BMCC Graduation: Dinner

My graduation was a hectic day, and more so because I was feeling quite sick for most of the day. After the ceremony, we retired home for a nap and then headed out to The Olive Garden for dinner.
Jon, David, Molly and my mom joined me to celebrate what had been a momentous day for me.


Savoring the moment, and the food.

Agroup picture after we had our fill.

Molly presented me with a gold band as a graduation present. It is inscribed with the phrase,"Living The Dream" BMCC 2008.


A group toast...I was not drinking so I took the picture.


My mom


My sister Molly

BMCC Graduation: Friends

Special occasions are made even more special when you can share it with good friends and I am fortunate to have lots of friends who graduated with me. Here are just a few of them whom I got pictures of on our graduation day.



Andrew, Tonisha, and Kenny were all part of the scholarship club of which I was president for two semesters.


Gaby was in my scholarship club as well and we also spent a week in Salzburg along with Juliana. We are all great friends, and members of the Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa.



A group of fellow graduates and well wishers who are present to witness our big day.



Elsie is one of my closest friends from my two years at BMCC. Even though we had no classes together, we were both in the Honor Society.



Alicia and Rachel both attended the Salzburg Global Seminar with me and we share those special memories.


Venus, another Salzburg alumni, joins Rachel and me for this picture.



Another Rachel, also part of the Honor Society...great person and good friend.



Last but not least, Tonisha, a trini like myself. We became fast friends the moment we met in the Spring of 2007.

BMCC Graduation: Madison Square Garden - The Family

One of he highlights of Spring was my graduation from Borough of Manhattan Community College, the first time in my life that I have graduated from any educational institution. This was a big step for me after dropping out of high school at the age of fourteen, to complete two years of college and BMCC. This is a part of my dream that I have held on to for many years, even when it seemed it would never become a reality.

The event was made even more special when my mother and sister, Molly, came to NY for the occasion. Jon was also present, and these three represent some of the many who have supported me and believed in me, even when I faltered. It is a day I will never forget and I am happy to have shared it with some very special people.

Somethings To Keep In Mind

Zen Sarcasms

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt or a leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed...... skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

12. Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield.

13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put back in your pocket.

15. A closed mouth gathers no foot..

16. Duct tape is like 'The Force' It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

17. There are two theories to arguing with a woman - Neither one works.

18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night

Columbia University, School of General Studies

Playing the waiting game is never easy, especially when you have no choice but to wait. That was the case with me before I came to London and up to the first week I was here. I was anxiously awaiting for news from Columbia University. Would I be accepted or not?

My advisers at BMCC, my previous college all believed that i would be, and I convinced myself that I would, but you never really know. I wanted to say, yes I will be accepted, but it was easy to doubt when there was no real way of knowing. Doubts would creep into my mind and play tricks on me and sometimes when I was alone, I would regress back into my old self when I doubted my abilities, my future, my dreams, everything really.

Redemption finally came in the from of an email from CU, telling me I was accepted as a student for the Fall 2008 Semester. I was ecstatic, overjoyed, thrilled that an answer had come, and a positive one at that. My friend Kalina was at hand and I immediately shared the news with her. Next I email a few people who was in this with me.

After the initial excitement subsided, I realized how fortunate I was to be a prospective student at the prestigious CU. I read later on that only 2% of students who apply actually get accepted, and here I was, one of the chosen. I am truly humbled and proud to be a part of such a select group. I am humbled to think of where I have come from, my family's background, my years 'in the wilderness' and the path that led me to where I am now.

I acknowledge that I did not get here alone. Thanks to my family, some of whom followed my progress in the last few years, all of whom believed that I had it in me to do it and helped in ways they could, and special friends who not only believed in me, but helped me tremendously to get to this point. Thanks to God and his faithfulness, even when we are not faithful, in directing our paths.

Thanks for being with me on this journey. Thanks for your presence, your prayers, your guidance, your time, and your love and friendship you have given over the years. That is what has helped me to live my dreams these past few years, and I know, will continue to inspire me in the years ahead.

London 2008

London has become one of my favorite places to visit and I always look forward to returning again and again. I arrived on the morning of June 2ND, and after a nice long session with some friendly and courteous officers, during which time they learned lots about me and my life, I was back to my Summer in London.

The weather was not what I had hoped for but it is what can be expected of London, even in the Summer. Overcast, cold and rainy, I ventured out of Gatwick and made my way to Canada Water to the house I would be staying at, the same house I lived in for most of two years between 2004-06. I was happy to be indoors and warm in 'my'room and I quickly settled in. Like a good host (and a great friend) that she is, Neisha had food and drink waiting or me, and I quickly made myself at home.

I should have taken a nap but I did everything but. I quickly set my status on Facebook to, "Adjodha is now in London." I emailed my London friends letting them know I was in the city, emailed my family and other concerned parties in regard to my safe arrival as well as my bonding time with officers I met on my arrival, and called the office to let them know I ready to work.

So began my Summer in London.

A Treasure of a Friend: 18 Years Later

Pam and I met for the first time on November 12th, 1990 and we hit it off immediately. I remember the day clearly because my birthday was two days later. I can still picture the moment I walked up the stairs only to see Pam's smiling face at the desk.I am sure that exact happened to many others. You can't help but fall under that spell and be charmed in a moment.

Pam wears her heart on her sleeve and is the most caring and compassionate person you will ever meet. Some people tend to take advantage of that but it has not changed her one bit. This lady just keeps coming back stronger than ever.

Life has not always been good and over the years, we have shared stories about our life, we have seen each other fall, we have faced disappointments and pain. We know what it feels like to have no money, no food, no job, and sometimes, no future.But through it all, Pam has always found that inner strength, a strength that comes directly from her faith in Him who is always in control, and she has persevered.

18 years is a long time and looking back, I have so many memories of the bad days and the good days. The bad days are like a shadow we can appreciate now because we have learned our lessons well from them. But the good days are here and I am glad I can share these good days with Pam.

Everyone in the world should have at least one good friend. Someone to turn too when the chips are down. Someone to cry with when times are bad, someone to laugh with and enjoy the good times. Someone who will always believe in you, no matter what you are up against. Someone whom you feel close to, even when oceans and continents separate you physically.

I have that good friend, and more than that, a great friend who personifies the meaning of the word 'friend.' Thank you for being my friend.





Only your friends will MAKE you shovel a driveway full of snow for your dinner.


Getting ready for the cold day ahead, Pam makes sure I am well covered and buttoned up.


November 2007, on a weekend visit to Pam's new home in Ottawa, Canada. We had Tea at a fancy hotel downtown.