Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Since I have decided to create a blog to share all of my random thoughts and ideas, I feel like it is only right to start off by properly introducing myself.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Jennifer Lorraine Rhodan was born to Ronald and Nancy Rhodan on Thursday, May 10, 1984 at Winthrop University Hospital located on Long Island in Mineola, NY. As the marriage between

Ronald and Nancy became rocky, Nancy decided that a change in scenery/environment would be best for her and her young daughter.

In the summer of 1987, Nancy moved her young daughter to Woodbridge, VA so they could start their new lives in the South. The city of Woodbridge was chosen due to the close proximity to the Quantico Marine Base, where Nancy's younger brother, Erick was stationed with his young growing family.

THE EARLY YEARS

Jennifer quickly adjusted to her new life in Virginia. Although the majority of her family was left back in New York, the love of the family that she did have in Virginia was great enough. She had a fun-loving, practical joke playing uncle who loved her unconditionally. He was married to one of the best aunts a young girl could ask for; Lolita as a second mother for the young Jennifer. Erick and Lolita were the proud parents of two sons, EJ and Andre'. The two boys were only 13 months a part in age, and Jennifer was right in the middle of both. This served as a perfect age arrangement for the dynamic trio; Although they were cousins by blood, they were brothers and sister at heart.

Although Jennifer was enjoying her young life as a daughter, niece, and cousin, she had another passion: SOFTBALL. Nancy signed Jennifer up for softball when she was only 5 years old and caught on to the sport quickly. She took the Prince William County softball arena by storm. She quickly became acquainted with some of top teams in the area and was invited to be a part of elite travel teams.

With Jennifer becoming increasingly busy, the role as a single mother began to take a toll on Nancy. Nancy's mother, Roylee decided to make the move from New York down to Virginia to live with her daughter and grand-daughter. Roylee brought structure to the Rhodan household. Before Roylee's move into the home, Jennifer had numerous babysitters because Nancy worked nights, so Jennifer would have to sleep over at her babysitters' house. It took some time for Roylee to get used to her new life in the South, but she would soon become one of the most popular grandmas in Prince William County and every one's favorite cook!

Jennifer continued to play softball through her middle school years, and because of her extreme athleticism, she was asked to participate in other sports like Volleyball and Basketball. In her 8th grade year at Beville Middle School, Jennifer began to shine in her new sport of Basketball; this proved to be a life altering event in her life. She soon joined an AAU team, the Virginians, where she met one of her best/closest friends, even to this day, Starr Allen.

In the spring of her 8th grade, Jennifer was a part of the most memorable experience that she would ever have. She was selected to play on an EXTREMELY elite Junior Olympic Softball Team, the Vienna Shamrocks. During the summer between the completion of her middle school career and the start of her high school career, Jennifer traveled all across the United States with her softball team. They ended the season with an impressive record of 80-10; and out of the 14 tournaments they played in that summer, they were the champions of 9 of them!

THE START OF A LEGACY

Jennifer started a new chapter of her life in September 1998: HIGH SCHOOL! As a freshman at C.D. Hylton High school, Jennifer didn't know what to expect, but she did know one thing...she was coming in with her new bestfriend Starr, so everything would be alright. Within the first week of school, the new Women's basketball coach, Melvin Smith, tracked Jennifer down because of everything he had heard about her. He extended an invitation to her to play with the returning basketball players in a fall basketball league. Through her hard work and play, Jennifer landed herself a starting position on the Varsity Basketball season.

Her first year as a varsity basketball player was proven to be a tough one. Her team, for a lack of better words, sucked (3-18 record) and she had battle jealously from the older players, but she made it through the season as one of the top young players to watch.

With the success of her first high school basketball season, Jennifer made the tough decision of giving up softball and focusing on strictly basketball and her academics. So, through the continued support of her mother and grandmother, Jennifer did just that. She spent her off seasons and summer traveling to different colleges to participate in basketball camps, and tweaking her skills with her AAU teams. As Jennifer finished up her high school basketball career as a senior, she received numerous offers to further her basketball career in college. She chose Virginia State University as a guard/forward package deal with her bestfriend Starr.

It wouldn't be fair not to note that Jennifer received more then just a great education and the opportunity to play basketball in college from C.D. Hylton High School. She also met her other bestfriend, Erika Smith, as a sophomore in high school. Erika too decided to further her education at Virginia State University.

In June 2002, Jennifer received her high school diploma from CD Hylton High School. She was sadden to leave such a great school where she was provided limitless opportunities academically and athletically and an area where she had accumulated so many friends, but she was more than ready to start her new chapter in her life: COLLEGE!

HIGHER EDUCATION

In the fall of 2002, equipped with athletic and academic scholarships, Jennifer, her mother, and grandmother made the trip down to Petersburg, VA so she can start her new life as a VSU Trojan. She was anxious about the new opportunities that college life was ready to present her and was equally excited to share this experience with her two best friends.

Jennifer, Starr, and Erika had agreed not to be roommates the first year of college in an effort not to strain the friendships, but they were fortunate enough to stay in the same dorm. Jennifer's first new college friend was her roommate Shenedra White from Estelle, South Carolina. She was the best roommate anyone could ask for.

Jennifer's transformation from high school life to college life proved a bit rocky from the start. Academically, it took no time at all for Jennifer to began excelling, but it was on the basketball court, where Jennifer met resistance. Coach Peggy Davis, was a hard-nose, no-nonsense type of coach who road her freshmen players extremely hard. The team had much to prove because they were coming back from a CIAA championship & NCAA Division II Sweet 16 finish. Through blood, sweat, and tears (LITERALLY), she was able to make it through, what turned out to be, her toughest season of basketball EVER.

Though Jennifer started at VSU as a member of the Women's Basketball Team and Honors Program, she was determined to make the most out of her college experience. April 3, 2005, Jennifer became a member of the prestigious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Epsilon Chapter. She also served as the President of her school's chapter of the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as served as a Student Representative on the President's Board.

During the preseason prior to her Senior year, Jennifer faced one of her toughest obstacles, a knee injury. This was tough for Jennifer, because she never really faced a serious athletic injury before, and was never forced to sit out from competition. After her first knee surgery to repair a partially torn ACL and extensive rehab, she was cleared to return to the court a couple weeks before the regular season tip-off. Unfortunately, Jennifer completely tore her ACL again, ending her basketball career before she even saw regular season action. However, she was able to play in an exhibition game at Morgan State before the career ending injury.

Despite the heartbreak Jennifer endured because of the way that her basketball career ended, she still made the most out of her Senior year. She used her free time as an opportunity to build on her friendships and enjoy her last few months before she would be thrown out in the real world. It was also during this school year that a very good friendship blossomed. Chino Simmons, stepped in and proved himself to be one of the closest male friends Jennifer has ever had, and still continues to be her male best friend to this day.

May 14, 2006, Jennifer graduated cum laude from Virginia State University with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. This is listed as one of the happiest days of her life. Her mother Nancy says that it was the best Mother's Day Gift a mother could ask for. Although Jennifer was sad to end this chapter of her life, she was eager to move on and see what life still had to offer her.

THE REAL WORLD

The transition from College Student to Professional, was a tougher path then Jennifer imagined. She spent the summer and the early fall working odd-end jobs until the one that she can call her career came along. She was living back at home with her mother and grandmother, but was ready to move out on her own, but she knew she couldn't do that until she landed her a career.

October 15, 2006 was the date that tragedy struck Jennifer's family. This is the date, that is considered the saddest days of her life. Her cousin, Andre' passed in his sleep. She got the call from his frantic brother early that morning, all he could get out was for her to come meet him at Potomac Hospital and it was about Andre. It took some time for the family to move on from such a shocking event in their lives, especially her Aunt Lolita and cousin EJ.

The day after her cousin's sudden passing, Jennifer received a phone call from a manager with Electronic Data Systems (now an HP company) to come in for an interview. Being the strong individual she is, she made the appointment for that week, even while funeral arrangements were being made for her cousin. Despite her heavy heart, she landed the job with the company.

To commemorate her cousin Andre, on what would've been his 22nd birthday, November 30th, Jennifer went and bought a Bichon Frise and named him Mojo. He was the runt of his litter and she instantly fell in love when she saw him in the play pen with all his brothers and sisters.

August 15, 2007 marks the day that Jennifer became an official homeowner. She bought a one bedroom condo in a section of Arlington known as Shirlington. This was the official mark of her "independent woman" status.

Today Jennifer lives in her condo in Shirlington, VA with her 2 year old dog, Mojo. She still works for EDS as a Project Manager on an ATF account downtown. In her free time, she enjoys activities such as partying with her friends, eating, sleeping, watching tv, and playing with her dog. She is an active member of the Chi Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., as well as a mentor for the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund. She attends Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, VA.