Woke up around 8:45am and left around 10:05am. Got on a straight bus to the metrolink station only took one hour and twenty minutes. Bought my ticket which was a little more than the website said, again the budget had to be adjusted. Got all the way to San Bernardino just to find out no trains would be leaving from there to day to Irvine and all the L.A. trains were running late. I had to buy a new ticket to get from San Bernardino back to Baldwin Park. I was almost in tears but I sucked it up and kept it moving. I made it to the L.A. station to find out I missed my train because the train I was on got us there thirty minutes late. There was another one leaving so I followed the directions with another guy to find out minutes later that the train was on the other side where it wasn’t supposed to be. I’m like really, is this really happening. I was already going to be two hours late but I thought better late than never. But if I waited on the next train school would be over when I got there and I’d still have to turn right around and go back to Baldwin Park. I realized reluctantly that my circumstances were beyond my control and I did everything in my power to stay in school and avoid taking a leave of absence. I don’t plan on quitting but I don’t like being irresponsible even when it’s not my fault. A tough decision must be made and I have to live with that decision. I never made it to school. In fact I’m on the train now writing this. It’s 5:42pm and my phone is off so I can’t call anyone and there is no Wi-fi so I can’t Skype. I tried my best to get to school been riding trains and buses all day just to be defeated. I may have been defeated in getting to school, my grades may not reflect my usual ability, I may be homeless and carless, I may not have much money in the bank but one thing I do know is that I am alive and well. I am saved and have a lovely relationship with God. I know that He will bless me with everything I need and that this too shall pass. The devil will not win because I already have the victory. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning. I may have had a minor set back but only God knows how that setback will work in my favor to bring me my major blessing. Like Savannah from Hell Cats tv show “Positive Outcomes Only”. Nothing but favor is coming to me and everything I’ve lost I will get back with an added bonus. #fromlonertoleader
On my way to Sacramento at 1:30am taking the rental car back, I had to swerve suddenly to avoid running into this big black object that was taken up the whole lane. In my attempts to avoid an accident the car started spinning and I lost all control of the vehicle and dirt was flying everywhere. I couldn’t see and I didn’t know where I was. All I could think was that the oncoming cars are going to hit me and uncle Jim will be responsible because the car was in both our names. I started calling God and Jesus. When the car finally stopped I was like OMG the devil is trying to kill me. I started crying and realized I was on the median. I got out the car and assessed the damage. It looked fine so I got back into the car and got back on the freeway. Thanking God through my tears fear begin to take over me. I started pleading the blood of Jesus. About 20 miles after the spin out the tire low air pressure light came on. I ended up stopping at a gas station and realized the back passenger side tire hub cap was cracked and there were little pieces of rocks in the passenger side tires. I worked for an hour trying to get them out before putting air in the tire. I managed to get most out and added the air. However, the light didn’t go off so I called emergency road side assistance. The lady assured me everything would be okay. I still had 209 miles to go to Sacramento and I really didn’t want to drive anymore. I made it to Sacramento by 5:15am. I waited for the tow truck to come so I could empty the car and put my belongings in my car. I took the car back, thank God for insurance. I called most of my family just happy to be alive. My friend/sister Lee Lee had already asked her mother if I could stay with them for the three weeks I had left for school. My grandma had given me money for metro fare to and from school. My mom bought me a ticket to get there. I had budgeted all my refunds and the little bit of money I had left in the bank. I thanked God again and asked Him to continue to help me past my tests with a great attitude. I had been 8s, 9s, and 10s out of 10 during this whole time accept for my birthday I was a 5. Well with my faith and determination I boarded the plan and prayed for God’s protection. I had no idea I would have to pay for my bag to be checked nor did I know the shuttle would be that expensive from what I was told. Needless to say, that hurt the budget a little. But being the survivor I am I easily adjusted things. Had a good night’s rest and was ready to conquer the bus and metrolink so I could get to school from Baldwin Park to Irvine. #fromlonertoleader
As a woman of faith I have to tell you that the past two weeks of my life have been trying and awesome all at once. My car was not in the perfect condition and I had owned it for several years. However, with proper maintenance and upkeep it would be fine. On my way home from Reno with my two brothers Jeremy and Rodrick and my sister Essence the car decides to breakdown just as we got off the mountain near Auburn. None of us panicked we just pulled over on the freeway and my brothers got out to check the under the hood. They wasn’t sure what the problem was and the car sounded like it wanted to start. After about fifteen minutes the highway patrol pulled up and assisted us off the freeway. Another My brothers pushed the car into the nearby gas station and a young man in a truck tried to jump the car. It didn’t start so we begin to think of what to do. It was after 8pm and getting dark. We ended up calling a tow truck company who came from Elk Grove to take the car to Sacramento where my grandmother lived. Unsure of how we were getting to Sacramento ourselves, my godfather in Reno got on the phone and in touch with my uncle Jim. He came all the way from Sacramento to pick us up and take us to my grandmothers while we awaited the news of my car. Mind you I still had to drop my brother off in Manteca, and my sister off in Fresno and I myself had to get back to school in Irvine. This expense became great and the money I had set aside for living expenses at the hotel began to dwindle down. For the first time since I got my license and car I had become carless. The tow truck was working hard to diagnose my car and one day became five days. We were stuck in Sacramento a whole week. We kept in contact with our parents and my godparents trying to find solutions to this problem. Money was running out and at this point I missed a whole week of school. My teachers were understanding but I still didn’t feel right about missing school. At least I spent my birthday with my two siblings instead of alone. We finally got the news about the car, it needed an engine and I nor my family could afford that. I needed to rent a car which I couldn’t do on my own so my uncle Jim helped us. Finally, I got home and packed my belongings and said goodbye to my hotel studio that had housed me for eight weeks of the semester. I checked into another hotel for two days before having to return the car back to Sacramento. I didn’t really have a plan. My lovely teacher Dr. Jago assisted me with the decision to try and stay for the remainder of the term and a possible leave of absence for Fall term and Spring term. #fromlonertoleader
BarnesandNoble.com
From Loner To Leader 