Picture on the back of book, Jean marie Rusin, lives with her mon and brother in New Britain, CT, member of CONNECTICUT AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION, Jean Rusin graduation from CONNECTICUT SCHOOL OF BROADCASTING ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2007. Jean marie Rusin, donate her book to March of DIMES, AND MS. Jean Marie Rusin, is on facebook, and has a JEAN MARIE RUSIN FAN CT AND JEAN MARIE RUSIN FAN CLUB ( MICHIGAN) ON TWITTER, MYSPACE.COM AND MY WEBSITE www.jeanmarierusin.com, also have talkradio on blogtalkradio.com

Through These Eyes

A window to my worldBy JADA PATRICE HOWARD

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Jada Patrice Howard
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4697-8775-6

Contents

Introduction................................viiA Dream Come True...........................1The Worst Place.............................29Trying To Help Somebody.....................41Coming Together.............................55Believe Them................................63My Inner Strengths..........................65Acknowledgments.............................67

Chapter One

A Dream Come True

Are you serious? This has got to be a mistake. I confirmed it, and it was true. After trying for so long to visit the Oprah Winfrey Show, I was randomly picked. Every month, I would go to the reservation window, only to find out that I was not fortunate enough to go. February 2010, I went back to the reservation window. Two day after that, I checked my email. this particular time, the email congratulated me on being picked as an audience guest. I could not believe my eyes. I had to make sure that this wasn't some kind of hoax, so I called Harpo studios, to confirm it. They said that it was not a mistake, and gave me the information that I needed to know. I was so excited until I did not know what to do. I could not wait until my cousin got home from work, to tell him the news. When he arrived, I was jumping up and down, acting crazy. He told me that he knew how much this meant to me, and that he would watch my son for me.

I never been to Chicago, and I did not know what to expect. On top of that, I was going alone. At that point, I did not even care. I immediately started preparing myself. I started out by purchasing my hotel Room, and airline ticket. I then, went to the store to buy an outfit. I tried my best to find something with Oprah's favorite color. I knew that it would stand out. Weeks later, it was time for me to go to Chicago. The night before the trip, I hardly slept a wink. So, you can imagine how tired I must have been. The morning of the trip, the shuttle arrived, to take me to the airport. While flying on the plane, the passenger next to me wanted to know my destination. I said to her that I was on my way to the Oprah Winfrey Show. She seemed very happy for me. After landing in Chicago, the passenger wished me well. I got off the plane with my luggage, and started following the ground transportation signs, and got lost. I kept walking until I ran in to someone that pointed me in the right direction. I finally boarded the shuttle, to my hotel. On the way to my hotel, the shuttle driver took me around the area. In this way, I would not get lost. Thank God that my hotel was around the corner from Harpo Studios.

After checking in the hotel, I walked to the Oprah Store. In this store, they had some of everything. I noticed that they had Oprahs personal closet. In the closet, were the clothes that Oprah have worn. I just had to purchase one of her personal items. I did not see anything I could fit at first, then I came across a pair of pants that I knew would fit. I left her closet, and walked over to a brand new blouse, with the Oprah Logo. Both items I took to the dressing room. The sales clerk informed me that I could only try on the blouse, and that no one was allowed to try on Oprahs personal garments. This was to insure that Oprah was the last to have worn the item. I understood very well, so I took chances buying the pants. I felt I could fit them. So I purchased, Oprahs pants, the new blouse, and a key chain.

After leaving the store, I walk across the street to the Harpo Studios. There I saw two ladies walking down the sidewalk. I asked them to snap my picture in front of the Oprah sign. I just had to have this picture taken for memories. Continuing on my journey, I found a nice restaurant, two blocks away from the studios. I stopped in to grab a bite to eat. I ordered some mac & cheese, corn bread, and chicken. The food was very good, but pricey.

After dining at the restaurant, I walked back to my hotel room. I could not wait to try on Oprahs pants. I put on the pants and new shirt, and everything fit me. I felt that it would, and I was very pleased with what I saw in the mirror. Immediately after trying on the clothes, I started ironing the outfit that I bought with me, for the show. I prepared everything the night before, to insure I would arrive to the studio on time, the next morning.

With the help of a wakeup call from the front desk, I got up at 5 a.m., showered, then started getting dressed. I left the hotel in the dark, and started walking toward the Harpo Studios. On the way, I stopped at a Dunkin Donut, and purchased, hot chocolate, with a bagel and cream cheese. I knew that if I had to wait a while for the studios to open, the food should hold me until it was over. After stopping at Dunkin Donut, I continued walking to the studios. Upon arrival, I realized that I was the first one there. I stood at the door, hoping that someone else would arrive. I then started eating my food, and about thirty minutes later, a group of three showed up. They got in line, and we became associates for the entire time. I could recall one of the ladies asking me, did I think that Oprah would notice me, because I had on a lot of green. I told her, it was depending on where I am seated.

While we were standing in line chatting, more and more people started coming, and Harpo began opening its doors at around seven o'clock. Harpo's security came out to greet the audience in line, then started taking us through security. After going through security, I started getting nervous, because I did not know what to expect. I started thinking to myself, "what if Oprah comes through the same door, I just came through." Well it did not happen because after checking in, we were placed in a holding room, for about an hour.

The crowd control person started calling people by sections, in order to move closer to the studio doors. While sitting there waiting, a lady started calling people by group names. These were the groups chosen to sit up front. Everyone else had to sit in the bleachers. At first I became a little upset, especially after being the first one in line. However, I got over it quick, when Oprah stepped out on stage. I couldn't do anything but stand there and cry. I just could not believe that my favorite celebrity was actually standing in my presence. I was really feeling this woman, deep down within. It just felt like I've known her personally for years.

The audience just kept cheering for her. After Oprah told everyone to take their seats, I found my self Just staring at her. I was in total disbelief that I was really there. During the show, I found it very Interesting, how the show was being taped. For the first time in my life, I actually saw the Camera men do the, Five, four, three, two, one, action thing. I'm like, WOW!

During the commercial break, the audience had breathing time. It gave the audience the opportunity to yell out there feelings toward Oprah. I personally could not see myself yelling out anything, because I probably would have been too shy to do so. If the opportunity would have presented itself, I just would have wanted my own personal time with her. I would have let her know how much I admire, an appreciate her.

When the commercial was over, the audience started clapping, and the show started back up. The audience was very obedient. They remained quiet until the show was over. Oprah thanked everyone for coming after the show. When she stood up and walked out of the studio, I started...