Today's Inspiration

fyi’s #BlackLove

While searching through the options on my Apple TV, I stumbled upon the show #BlackLove on the FYI network. Due to this catchy title with its hashtag which encourages social commentary to ensure that it be a trending topic online, I was intrigued. (Random thought: So I’m still pretty new to the social media world. Since there is already a hashtag in the show’s title, would you type in ##BlackLove on Twitter?) Who doesn’t love black love and its representation in our families and in the media, right? Well, in the first few episodes, that’s not what we see. It is the search for black love that drives this show. I was intrigued.

I’m Black and I’m Proud, but It’s Complicated

I am a proud black woman! I have always been and will always be proud of my ethnicity, culture, community, complexions, hairstyles, language, shapes, communication, family, traditions, humor, and so much more. I am proud and appreciative of the foundation that has been laid for me. I am proud to have so many opportunities to be whatever I want to be and do whatever I want to do thanks to my parents and the many others who sacrificed for me so that I could.

Today's Inspiration

It's finally getting cold in the northeast. We have definitely been spoiled by the warm weather that extended through much of December. I loved it! Being able to wear my Fall jackets in December has been the best!

Today's Inspiration

Bullet Journals, Something Old Made New

I have stumbled upon a new interest. As mentioned in the previous post,  Interests versus Hobbies, I experiment with different activities that may not always stick. For instance, for the better part of the last year and a half I painted with acrylics on a weekly to biweekly basis. With that said, I haven’t painted since July.

Back in September, I decided to try list journaling. All I did was write bullet lists of my daily activities, conversations, emotions, and diet for about two months. Since I currently don’t have a lot going on, I began to get bored because my lists were becoming redundant. Again, this was another interest that I let fall by the wayside.

Why I don’t feel like teaching today

Early in my teaching career, I worked at a high school that made people gasp when I told them that I worked there. It was no big deal to me. I did not encounter many disciplinary issues at all. However, the majority of the students that I taught were not motivated to learn. Each one had their own story and I understood, but on this one occasion I was a bit fed up.

Dear Facebook, I accept checks and money orders

Can I have an honest moment? Even though I've taken a break from teaching, the language arts teacher in me is often activated  when reading articles, brochures, flyers, anything. But, there is one specific medium that I visit frequently and leisurely where I am bombarded with so many grammatical errors that it makes me cringe. You've most likely already guessed it. It's you, Facebook.

My Apology to Cart Ditchers (but not all of them!)

I'd like to believe that I am not usually one to beat a dead horse, but I deeply believe that it is my civic duty to maintain order at shopping centers worldwide. Well today I observed an exception to my previous post which cursed all of the careless shopping cart ditchers who breed chaos in our society.

Put the Cart Back!

Today I journeyed out of my apartment to run a few errands: get an oil change, go to the bank, and grocery shop. All was going well. The weather was perfect and the fall foliage was beautiful. I was having a rather pleasant and productive day.

Once at the supermarket, out of habit, I parked near the shopping cart corral because I like to put the cart in its appropriate space. I am particularly anal about this because I absolutely despise when I begin to turn into a parking space only to discover a shopping cart in the way. Usually, I'll move on to a different spot. But if parking is difficult to find, I'll get out of my car to move the cart myself. The second reason why this annoys me is because the carts roll into parked cars causing damage.

Review of After Midnight

Originally posted on March 23, 2014

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the Broadway play After Midnight starring Dulé Hill. My Guy surprised me with tickets, but he was a little disappointed because he thought that Toni Braxton and Babyface would be the feature singers but they were scheduled for a later date. Since it was all a surprise to me it didn’t matter.

Interests versus Hobbies

Originally posted on April 18, 2014

Here’s a list of activities that I have dabbled in over the past few months:

       1.       Painting
       2.       Interior design
       3.       Sewing
       4.       Photography
       5.       Writing
       6.       Hair styling
       7.       Jogging
       8.       Pilates
       9.       Making jewelry
      10.      Cooking/baking
      11.     Going to the movies
      12.     Shopping

It's Okay to Not Share

Today I came across a video that had been shared on Facebook by one of my cousins. It was not the first time I had viewed this video, but I watched it again as if it was my first time. The video was a spoken word poem titled "Look Up". You may have seen it before. In a nutshell, it suggests that we spend less time consumed with technology, specifically mobile devices, video, games, and the internet/social media. The poet stressed that by allowing these forms of technology to consume so much of our time we are missing the special moments in life and eliminating others from our lives, ultimately isolating ourselves by becoming engrossed in a virtual reality. It also stated that too often we seek validation through social media or we allow it to make us unsatisfied with our own lives because others edit their lives to share only the best parts.

Happiness in the Simple Things

 Today I went out briefly to run errands with My Guy. My mission was to purchase a brighter shower curtain so that my bathroom isn’t too dark, get a shower curtain liner, pick up a storage box for photos, and have lunch at Panera Bread. After all was done and we were driving home, My Guy observed someone walking on the sidewalk and commented, “He is so happy just walking and eating his donut.” Unfortunately I missed the man because I was driving. He continued to say, “It’s amazing how something so simple and small can make someone so happy,” which led to a discussion of happiness.

The No Cable Experience Update

Epic Fail!!!!

So I disconnected my cable approximately two months ago and have been watching the tube for just about the same amount of time. Who knew that there was so much to watch on Hulu and Netflix?  Not to mention that I NEVER have to watch a re-run.  Every episode is new to me! My television watching has gone into overdrive. Who would've thunk it?

Confessions: Guilty Pleasure

I love watching reality shows! I’ll even watch re-runs of the same show over and over again just to re-analyze anything that I may have missed. It is somewhat of a guilty pleasure. I pride myself as a woman who carries herself well, is well-spoken, who enjoys attending cultural events and exploring the outdoors. I admit that I do cringe when I witness “rachet” unbecoming behavior amongst my “peers” in my daily life, and I secretly look around hoping to not be judged according to my “peers’” behavior. They do not represent me. However, I quite enjoy watching the same craziness on television and am not offended. I go as far as to talk back to the screen when someone does something outrageous.

The No Cable Experience (Experiment)

Day 1 – May 9, 2014

So … I returned my cable boxes today.

I have been considering doing this since last summer and today I finally pulled the plug (literally). Why? After thinking about it extensively, I’d reached the point of sheer annoyance and cheapness at the thought of paying $100 each month to watch 10 channels. Yes, there are more available, but I never watch them. Ergo, I was wasting money.

There is Crack in Chipotle Burritos

I know that in my animated form of expression I can exaggerate a bit from time to time, but this is no exaggeration. I THINK THAT CHIPOTLE PUTS CRACK IN THEIR BURRITTOS! That’s the only theory that makes sense to me. My sister introduced these burritos to me maybe a good four or five years ago when I visited her. After my first hit, I called a few people up and shared my experience. I even looked for the locations to determine where the nearest restaurant to me was so that I could get it when I returned home. I marveled at the ginormous size, the perfectly seasoned meats, the flavorful beans, and the pièce de résistance, the guacamole. Now it very well may be that the crack is in the guacamole because I have yet to ever have a burrito without it.

Independence is One of the Keys to Happiness

I am now pushing my mid-30s and I have just discovered that in order for me to be happy I need to become more independent. Now in many aspects of my life I am extremely independent. I have a job that provides an income that allows me to support myself; I pay my own rent; I recently paid off my car loan; I can make all of the purchases that I want without having to consult anyone;  I make my own decisions without having to answer or ask permission of anyone. I am the Miss Independent that Neyo spoke of in his song.

But …

Adult Friendships

I have come to the realization that by the time you become an adult, you have transitioned through several friendships and associations. I understand that some friendships are seasonal and their sole purpose is to teach you a lesson that helps you grow into the individual you are destined to be.  I have learned that you are less likely to have that central clique or circle of girlfriends that get together once a month to chat over dinner and share anecdotes about life because each individual's personal life is so busy and demanding.