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!