brainstorming...I'm on my grind!

I've gotten on myself a few times about not working as hard and as much as I should, so I figured I'd take a minute out to acknowledge myself. Yes, this is the traditional time when most students put the petal to the metal...sorry, I was burning my frozen vegetable pad thai...I digress, but yes, I was saying that I know this is typical crunch time for most, but I acknowledge myself for really pushing myself to take my work ethic to the next level. I know this is what I'm supposed to do, but it doesn't hurt to stop and recognize your efforts every now and again.

Interestingly enough, I recently fell in love with Jay-Z and Kanye's masterpiece, Watch the Throne. Picture me, cleaning the house with my ipod in ear doing the concert jump up and down while blasting Murder to Excellence. I know, gill. Don't laugh at me, I'm just really moved by how much passion and soul I feel through every word and stroke of instrumentation in their music. They've even produced a tune that I use for my Rocky-Balboa moments, when I'm prepping for my academic battles: Who Gon' Stop Me...Huh!

Anyway, don't judge me, I'm just sharing my life! I'm about to go eat this partially burnt meal and read about moral development in adolescence, but I'll share a fav from the album with ya, maybe you'll be inspired to rock out too:

http://rapgenius.com/Kanye-west-murder-to-excellence-lyrics
[Kanye]
And I’m from the murder capital where they murder for capital
Heard about at least three killings this afternoon
Looking at the news like "damn! I was just with him after school"
No shop class but half the school got a tool
And a "I could die any day"-type attitude
Plus his little brother got shot repping his avenue
It’s time for us to stop and redefine black power
41 souls murdered in fifty hours

[Hook]

[Verse 2: Kanye]
Is it genocide?
Cause I can still hear his mama cry
Know the family traumatized
Shots left holes in his face about piranha-sized
The old pastor closed the cold casket
And said the church ain’t got enough room for all the tombs
It’s a war going on outside we ain’t safe from
I feel the pain in my city wherever I go
314 soldiers died in Iraq, 509 died in Chicago

[Verse 4: Kanye]
Yeah it’s all messed up when it’s nowhere to go
So we won’t take the time out 'til we reach the T-O-P
From parolees to hold G’s, sold keys, low keys
We like the promised land of the OG’s
In the past if you picture events like a black tie
What the last thing you expect to see, black guys?
What’s the life expectancy for black guys?
The system’s working effectively, that’s why!
I’ll be a real man and take care of your son
Every problem you had before this day is now done
New crib, watch a movie cause ain’t nothin on the news but the blues
Hit the mall, pick up some Gucci, now ain’t nothing new but your shoes
Sunday morning, praise the Lord
You're the girl that Jesus had been saving me for
So let’s savor this moment and take it to the floor
Black excellence, truly yours

Go have a listen. Enjoy!


P.S.
BTW, the envelopes are in...to be continued...