Experience – Page 2 – Inside an Optimist's Mind

Reflection

August 8, 2021 by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience

High School Graduation and Summer 2021: A Reflection

On June 2nd, 2021, I graduated High School. It felt kind of surreal, honestly. I made it there a few minutes after the ceremony started (I was supposed to be there one hour before it began), and had to quickly find my way to the other graduates so that I’d make it time for the march (which was, let me tell you, very stressful). So while speeches were being made, I was part listening and part recovering from the stress and the rush that came with being late.

From the handing of the diploma cover, to the picture taking, everything went by so quickly, and then suddenly, without enough time to process it all, I was a high school graduate. I went home that evening, took some more pictures, took all my regalia and graduation stuff off, changed into something else, and just sat there. It was weird.

Then, not even two weeks into my summer break, I attended orientation for my summer job as a camp counselor. Two weeks after that I had already started my summer class. A few weeks into working 40 hours a week and taking a class, I started working on co-founding an organization with a wonderful group of people located in different parts of the country. Needless to say, before I could even let it all sink in, I already immersed myself in other things (which also means this is the first time I’m actually sitting and reflecting about everything).

So here I am, on my bed, typing away and not knowing where this piece is even going. Most of what comes to mind is that two months after graduation, I am quite aware that I’m no longer a high schooler, but I also don’t really feel like an adult either. It’s like I’m in limbo, between what was my life before and life I’m about to live. I don’t really know what’s next, or if I’m even prepared for it, but I’m excited.

Before I close this out, here are a few things that I learned/ realized this summer.

Working with kids after a year of being around little to no people can surely lead to one getting sick. Twice. It was a learning experience though.
Interacting with other people is people is pretty cool. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. However, a lot of interacting in a short period of time can get draining.
Mental health days are important and should be normalized.
Trees are cute. I realized this a long time ago, but I just wanted to put that out there.

That’s all from me.

‘Till next time ❤

Gratitude

January 27, 2021 by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience

January 27, 2021

I’m grateful for life.

Unfortunately, many aren’t alive to say this. The year of 2020 has been filled with a tremendous amount of chaos, violence, death, and with it, mourning. Even 2021 started with its fair share of chaos and turmoil. Every time I pass the t.v. that’s near the kitchen, all I hear are reports about the alarming amount COVID-19 cases and deaths. When I scroll through my Instagram feed and tap my screen to view Instagram stories, I often find myself viewing information and stories regarding crises in other countries and people who have died as a result of racism and hate crimes. It could have easily been me in the “wrong” place at the wrong time, or a family member of mine who had died from the coronavirus, or me taking my last breath because I didn’t have the resources to survive a natural disaster.

I thank God for life, and health, every single day.

I’m grateful for my loved ones.

My closest friends help keep me sane through their consistent love and support. They listen to me when I excitedly talk about an idea or project that I want to see through and they use much of their brain power to understand me when I’m basically speaking gibberish. They are genuine, loving people who bring me so much joy, which is why I can wholeheartedly say that I have so much love and appreciation for them.

I am also thankful for the challenges I have faced and for my faith.

Though periods of tribulation are trying, I’ve learned something about life and myself during them. They make me stronger. And through it all, God, and the people He has put in my life have been there for me, holding me up in my moments of weakness.

While life isn’t always easy, and some face significantly more difficulties than others, there is always something to be grateful for, whether it’s the fact that you are alive and breathing, have access to food, or are surrounded by love.

Find your reason to be grateful today.

[New] Normal

April 24, 2020July 19, 2020 by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Articles, Experience, Feature

My New Normal

By Rhobie Toussaint

On March 13, I woke up after snoozing my alarm numerous times. Little did I know, March 13 was also the last day I woke up at 5:30 AM, went to school, and saw my school friends. It was the last day I knew what “normal’ was.

It is currently a little past Mid-April, over one month after my last day at school (though I didn’t know it was my last day at the time). [Mostly] Everything has changed. My mornings on weekdays begin with classes via Zoom that I dread to wake up for. Sometimes I wake up early enough to do my devotional before “class,” and other days I do them right before falling asleep again.

Every day my mom calls my name over five times to help her with something. She, a teacher, also has to work from home now. I know this is all new to her too, but I can’t help rolling my eyes at least once every other day before reluctantly rolling out of bed, dragging my feet to the living room, and plastering a fake smile on my face right before saying “yes, mom.”

There are times when I am so lucky that my mom remembers that she needs something else right before I open my bedroom door. I take a deep breath, turn around and walk right back to the living room.

Whenever I exit my room it is always for a specific reason — to remind my dad to take his medicine, to eat, to go to the bathroom, to step outside for five minutes so I can remember what it feels like to be outside and then washing my hands again, things of that sort.

And on the (very) few occasions when I get to step into the car and head to Publix for groceries, I see masks on everyone, everywhere. But it doesn’t seem like anyone’s afraid. It’s as if they are simply used to this, as if they have accepted that this is their new normal.

Then when I get back home, I bring the groceries inside, change my clothes, wash my hands, and then sanitize everything (safety precautions). By then, it is usually time for another nap, but sometimes I get a reminder that I have an assignment due in a few hours instead. On those days, I glare at my laptop before opening it.

Some days I write, some days I ignore the news alerts of how many new cases of COVID-19 there are in Florida, but of course, I can’t forget the days when I lay in bed for hours with a million thoughts swirling around in my head.

Some of them are so convoluted that I can barely make any sense of them.

If I want to talk to my friends, then I have to call them. And if we want to see each other, we FaceTime. We reminisce on the days where social distancing wasn’t in place, before realizing that just over a month ago, our lives were completely different.

Just over a month ago I was planning a trip to the beach. Just over a month ago I was allowed to go to church services throughout the week and I was able to hug everyone after service was over.

Just over a month ago, my “normal” was different. And now, it will never be the same.

In the words of an article I read, “It’s a slow life, this social distancing thing.” Even when I was writing this piece, it was still mind-blowing to think about the fact that EVERYTHING was different just over a month ago. And even after this passes, nothing will ever be the same.

Every day can feel like a blur when you’re home all day, every day, but the extra time also leaves an opportunity to self-reflect, to make changes that you’ve been putting off. You can take up new hobbies and try out new things.

Right now, all of us have a different ‘normal.’ In fact, the very picture of what normal looks like in our minds is probably all distorted. But we can make something of it.

Make something of your new normal.

Bayside, Again

January 4, 2020January 6, 2020 by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience, Photo Essays

During the winter break, I took another trip to Bayside. This time, I was not wandering around alone, but went with a youth group. After taking pictures by the Christmas tree/Christmas decorations, we took a boat ride tour around downtown Miami, which I’ve never been on before. What made this time special was not only the fact that I got a different view of downtown Miami, but the experience I had with the people there. We walked around, laughed at jokes, and bonded in a way I did not expect. This trip reminded me that no matter what you are doing, it will always be enjoyable if you do it with the right people.

As we neared downtown Miami, I already started to take pictures of the city.

After purchasing our boat ride tickets, we were given tickets to get a free drink at this restaurant. Unfortunately, we were later informed that the ticket is limited to a soda, water, or beer.

After a while, we went outside so that we can feel the breeze and so our view wasn’t limited to looking through a window.

Virginia & Washington, D.C.

October 28, 2019October 29, 2019 by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience, Photo Essays

There’s something beautiful about having the opportunity to get away and see new places.

This is exactly what I got out of the experience of being in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland over the weekend. I don’t travel much, but when I do I always have a good time. Going out of town for a few days, away from any pressures and responsibility, is freeing and relaxes me in a way that can’t be accomplished in my house. It’s also always interesting to see how other places differentiate from where I live, starting at the structure of buildings and going into the population. Whether the place I’m visiting is a different city, or a different state, the visit itself never ceases to be a fun learning experience, and this time in the DMV area (Maryland, Virginia, part of West Virginia, District of Colombia) exactly the same.

My trip to the DMV area is one that I will never forget, and the experience is one I will forever treasure.