Upcoming Thanksgiving!

Man I can not wait until Thanksgiving of 2008! This is by far the best holiday besides Easter and Christmas! It is not only the major gathering of the family once every year, but the food is already arising to my taste buds! I mean literally macoroni and cheese, croissants, collard greens, mashed potatoes with cheese toppings, potato salad, cornbread, red beans and rice, family special gumbo, turkey, ham, dressing, casserole, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, oh my goodness, and I'm just getting warmed up. I can't wait to see all my cousins in New Orleans, so we can go by Beignet's, hang out, and talk about the good ole days. It is always fun when my family gets together. Sometimes we have some misunderstandings, but we come to ourselves and squash whatever was causing the problem immediately because we know that we are one as family, and we should love each other no matter what. We do love each other a lot. I just look forward to adding a new chapter to just how great and amazing GOD is by allowing the family to meet, gather, and love each other one more time! GOD bless! peace!

My strange dream.

Hey what up and whats happenin? It is ya boy Keith with another one! Naw I'm just playin but I have been having some strange dreams lately. Have you ever had a dream when you felt like you were about to die? For an example, I dreamt one time that I was falling off of this building once, and it felt like I was falling into this abyssmal. I remember that I was acting it all out, and couldn't wake up from it. But as soon as the ground emerged, and right before I could hit the ground, I wake up with unrestrainable fear. I would wake up drenched in sweat, feeling immeasurably hot, and my breathing was heavy until the point I could not even lift up my chest. I had this one dream the other day that has been haunting me like never before. It started like this: The world was very corrupt and very chaotic. There was red everywhere for everyone was killing, raping, stealing from, and torturing each other in a way that life was meaningless. All I heard were screams of fear and terror echoing through all the parts of the world. It seemed like the world was coming to a close. I even was saw people eating other people; it was just drastic and horrific. I had soon recognized what these days were: it was the wrath of the anti-christ, the devil. I was so terrified that these things were happening that I tried to hide, but it was impossible. There were three-headed monsters that were just gobling up people one by one slashing their heads off and eating their body parts as well. It was nothing but darkness and fire blazed the cities. I was looking for my family, but the commotion bewildered me into running just to save my life. All the buildings were deteriorated, but I had managed to find my house. I went inside, and it was so deserted, filthy, and disgusting that I did not even want to set foot inside. But I heard one of the monsters heading in my direction, so I figured that it was the only place of safety. Then out of nowhere, I heard my baby brother start to cry from his crib. So, this drove me nuts because I knew that once the monster heard him he was going to devour hin as soon as he came in contact. So, I thought fast on my feet. I had a huge ancient spear that I could drive through its back and scoop up my baby brother and escape as fast as I could in my uncle's truck. And, that is exactly what I did. As I attempted to exit the city, it was only one way out: over the bridge, but it was unfinished. So, there was basically no way out. I noticed that my brother was not crying anymore. Once I looked back there, he was gone! I was at the steep of a heart attack now. I also noticed that the truck would not stop upon getting closer to the end of the unfinshed bridge which was open to wide open space of water. I'm also afraid of deep masses of water which made the situation even worse. Once I knew that it was not going to stop, I figured that my life was surely over. Once the car went over the bridge, I felt a lot of heat arise to my body, but just before I hit the surface, I woke up! it was the strangest dream that I have ever had thus far.

This week was historic: For me!

No not only did Barack Obama, the FIRST BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT, get the office, but I survived this weekend. A lot of things were thrown my way like tests, people getting on my case, and not being focused, but GOD brought me through once again like he always does. The best thing that I learned this week was how to have perseverence. I learned to tough it out when the going gets rough. I never did give up on GOD because I knew it was something he was trying to get across to me. GOD has really revealed a lot of things to me this week that has enabled me to learn a liitle bit more about myself and life. For an example, I have had three tests this week. I was telling people who I thought were my friends about my situation of how overwhelmed I was because I did not properly prepare for the tests over the weekend. But instead, they were kinda shootin me down as if I was not going to succeed. It kind of hurt me, but I did not let it soak in me. I honestly thought I was going to fail, but I am blessed to say that I passed with A's on all three tests. I was so overjoyed because I knew that it was nobody but GOD that reassured me and came right on time. I just want to thank him right now because I was about to throw in the towel this week. I just want to say if anyone is reading this and you have not accepted Jesus Christ in your heart and has not changed all the bad things you used to do, I would like to encourage you to pray that you recognize that Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood to pay for our sins so that you and I could have salvation and eternal life in heaven, repent of your sins and give reverence to him as a token of appreciation. I promise you that you won't regret seeking after GOD because he has something special in store for you: I guarantee it!

Last Holloween!

Last year on this very same date was the scariest Halloween that I had ever encountered. I had never feared anything (I still don't except God), but after the course of events that occurred, I was very terrified of the outcome that presented itself. This is how it all went down. On October 30, 2007, I was very annoyed by everyone talking about how they were going to prepare for Halloween. And after school, I was walking home with my friends and one of them asked me, "What was I going to do for Halloween?" I simply told him nothing with the frustration of being asked the question carrying out with my answer. All of them blurted out "Are you serious?!" because they knew that we were too old to go trick or treating, but figured we could do something else that will scare all of us like going to the haunted house, to a party, or to the movies. I told them, as well as everyone else, that no one could scare me. It was a long drawn silence before we changed subjects. But, from then on I kinda knew what my friends intentions were. The next day, I was feeling weak all over like I couldn't move at all. I laid down for a while to see maybe I probably slept in the wrong position. Eventually, I got up and could barely walk. When I opened the door, a devil's face lowered because my dad tries to get me every Halloween with. I said,"Nice try daddy!" with the surface of boredom surmounting in my face. I was almost late to get on the school bus. I said hello to my friends, but they were acting real funny. When I went to lunch, I saw that they were trying to set me up by telling me what was going to happen at a party, but I told them I'm still not going. The last period came, and before we were dismissed, the teacher asked us to please be safe. I heard her but I was really ignorant at the same time. We were dismissed, and I was so glad because I was exhausted. As soon as I got home, I immediately jumped in my bed and went to sleep. Once I woke up, I noticed that it was nighttime. I went downstairs to see if my mom and dad were home yet. They weren't. I seen that it was way too quiet. I tried to call them but the power line was out. I still wasn't worried until I went outside and seen that all the lights on my block was out, and no one I mean no one was in sight. I quickly went back in the house and locked every door and window. Soon, I saw the police car approach the house, I went to the door to try and stop him. I did and he was alarmed because he told me that I was the only person in the neighborhood. He told me that the electricity should be back on momentarily. He told me to be safe. At this point, I was ready to panic. After the lights came back on everything was going off including the telephone. the only thing is the telephone continued to ring and every time I picked it up, no one would answer. This happened three times. I tried to call someone but it was like all of their numbers were blocked. Then I realized that someone I knew was playing games with me. The phone rang again and it was very loud. AS soon as I tried to answer someone rang the doorbell. I felt like I was in a horror movie. I was walking slowly toward it, and all of a sudden SOMEONE in a black trench coat with a black hat blasted through my window!!! I raced up the stairs and was sobbing like a little baby in my room once I slammed my door behind me. I thought my life was going to end that night. I heard the person's footsteps come up the stairs, and I was so frightened that I was shaken all over. The person seemed tall like 6'9". I Tried to call the police, but the line was cut off. The dude eventually heard me sob and pulled out a sledgehammer and tore down my door. As he appeared towards me, I started to have all kinds of heart attacks. He lifted the sledgehammer as if he was about to deliver the blow to my head, but before he lowered it he took off his mask, and I noticed that it was the janitor at my school! After that everyone flooded into room screaming, "Happy Halloween!" I felt so sick that I ran to the bathroom and threw up half of my stomach.

This weekend: I can't wait!

I am so ready for this weekend because there a lot of fun that that I am getting involved in this weekend. I have to make up for some lost time with my girl, so this Friday me and her are going to see the high school rivalry game together. She says she loves to spend quality time together. Then after that we are going to see the movie called Saw V which should really be good because me and her like to watch scary movies together. She says she likes it when we cuddle together. Well if that ain't enough, we gone go to Raising Canes and get a chicken finger plate, and we gone eat there. She said she likes to just stare at me while we eat. I said why. She said because she can picture me and her and what we gone do after the day is done. After all the festivities, me and my girl gone chill outside, if the moon is out, the stars are bright, and it looks good outside, and just look at the sky and tell each other how much we admire each other. Then I'm going put the icing on the cake before the sunlight peaks over the horizon. Oh its gone be the best weekend ever!

WOW! How did I make it to this point!

"Wow! How did I make it to this point!" This is the question that I often bring to my attention everytime I realize that I am on this campus. I am not the same person that I was before I set foot on this campus. I used to live in the harsh conditions of the "Projects" in Valdosta, GA. I was doing a vast amount of things that were very bad. I have had a horrible life experience there. Sometimes, I thought to myself, "Was this all that there is for me?" For an example, I got shot at before, I had been jumped and beaten to death before, and I was really suffering as far as even having a scarcity of a lifestyle. I was basically poor and I was scarce as far as having the neccessities for life. I really thought that that was how my life was going to end. But one day, when I had encountered a car wreck that greatly has impacted my life, I had decided to turn it completely around. I knew about Jesus, but I did not know him, and that played huge part of why I was pursuing to be apart of activities that were the works of the devil. But, I am glad now that I am saved, I have a purpose in life, and my goals of the future are very achievable. So, that is why I constantly ask myself, "WOW! How did I make it to this point!" It is amazing how GOD transformed a jacked-up person who took life for granted like me into a humble, determined, and optimistic individual. That is when I come to the realization that it was GOD's overflow of abundant grace, mercy, and love that has brought me out, and I will give him thanks, glory, and honor forever because he is worthy of all the praise. God bless! peace!

Back together again.

I remember the time when I had not heard from my family for a long time. It was during the time when Gustav had supposedley hit here. During that time, I really wanted to be around my family, but I could never reach them. I tried to call them, but everytime I called, the busy line came on. So now, I became very worried because my auntie and uncle with my two cousins is the only family that I have in this region, and after Gustav, it would have been a month since I last saw them. I could only make local calls, and I did not have a cell phone. One day, I seen of my auntie's friend, and she gave me a new cell phone number of my aunties; I was very happy because she said that they was alright, but they had had some problems with the home phone because the line went out during the storm. Out of all those things, I missed my little cousin the most. His name is KJ; he is now 1 and a half years old, and I love him in every way. I used to feed him, play with him, teach him stuff, change his diapers, bathe him, care for him when he was sick, I mean everything ( I spent most of my senior year of free time with him); he is like a son to me. I miss the times when he used to call my name when he needed something. But most of all, I cherished that moment when he would always fall asleep on my chest. It was the best feeling in the world. I am privileged that I am able to be a part of his life from the time he was born up until now and hopefully as for the rest of my days. I am glad that I contribute to him growing every day. I called my aunt, and it was so relieving to hear her voice! She was so astonished to hear my voice, that she told me not to say anything but to stay in my dorm and she was on her way to get me right away! I was very happy to see her, and I could tell she was too for she overloaded me with hugs and kisses. I saw my little cousin, and I was overflowed with joy cause he ran to me and was calling my name at the same time as if I was his daddy. In all I am immeasurably happy that GOD reunited us back together again because I don't know what I would have done if I did not see them again! God bless! peace!

I lost 1...

What up y'all It's ya boi Keith, and I just wanted to tell you about the most devastating time in my life. From when I was in her belly, to the time I was born, and even as I have grown to where I am now, my mother has always greatly influenced my life in some type of way, shape, or form. She was always there like when I was doing very bad, real good, felt sad, was happy, I mean through thick and strand. She never misinformed me about anything; she kept it real and didn't sugar code nothing which is kind part of the reason why I am kind of a well-rounded person. Because she wanted me to be almost perfect because I was her firstborn. She told me that she used to read to me while I was in her belly, and I remember the times when I was real young( not even in pre-school yet) she used to whoop me until I learned my abc's and 123's and didn't let me go outside until I learned all of them. But, the point is she cared for me that much at my young age to try to break the trend of none of our family going to college. Besides my mom being hard on me, the thing I loved about her most was her warmheartedness. I used to always get a sense of comfort everytime I was in her prescence even if things weren't all good. I could tell her of any and everything that was going on in my life, or in other words, I did not hide anything from her. We had the type of bond that was very very unbreakable and everlasting. And, boy! she could surely throw down in the kitchen! I mean she put her foot down in whatever she cooked. But, to kind of fastforward to my point because I could go on forever about my life and relationship with my momma, I remember the tragic day like it was yesterday. My mother was a diabetic, and she also had bad kidneys, so she was in and out of the hospital. She left most of the job to me to take care of me and my brothers, Nicholas and Xavier, who were 8 and 6( I was 10). Oh, I forgot to mention that my so-called father abandoned us during the most desperate time of need, especially my mother. He was never there. But anyway, my mother was currently permanent in the hospital because her health was now critical. On the morning of October 20, 2000, we received the news that my mother had deceased 8:36 am that morning from failed kidneys. It was ironic because I was born at that same time 10 years ago. It was the most horrible mental breakdown that I had ever encountered in my life because after all the crying, not eating, and being very closed in and not communicating at all for about two weeks, I had made the decision to take my life because my mother was my life, and I had come to the realization that that closeness, friendship, assurance, etc. was gone, and I will never be able to have that type of relationship with anyone else. The only thing that stopped me was when I remembered that my mother had always stressed to me how important a man named Jesus was important to me, more than her and anyone else in my life. So I had finally come to my senses, and found out that Jesus had a reason of why he took the most precious thing to me away from me. He wanted me to note that he is the most precious thing to me, and from that point on in my life I completely turned my life around. I miss my mother greatly, but I am glad that I have no regrets because I always loved my mother, never took her for granted, and always respected and obeyed her. Besides, I know now that she is in heaven rejoicing and having a great time with God, and she is not enduring the pain and sufferrings that she had when she was on earth. Even though my mother may have left me physically, she remains with me in spirit and in my heart. For all these reasons I love God immeasurably and I'm at total peace with myself because I am assured of what beholds in my future. God bless! peace!

The scariest moment in my life!!!

Hey! What up it's ya boy Keith Ramsey, and today I want to tell y'all the scariest moment that I had ever had in my life! It was on April 26, 2007 that this event happened. When I got up that morning, I was already feeling very awkward because I had just had a dream that I had died from a drive-by shooting which was active where I was living, but I didn't take heed because I had plenty of dreams where I died. I had a car that my dad let me drive to school because he always drove his worktruck, so he felt that I was responsible enough to drive now. Well, I told him that the car had some brake troubles two days before, but he ignored the situation. So, I assumed that he got them fixed. I went on my way to school but before I got into the car, I noticed that I forgot to put on my dogtag with my momma's graduation picture on it. That made me feel even more strange because I kept it on at all times. So, I went back and got it, and started on my way. It was me and my two younger brothers, Xavier and Nicholas, that were in the car. That is when it all began. I was going down this two-way road which eventually led to the busiest intersection highway in Valdosta, GA. I was doing about 25 miles per hour on a 35-mile per hour road (it was deserted in the morning. Before you get to the stop sign at the end of the street, you go down this very steep hill. When I approached the hill (not the stop sign), I decided to apply my brakes early considering the fact that I noticed that my father did not get them fixed. BUT, they weren't cooperating. So my brothers started to panic, and when we got to the hill the car picked up speed at about 50 miles per hour! My whole life, as well as my brothers', began to flash before my eyes. I had jabbed at the brakes with all my might, but the car continued to roll on. And then I noticed that there was not an emergency brake, so I surely thought our life was going to end in a huge car wreck disaster. BUT, I had three choices on this last minute of my life and me and my brothers might as well be dead of all three. I could have: 1) crashed into the truck that was in front of me and caused the biggest wreck in history, 2) crash into the gas station and blow up in flames(not a wise decision), and the last one is crazy because I had a quick encounter of an angel out the corner of my eye as if it was saying,"Come this way." My third option was to crash into a wooden billboard which was also dangerous. As all these things played in my head in a matter of one minute, I made the decision to crash into the billboard. When I woke up, I was laying on the ground, and I seen a whole lot of people around me. I saw that the wooden poles split the windshied and bent the entire front and top of the car in. I had been knocked out for about three minutes, someone told me. I immediately searched for my brothers. They were 100% unharmed. As for me, I felt just fine until I noticed that I couldn't stop shaking as if I was going into some type of shock or something. Then it got worse and more worse. So I blacked out again, but when I woke this time, I was in the hospital where my family was. They said I had suffered a minor concussion. In the end, I was alright.

I still have flashbacks of how more fatal that accident could have really turned out. It felt like a final destination type deal, but it was applied to my life, and I survived it. It just goes to show once again how God poured his overly abundant mercy and grace on me, and protected me throughout the entire incident. God bless! peace!

My best football game I ever had in my life.

I remember when I played football. I played defensive end (because defense is the best), and I was the 3rd best player on the team. I remember the first close game I had ever played in. I was a sophomore, and we were playing our rival in their own stadium. They were called the Lowdnes "Vikings" and we were the Valdosta "Wildcats" aka the winningest high school football team in america aka Winnersville U.S.A. The Vikings were 10-0, and we were 10-0 (#1 and #2 respectively in the state), and whatever team won was bound to be Georgia's regular season champ. The vikings were on the verge of winning their third straight victory against us en route to their third straight state championship because usually whoever won the rivalry game usually won the state championship. There was so much hostility, hype, and emotion leading up to this game. The day before this friday night classic really ignited my adrenaline rush to get ready for this game. I was walking home from practice by myself when suddenly I seen a group of ten seniors from Lowdnes football team that were trying to jump me. They knew who I was because I had on my valdosta football undergarment. They surrounded me, and they pushed me from person to person. I really couldn't tell who was who because it was fairly dark. I was 5'11", and they were between 6'1" and 6'4". But, when they finally stopped pushing me, I was on the ground, and I remembered one of them saying, "You going down tomorrow boy!". Then I thought, "They could have beat me to death or killed me right then!", and I couldn't wait until the next day to crack their skulls! The time had come, and we were on their field ready for war and payback. They were ready too, but they did not have the fire like we did. It was a back and forth game with momentum swings carrying the way. At halftime the score was 17-0 for the vikings. I was so upset that I had to figure out a way to keep my composure. I was playing so horribly for I had no tackles, and the line was swallowing me up the entire game. But the reason for them scoring was our 2 interceptions on offense which led to the vikings 14 points. After I played the first two quarters in my head, I thought of the coach's motto:"Never never never give up". So, I decided to give a pep talk to the team and stepped up to be a leader to rally the troops and let them know that this game is not over by a long shot. WE took that field in the second half with force as we scored on our first two possessions off a kickoff return and an 80-yard explosion by our running back who had been injured most of the season. Suddenly, we intimidated them and showed them why we were ranked #2 in the state. The score was now 17-14 vikings. The momentum quickly shifted back to the vikings when they ran back a 99-yard kickoff of their own to end the third quarter. At the end of three the score was 24-14 vikings. WE still believed that we could win this game and so did I for I had tallied 5 tackles in the third quarter, but I was ever searching for that undefined moment that would establish us as victors. So in the last quarter, things got tough. The defense needed to step up incredibly in order for us to win the game, and WE did. We made two stops out of three possessions they had, and our offense scored a touchdown on one of them. The score was 27-21. There was 56 seconds left in the game, and the vikings had the ball. It all came down to this series: everything that I worked for and all the hard work put in during the off-season came down to this series in the epic rivalry between these two high-powered high schools. And that undefined moment that I was looking for had finally come. It was kind of ironic because the dude that had told me that I was going down today was staring me right in the face at tight end! I knew that I had to find a way to make a huge play. The ball was on the 36-yard line (my number) and I was ready like a lion on the prowl for food. The center hiked the ball high over the quaterback's head, and me and the defensive tackle ran a stunt and the hole was wide open for me. I ran full speed ahead to try and pick up a precious gift that would deliver our team of redemption. The quarterback was closer to the ball than I was, and he tried to fall on it but he ended up kicking it about 10 yards which left it all up to me, 17 yards, and the endzone to win it. I scooped it up and I ran into the wide-opened field into the endzone. Our fans and students went crazy every yard I captured, and I was so so happy. I pointed the ball to the stadium to proclaim victory, and all the kicker had to do was make the extra-point to put the icing on the cake. He made it, and all the players congradulated me on a job well done. The score was now 28-27 Wildcats. The only thing was: the game wasn't over; there was 36 seconds left in the game. Vikings had the ball, and their quarterback had a great game until the next play. He threw a hail mary to a supposed wide open receiver, but he put too much air under it, and our safety picked it off! We ran out the clock, and celebrated our glorious victory. I had 8 tackles, and the miraculous fumble recovery touchdown which engraved our victory. It was the best game of my life.

Who I am...

What up! This ya boy Keith Ramsey aka Big Ram, and I just wanted to tell a little about who I am, where I'm from, and what I am about. I am a freshman, and my major is kinesiotherapy. I moved here from Valdosta, GA aka Winnersville U.S.A. I am 18 years old and I have one older brother and six younger brothers and sisters. I am a christian, I love worshipping Christ, and that is why I am such a humble person. I can truly say that I never could have made it without Jesus. I am grateful for all of the things he has done in my life. Of course, I don't have a perfect life. I have had a lot of bumps in the road which have molded and shaped me into the person that I am today. I will never forget the most tragic day in my life, October 20, 2000. On this day, I lost the most precious thing dear to me, my mother. She was always there whenever, wherever, whatever the situation was. When she died, I was committed at my young age to never take life for granted because she never did. She equipped me with all of the necessary tools needed to take on this thing called life. Therefore, I know what type of person I need to display at all times. Thank you ma. I love you. I guess what I am trying to say is that no one else should ever take their family for granted because you'll never know when their time is up. You should have love for them even when you don't want to, or even when they are disciplining you. You should always find it in your heart to love your family no matter what. I am a very nice person. I love and enjoy to help anyone who needs help. For an example, if I was on my last dollar and you asked me and said you really needed a dollar, I would be more than happy to give it to you because I would imagine if I was in that position. I also enjoy invvesting my time with people. I love to interact, fellowship, and talk to people. I love to listen to people because you can learn a lot about a person if you listen to what they have to say. Like I said our time on this earth is not guaranteed, so that is why I love to just be around people. And that pretty much sows up about most of who I am!