My Labor Day Weekend 2010

My Friday morning started off with me packing up all the shoes in my closet that I have not worn in at least a year which was about 20 pairs.  The inspiration came from reading this blog about decluttering ones life. I put everything in a bag and headed out to my car to find this awaiting me

Some time during the night someone attempted to break into my car which necessitated this

Yes the police ( I actually knew the policewoman she and I grew up at the same church) came, filed a report and took fingure prints to identify the culprit and because the thief so graciously destroyed my ability to enter the car using the actual key and my remote access that necessitated this

Yes my car had to be towed to a body shop on a Friday entering into a holiday weekend.  Which also meant I needed to get a rental car which resulted in me getting this

Yes nice rental with only 18 miles on it.  Unfortunately because of the whole incident my plans for the weekend changed and I cannot make real use of a rental but I am going to see what I can do since I have the car till next Friday.  I am thankful I have insurance and that my car is relatively unharmed.  This was my Friday we shall see how the rest of the weekend unfolds

the best Mock Tuna Salad EVER!!!

I found this recipe on Whole Foods website and it is the best Mock Tuna Salad.  I love that it is not made with any mayo substitute, I made the salad below.  I have listed the recipe for your convenience.  Enjoy

Ingredients


1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup raw almonds

1/3 cup finely chopped celery

1/3 cup finely chopped pickles

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon kelp granules

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon sea salt



Method

Put sunflower seeds and almonds into a large bowl, cover by 2 inches with water, cover and set aside at room temperature to let soak for 10 to 12 hours; drain well.



Pulse sunflower seeds and almonds in a food processor until very finely chopped, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in celery, pickles, onions, dill, maple syrup, lemon juice, kelp, pepper and salt. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve.



Nutrition

Per serving (about 1/2 cup): 400 calories (290 from fat), 32g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 22g total carbohydrate (7g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 14g protein

Invictus - Nelson Mandela's Encouragement

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul

Wordless Sunday

Public Health Social Marketing Messages

If you know me well you know I totally ENJOY really cool public health social marketing campaigns.  I have decided to start a series highlighting what I believe is great messages.  I visited one my jobs partner agencies the other day and they do a lot of work in HIV/AIDS.  The executive director gave me her business card and I just happen to flip it over and it stated the following

What does HIV look like?

It may look like you!

I told her that took me  back a little and I that is hard to do.  But I love that it did.  It reminded me that AIDS does not have a look.  Get tested and use condoms was the take away.  What is your take away?

Five Stages of Grief

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross developed the five stages of grief.  I believe these phases can apply to other elements of life besides grief over someone's death but also grief over the end of a relationship, a move away from family and friends or just a transition in one's life. 

5 Stages

1.  Denial
2.  Anger
3.  Bargaining
4.  Depression
5.  Acceptance

The key is not to get stuck in any of the first 4 stages.  That can be hard but we have to try!!!

How to be Alone?

I thought this video was pretty cool and thought I would share it with you all!!!

Education and Voting

I have a friend that always says the two most important things we can do is pursue an education and vote.  His basis for that position is that those are the two things that people fought and died to stop blacks and women from getting an education and casting their vote.

And as we know these are powerful tools.  I think specifically about the ability to read.  Knowing how to read is empowering.  When you are able to read people are less likely to take advantage of you.  This came to a head for in the midst of something I am currently experiencing.  People assume you do not know your rights and that you will believe what you are told.  Thankfully I am an investigator and partly skeptic of people thu I am always looking for documentation and documenting. Reading is so powerful and I love it!  I am steadily building my library.  Someone once said the best thing to do to hid information is put it in a book, Do it, bring it on I will find it!!!

Wordless Picture of Great Friendship - Thanks Symet

Sabbath Lesson for Me

Well today's lesson as always was learned even before the pastor got up to speak.  It was the children's story.  The speaker spoke of telling the truth and how you cannot build relationships on stories (lies are what we adults call them). 

The second lesson was taught when the pastor did stand up.  He spoke of Samson and Delilah (Judges 13 - 16).  Samson was raised to be of service to God and Delilah was raised to be Samson's destruction.  He bought it home to me when he stated that God has a purpose in my life and Satan has a purpose for my life.  Decisions I make follow one of those purposes, I realize a few that I have been making were not following God"s .  Father give me the strength to follow the purpose you have for my life and the faith to believe you will do what you have promised. 

Wordless Friday Night Dinner

Quotable Quote

I was introduced to a running website this week in prep for my big triathlon in October.  They had the following quote on it and I thought I would share it.


“Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.”

-Woody Allen

Wordless Thursday

Wordless Sunday II

Wordless Sunday

Triathlon - Do you want to join me?

Well I have officially decided to prepare for my first triathlon. It has been something I have wanted to do for years ever since seeing the Ironman on television growing up.  I will be participating in the Lake Lanier Island Triathlon on Sunday, October 3rd.  A part of me is kind of scared to say that out loud or in writing what if I totally fail but then I am encouraged because my biggest challenger is me ( I am not racing against anybody but my previous time).  I just have to try and that is an accomplishment in itself.  So I will

Swim 400 yards then

Bike 13 miles then

Run 5 K then

thank God I finished!!!

Quotable Quote

Over the past year I have been introduced to a number of people who are pretty successful in their chosen fields.  And they each mentioned that when you reach a certain point in your career you will not apply for jobs, people will offer them to you without even an interview your reputation will proceed  you.  I think that is pretty awesome.  I look forward to that day.  I was on a blog that I follow and found the following quote that I thought worthy of sharing related to that idea.

"If you're really that good, other people will do your bragging for you."

The 3 Most Important Decisions of Your LIfe!

A friend of mine's parents have been staying with me during the 59th General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventist being held here in Atlanta until July 3rd.  While Sunflowers and I were sitting down at the dining room table they returned from one of the meetings and the husband started talking about what he learned early in his life  - the three most important decisions you will make in your life.  I thought they were profound and I thought I would list them here.

1.  Give your heart to the Lord
2.  Decide on a vocation
3.  Attaining a wife or husband

He spoke of how the first would guide the second and third  The second is important to minimize drama when you attain the third.

Sabbath Lesson For Me!

On Sabbath the pastor went over the following text that i have been meaning to post but have not.  Ihave heard it a million times however it hit something within me on Sabbath

Psalms 27:4

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

I just want to be with the Lord in the safety of arms, in the comfort of his presence and when it is all said in done I want to be saved.  My prayer is whatever it takes Lord save me that is my greatest desire!!!

Hello New Readers

It has come to my attention that I have a few new readers and I want to say hello and special shout out to Betsy Green!!!!!

MPH Experience Part 2

Well how do I start this post. We met with the Dean of Academic Affairs on Monday as a result of the email below:

I am very disappointed that you have chosen to reschedule our meeting for a second time in regards to the Applied Epidemiology course in which all three students failed and myself with a grade of F. It would seem as if this is very unimportant to you. I have received a failing grade in a course in which I did not earn and in which a teacher in your program failed to teach me and demonstrated a total disregard to teaching and a disdain for his students. I have been attempting to discuss this matter since May 6th. I have requested time off from my full time job twice for the prospect of getting this situation resolved before the start of my practicum. Out of respect for your request that we do not do anything until you meet with Dr. M on May 12th, we did not proceed further because you stated you would provide an update. We have asked for that update and have been ignored consistently. I feel unaware as to how to proceed and who to proceed with. I need someone to understand the predicament I am in academically, financially and emotionally and respond accordingly. Please advise.


This email was not written to her it was written to the Dean of my program, I copied her on it out of my frustration of not being taken seriously or a priority. She responded meeting with us during the previously scheduled time for our dean. She was poised, informative and articulate. Something I hope to be some day as a mature. I see why she has the position she has. I did not feel better after having met with her, if anything I felt worst about the possible outcome however, I did feel heard and that meant a lot to me. Diplomacy is priceless. The Assist Dean of AA did mention, on more than one occasion, that my Dean was very upset by the email above. I have re-read and asked a number of other people what they thought of the email and was it upset worthy. They all said no. They stated it was to the point and expressed my feelings regarding a very serious issue. I know I can be sharp with my words that is why I try to get others opinion before I send out potent emails. Let me know what you think!

I found it almost laughable that the Dean was upset by this email. I wonder does she realize I am UPSET receiving a grade that I did not earn and no one that is able to help me is helping or listening.
 
thanks Joseph for sending the deleted post!!!

MPH program Part 3

I know you are thinking part three where did part two go.  I know I know.  I was attempting to complete the edits that Sunflowers suggested and I deleted it instead.  Blogger did not ask me to confirm and the back key did not return the post so it is lost forever.  I have the email however I do not have the energy to recreate what I wrote prior to it.  One of the drawbacks of dating a lawyer is that they tend to edit everything meticulously that is why I know there was nothing wrong with the email that I sent.  But lets not get me started on that.  I just wanted to stop all the emails asking why I deleted the part two post.  Stay tuned still!!!!

P,S. If any of you printed it out feel free to send it to me and  I will repost it!!!

MPH Program Spring Semester Over Part 1

Well I have successfully finished my second semester at Morehouse. This semester I took the plunge and took 5 courses ; Environmental Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methods, Intermediate Epidemiology and Applied Epidemiology, the grades were A, A, B, B and F. I know you are probably stuck on that F, I am too. Not because oh that is what I earned but ohhhhhhhh that is what the teacher decided to give me after a semester of crappy teaching and me calling him out on his crappy teaching. And the fact that there were three people in the class and the teacher gave the other two people C’s (which is still failing) and me an F out of his pure unadulterated disdain for all of us and his dislike of my outspokenness and my total disdain for crappy teaching at $500 a credit hour times 3. I am actually ok with it. Because the F does not speak to my ability or my worth however it speaks volumes about the teacher. No worries I know there are implications of the F, however we have submitted a formal complaint to the Dean which ironically before we knew our grade we had informed her of the crappy teaching and a semester of wasted time and long before that we voiced our concerns to our advisor. I am confident it will all work out. Stay tuned on that front.

All in all things are well and I am gearing up to working on my thesis this summer. I have been offered a part time research assistantship position for the summer skegee to work on cervical cancer. I am trying to see how I am going to work that into my life at the Food Bank. This assistantship has a few really cool benefits. The first being my thesis is focused on human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted disease which is found in 90% of all cervical cancer patients.

Wordless Sabbath

The Bike

I finally got the bike that I have been wanting for a while.  It is a Globe 700 (a division of Specialized Bikes) step thru that I acquired from Outback Bikes in Little Five Points.   I have ridden it a few times today and I am committing to riding it once a day around the park across from my house, starting with one lap a day for a week and building up.  It will be my exercise routine.  My goal is to be physically fit and if that happens to turn into consistently weighing 140 pounds.  I will give all praise to God.  Below is the picture of my bike.  The only drawback to it I realized after I got it home, it does not have a kickstand.  And when I called back I informed the sales person that my bike did not have a kickstand and she informed me that it does not come with one and I asked how does it stand up and she said you lean it up against something or put it in a bike rack and I thought, are you serious you pay $400 to lean the bike up against something.  A kickstand cost $13, I will be getting one tomorrow!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!

This is a tribute to my mother who embodies the virtures of the Proverbs 31 woman.  Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made to raise me and the values you have given me that hope I live out in my everyday life.  Thank you for representing Christ to me before I know who He was for myself.  Happy Mother's Day!!!

I am still HERE!!!!

On Friday I was having an UGH moment or morning. I called the world's best psychologist and we had lunch.  Everyone should have a doctor, a lawyer and a psychologist on speed dial.  They are priceless!  I was able to talk over my concerns with my him and get some perspective which was greatly needed.  He told me what he sees in me professionally and personally ( please note part of having a psychologist and a friend in one they also tell you what they think).  It was reassuring and comforting I just have to make sure to get out of the way of my own future.

This was reinforced on Sabbath when Pastor John Boston spoke on topic  I am still here.  Coming from the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37).  His brothers were jealous of him.  Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers who began to hate him because they saw potential for greatness in him in through his dream that they were jealous of.  Pastor Boston went on to say sometimes other people/our enemies/our so called friends see potential in us that we do not see in ourselves and attempt to stop us from reaching it out of their own jealousy.   It is important for us to recognize and accept the call God has on our lives and be assured that what God has called you to become he has equiped to be. 

Now to bring what my psychologist said and what Pastor Boston preached and what I know the call God has on my life full circle that is brining me to my Sweet Spot.  I know I am destined to do something amazing to help people live better lives on this earth until Jesus returns and that I will perform it around the world.  and I  am going to get to do all of that with a man (my husband of course) that will continually sweep me off my feet as we both bow in thanksgiving to God! How awesome is that!!!

What does success look like?

I attended a Public Health Leadership Seminar as part of my MPH program on last Friday and a young man named Dustin Duncan, a Morehouse College Alumni and PhD doctoral student at Harvard University had this slide in his presentation (using with permission) that caused me to ask myself the following questions and they gave me an assurance that I am coming into my SWEET SPOT!!!

-What am I passionate about?  Inequalities in developing countries that result in poor health outcomes
-What can I be really good at?  Advocating for those that cannot speak
-What are indicators of success?  Making a lasting change that results in people that might not have had a favorable outcomes do because of some intervention I was able (by God's grace) to implement and doing it all around the world. 

Sabbath Reflections

I shed tears in church today as I watched a young lady have a baby dedicated.  Let me give you some background on baby dedications at my church.  We (Seventh-day Adventist) believe in returning children back to God thru dedication when they are infants.  It comes from the story of Hannah and her dedication of Samual ( I Samuel 1:19 - 26). 

The dedication is surrounded by lots of friends and family and the church elders.  The leading pastor holds the child and offers a prayer of thanksgiving for the birth of the child and prayer of dedication of the child back to God.  Today this young lady stood dedicating her child with only her sister.  She did not have any other family or friends to stand with her for this momentous occasion.  It sadden me and  made me thankful at the same time.  Thankful that I believe I have family and friends that would stand with me indifferent of my religion and the circumstances and come to the dedication of my child (if I had one) because it was something important to me and my child.  It saddens me to think that a man could lay with someone to make a child however would not stand with her for the dedication of the child they created.  There are a number of reasons why she stood there with only her sister, I do not know them.  Most of the ones I imagine are sad to me.  This is an opportunity for me to prayer for and reach to this young lady and I hope you would do the same. 

Foreign Service Oath of Office

I think this sounds pretty awesome

"I ________, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Sabbath Blessing for Me

I awakened this morning with a resolve on a issue and then I put on my ipod and listened to one of my favorite songs by Dyanamic Praise ( a gospel group from my alma mater Oakwood College).


The song is You Are More Than Worthy on their album Testify;

The words are;

You (referring to God) are more than worthy of my praise. I tried things my way didn’t realize I drove you away you are more than worthy of my praise. I am nothing unless you are leading my life. Teach me Oh Lord your ways and statutes. I am nothing unless you are leading my life. I praise you no matter what comes in my life. I just want to be the vessel you want to use, you have my heart ,my soul , my body and mind. I just want to exalt a total praise to you.  I praise you no matter what comes in my life.  You have my heart, my mind and soul, have your way in me, I yield to you. I praise you no matter what comes in my life just want to be a vessel you want. Thank you Jesus. I give it to you you created me. I praise you no matter what comes in my life I just want to be a vessel you want to use. I just want o be in constant praise to you.

This song is so powerful to me.  The words in bold just caused me to raise my hands and cry holy holy holy.  God is more than worthy.  My greatest desire is to be a vessel that God would want to use to draw others to him.  There is no greater purpose on this earth than that.  Father I yield!!!!

Good Friday

Today is my 34th birthday.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are my favorite flowers and yesterday while I was at my second favorite grocery store Whole Foods ( my favorite of course is my Food Coop) I bought some and thought I would share them with you!!!

My Office is Now Complete

Well my office is officially finished thanks to my SUNFLOWERS who surprised me and brought over a huge palm last night, which was the finishing touch the room needed. I was wavering between putting up a drape in front of the window which I really did not want because the window is kinda cute. Take a look at the pictures. What do you think? Just in case you are wondering all furnishing are compliments of Pottery Barn via my 40% employee discount. Desk – Bedford Corner Desk, Book shelf – Study Wall Shelf and wood gallery frames, Rug – Sisal Rug with black border, red drape ( I can switch the drape out and change accent of  the theme of black and white)- Cameron Drape, the chairs they do not have any more and the desk chair is probably older then me it is a classic and Pottery Barn actually sells one exactly like it but it is cheaper quality of wood and is much smaller. I have not acquired all of my books from my moms storage but once I do I will probably need another shelf, I have books from undergrad and graduate school and my current collection that I am acquiring in my MPH program.

I have to include a little note about the Palm that SUNFLOWERS brought over. First it was a shock I could not stop thanking, hugging and kissing him not that he is not AWESOME all the time but I had forgotten that I had asked/mentioned in passing, what he thought about a plant in front of the window since he has such a green thumb and could he look into one for me. So when he showed up with it, I was like oh wow you got me a plant. You got me what I wanted. And when I told him how thankful I was he said you asked me for it and I was like yeah but I did not necessarily think you would get it. Something about that is pretty awesome to me and I am not expressing it in words as I would like but I know what it meant to me and that is the most important thing.

Sabbath Lesson for Me

Today’s sermon by Pastor Carlton P. Byrd was God’s weapons of mass destruction. It was taken from Exodus 7 – 12. These texts tell the story of the 10 plagues God brought upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians as a result of Pharaoh refusing to let the Israelites go, they were;


1. All water outlets turned to blood (Exo. 7:17)

2. Frog infestation (Exo. 8:10)

3. Dust turned to lice (Exo. 9:17)

4. Fly infestation (Exo. 8:21)

5. Death of cattle (Exo. 9:2)

6. Boils (Exo. 9:9)

7. Hailstorm ( Exo. 9:18)

8. Locust (Exo. 10:4)

9. Darkness (Exo. 10:22)

10. Death of the first born (Exo. 12:29)

My take away or what I was reminded of is that God is our protector and avenger. He(God) does not need me to fight situations I find myself in. He will protect and avenge me in ways I could never have thought or imagined and He uses weapons I could never have thought of. Who would have ever thought frogs could be used as a weapon? My God is awesome!!!!

Quote for Today

I was reviewing a blog that I follow (the Briden Bunch) and I came across the following quote

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.


~Saint Augustine
 
This and the fact that I a humanitarian at heart is the reason I am destined to join the foreign service working for USAID or the CDC.  Here I Come!!!

Sabbath Lesson For Me

My Sabbath lesson occured before I even went to church.  I read it in my morning devotional book ( it is comprised of stories by women from around the world).  And the day's author made the following prayer that I thought was noteworthy

Lord, help me to simply love others as they are.  Help me also to value the things that are eternal and to accept the things that are temporal.

I thought was rather poetic I hope you see the same.

Sabbath Lesson for Me

It's Sabbath and I went to church even with the snow.  I am only two exits from church so I have no excuse.  It was nice.  The Mayor of  the City of Atlanta was there being honored as part of our Black History Awards honoring those who have me strides in African American History.  Our mayor is Kasim Reed, he is a young (late thirties) and I guess I can say progessive.  He was voted in after a heated election.  He made a statment using a quote from Dr. King that I had never heard.  I have spent the last hour searching for it online.  It spoke of the next generation of privilege.  I could not find that one however I found a two others that I thought I would share

by Dr. King

I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream—a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few;..... ; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality. That is the dream...



AFL-CIO Convention, December 1961

and relative to today's climent of the so called Recession
 
When there is massive unemployment in the black community, it is called a social problem. But when there is massive unemployment in the white community, it is called a Depression.


We look around every day and we see thousands and millions of people making inadequate wages. Not only do they work in our hospitals, they work in our hotels, they work in our laundries, they work in domestic service, they find themselves underemployed. You see, no labor is really menial unless you're not getting adequate wages. People are always talking about menial labor. But if you're getting a good (wage) as I know that through some unions they've brought it up...that isn't menial labor. What makes it menial is the income, the wages.

Local 1199 Salute to Freedom, March 1968

Not Washington, DC but

It snowed today.  The pic is of my house I thought I would capture it as it snowed on it.   I took off today and it was a joy from the moment I woke up till now (minus the slight headache I have now which only tells me I ate something with dairy in it and I did not know it).  My mom and I decided since I had my dad's truck to head up to Dawsonville to visit Pottery Barn Outlet  to make use of my employee discount which I fear will be ending soon since holding down my full time job at the Food Bank and going to grad school full time is taking most of my time so much so that I barely have time to for just me in addition to studying.  However giving up the discount is a lot to let go.  Every since I have worked there I have said I want a sofa and I have yet to buy one.  I have furnished my dining room, a guest room, my bedroom and now my office ( you will see the transformation, I am working on it this weekend stay tuned) but not my living room.  I even went to the Outlet for the purpose of finishing up getting stuff for my office and I did all but for  a drape which I will run over to West Elm ( a division of William Sonoma which also owns Pottery Barn and the discount work there too)  over the weekend to see if they have anything.  I feel like I keep drifting but the point is I bought a sofa today for the bargain basement price of $300 (yes it is new), I only wish they had two of them.  I feel I can now comfortable depart from the great PB without any regrets I have gotten what I wanted but then I really want to furnish my other guest room.  The discount keeps calling me back once you pay a drastically different price it is hard to go back to buying at full price, the fake sale price and even the clearance price when you know if you gave up 4-10 hours a week you could benefit from a great discount.  Stay tuned on when I let go!!!!

January Family Get Together

We have started this tradition with my father's side of the family that for all the family in the ATL that we get together once a month at someone's home have dinner. This month it was at my house and the theme was a Soup Swap. It turned out really nice and everyone had a nice time. At first I was a little concerned that the family would not know what to do with just themselves with no TV to fill in the time. All worked out well. We talked, communicated and learned something about each other. We enjoyed a great variety of soups, grilled cheese and crackers and wonderful company. I look forward to the next get together!!!

oh by the way I provided the picture of the table because I find a well dressed table inviting and this particular one I put together myself and I am kind of proud of it!!!.

New Years Day 2010

Last Year was my Year of Restoration, the list I created is below along with the resolutions that occured in 2009


1. Restoring my relationship with God - living the life I believe -CONTINUAL PROCESS
2. Restoring my career that utilizes my education, talents, gifts and drive to travel the world to make a positive impact for change - I AM IN GRADUATE SCHOOL TO ASSIST IN POSITIONING ME TO FULFILL THIS
3. Restoring my status to loving wife, friend, life companion to a man that is a Christian, Adventist, leader, honorable, respectful and knows how to love me best - THE LORD IS WORKING ON IT
4. Restoring my finances to position me to return in tithes and offering what I currently make in less than five years - FINISHING MY DEGREE WILL ASSIST IN THIS FULFULLMENT
5. Restoring me to a level of maturity that accepts people as they are and respecting their desire to be different - I THINK I HAVE

Now as for 2010 I have to repeat those listed above with continued emphasis on my relationship with God and financial stability where the only thing I owe any man is love. Debt free is the goal. I will add I am would like to have secured a consistent weight goal of 140 pounds with a regular weekly exercise routine that I hope will include biking. I think that is it. I will recap next year this time.

Sabbath Lesson For Me

Well it is the Sabbath after Christmas and of course we had a Christmas themed sermon. I unfortunatly did not focus on it at all. Whenever I am at church and bored or distracted by my surrounding or distracted from my own thoughts I start to read the Bible to bring my mind back into a state of worship in God's Sanctuary. Today was no different. I starting reading in Luke in part directed by the fact that is where the day's text came from however i went pass the Luke 2 Christmas text and went on to read Luke 11:13 which states "if ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your chidren: how much more shall your heavely Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."

My take away from this text today reminded me of what I put in my Christmas letter. I mentioned not getting the one gift I wanted when in actuality I did get it and have had it a while. I know you are thinking I am talking about the gift of Christ sacrifice on the cross, I realize that and am undoubtedly thankful however that is not what I am talking about. God has given me the gift and just because I was not able to have it on Christmas Day as the world would say I should I had it all the previous 364 give or take a few days of 2009. So weighed properly and in perspective I think I am good, I am great!!!

My Christmast Letter 2009

This year started off with me attending the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States ---Barrack Obama. I had the honor of attending it with the man that I am now dating whom I will call from this point on Sunflowers per his request to remain anonymous to the world wide web. I was in the throng of thousands of people it was my chance to be a part of an historic moment in American History and Global Politics – I was humbled to be alive to witness this moment, Thank you Father.

Spring came and I ushered in my 33rd birthday at home with mom, Luther, Rodrecus, his fiancée Katrina and Sunflowers. Oh and Patches, the world’s best cocker spaniel. In the spring I also received acceptance into Morehouse School of Medicine Master of Public Health Program. The day I received the letter I got to share the moment with Sunflowers. We officially started dating in May give or take and Katrina became my sister-in-law as well.

I excitedly went through the summer waiting in expectation for the school year to start. School started in August. I am on the Epidemiology track meaning in one more year I will be an epidemiologist. What is an Epidemiologist? It is and I will soon be a scientist who studies the outbreak, frequency, distribution, and control of communicable diseases. And you know me those studies will be global, preferably on the continent of Africa.

My grandmother died in September. I was thankful to have had the opportunity to see her for her birthday in August and that Sunflowers was able to accompany me. I wanted him to meet her. It meant a lot to me then and even more now that she is gone. She left some pretty intelligent, educated, and respectful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May our daily lives speak to the work she put into each of us and may that be her legacy.

God has been awesome to me. He allowed me to gracefully finish my first semester with a 3.6 GPA, maintain my job and keep Sunflowers happily engaged. The last one is kind of a nice bonus. God is pretty cool about giving us not only what we ask for but sometimes just out of His sheer love for us, He gives us what we do not ask for.

It is the week of Christmas. I am not where I had planned to be and it just really hit me that I will not get the only thing I wanted for Christmas. I attempt to comfort myself with knowing that I must be where God would have me to be at this moment and enduring what He knows I can handle. It has taken and will probably continue to take a few (really a lot of bo hooing) tears, mental consultations and letting go to realize that however I am trying. I am thankful for the comfort that God brings and I will be thankful when this time has passed.

Over the course of the year I have had friends and family edit my interest letter for graduate school, reassure me of the calling God has on my life, pray for and with me and to just listen to me. They have all been very precious to me and for that I am thankful. I look forward to a new year of great possibilities, growth in myself spiritually and mentally and the privilege to share it all with people whom I get to share my gift of love to and whom get to share their gift of love to me.

First Semester at MSM Completed Fall 2009

Well I have officially completed my first semester at Morehouse School of Medicine in the Master's of Public Health Program.

My goal was to get all A's however my report card reflects the following

A Fundamentals of Public Health
A- Epidemiology
A- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
B Statistical Computer Methods

I know you are thinking why not solid A's in the Epi courses since that is my end goal to be an Epidemiologist well what excuses can I give life happened. I am working full time and going to school full time so I find comfort in that. Now as for the B, what can I say I can trully say I did my best. It was very difficult however I do recognize that I need to improve on my SAS and SPSS abilities. I am trying to get a practicum that will focus on that skill development. Stay tuned I should have some info on that in April/May. I am excited about that.

I am now on a break till January 4th. I am trully enjoying it. I am actually have the chance to do a little cleaning and time for just me and Patches. I am taking it all in until then!!!

Sabbath Lesson For Me

Well today I went to Berean and Pastor Byrd spoke and the title of his sermon was "Raising Another Man's Baby." The premise coming from Matthew 1 and the story of Joseph and Mary and Jesus being another man's (God's) baby. He related it back to the point that there are a lot of children that need to be raised. You and I need to do it in an effort to help them become a better person. He brought out a news story of a lady living the American dream (married, 2 1/2 kids and a dog) and how it was taken away when some three young boys less than 17 years old broke into her house killed her husband an violated her daugther and traumatized her. The lady went through the trial and pleaded against the death penalty for these young men and visited them to learn of their story and how one of them was just looking for someone to look up to and how he ended up with the wrong group of people and ended up at her house. And she made the statment in the story if only someone had taken on the responsiblity to raise another man's baby.

I thought the sermone was worthy of note and thus have shared it with you. I pray that I and you take it upon ourselves to guide, direct and love the young people that we come in contact with.

Thanksgiving 2009

As I thought about this post I had mixed emotions that I am trying to decipher how to express.

My holiday weekend started Wednesday. I kept my nephew for the day which was an adventure and tiresome.

Thursday/Thanksgiving.
Patches (my dog) and I went to my mom and Luther's for breakfast. It was a pleasant family time with just the three of us. My brother was off with his in-laws. In the midst of the day I sent and received text messages from friends saying Happy Thanksgiving. It was nice. I had a great Thanksgiving dinner with family and did not make a thing well I did make sugar cookies per request but that was minor since in the past I have cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal. I think school and working took all of my energy, only thing I wanted to do was just mingle, eat and leave. and that is exactly what I did. I came home and chatted with two long time friends. I forgot to mention that at dinner we went around asking what we were thankful for and the first thing that came to mind was the fact that I have some great, amazing friends. There was a time in my life were I did not have any friends. I prayed that God would send me just one and HE sent me SEVERAL, that is just how awesome my God is, He blesses us above and beyond what we could even ask, think or imagine!!!. I am crying now just thinking about His blessing so lets move on to Friday

Friday
I thought I was going to go to the outlet at midnight with a friend who wanted to go shopping for his house and get all the great deals. At midnight he was otherwise occupied and I was kind of thankful because I was sleepy and really was not to feeling the crowds but oh at 8 he was ready and came knocking on my door and I said sure lets go. Off we went not too extraordinary I bought the 2nd of 3 parts of the desk I have been acquiring from Pottery Barn Outlet and a skirt that was the only significant purchase. He was able to get some stuff for his house. I came back and road out to my brother's for our annual Friday night dinner. It was ok, they had some additional quest of his wife's family.

Sabbath/Saturday
I went to church. I was blessed most by the study of the sabbath school lesson. I was blessed least by the political campaigning facilitated by the pastor. I am still trying decipher how I feel about that but at the moment I am disappointed. In the evening I had the opportunity to go out to dinner and celebrate the birthday of one of those friends I mentioned earlier along with her sisters and some more friends. We had a nice time.

Sunday/today
I had the opportunity to rest at little before heading to PB. Work was uneventful as always I would have loved a massage upon my return home however I just did my little foot and toe stretches that will do the trick until I have a personal massage therapist. And I am now writing this post.

That is all. I hope each of had a great Thanksgiving with true friends and family and always remember to be thankful each day you have breath it means God still has a plan for your life and looking forward to you fulfilling it!!!!!

This line is in addition to my original post because I got a phone call from someone whose name is still Sunflowers to me just after I published this post which is pretty amazing because the exact same thing happend last year.

New Hair Cut

My mom and I went to the Salon Nede and got our hair done today. For the first time in my adult life I actually got my hair cut in an actual style. A person of significance identified what I normally get as a trim not a cut/style. Due to the fact that I was contemplating getting a significant trim I decided to get my hair cut in an actual style hence the picture. My mom joined in this adventure and got a cut as well.

Sabbath Lesson for me

okay let me say that it is 10:42 pm and I specifically turned my computer back on to post this on my blog.

Today my best friend Tara was in town with her husband and kids as part of an event at my church. After church and dinner she and her daughters came over.

We are all sitting in the living room and Tara decides to give her oldest daughter McKenzie a lesson in fractions. She first asked what is the fraction of living things in the room that is a dog, referring to my dog Patches. So I decide to ask her what is the fraction of art work on the wall that was done by me. Let me give a side note of the fact that in my living room I have a framed chalk board that I write scriptures, inspirational notes or greetings to visitors weekly. Today on the board it stated Father, let the words my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable (found in Psalms 19:14). I have one forest painting that I painted, a painting that I brought from Tanzania and the chalk board. I ask McKenzie about the chalk board, her mom answers and says that is not art and McKenzie states with confidence that God's word is art. And then I say wow that is deep. I asked her to write in the board and I am thus sharing that with you.

That was my Sabbath lesson not the quote but the innocence of a child. I am thankful for a friend, mother, person raising their children to have a relationship with God, a knowledge, respect and love of God. When I am in some settings it saddens me to see parents attempting to raise their children without that, it concerns me of what they will one day become. Kudos to great parents who know the greatest teacher is God and his text book is the BIBLE!!!

Update on School

Well just to give an update I had mid term exams about two weeks ago. I received my grades and to date I have two A's and two B's. My goals is all A's. Stay tuned!!!. I am still excited about pursuing my MPH and the opportunities that it will prayfully open to me.

A few weeks ago I decided to investigate every division at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that I would want to work for and email the person that heads the particular division of interest. Of the 20 people I emailed 10 emailed me back and provided input, referral or just encouragement. As I result I also had the honor of speaking with the head of a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on yesterday and it was an amazing conversation. I was very appreciative that he took the time and provided some very insightful information that will guide my professional career. It affirmed in me that their are people in the world and in higher level position in corporations and organization that enjoy mentoring others. Tey realize they will not always hold the position they have and want to ensure that the individuals that follow them are as prepared and equiped to build upon what they have established and develop it even further.

Thank you Father for using your people to aid and direct me!!!

Lo-Rain

A little over a week ago an event happened that established the following belief in me:

Communication and follow-thru on your word is how trust is attained and maintained in all relationships.

Convocation at Morehouse School of Medicine

Today was the convocation at Morehouse School of Medicine. It was a very nice ceremony. Where can I begin, well first my mom and a man of significance to me went with me. I thought it was very nice of them to come and share in this moment in my life. I was awarded an academic scholarship which required me going on the stage and doing photo op with the Dean, being the center of attention for any amount of time is always something I shun. I only went to my undergraduate graduation because my mom paid the tuition it was more her moment than mine. Overall I enjoyed being in the presence of future doctors and learning of their individual achievements to date in their field. Dr. David Satcher spoke and he was awesome. He said a number of profound things that were really encouraging and touching. He stated the quote below that I thought was worthy of sharing;

The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled but it is a calamity not to dream. by Benjamin E. Mays

I had a great day and I thought I would share it!

Washington Post Article Noteworthy Quote

The following is a quote from an article by Eugene Robinson in the Washington Post:

"It's true that politics is the art of the possible, but it's also true that great leaders expand the scope of possibility...Giving up on the public option might be expedient. But we didn't elect Obama to be an expedient president. We elected him to be a great one. "


The link to the complete article is below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702178.html?referrer=facebook

Notes from a Sabbath Sermon on Men and Women

A few sabbaths ago we had a guest speaker and he stated the followed that I thought was noteworthy to share

Women marry men hoping they will change, men marry women hoping they will not change.

Monthly Books Review Quote

I usually try to read a book a month and in July I finished reading Sarah's Key by Titiana DeRosnay. In the book I read the following quote and thought I would share it

"The truth is harder than ignorance" page 124

By the way I am a little off track for August being in school and having lots of reading. I started reading Native Son by Richard Wright but I not not finished. I anticipate finishing it over the weekend. I already have my next book lined up - Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Oh and on a side note I believe everyone should read Native Son it should be listed along mandatory readings such as Moby Dick and the Iliad.

First Week in MPH Program at Morehouse School of Medicine

Well I have completed my first week at Morehouse in their MPH program. It looks like it is going to be a great semester. I had the opportunity to meet a number of people and learn a few things about public health and continue to be confirmed about my track focus of epidemiology. Being in a scholastic environment is always eye opening to me. I actually enjoy school. I am already looking forward to going to get my doctorate when I turn 40. My top school as of today is Loma Linda University. I figured I started my secondary education at an Seventh-day Adventist institution it might be a good idea to have a finale at one as well.

I would be negligent if I did not mention that this past weekend I visited my grandmother in Notasulga, Alamama (about 10 miles from Tuskegee, AL) as she celebrated her 80something birthday. It as nice to be around cousins, aunts and uncles. I took at person of significance along with me and he always amazes me how is able to be right at home where ever he finds himself. It is a trait I hope will gradually rub off on me. After visiting with my grandmother we visited my mom's sisters and my uncle. It was a nice visit. My uncle is a Vietnam veteran and for the first time in my life he talked about his experience and I had the opportunity to thank him for his service to our country as I do to all the service men and women I encounter in my life. I never had the opportunity to thank my uncle because it had always been something we did not discuss. I felt honored that he felt comfortable enough to talk about it now with me. We also talked about the horses he has raised and continues to raises. He has some amazing stories that had us laughing for a long time and into the future as I think of them now.

Also on Friday , I realize i am writing this blog backwards sorry but I am sure you will get it. I had dinner at my brother and his wife's house. He cooked dinner for us and I was reminded that I very proud of him and I love him. I actually called him today and told him that.

Okay that is it for now. I am going to try to be more diligent on my post from now on as I am sure I will have more to share as I will be going to school full time, working full time and enjoying an awesome relationships with friends and family and one person of extra special significance! Stay tuned!

My 4th of July

Well for the fourth of July I decided to tag along with my dad to see my grandmother (his mom). We had a pleasant trip down. I got to spend some one on one time with my grandmother whose health is declining. I also brought along my dog, who has visited her numerous times before and seems to relax her. My aunt who lives close to my grandmother came over and comes in the house and sees Patches (my dog) and starts cursing and yelling at me to get this dog out of my grandmother's house. I am just in shock, thinking is she joking, is she serious. I am just in a state of temporary shock. I take Patches outside.

After I get over my disbelief I return to the house and inform my aunt that I would appreciate it she never spoke to me like that again, I assured her that I am not a child and do not appreciate being spoken to like one (and honestly I would not like child to be spoken to the way I was, side issue I know). I felt relieved once I said that to her but felt crushed in a sense that I would even need to. I do not curse, I do not argue, I do not yell to reprimand ( I relent most often because I dislike discord) and had she just said Denise can you put Patches outside I may have said why since this is my Grandmother's house and she does not have an issue with Patches and that is the most important person but I would have relented but to curse and raise your voice to me hurts me to my inner core.

This experience reminded me why I make what I call "appearances" around my family. If I make an appearance more than twice a year it is normally to much. I just saw most of my dad's side last weekend at my cousins wedding. Hence to much and then I will definitely attend my grandmother birthday party in August, I would have exceeded my max in just two months. Lets pray now!

Family tend to see you as the child you once were and not the adult you now are.

My Cousin's Wedding

Okay, well let's give background. I was asked to be in the wedding months/a year ago. Of course I said yes. I wanted to celebrate this occasion in my cousin's life. I knew buying a dress and shoes were inevitable. and I purchased both items that I will never wear again without complaint. A couple of weeks ago I was informed that I would not be brining a guest(not that I had not planned on bringing one but that I would not be bringing one). The rational for that was that I am in the wedding and would not have time to entertain a guest. Unless I was to marry my guest before the wedding they would remain uninvited. I kind of thought it all as a joke. But we all know Brides can be irrational. So I just said ok.I got an itinerary a week before the wedding informing me of my need to get a French pedicure and manicure and that jewelry would be provided to wear for the wedding. The jewelry statement did not mean anything to me since for over 20 years I have not worn and I would kind of think my cousin would have known that -- stay tuned. On Thursday or Friday, my dad informed me that my step brother would not be attending, so you know me in my rational thinking I thought well great that means my guest can come. For my cousin that is not what that meant. She was opposed. So I just said okay. I am so sorry did not intend to stress her out. On Friday I attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. I am all compliments, smiles and helpfulness to celebrate her big day. At the rehearsal dinner we are given little bags with what I would assume is thank you gifts for being in the wedding. Included in my bag is a mirror compact with my initials on it and a pearl necklace and pearl earring. Those last two things were a bit of a surprise since as you recall from earlier I have not worn jewelry in over 20 years. So I mention to my aunt how should I address this to minimize the stress on my cousin/the bride. She states along with others at the table why don't you just wear it. I say no I do not wear jewelry>>> side note why do people try to tell you to do something that you inform them that you do not do<<<< Father help me respect people decisions. Why can't we respect people's choice without trying to convince them otherwise (understandable in situations where they have potential to harm themselves or others it is warranted). My aunt goes on to say just do not wear it.On the grand wedding day of June 27th. The wedding is nice. I do not fall and actually hold up in the heals. The 30 minutes of practicing everyday the week before paid off. All in an effort to celebrate her day. I am social, cordial and friendly. I have to add I did disappear in the midst of the reception because I found out I had a flat tire. I would share that story but this post has gotten long enough. My dad changes it and I return to socialize for a while and depart home to get some much needed rest.On Sunday afternoon, day after my cousin's wedding at exactly 1:57 pm my cousin sends me a text message stating “I was just informed that you did not wear jewelry which you did not tell me and they didn't want to upset me yesterday (her wedding day). I would like my jewelry back please." Now imagine my surprise to receive this text. I first just had to laugh seriously laugh. Wow she thought of me the day after her wedding and that she wants the jewelry back that she gave me as a gift. Now let me further analyze her text. I did not inform her that I did not wear jewelry. Let's see since it was not a recent decision of mine it would be safe to assume I thought she would know that. Second they (meaning her mom) did not want to upset her on her wedding day. My decision 20 years ago not to wear jewelry would upset her. uhmmmmmmmmmm. Upset about a choice I made indifferent of your wedding. I just have to say uhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. She wants the jewelry back. Well since I am not going to wear it that seems kind of reasonable however it was still a gift that I would probably re gift or return to some how recoup the money I spent on the bridesmaid dress, the shoes, my hair, the manicure, the pedicure, the gas back and forth uhmmmmmmmmmmm. However in response to her text I just say OK. Sometimes you just have to say OK.

End of June

I just finished reviewing my blog and I realized I have not posted since early May. I am going to try to catch up in this post.

Well a great matriarch of Seventh-day Adventist music died on June 11th. Her name is Alma Montgomery Blackmon. I had the opportunity to have conversations with her many times over the past twenty years and I never told her how much I appreciated her ability to conduct, arrange and perform musical programs with an air of reverence and respect. I regret that.

I also regret I never had to her as a voice coach. I always said to myself that once I was engaged I would have her teach me voice so i could sing on Only God Could Love You More to my husband on my wedding day. Since my official wedding day has not happened and she is no longer with us the chances of that sung being sang by me is less likely now.

I went to Orangeburg, SC two weeks ago with a friend for the South Atlantic Conference Campmeeting. It was nice. We had musical guest Cece Winans. She is such a beautiful person inside and out. Her personality exudes genuineness. I was definitely ministered to.

I have decided to attend Morehouse School of Medicine. I kind of decided that (unconciously) the moment I applied. I figure it was between Emory and Morehouse and if I was going to shell out over $20,000 for my MPH, I should make sure the check is going to a school that one is good ( I would not have applied otherwise), has great networking opportunities and that historically supports and performs research on people like me - an African American and others from under represented backgrounds and educates the public and thus Morehouse has been chosen. I look forward to joining the ranks of it disguished alumni. I am sure I will have lot to blog on over the next two years in that regard.

This weekend I have my cousins wedding. I will blog about that on Monday however the logistics of it all has already started. Stay tuned!!!

Life Lesson

I just finished having a staff meeting at my job and our COO mentioned this quote that I had never heard by Mark Twain and I thought I would share it;


“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
by Mark Twain

I thought this was a great quote. As I have travelled I can see how my world view has expanded and my appreciation and respect for others not like me has deepened.

Also at the staff meeting my former boss at my current job was at our staff meeting to be apart of honoring a staff person that has been with the organization for 20 years. She had been here 19 before she left. She made the comment of herself that she had been at the organization ( am not mentioning because I still work here and if you know me you know the organization or you can google it) way to long and she said I had too. I did not take it negatively I appreciate her recognizing my potential and knowing I have more to contribute. It was kind of an affirmation. Thanks Father for allowing others to see Your calling on my life is more!!!!

God's Answers Yes and No

Last Sabbath the pastor spoke on blessings. One of the main points I have been meaning to blog since last sabbath was my notes on blessings. We wonder sometimes why GOD may say NO to our petition for a house, a job, or a spouse. We sometimes have the misconception that GOD has not answered us because He did not say yes but when in actuality He has, it was just not what we necessarily wanted or expected. I think about the various things in my life and I can honestly say thank you Lord for not granting me my petition as I had asked. As I review my petitions I see that if GOD had answered the way I wanted I would be married to an unfaithful husband, I would be at another job and not headed to get my MPH which will launch me to were the LORD desires me to position me for greatness ( I decided today I want to be a Fulbright Scholar along with my long time ambition of being a MacArthur Genuis Award Winner), and I would not have my house, to name a few. So the overall purpose of this post is to say that GOD's blessing can be YES or NO

Prayer Meeting

I attended Prayer Meeting last night and it was really good. I was blessed before the pastor got totally into the message. He recalled the story of Lot in the Bible. Genesis 19 specifically talks about how the angel of God told Lot and his family to leave Sodom and not to look back. Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. She looked back at the past and what was there and was not focused on where God was leading them - to a better place.

I reflected on this and I thought about the people and places I have left behind for my good and how I have sometimes looked back and even gone back to my own detriment. Lord forgive me. I always say flippantly that I left to leave however I feel sometimes if I am enticed enough I do return. In light of me having my eyes opened Lord I commit to really leaving and letting go of those people and places that seem tempt me against your will. Give me the strength and encouragement to know that you are leading me to higher ground!

My 33rd Birthday

I celebrated by 33rd birthday three days ago (April 2nd). It was pretty uneventful nothing happened as planned however at the same time it turned out perfect. I was with my family and a good friend we had dinner at my house and played Scrabble and laughed a lot. I enjoy the company of great freinds and famly any day over the superficial gathering of so called friend and family you never speak to.

I would be remissed if I did not share the events of the last few days. I received a text message from my brother on Saturday/Sabbath morning informing me that he and his girlfriend got married yesterday (April 3rd). I could only respond oh wow congrats. I realized that if he cared what I thought he would have shared it with me before and if he respected me as a sister he would have at least had the courtesy to tell me over the phone if not face to face and at the same time I realized that his decision not to share it with me could be result of the value he places on my opinion and/or influence and by withholding the information no opinion/influence could be made. Either way what's done is done. I can only pray it is happily ever after and until death.

Documenting this Moment!!!

My friend Joseph and I wanted to document this day (actually it was two days ago). We recapped the last ten years of our friendship and the various events that have shaped our friendship, our careers and our personal lives.

Our friendship has spanned him moving from Nacogodoches, TX to Orlando, Fl to Portland,OR to where he now resides in Baltimore, MD. It has covered me from roommates with Jason and Preston to living in Ethiopia for the summer to moving back to Atlanta to being roommates with Mi to moving to Washington, DC and being roommates with my Grey (my first deaf roommate) to moving to Tanzania getting married returning to the states/Atlanta getting divorced and finally living on my own in my first solo apartment and then buying my first house. Friends always knew never to write our address in their address book in pen because it would change after a while. Then their came the Iphone and the Blackberry!

We started together at Stephen F. Austin State University and departed at seperate times and have taken vastly different routes. I left SFASU knowing my goals of being in the Foreign Service and Joseph left because he was in LOVE and endeavored on his career path as one of the best psychotherapist in Baltimore in my opinion. I have not utilized his services however I suspect he is great because of his passion and concern for his patients. I am still on my path of being in the Foreign Service. I have not gotten in the door yet however I am confident it will happen in God's time not mine. I was talking to the best Psychologist on earth yesterday and I made the statement that the Lord is going to restore me and he made the observation that God has. The way he knows HE has it that I know what I want to do and I am moving towards it. Because when I came back to Tanzania I was in such an abyss but now I am awake and excited and that is a restoration to be proud of. I had to smile about that. He was right!!

As for our personal lives Joseph has been with the person he was in LOVE since Texas the whole time until recently. He is in the process of finding himself however I feel he will inevitably end up where he started. As for me my relationships I have spunned dating a man 20 years my senior, then a mechanic who I found out later was married ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh living in Atlanta I tell you, dating and marrying and divorcing my husband, then meeting and dating a man with a child a first for me, he was a teacher an attraction that is deeper to me then saying you have a credit score of 800 and he could speak to me without words and now I am in the waiting place. Read Dr. Seus Oh the Places You'll Go to understand that more!

Natalie Cole

I worked at Pottery Barn today and Natalie Cole was there to sign her CD. FYI Pottery Barn is not a music store. It sells home funishing and accessories as its core business. I had a not so positive experience with the whole will you sign my CD epxerience. I only wanted to get some signed for friends who are fans. I had written my personal message on stick notes on each CD. I went up to her and gave her the covers and the notes. She was about to start and I was going to tell her I was praying for her health when her publicist came and told me to step aside while he edited my notes to just the names of the people they were to go to. He was so rude, had I not opened the CD wrapper I would have returned the CD's to the store. One of my pet peaves is that I never spend my money at stores or on people who do not respect me. However I endured and I got the CD signed in the most impersonal way. And then they had the nerve to ask me if I wanted a picture with her and I said no I do not. I do not know if she heard me but honestly I did not want a picture with her. Her publicist was rude/mean to me. Why would I want a picture with someone who allows her staff to be disrespectful to me. I walked away from this experience torn. Was I wrong to say no the pciture? Was I wrong to feel that that the publicist was rude. I was the the fith to the last peron is line, she was probably tired? Right. But then as I reflected on it I just felt sad for her and people that go gu gu for ga ga over such people. Sad for her because she is currently in need of a kidney transplant and has dialysis three times a week. Either she needs the money from such events or her self esteem is in need of the attention she receive. Sad for the people who are gu gu for ga ga in that there are so many more people who have made more substantial contributions to the world such as Gandhi's peace movement, Bill and Melinda Gates and the Gates foundation's contribution to AIDS research and public health in resource poor countries or the winner of the MacArthus genius award winner.

Quotes by George Washington Carver

There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation - veneer isn't worth anything.

When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.

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 your life you will have been all of these.

Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.

Quotable Quote

I was talking with my stepfather and his assessment of the inauguration festivities of our first African American President he said:

"It was almost as if the United States did not have a color line."

I thought that statement was pretty profound and I thought I would share it with the world!

Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States

For the past few days I have had the privilege to be in Washington, DC to witness the swearing in of the first African American President of the United States-Barrack Obama. I am thankful to be alive to witness this grand event!!!

I also was able to share this moment in history with a great friend. These are some pictures from our time in DC.

New Year 2009 - Year of Restoration

Well today is Thursday, January 1, 2009 - The start of my year of RESTORATION

1. Restoring my relationship with God - living the life I believe
2. Restoring my career that utilizes my education, talents, gifts and drive to travel the world to make a positive impact for change
3. Restoring my status to loving wife, friend, life companion to a man that is a Christian, Adventist, leader, honorable, respectful and knows how to love me best
4. Restoring my finances to position me to return in tithes and offering what I currently make in less than five years
5. Restoring me to a level of maturity that accepts people as they are and respecting their desire to be different

Heavenly Father please fulfill my restoration request not to bring any glory to me but that people can see your glory in me and I can point them to the cross that saves in Christ name AMEN!

Christmas 2008

well well well. The day is essentially over. I only wanted to capture my attempt at making a gingerbread house for the center piece for our holiday brunch. The only pieces to survive were the gingerbread men thus they have survived to be documented on this blog!!!

My Perspective on the Commercialization of Christmas!!

I officially hate the commercialization of Christmas and the environmentally imposed pressure that you must buy people tangible gifts. I have decided after this Christmas in no matter what state I find myself financially I will not participate in it. At most I will distribute cards or letters that update peopele on my life. I receive such a letter every year from a couple and look forward to receiving it to see what is knew is their lives. The letter is so genuine and honest, I am touched.

People that I love and care about will and do receive gifts from me all year round. It is the priceless gifts that are the most memorable. I reivew this year and think of the awesome gifts my friends and family have given me: prayer as I took the GRE, edits of my personal statement and resume, advice on my car and personal life, money however the most important has been their time and attention. Those are the most valuable gifts on earth to me. I want to thank each of them for that and I pray it continues into the new year!

Thanksgiving Weekend

I felt as if I should memorialize this weekend somehow. So I figured I should write something to remember this time next year and see what is changed my life. Well lets see. Thanksgiving Day my mom and Luther came over. We ate together and I went to the movies later that evening solo. Which is kind of empowering. This weekend I had a breakthrough in applying for a cool job with the Department of Health and Human Services. Thanks to my heavenly Father for opening my eyes. I just finished working on my personal statement for Emory. I sent it over to a friend of mine who insisted on editing it. I actually appreciated his eagerness to do. My friends are always amazing me. I kind of wanted to go shopping for the after Thanksgiving rush but then thought better of it because I do not really NEED anything material. I just want stuff. I tend to NEED stuff that I cannot by and thankfully the stuff I NEED is not for sell. I went to the party of the year to celebrate a friends birthday. It was cool to see people I went to high school and college with. We have all grown up and we seem to have grown up to be someone our parents are proud of.

I just received a phone call that I have been waiting on for while and his name is still SUNFLOWERS to me!!

FYI - Our World

Did you know?

Girls' education provides perhaps the single highest return on investment in the developing world.
Educated girls tend to marry later
They are better paid in the workplace
They have fewer, healthier children
They are more likely to send their own children to school
They are better able to protect themselves against HIV
They assume a more active role in social, economic and political decision-making throughout their lives

taken from the CARE newsletter!

Patches

I realized I have no pictures of my dog on my blog that was a complete oversight. Here we go!!!

Quotable Quote

Only those who will risk going to far can possibly find out how far you can go by T.S. Elliot

pictures from Bermuda

Quotable Quote from Akeelah and the Bee

I watche Akeelah and the Bee for the first time this past week while in Bermuda and the character of Akeelah stated this poem by Marianne Williamson that I thought was worthy of note and memorization;

'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. '

Words of Wisdom

I was speaking with a friend and he made the following obervation about people that I thought I would share.

There are three types of minds in the world, they are:

1. Great Minds - they discuss ideas - they make things happen
2. Average minds - they discuss events - they watch things happen
3. Small Minds - they discuss people - they wonder what is happening

I thought it was pretty neat and wanted to share it!!!