Day 14: What I Wore (again???)

Okay figured out some technical difficulties with my camera phone and actually got a picture of what I wore today. Not looking like a bum like I did on Friday, but nothing special.

I have some dressy jeans and brown flip flops. Flip flops are my favorite shoes although most of my friends hate them. OH WELL!!   I think I look a little crazy in this picture, but I got tired of trying to get an angle where you could see whole outfit. 

I might write another blog this afternoon....a lot has been going on in my head. We shall see. I have to get back to work.  The numbers are killin me!!!

Day 13: This Week

This is going to be a rambling blog....sorry


Well...the week started yesterday I guess. I attended church and it was LONG!!!!!! Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. preached.  I know I am wrong, but he is so hillarious and so animated. Honestly....I just like to hear him sing and scream at the end of his sermons (so wrong I know).

After church I ran some errands and rested before a good friend took me out to dinner for my birthday.  I was frustrated at first because I wanted to go the Eastland Cafe, should have checked the fact that they are not open on Sundays. So then my friend suggested we go to Miro District and if you look at the website it is closed :-( But I love seafood and will check the new place out once it opens. So I am scrambling to think of a place that I have not been (sad when you go to that many restaraunts). So I finally thought of 1808 Grille in the Hutton Hotel and it was OPEN!!! Food was wonderful, wine was wonderful, and ambiance was wonderful. I think it will be added to the rotation of places to eat in Nashville.

Today started off with work, doctor's appointment where they took blood :-(, more work, then a dental appointment.  Now I am back at work....figuring out numbers and data. The story of my life. I have a meeting tonight that I am going to try to behave at ;-) and then I can rest. The rest of this week is up in the air. I finally get my car fixed from my accident I had the day that I found out my grandmother died...don't know if I told you all about the car accident. Truck backed up on me....see pic

So not fun....but at least I get my hood painted :-) It was fading.

No other big plans for the rest of the week. A cookout with friends on Sunday, but that is about it.  I think I am going to get several things started and might even get some things accomplished on my 30 things to do in my 30th year. I am getting excited!!!!

Guess that is my week in a nutshell. We shall see.

Day 12: What's in My Bag

A lot for a change....I actually switched to the big bag today. Oh well!

So this is what I have in my bag:

1. Wallet
2. Ipod
3. Journal
4. Lotion
5. Work ID badge
6. Brush
7. Comb
8. Pens ( I have a thing for colorful pens)
9. Carmex
10. Altoids
11. MAC compact
12. Big Sharpie (no clue why)
13. Digital Camera
14. Peppermint
15. Bible

I think that is it....oh well. Going to dinner to celebrate my birthday with a friend tonight. Think I will take a nap first.

Day 11: My Sibling

Well I only have one sibling and she passed away while I was a junior in college. It became a running theme while I was in college when I come home for visits....someone died.  We made a joke about it after the fact, but I think in some ways this still hurts me as I grow older.

I have written about my sister before here. Please read to learn more. I miss my sister, sometimes I think do I think about her enough? She does not consume my life, but how spirit still has an influence on me to this day.

Never take a sibing for granted. Even if you do not get a long....they are still your family.

Love ya sis!!

Day 10: What I Wore today

Should have looked at the blog I was supposed to write before I decided to get dress.  I felt like being a bum. I attempted to take pictures, but for some reason my cell phone would not send them :-(.

Well all I had on was some nike tennis shoes, baggie way too big blue jeans, a black long sleeve t-shirt, and hair was in a long ponytail.

Went out for dinner and just got back and I put on brown flip flops (my favorite shoes), another pair of fitted jeans, and a brown 3/4 length shirt with a design on front.

Funny how the days fall. Tomorrow going to a wedding and going to see Takers my wardrobe choice will be a lot better. Oh well....Tomorrow I write about my sibling, will try not to cry.

Day 9: My Beliefs

What are my beliefs? That is a good question. I honestly believe that they are still formulating in me mind.  I know what I have been taught, I know what I am questioning, and I think I understand where those two paths collide.  I will list some of the things I believe in and maybe even some of the things that I question...will just be a free flow.

1. I believe in God
2. I believe that people will let you down...don't put faith in people
3. I question a lot of things "church" does and does it really line up with God
4. I believe that people have lost their minds....rules are there for a reason.
5. I believe that one day I will truly understand my purpose in life. It is a journey and a process
6. I question if people truly care about others. I think in all actions people are selfish even if they do not want to admit it.
7. I believe that one day someone will understand me and take the time to get to know me and stop making assumptions.

I think that is it.  It is my 30th birthday!!! Was going to write another post, but don't feel like it. I am chilling, just got a manicure and pedicure, had some sushi, and now I am watching one of my favorite shows, Without a Trace. I have a busy weekend ahead and I hope I get things done. Going to see Takers is DEFINITELY on the list....no matter the plot of the movie the eye candy is worth the investment.....#justsaying

Day 8: A Moment

Hmmm....I really do not know where to start. A moment? That is so broad. But I will say the first thing that came to my mind (even if it is not related is this video).



I love that movie!!!! Did not do a lot of writing on this post. Oh well.

Funny on my birthday I have to talk about my beliefs....interesting :-)

Day 7: My Best Friend

This is the most recent picture I could find of me and one of my closest friends.  We have known each other since 3rd grade. We became friends and grew to be best friends since junior high school. Although we do not talk as much as we use to she always has my back and I have hers. We vent to each other, we hold each other accountable, we laugh, we cry, we have fun.

Don't know what else to say. I love her! I have very few friends in my life and usually do not attempt to label one as best. I have a circle of about 4 people I will call my ride or die friends and I consider them all my best because each person is different, but I know they are there for me no matter what....arguments, disagreements, celebrations, joys, and pains. 

Side note....I will be 30 in a couple of days. YIKES!!! 

My Grandmother

This morning I decided to blog again. I have been gone because my grandmother passed earlier this week. It was not a shock, but it was still a hard time.  My grandmother was 89 years old and would have been 90 in a couple of months. She had been in a nursing home for about a year and she was slowly fading away.

I grew up having both my grandmothers in my life and I loved them both so much, but they were both so different. One thing they had in common was the fact that they loved their grandchildren and not matter what we did (even if we made them mad) they showed us that they loved us unconditionally.

When my grandmother passed last week it caused me to do a lot of thinking and remembering. My grandmother was a bad....SHUT YO MOUTH! (had to put it in). She served in the Women's Army Corp during World War II, she dropped out of high school to take care of family, but later got her GED (or the equivalent back then) and went and got her college degree from Lemoyne Owen College an HBCU in Memphis, and she got her Master's Degree in Education from Memphis State (now University of Memphis) along side my mother.  She raised 2 children as a single parent and she taught for over 30 years in the Memphis City School System. She traveled the world and had so many talents....one was sewing and making porcelain dolls.

This was my favorite doll of hers!

She had so many talents and just named a few of her impact in life. Like I said earlier she was an great grandmother. She cared and provided for us and set an example of how to live for her family and everyone she impacted.  I have listed her accomplishments in life, but she was so much more. When you think about she was a BLACK WOMAN who accomplished all these things back in the day when blacks and women had so many strikes against them said a whole lot.

I loved her for the woman she was and the impact that she made in my life. I know she is at peace. She will be missed, but I know she lived a life that anyone would be proud of....the good and the bad.

One of my favorite and funniest stories I can remember about her is when I graduated from Vanderbilt University. She was so proud.  I even got her a Vanderbilt grandparent shirt while I was in college.  She had been to campus a few times while I was there, but at graduation there were so many people. I was coming out of my dorm and my grandmother said (fortunately no one heard her) "What are all these peckerwoods doing here?" I still laugh at that statement. She knew I went to a majority institution, but her seeing so many of them made her realize it.  I just laughed...because I was taking her to introduce her to my "white grandmother" who served as a mentor and good friend while I was in college.

I hope I continue to make my grandmother proud as she made me proud, by being the best grandmother I could ever had!

oh.....well continue the 30 Day Blog Challenge later. Going back to work and a lot to do. I will pick up where I left off. Trying to get back to normal.

Life Interrupted

This morning my grandmother passed and I just got back from being hit by a truck backing up on my car. I am okay, but really not in the mood to post today as a part of my 30 day blog challenge. I will continue maybe tomorrow, or maybe once things are finalized with my grandmother.

Day 6: My Day!

My day has been good. Started off the morning early because I had to work both services at church.  This morning's sermon was good. Sermon was from Joshua 6 and was entitled "One Wall Away." Which basically talked about how to overcome the obstacles in your life.  At the first service Micah Stampley sang as song off his next CD and it as awesome, the title was Heaven on Earth. At the second service Darwin Hobbs sang Champion from his newest CD. They say it was first performance since he had recovered from being in the hospital. 

After church I just came home and relaxed for a while and did some work.  Sundays are my chill days.  I went grocery shopping and cooked some stir fry vegetables and shrimp which were actually very good.  It is still early in the day so I will probably take a nap later on. 

Day 5: What is Love????

 I began to think of this yesterday because this topic is so much harder than yesterday. First thing that popped in my head was I Corinthians 13:4-13. The scripture that is always quoted at weddings.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 (New International Version)

 ⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 ¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I believe all those statements are true, but there is also more to love.  One thing I do think is love is not a feeling, but an action. When you love someone you show it. I think love is not just about sex, but so much deeper, one of my favorite quotes that I found a while ago says this....

"One of my mentors is a celibate monk, and he says we can live without sex but we can't live without love. And there are a lot of people who have a lot of sex and never experience love, and people who never have sex [but] have deep experiences of intimacy and love." -Shane Clairborne

 I have felt love from friends and family and I hope one day to feel love from my significant other, but until that day I will cherish the people who love me and I will show them that I love them with my words and my actions.

Also...I hope I can continue the 30 Day Blog Challenge as schedule, but some personal things are happening which might make me put it on pause. I will update when I know more.  All I can say is cherish life and your loved ones.

Day 4-What I Ate

This blog post would fall on my splurge day...and I was bad. But I will be honest. Some of you know I am on Operation Death of Fat Girl....and based on what I ate today, Fat Girl will be around for a while :-(

For Breakfast I had 32 ounce of water and a spinach artichoke baked egg souffle' from Panera (one of my weaknesses).

For lunch I went out with some former coworkers to Olive Garden and had salad and cheese ravioli.

Couldn't take picture at lunch so I had to get picture from website

For dinner I had shrimp fried rice. They gave me so much, I was shocked. I have enough for the week!

This is just a small portion of what they gave me.

So this is what I ate today. Might go out with friends later, but doubt I will eat. Tomorrow my eating will be much better....but of course the topic for tomorrow is different.

Day 3: My Parents

There is so much that I can say about my parents. I don't think I have wrote exclusively about my mother on here, but I have written about my father. My parents were married until I was in college. My parents were not perfect, but I know both of them loved me and raised me the best way they know how.  I will attempt to give you a brief introduction to both of them.

Mom

My mom was great. She is still alive and is a great support system for me. We have our fights, but I know in the end she has my back and wants the best for me.  She has a fear that I will be single for the rest of my life...Can't wait to prove her wrong.  She thinks I don't listen to the advice that she gives, but I do. I might not always agree, but I take it in and I do what is best for me. Sometimes I am right, sometimes she is right. 

Dad

Don't know if you read the original post I wrote about my dad. Pretty much somes it up.  I remember the good times and the bad. He tried to provide me with whatever I needed and wanted.  We had fun together and I learned some lessons from him. He passed away 3 years ago around this time.  It was a shock, but not a surprise. Like I said before he was still my father, I loved him.

I was tagged

I was tagged by K. over at Everybody Hates Sis.  It is a departure from the 30 Day Blog Challenge that I am doing, will post that entry later on today (couldn't sleep late this morning).  I have not read the questions as I started this post so this should be interesting....

1. What inspired you to start a blog and share your style with the world?

Honestly I do not know. I looked back at my first person was about 3 years ago and  I said it was because I was posting so much on myspace (which I don't even have a page anymore). I do think I wanted a space to voice my random thoughts that I might not feel comfortable voicing to people I know.  I have always said I am not a writer and don't plan on being one, but if someone takes something from what I post, if someone gets inspiration or motivation from some of the thoughts that are going in my head or in my life, great!!!

2. If you dumped your handbag right this second, what contents would fall out of your makeup bag?

Nothing, because my handbag does not have my makeup bag.  I don't wear makeup that often so I don't carry it around. I do use MAC products so I am pretty sure I have some foundation, mascara, and lipglass from them...I have some blush and eye shadow somewhere from them, just not in the bag.

3. Which celebrity do you wish you had of speed dial to call for shopping dates?

Hmmmm.....I guess I would have to say Rayen Symone (don't judge me). She seems cool and fun and comfortable with who she is.  Did not realize she was only a few years younger than me, I always related to Rudy on the Cosby Show, but I guess since we are older the age difference fades. I like her style and she seems to have fun.

4. Favorite Ben and Jerry's flavor.

I do not eat Ben and Jerry's that much to say I have a favorite flavor....I am simple so I simple Vanilla Bean would do.

5. What are you most looking forward to pulling out of your closet this fall?

I love sweaters. My favorite is a burgundy sweater, but I am afraid that it might be too big now since I am losing weight....by fall, might have to revamp my wardrobe.

6. Describe your personal style in three words.

Conservative, Simple, Me

7. What are you currently rocking on your iPod?

Right now I have been listening to P.J. Morton who I love his music, Dwele, and Eric Roberson.  Don't know why, but the other day I threw in some old Yung Joc. I am a neo soul, R&B lover, but I have to throw some Rap in every once in a while. I also finally downloaded a lot of my old Gospel CDs and Yolanda Adams with heavy in the rotation, she has a greatest hits CD that is off da chain!!! Her music helped me get through some tough times in college and her songs bring back memories....good and bad.

8. What's your favorite way to mix high-end items with low-budget pieces?

It is called a sale! Right now I can not afford to go shopping,  because of a career move that has me sacrificing for a little for bigger gains long term. I am good at finding nice things when they are on clearance.  I also save when I see something I want. The next big thing I want to get is slowly making it's way into the budget...it is a Louis Vuitton purse. I have had my eyes on one for a while, once I get so much back in my savings it will be purchased....hopefully.

I had fun answering these questions. Usually don't tag because I never can decide, but I will tag LC over at Loving Me. Hoped you enjoyed reading!

Day 2: My First Love.....

This will be an interesting post because I can honestly say I have not been in love. I have said several times on this blog that I have never dated or been in relationship with anyone. I have had people in my life, but we never dated and relationships never formed.

This being said....My first love was more than a crush that lasted for several years and most of my friends who have known me still mess with me about it from time to time today. The guy is happily married with kids now and we are cool. Don't talk much since college, but we get updates on each other from mutual friends. I had a crush since the time I was 8 until I went to college and actually went to prom with him.  We grew up together and we were born 4 days apart....I still remember this random fact. 

Our moms were in the same sorority, we went to the same church, and participated in various activities together.  What was funny when I was a senior in high school I still did not have a driver's license and I know the only way I was going to the prom was to have a date drive me.  One of my friends suggested I ask my crush to the prom. I was so nervous!!! Well I finally got the guts to call and the words that came out of my mouth were "My momma told me to ask you to the prom." Surprisingly he said yes!  Some people laughed at me on my approach, but it worked.

We went as friends and had a good time. I still have the prom picture we took together (I dare not scan). We went to dinner first and saw a few of my friends, danced a few times, and went to an after party with some of my friends at a hotel. He took me home and I can truly say I had a great prom night.

Funny side story was the morning after prom both of us were being awarded scholarships from our mom's sorority. We were so tired!!!  The party my friend had after prom was at the hotel where the scholarship was being held and a few of the ladies from the sorority were at the hotel late decorating and the recognized us.  They gave us a look, which was too funny. Me and my crush were so on struggle trying to stay awake during the brunch, but we both made it!

That is the closest thing I can write about as a first love. I am very sleepy this morning, rough night. Hopefully the day will get better.

UPDATE:

Since I had to scan some pictures for my next post I decided (since I was asked) to scan my prom picture.  Enjoy!

 

Day One- I Need No Introduction ;-)

If you read my post from yesterday I am starting a 30 Day Blog Challenge and today is day one. I guess I have to introduce myself. I have been blogging for a while so I am basically reintroducing myself to most of you. Well....here I am :-)

In the beginning....

Me now.....

Some intresting things about me

1. I am turning 30 this month!!!! Check out my 30 things to do while 30
2. I am a research analyst for an epidemiology study (sounds fancy...not really, but I love my job)
3. I am very arty craftsy when I have free time
4. I am a nerd
5. I love to ask questions, was voted most inquisitive in high school
6. I blog to vent, never said I was a writer
7. Yes I am virgin and plan on staying that way until I get married (can't believe I typed this, oh well)
8. I am very random
9. I am conservative, but liberal...can explain if you like
10. I LOVE ME!!!!!!!!

Okay....hope this introduction lets you know a little about me. If you would like to know more feel free to ask. I will answer almost anything (within reason).

30 Day Blog Challenge

Funny thing just happened....I was reading a post from a high school classmate of mine which really inspired me. Last post I made stated I could not decide what to blog about.  Well Alisha over at Because I Said So is started a 30 Day Blog Challenge. She got the inspiration from Six Twenty Seven and she got it from someone else....I guess I could keep going, but I won't.  So begininng tomorrow I will start the challenge. I think I have written on some of the topics, but I will try to come from a new perspective...we shall see. Listed below will be what I will be blogging about over the next month. Hope you enjoy :-)

• Day 01 – Introduce yourself
• Day 02 – Your first love
• Day 03 – Your parents
• Day 04 – What you ate today
• Day 05 – Your definition of love
• Day 06 – Your day
• Day 07 – Your best friend
• Day 08 – A moment
• Day 09 – Your beliefs
• Day 10 – What you wore today
• Day 11 – Your siblings
• Day 12 – What’s in your bag
• Day 13 – This week
• Day 14 – What you wore today
• Day 15 – Your dreams
• Day 16 – Your first kiss
• Day 17 – Your favorite memory
• Day 18 – Your favorite birthday
• Day 19 – Something you regret
• Day 20 – This month
• Day 21 – Another moment
• Day 22 – Something that upsets you
• Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
• Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
• Day 25 – A first
• Day 26 – Your fears
• Day 27 – Your favorite place
• Day 28 – Something that you miss
• Day 29 – Your aspirations
• Day 30 – One last moment

We shall see how this goes....

Possible Blog Posts

I really wanted to post something today, but a lot is going on in my mind. I don't know what to write about. I really can't formulate my thoughts so I think I might just make a list of the things that I have been thinking about writing about for awhile.  Some are in draft mode, but I just have not finished. Some are just a thought in my head and I don't have the energy to write a posting....maybe my list will spark discussion or suggestions.

1. Judgment vs. Accountability, know the difference
2. Is it the black man's responsibility to defend or take up for the black woman?
3. Why do people feel life is not complete unless they marry?
4. I will never be a size 2, and I am okay with that
5. What actions a married man should never do
6. Customizing Religion
7. Why can't people be realistic?
8. Speak English!!!!
9. How Dare I Have Standards?
10. Trying REAL hard not to be the bitter black woman.....

These are just a few. Feel free to ask questions or give your thoughts on what you think the topics are about or your thoughts on the topics.  I will write on some of them soon....once the energy comes back.

Side note....my eyes are killin me!!! I have computer work to do all week and had the same things to do all last week and it is draining me. Need some people interaction.  Hope everyone's has a great Monday

My Birthday is approaching....

Yesterday I realized....my birthday is this month. WHOA!!! This really creeped up on me.  Those who follow me know I am attempting to complete 30 things during my year of 30. I have started the process, but I realize I have a lot to do.  I don't want to be so focused on completing the list that I do not take out time to enjoy and just live life. Although I really want to complete the list I do not want it to consume me. If I finish, great, if I don't I will just continue to complete the things as life presents itself.  Feel me?

Well....approaching my 30th birthday has been interesting to say the least. A lot of things have been going on in my head. I don't think I am having a mid life crisis (I hope not....I so want to live longer than 60 years old), but I do think I am being very reflective of my past and how I am going to continue to live my present and my future. I have begun to think about the mistakes I have made and the successes that I have made. I have thought about how I will live the rest of my life and how I will influence others in my life....sometimes this scares me.

What is funny, yesterday I ran into a friend that I had reconnected with on facebook while on campus at work.  We stood in the HOT sun for almost an hour talking. It was funny because it was so unexpected and our conversation got me to thinking.  Made me realize that people do read my random thoughts and postings on facebook (I think some people have hidden me...don't post a lot, but I am an avid user of facebook). The conversation also made me think about some decisions I have made in my life and how I continue to make decisions....don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.  I appreciated the conversation, but I still wonder what the person thought about my responses to some of the questions and topics we discussed. I don't know if I want to ask the person what was going on in their mind, but it just makes me wonder.

I will be turning 30 this month. I have stopped "lying" about my age and I have some interesting decisions about the way my life is going.  As I end this posting one of my favorite scriptures popped in my head.

Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version) 

¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Life is not perfect, but it is good. I will continue to live, laugh, and love.  It is a journey and I am learning and growing...

Church folk are scary sometimes

 I have talked about my faith on here a few times and I have also discussed some of the struggles I have had with my faith.  Today I really began to think about how some "church folk" scare me. Now what do I mean by that?  Well...if as Christians we are supposed to be representatives of Christ then why when I watch television or even people watch at church the most zealous people scare me?


I am not talking about the people who are passionate about their faith, but the people who are just plan crazy. I might be wrong for saying some of the things that I am saying, but just my thoughts and I am putting them out there. A while ago I wrote a post about an encounter I had with a lady at my church and honestly....she might be a really nice lady, but her demeanor and the way she looks and approaches you is a huge turn off. There is this other lady at church who goes around and just stares at you and then she shakes your hand then goes and sits down.  She just weirds me out. 


When I watch some of the religious folks on television I question how did you get a show and is this a good representative of Christ? Everyone has a past and everyone has a testimony, but if the way you present it or the way you look distracts from people hearing about it then what is the point?


I don't want to offer to many specific examples. I know people are still growing and people are different, but some things just don't make sense to me.


Just some more of my random thoughts....OH! On twitter I mentioned a bog post inspired by my best friend, this is not it. That one is still formulating in my mind...just can't grasp my thoughts yet. But is about if black men should defend and take up for black women.