Brandy Tolbert and Sarah Padgett

Recorded October 15, 2021 Archived October 15, 2021 40:10 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: mby021141

Description

Sarah Padgett (24) interviews new friend Brandy Tolbert (34) about Brandy’s childhood, her family, and her children. Brandy also talks about her role as the director of the Literacy Alliance and how she discovered her passion for literacy work.

Subject Log / Time Code

BT remembers growing up in Michigan.
BT talks about her children and the relationship they have with one another.
BT discusses her faith and talks about growing up in the church.
BT talks about her role as the director of the Literacy Alliance in Columbus, Georgia and about the meaning, purpose, and enjoyment she finds in that work. She also talks about how she discovered her passion for that work.
BT shares the hopes and dreams she has for her children.
BT talks about growing up and about her relationships with her parents. She also talks about favorite memories she has with her mother and remembers her mother’s love of music, which she has carried on.
BT talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her and her family.
BT remembers what kind of student she was growing up and while in college.
BT discusses how her life is different now from how she imagined it would be.
BT talks about the goals she has for herself and her children.
BT remembers the summer she spent in Flint when she was younger.
BT talks about going to visit family with her children. She also talks about a trip they took to San Diego and about other places where she would like to travel.
BT shares the advice she would like to give to her children.
BT talks about the work she did to find her passion. She also talks about planning to write a memoir.
BT talks about the importance of resilience in her life.

Participants

  • Brandy Tolbert
  • Sarah Padgett

Recording Locations

Mildred L. Terry Public Library

Partnership Type

Outreach

Initiatives

Places


Transcript

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00:02 Hi, my name is Sarah Padgett. I'm 24 years old. Today's date is Friday, October 15th, 2021. We are in Columbus Georgia. I'm here with Brandy Tolbert and she is a Friendly Stranger.

00:17 Hello, my name is Brandy Tolbert. I am 34 and I'm excited to have this conversation on October 15th, which is a Friday.

00:27 So Brandy, where did you grow up?

00:31 I was born in Michigan In a Small Town Lake County, but we traveled a lot. And so I have connections to Montgomery Alabama as well as Greensboro, North Carolina and here in Georgia. Do you feel like you have one place? That was your home. Bottom is King will always be home because that's where I was born. My education is not fully there, but I did graduate there. So that's that's home.

01:03 So,

01:06 What are you proud of stuff? I'm jumping right in there. What am I promise? I'm just being able to persevere resilience and just believe in faith that everything that happens. It happens for a reason and understanding that there's a higher purpose and just enjoying life find a way to enjoy life. No matter. The adverse things that may happen. What are some things that you find help you to enjoy life? For sure. My children, they can also be a major stress it but overall just ensuring that they have a healthy and happy childhood. I'm just hearing them. Laugh is my most favorite thing in here in children. Lived when children are laughing. The atmosphere is safe as enjoyable. Yeah. How old are they? So, I have four children. The oldest is 11.

02:06 Boy-girl-boy-girl and I have a second grader, who is 7 Minute? Have a two, and a three year old they are.

02:14 Wonderful, that must be a busy household. It is well right now my oldest is in Valdosta with his dad and the three younger ones are home with us having children back-to-back like that.

02:31 At first, I would say I wouldn't recommend it but watching them together. It's just I feel like the age of 3 is the my favorite age, do children begin to have their own opinion. They began to display that they want. They can, you know, they have their own interests there. A conversation is stronger than vocabulary is growing. It's just an awesome age and to see that right now, I get excited with my, my children, turn turn three. And so they have a three-year-old and a two-year-old right now. It's very interesting there, boy and girl,

03:07 The three-year-old is a boy. My two-year-old is a, is a girl and girls, 10 to learn faster and be more mature. And so I feel like she is really pushing him to even though she's the youngest one and also the tiny one. It's just it's just wonderful to see and to be able to, you know, share that my experiences with my children with other families to encourage and Empower them.

03:36 I feel like it's the reason why I got gave me children.

03:40 That's wonderful. So it sounds like they spend time together a lot and they have a really wonderful relationship already as a little kid. A dude. I want to say from the beginning. I have so many pictures of them together, whether they're sleeping watching TV, eating playing like they're they love to be together. But if I take this morning when I woke up and Sariah had already came in our room, so she was in our bed and I went in the room. I didn't even know. He was awake that she had and he's like, where is he? I just woke up. You didn't see it. But that just goes to speak to how close they are. If one gets something, the other one wants to share with the other one to make sure that she gets one or he gets one, like, they really the dynamic duo, that's amazing. So, early on, yes.

04:31 So you mentioned God in that. What does God mean to you? The higher power and a ruler?

04:41 My faith is very strong. I grew up in the church. My grandfather was actually a reverend and my grandmother was the first lady. My mother was a choir director. So, you know, my childhood was very involved in church. When I, once I got the high school, I started teaching Sunday school. And then also, I really think it helped develop my love for children cuz between Sunday school and church, you know, I was in one that would get the food ready for the children and snag. You see, if I caught dogs and chips juice and cookies, but being able to work with them in Sunday school, but then also being a leader, you know, keeping them active and engaged, and also prepared to be quiet and sit down Church in a few hours. I really think it helped drive my passion for you and wanting to help others.

05:41 LED you to work on Literacy Alliance is for sure. I was on TV when I was born. So I have a niece, was five years older than me, and then my siblings. I'm the oldest one only has two, but the other three both have six children apiece. So early on, I was around children a lot and I was kind of in the middle because yes, I do have a niece who is five years older than me, but they, my nieces and nephews are a lot older than me. So I was kind of like in the middle of my family and as just like at church, I will be the one to babysit them to watch them. Do you know to see all over them and things like that and just being around them? I really think that for one. I thought I was not going to have children because of them.

06:30 I felt like being able to give them back to their parents was the best part sometimes and I always thought, you know, it's is great when you get to be around them engage with them, but it's also great to not have to care for them. It's 24 hours, but I really believe that having nieces and nephews and caring for them at a young age, helped develop my passion for you. And then also for a literacy I'm just learning is the foundation of life. And so that it, I feel like that's why I'm here today. Absolutely. So I know you work with Literacy Alliance. What is it that you do with that organization? So, actually began with organization as a volunteer, relocated to Columbus State University very odd, cuz it was the the end of my degree requirements. And I decided to transfer for a new environment. And to be honest. I really only have five more classes.

07:30 And when you transfer, even if it's in with the same system, they're still so many credit requirements that that school is going to have you not have you to take until that meant. I would be in school for another extra semester and a half. And I had to find something that I enjoy, because, you know, feeling like you were getting ready to graduate and then learning you have a whole another semester, you have to take more classes that was not pleasant, until I had to find something that I enjoy, and just because my passion for children, and obviously learning. I was in college, I decided to volunteer the reading buddy.

08:10 And I work with children, 101. Just engaging them in Reading, Writing parts of the book and doing a children's story. And then following year the present, the person that was in the position of Vino managing the organization. She has moved on and the director at that time. Offered, you know, any of yous for volunteers? Because obviously, if you volunteer for the organization, you have some type of interest. And I was like, sure, you know, I do as a volunteer work, why not man is the program and that has led me to become the director of the program. So now I am doing the daily operations, be making sure that programs are implemented. I'm working in the community building those Partnerships and just overall running. A nonprofit. That is very valuable to the community.

08:59 Absolutely. Thank you for doing all of that cuz that is such important work. One of our programs is called dictionary project. And in that presentation, we talked about getting a job. You love something that matches your heart and your passion. And I could truly attest to that because I really enjoy the work that I do. Being able to assist other people and help them develop their goals and work towards to achieving them, that's invaluable. You not being able to help someone make a difference. In someone else's, life is a chain reaction and I really feel like that's my purpose. So when you're walking in your purpose and you're you're doing something you enjoy is easier to do it, it creates longevity, and overall a happy, happy healthier life. And so that program was established before me coming on as a director. But to be able, to personally attest to that and

09:59 Children who know you throw their young, when your mentoring high school, students, things like that. It's important in this world, especially in this day and time have solutely. And I can also feel that you love your job, isn't even as you're talking about it. I hear that a lot even with the mask on, you guys to see me smile, and I can see it in the way you carry yourself in your eyes. It's really cool to see. So do you feel like

10:24 It seems like to me to of your main passions in life are The Literacy Alliance and your children. Do you feel like The Literacy Alliance has helped you to you know in fire supporting your kids and learning how to read are Leon and learning how to go for their goals for sure. So, when I started college, I thought I was going to be interior decorating with my background. I told her we moved around a lot. So I hate always being the new kid, but I started to enjoy having a new space, a new room, being able to put things together, how I wanted it. And that's, you know, when I had to take a break in college, because from when I was an out-of-state student, I graduate in the Michigan, and living here, having my own apartment, and my car, why am I paying out of state tuition? So, you know, I talked to the ministration figure out what were the requirements for me to no longer be considered Allstate. And that means I had to sit out for a year and

11:24 In that time I decided I no longer wanted to be in our education. I got tired of carrying the art boys that art supplies the charcoal. I decided I was more of an appreciator and not an artist, but I had to really just take some time off to see what is it that I want to do, you know, a lot, you hear a lot about students going to school and getting his degree and not obtaining a job in that field. I didn't want to be one of those students and I also wanted to do something I enjoy, and I thought about 5th grade in 5th grade. I was up here at Decatur, like some Brandy. That means you like helping people, unless I guess, so what what can I do that? I would enjoy to be able to help others and automatically I thought psychology, you studying other people learning how things work, why they make decision that they do and figure out ways to improve. And, you know, Assist people to getting to their goal.

12:24 I thought I took psychology and then I think about when I got pregnant with my first child, I didn't know the importance of early literacy, but I knew I wanted my child to be smart and to succeed and so at this time, I was working multiple jobs and one of them I was a photographer in the mall. So it was around Christmas time is the Fall. So I was photographing children with Santa and one day, they were giving away books in the middle of the mall. And I've been no more than two, three months pregnant and I was like some books for my child inside. I got books. I can remember how many it was, but just being paperback books. And from, then on, I started to make sure I was at painting more books throughout my pregnancy and also Disney VHS tapes, but even before having my child, I knew that I was going to read to him and

13:24 To me that was very important. But being in the volunteer learning the importance of early literacy knowing that it's key for the parents to support their child's education. Know I didn't unknowingly but then there's people who have children who also don't know. And I feel like it's my job to help, educate parents, teach them, and show them examples and just be an example. And because of that my son is now in sixth grade recently heard he got in trouble for telling this child that his grades were so high. He could teach the class. Unfortunately. He was talking to a child who who need more assistance and the parent call his duty to call his dad. Like I don't want to get in trouble. He's a very smart good student, but he's talking in class.

14:19 But if I didn't read to him in early age, if I don't support his education, he wouldn't have the audacity to say something like that. Now. Yes, I need to figure out ways to create correct that and help him be more of a help versus interrupting class, but he knows, he's smart and he is smart. So, I feel like it's important to educate parents and show them to be supportive of their children and help build a foundation of learning and it begins at the beginning through pregnancy and I feel like so bad, but I can't do nothing. But lie, like I'm so thankful. He's not on the phone with us or in the room with us, but it was it was great to me. That's definitely buy me and 6th graders don't have a filters out, you know.

15:13 Oh, so that kind of followed flows into one of the questions that I wanted to ask. What are your hopes for your children? I just want them to be, happy to be happy to have a great reputation and to help others. I feel like I am in this position because my mom was so helpful. She had a passion for you and just knowing that, anything is possible. If you work to it and believe that you can,

15:44 So what was it that your mom did when she was working with you do to backtrack you? No, actually then went to the woman who raised me is not my biological mother and I also did not. I don't have many memories of my dad growing up, but to hear that my biological mother from one. She didn't know that she was pregnant until it was time for labor. And then to she she wasn't prepared for another baby nor does she want another baby, but thankfully, my dad was married to my mom, which is married. And she, I think about this, all the time. She told me, you know, you don't get to choose who your children are, but she had the option of doing that and just see me and she wanted to have me. So I can, I want that baby. I'll take her for you. And she did even when her and my dad.

16:44 We're not seeing eye to eye and parted ways. She kept me.

16:49 And growing up. I thought that was just the worst thing ever that to have your mom to lie to you your whole life and tell you that you're her child, and you're not. But

17:00 I found ways to accept it and to know that she chose me and my situation could have been a lot worse, but she loved me and she show me that love she show me that passion. She's no longer here with us, but that that stays with me.

17:18 Do you have any favorite memories of your mom? Of course, see. What seems like I told you. She was a choir director. I feel like I'm the only one in my only female in my family who cannot sing my dad and still. I can get it to send you a hundred days. I think about Saturday's, you know, you know, you do spring cleaning as a teenager. That is the worst. It's like why are we cleaning the walls? Why? But she always made. It fine will be playing music dancing by all. So doing deep. Cleaning. Stop being able to enjoy music. I feel like music was a part of our lives from the beginning, so that helps you doing a test that you don't want to do. So, I say for sure, Saturday mornings cleaning with my mom, you know, TVs off music loud, but just cleaning together.

18:19 Yes, I do. And my, my, my younger two there, they love it. Mom, and they don't know that it's YouTube. But when you have a smart TV and those at today, are they always put into it. I want a song, I want a song and so we would turn the TV out loud and clean or just have a dance party covid outbreak. Depending, if I started and, you know, we were all on tablets and TVs and I'm trying to keep them quiet while I'm in the meeting. So, I can unmute or something like that and be stressful environment. And so, we will have dance breaks where we will stop over doing. It will turn the music up, play a couple songs and that just helps us. You know, why? I'm down. I'm just feel loose and being able to reset and we still do that to this day. So,

19:12 I feel like that favorite memory of being with my mom has carried over to something that I enjoy doing with my children and stink. Sometimes that they pressure me into, even with me a call, turn it up. And like now it's I see how it is, you know, is being passed down the love of music.

19:34 That sounds. So fun. Is there a favorite song that you tend to gravitate towards? I used to pay anything Chris Brown. He's a great dancer. His his, a most of his songs is upbeat and

19:48 I would say safe for them to listen to at times and so it'll get them moving. So anything could sound.

19:58 So I'm going to kind of circle back to what we were talking about before, cuz I remember the question and you talked a little bit about your son and how he is, as a student. What type of student were you? Oh, I do not like school. When people say who's your favorite teacher? I'm like, I don't have a favorite teacher and, you know, I think, I think it's because I was very, like insecure and very focused and my mom, she with the college, and she was an English major. And so she enjoyed riding to, you know, a lot of times little girls try to mimic their mom, but I remember in fourth grade. This is when I move back to, Michigan,

20:42 I got to see an English and receiving the sea to me was the worst. And I thought English was my favorite class. Oh my God, and I asked the teacher is, Miss Johnson. I remember her name and I was like, this is my favorite class. Like, how did I earn a c? I just, I didn't get it. And that really like affected me cuz I no longer like school. Like, if this is my favorite class and I'm doing average. What's the purpose of being here? But I stayed at in, of course, I had great grades all through high school, but I see you like really did something to me. I felt like, even a BS. Like your it's not the best, it's not. So that's not the great great to have, but my mother encouraged me and always say, you don't, you don't always have to get AIDS. It's okay to get it be. It's okay to get to see, but just continue to work at it to bring that up.

21:39 And,

21:42 That's what I wanted to do. I know graduate ranking fourth in my graduation class and it sounds nice, but we had a small graduation class of our graduation class. I believe it's 28 students. So it's like it was like, well, it's not much to compared to. We have a small population here, but

22:07 I think about college. I did have a favorite teacher there and Ali enough. She she had to like, tell me it's straight exactly here in Columbus at Columbus State University. Dr. Dasilva. And she was like, well, you're here now, you know, I had a lot of mixed emotions almost depression. When I figured I would have to stay in school almost another year to graduate. And to be honest. I didn't want to be here. I was like, this is not what I thought it would be, but she had a real serious conversation with me. She like, this is your life. This is your degree. If you want it, take charge of it. And I think of a lot of it, a lot of other students in my, my Pierre is there.

22:52 They really enjoyed her classes because she was so straightforward and honest, but I appreciated that because a lot of times you'll get people to just tell you things that you want here and not necessarily what you needed to hear. And at that moment. I need a hair honesty. I need her to be brutal with me and

23:14 It worked, it worked. I'm still here. I really enjoy what I do and just being able to take charge to think ahead and want to say goes and know that the things that I do today will help the time that outcome. If I prioritize, I will reach my goal in a timely manner and that's from a teacher. It's it took me all the way to college to get my favorite teacher, but I'm thankful for her emails conversations.

23:44 Are you still in contact with this teacher, not on the regular basis, but we do cause past every now and then and it on LinkedIn. Like when she get when there's anniversary for another year that she's been at the school. I always think her and tell her congratulations for another year. I'm sure that means a lot. That's really great.

24:08 So you've talked a lot about, you know, the steps you've taken in your life and the changes in Direction. You've gone through, do you feel like you have a general sense of how your life is different from how you expected it to be? Yeah, cuz it's specially when you grow up in a single-parent home and

24:31 So many other things like I could have been the exact opposite of what I am today and I hear people doing my clothes mentor is tell me that like, you know, your life has designed but you not to be in the position you are. But there's a reason you're in that position. And so I truly believe and I feel like that's why my faith is so strong. Everything's happened. Everything happens for a reason is my job to determine into really persevere through those challenges because I know there's something greater on the other side, you know, it might be a tough time. But if you get through it and stay focused, you'll get through it, you know, there's other opportunities on the other side of that challenge and just believing and having faith and being obedient. They'll be better days.

25:22 I think it's so powerful that you're able to always have that mindset of continuing and knowing there's something greater on the other side, do feel like that's always come naturally to you.

25:34 I would say yes, but it's important to embrace those hard times as well. It's reality, but knowing that if you persevere that reality or that challenge is beneficial to you. Like if you stay in that towel and it's easy to become susceptible susceptible to risky behaviors and that will one take you off your path and may take you further away from your goals. And so being able to stay focused and finding resilience and things, it certainly matters.

26:13 So, you're obviously a very successful woman. So you've obviously been able to stay really focused towards your goals. Do you feel like you've achieved all your goals or you have more that you're still working towards? I start we have more that I'm working towards. I've never considered myself to be a successful young lady. Thank you for the add, take that as a compliment. But I definitely have more goals for myself. Except for my children, home ownership is one for sure. For them, for me to do that, we have land and we have a secure place of living. I'm really like a homemaker and so for not for me not to do my home right now is like a goal that I am working on, but it's also something that I thought I would obtain years ago.

27:02 So, like I said to work through the challenges and stay focused on whatever the goal is, makes you closer to that goal. And I feel like I'm getting closer and closer. So, maybe next time you're here in Columbus that I can offer space worst or you or something.

27:22 Tootsie, I know I had a couple more

27:28 Yasso circling back to your childhood. Do you have any favorite stories?

27:34 I would definitely stay Flint Michigan because my aunt so I did not grow up with my father and my life, much of my childhood. Thankfully we have a relationship now, but moving to Flint, Michigan, I'm pretty sure it was after Montgomery, Alabama, but moving to Flint Michigan. I was talking to my paternal family and I desperately wanted to meet them because I felt like their blood that really, really related. And my mom did not feel like it was a safe environment. I might know, Mom, please. And I'm supposed to just go stay the night with her. She has three daughters and my oldest, son and two of her daughters are my age. You know. Tanya was a few years older, maybe four or five years older, but I want to be around people my age and I told you being and I'm at my mom's family. I was kind of in the middle.

28:34 The hell are these younger nieces and nephews? And my siblings are a lot older than me. So being able to be around people close my eyes. I was so excited. I was just supposed to spend the night. I stayed the whole summer, and I really think that's Jess. I'm not. I felt like I was with family, you know, it's still at a young age. Not really a setting that I was not raised by, neither of my biological parents, being able to be with family, that summer was very important. And also, I know you're here. A lot of people have stories like playing in fire hydrant, water, that happened in Flint, Michigan. Or are you know, getting Penny Candy and, you know, little things that children. Do you know, that, in their childhoods being able to walk to the store without an adult, you know what your cousin cuz you're all the same age and has multiple. Those are memories that I would keep forever.

29:30 But also, as a tired, it was helpful cuz I felt like they were family and

29:36 I enjoy that. How old did you say you were?

29:41 Sure, but I only team that between 10 and 13. And do you remember what the first meeting was? Like, did you get along immediately or did it take a little bit of time? We got a loan immediately. So let me tell you, the incident on why my mother was hesitant to allow me to go. So apparently they had got into a fight on the school bus and my it was it was a serious fight. And so I believe there was, you know, I like a locker lock a padlock. Well, I believe that was used in the face. O course, there was blood and my mom heard of this story and she was like, no, you don't need to go with those girls know, it's unsafe, my mom, but I'm their cousin. They won't fight me.

30:28 I really had to beg and plead, and she allowed me to go and I stay the first night, and I called her, like, see Mom. We had so much fun together. Like nothing. Nothing happened. And I convinced her to let me stay the whole weekend. Well, it was summertime. You know, I didn't have to go to school. They didn't have to go to school or why can I stay with them? And so my arm for sure was happy to have me around my cousin also because it was really just the three of them, their brother was older, he was out of the house, a lot. So it was fun. You know, I really enjoyed it. And thankfully, you know, my mom. I think me showing her that I was safe and I was happy. Allowed her to let me stay.

31:14 So that sounds like such a special experience to you. You said you were, siblings are all a lot older and then you have some nieces that are younger. Is there anybody in your family? That's around the ages of your children. I have some great nieces actually have some great nephew. They are twins and they are getting ready to turn to so when I go back home and I get to be around them. That's awesome, too. But yeah, I definitely have some nieces and nephews that are the same age of my children. I love you because my children for one day. Enjoy the snow. When we go for Christmas. I hate the snow, but they like being in Michigan. Like, it's home to me. This is a place where they enjoy the go and also because it's a lot of family and they just have fun.

32:14 This is good for them to, that's great. So can you paint a picture of this for me? So you say there's a lot of family in the area. Is it a neighborhood where a lot of people live close to each other or just in different towns? It would be so much easier if it was a neighborhood, but it is definitely town. So I remember one day we, we would like to take chips to people house because they'll be like three or four hour drive the way. You know, one day we went to Detroit to see their godmother and then we had to do a 3-hour drive to get you know back to everyone else. But like I said, being able to travel and have a good time they'll enjoy that my children enjoyed being in hotels to and I think you know, I have some family members who had to live in hotels. I remember being in a hotel that long. Of time when I was younger. So for me, it's like, it's in this is not a fun thing.

33:14 You know us one place until you go to another, but they really enjoy it and that has really changed my outlook on and is also increase my want to travel. They enjoyed it, too.

33:27 Is there anywhere in particular you want to travel to? So I haven't been to New York this summer? I took the kids. We went to San Diego, you know flying out to California. That's the first time on the west coast. Now, I feel like we need to venture off to New York. I've been to DC with my children. Have it. So New York, then she just going up that Coast. I think that's going to be a next trip for us. And how was it in California? It was great to. See, you. Got to meet my dad. I got to meet his wife. I talk to her over the phone, several several times, but finally get to meet her in person. That was awesome. We watch the San Diego Zoo online. A lot with my oldest was a baby and supposed to finally get him to go there. I felt like it's a it's a check out the list like we accomplished something myself that we wanted to do what we did. It. Did he have a favorite part of the zoo. I'm not sure. We always enjoy animals. So just being there with awesome.

34:27 Did you have any pets growing up? Yes, I had dogs. I'm a dog lover. And I will not my mom or my children have a dog, but I won't buy them a dog. And so, we have a house with a nice yard because I do not want my dog tied up to a tree or always in a cage. I want him to be able to run free and you don't have a good time. So when I get that house will finally get our dog. That's so exciting. I think it's so wonderful that you've had so many goals that you would see you. Then you keep where yes or some keep working and I hope so, I really do. I think they will though. Is there anything that you would want to tell your children? Because as you know, if you upload this to the Library of Congress they can listen and that you'd better. Be awesome. Yeah. Is there anything you want to say to them?

35:23 Just be yourself and figure out what your passion is and work towards that. I feel like people who walk in their passion, who discover their passion, that happy healthier people and it could be effective. Affects the people around you as well. So I want my children to be greatest actors in the world and I believe they will be in their own ways.

35:47 That's amazing. And it sounds like they're already on the right past or is it? I believe so, yes, they are. And do you feel like you so you've found your passion. Do you feel like you were always going to find that? Or do you feel like it was active work to get there?

36:06 I want to say it was for sure after work. I remember riding, you know a pencil and paper. What is it that I want to do? What makes me happy and trying to that time off. I think it was only a semester had to sit. All I want to say, was a whole year. I'm not quite sure, but I use that time to really work on me to get to know who I am and what I want.

36:31 If so, that's that's important for us to do as people, but I use it. It could have been like that your mental. I remember someone saying that although if you take a break, you won't go back. I might do, you know who I am, but I'm definitely going back to school at the only reason why I'm sitting now. It's all right, you know, I'm no longer consider out-of-state. I no longer wanted to pay out-of-state, tuition it back then, that was $4,000 on top of what regular seats When painting and coming from home, you know, low income home. That was not something that I wanted to continue to, you know, a true, all that debt and sounds like, you know what, I can sit out. I'm already working. Let me know, I can work more hours until I did that, but I also use that time to like I said, get to know who I am and what I wanted to do. And I don't know if people take that time to really think about what they want and not just wanted to impress other people or look good for other people.

37:32 But finding ways to make yourself, happy finding that passion is definitely acting work. Absolutely. And what did that work look like for you where you riding a lot or you just thinking I'm Mr. About I used to say I hate writing just on the International Day of the girl. I decided I was going to write a memoir and it's so funny that I kind of be hesitant with going to graduate school because I want a masters in social work. That's a lot of writing, a lot of reading and I'm so critical of myself and I'm writing but I said that as a goal for me so that I could become a better writer. I can enjoy it a little bit more. That is so exciting. That you're ready, I have

38:20 Yes, and no. So my goal is to purchase a notebook, just simply for that but I have ideas here and there but once I get that notebook, I'll put them together and I'll really begin on that Venture. Amazing surgery, ideas chapters or stories. You want to include.

38:40 The chapters but it's tapped. It will probably have a theme.

38:46 Yeah, everywhere based on my life and just encouraging girls to 41. Just like I said to discover who they are and what they want and work towards that, that's amazing. And that's even more work that we really did in this world with the so thank you for doing that to its is great. I love it. And I like I said, if you're if you're walking in your passion is easier to enjoy and to actually achieve that goal.

39:15 And so I think we have a little bit of time left. I have one more question. You were talking about themes and your book, do you feel like there is a general theme in your life or do you feel like the theme switch and shift a lot throughout my day is a general theme? I think about resilience. That's one word that comes to mind and probably translate through several of the stories, but also be a theme of the book as well. So yeah. Well, thank you so much for speaking with me today. It was so amazing and I can't wait to read your men wire. Yes, I would definitely keep you posted on that. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.