she that is

"somehow you came along and set my soul on fire" WILD huh UneXpected to sAY the leasT so Often I feel completely A.....LONE my THOUGHTS my DESIRES my LIFE of assistin HELPING others ThOUgh a Friend I Am it Comes NATUral if I dig YOU then I DO if I don’t then I won’t WANT you to Understand mE that is :pause: U Know beCause plAIN N siMPLE you DO NOT undeSTAND ME but SHE that is DOES N SHE that is IS Alone means a GREAT deal to ME but SEE there is MORE to it THAN that THAT is ME I that is ONE that ME I that is Wants to get to KNOW you for a LifeTIME that is Experience filled that is UnTIL the crossRoads have Met RealIZING that is we MUST not rUSH you see I feel you YOU feel me LEts take it s l o w ride IT Out N breathe ENJOY the Essence WE both persERVE mind, body, SOUL I hope YOU that is SHE oneday that is Can fully Understand ME that is a beING Who COULD Live Without "IT" get it? that is I get Fulfillment when I hear "Can you Handle It" I VISUALIZE "Ms.Syracuse" on the OTHER end that is Don't GET me WRONG you wILL see EXperIENCE that is what is MY True Heart, True Story, "Tru Life Narrative" that is

2005 to 2007

Senior in high school ampt to go to Eastern CT State U playin softball for the WaRRIors maroon, white, and blue majorin in Sports Management minorin in Communications the excitement AMAZING Eastern or out of state with consideration I CONSIdered what was best at the time EASTERN nOW 2007 I attend Eastern CT State U I play softball BUT I am in school to graduate in May 2009 regardless of WHAT you say with a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management and a minor concentration in Graphic DESIGN of my future MEntality has changed a lack of challenge? yes or no YEsss athletics then being a senior I thought was a bigger deal than it IS D3 to me that IS I take PRIDE in what I am apart of AMbitiOUS don't knock my goals ASpirAtions are what gets me THOUGHT of transferin HONESTY

Poetic Collage (3)

Her ConFIDENCE comes from INSIDE she likes who she is MONICA ROCHON aNy Moment cAn DEFINE You HOME Uplifting Life Experience GET FOCUSED Inspire Twin Value FAMILY smile FRIENDS ImPROVE Life rallies against racism HUMAN RIGHTS and EQUALITY for WOMEN show your FACE not your SHADOW “Economic empowerment is the civil rights of today” FINISH the Job Community TIPPING POINT altitude in YOUR ATTITUDE The symbols for knowledge word and sun are combined to show that knowledge spread like the sun’s rays benefits the world at large PURE Loyalty Peace Kindness Love Wisdom Tranquility Prosperity Strength Tolerance Truth Maybe IT IS People want to be on a TEAM they want to be apart of something bigger than THEMSELVES always Good-Spirited WARRIOR challenge UNC Tar Heels supporter EARN YOUR SPOT new Generation Volunteer There are two MOTIVATIONS in sports which is yours LOVE OR MONEY? L O V E Don’t get LOST in the CROWD competitive Cranked up LISTEN to the INDIVIDUALS who LOVE YOU, not the “People” who Benefit off of What YOU are DOING for THEM TRUE story

*image drawn by Shamar James

Poetic Collage (2)

The real Nitty Gritty of Growing UP Getaway it’s not what you expect LEAVE your voice fair NO perfect NO it’s OK NAACP This is how if feels to have YOU content intense beautiful comfortable in too deep BETWEEN US tonight MIND BODYSOUL one TRU touch RESPECT vibrant Eyes Breathe STAY here NOW talk to me Longing For You SHOW Me A Kiss just RELAX your mind love her (oxygen) “Tame and timid? That goes against my instincts.” HA. SEDUCE the SENSES Hidden Soul II Soul BE MINE It’s More than a feeling IT’S PASSION You are so DAMN SEXY essence APPeal dEEp Explain again WHY NO boundaries, NO NEW essential PERspecTive Strength your Hands C o M e B a C k show ME Now. . . desire NO COVER horoscope BABY lets take a RIDE your life CARE pump it up NeVer HesiTATE SURRENDER HealING TIME

"Knowledge Speaks, Wisdom Listens"

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."
George Washington Carver

1st Semester Of Ra Life:2006

Fall semester was interesting to say the least. For once I felt like I was at home when I stepped out of that elevator on the 4th floor of Constitution Hall. I'm used to friends kickin it at my house; watching movies,eating, playing cards, just laughing and enjoying each other, ect. Family and friends are people of great value to me. Considering that my family mainly resides in Louisiana and Georgia I don't get to see them as often as I would like to. So I enjoyed seeing the 4th floor (as well as our drifter residents from the 5th and 3rd floors) Warriors interact and open up to one another. I have never seen the bound that exsists amongst my residents in a residents hall. I dig the community vibe!

NOW JUST REMEMBER WE CAN HAVE A GREAT TIME BUT QUIET HOURS ARE JUST THAT: QUIET HOURS.

What did I expect as an RA? Right or wrong my expectations consisted of expecting these individuals to act as young adults,to learn from their experiences by becoming a better person in the end, to respect one another including myself, and of course to "Think Different, Think Righteous, and Mellow Out." Growing up I had plenty of freedom. The kind of freedom where as long as my parents knew where I was and that I was safe it was ok. My parents know that I am responsible and that is based on trust. By no means am I comparing myself to a parent because I am not that. I'm a student just like my residents. I feel like my expectations are simple so at times I felt some of my residents behaviors reflected me. What wasn't I doing to get to them? When I would sit down and think about it I realized that in a way it did reflect me because I wanted them to learn from their decisions; positive or negative....But I still wondered why or what would drive you to do something so silly and idiotic? With that I wondered about the things going on in their lives that may drive them to be destructive at times. The thing is, everyone doesn't get it the first time. Sometimes we may need a run in or two with campus police to realize wow I need to change what I am doing.

Realizing that my residents are human just like I am. Individuals are not perfect and we may make silly irresponsible decsions at times. Which leads me to my second expection of learning from your experiences and becoming a better person in the end. I have a great amount of respect for my residents and I am proud of them because they are in college. Whether you think it or not-you should KNOW it! Being in college is a big deal. I'm a calm person I don't enjoy yelling, infact I don't really think it's effective 90% of the time. Rather I liked to be talked to. Talking and listening are two things that are very important, everyone needs someone to listen. This brings on the third expectation of RESPECT for all. People don't realize how one ounce of disrespect can effect another person and in all reality can change your thoughts about someone. Respect for others means respect for self.

"Think Different, Think Righteous, Mellow Out". What does this phrase that I use consistantly mean? Well I admire my history. The history of the Rochon/Shaw family and the history of African Americans. If you haven't noticed I rarely speak about religion but often times you see Asian symbols on my bulletin boards or in my room, ha even on the back of my shoulder. These symbols are important to me because they speak volumes. To me they represent life and the characterists that I believe in; the characteristics that I strive to uphold.On top of that I wanted to create a open environment as far as if you have a question you should feel comfortable to ask it. When entering college you meet people that you probably would not have met in your highschool communities. There is a great importantance in allowing yourself to understand the things that you do not. The genuine attempt to understand one another is what will eventually make the world I, We live in a "different" place. When I walk outside each day I feel my exsistance. It's like a spiritual power that is difficult to put into words. I feel it though and hopefully as I speak life you will too. So let me ask you- What does that phrase mean to you?

"So why does there only have to be one correct philosophy?
I don't want to go and follow you just to end up like one of them
And why are you always telling me what you want me to believe?
I'd like to think that i can go my own way and meet you in the end."
Song lyrics by: Hoobastank "Same Direction"

Capture It

I dig photography. These photos can also be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/monicaroc/