Wednesday-- without words

Something new for me... a wordless entry. Well not THIS one but the remaining Wednesdays will be wordless... LOL. I'll just find photo's that reflect my week and share them.

Enjoy

Kansas City.... the arrival.

Oh Kansas City.... I had such high hopes for you. I mean after all its Kansas freakin City, Missouri! What could be more awesome??? Apparently there are a lot of things that are more awesome than Kansas City, MO. LOL.

So... I get off the plane into what can only be called the smallest "real" airport ever which was kinda okay since I didn't have to take any devilish shuttles to baggage claim or anything. I'm thinking we could just go outside and stretch my cute arm up like the Sex in the City Chicks... or like we do in DC and a cab would come and scoop me up. Not so! You had to make cab arrangements by telephone and a cab designated specifically for you, and not the other 100 people also looking for a ride would come and rescue you. OR you could call Super Shuttle. Super stupid Shuttle... The same super shuttle who broke my fancy huge red roll on suitcase when they dropped me off at my hotel. Seriously Mr. Super Shuttle driver of van 567??? If my bag is in the middle of a massive pile of suitcases, why would you try to grab the bag from the handle and yank it from said pile, rather than just taking the other three suitcases from on top of mine and carefully pulling mine from the top of the pile.

Its sad my handle had to suffer from such mishandling.

So... we arrive at the Hotel Phillips... a "swanky" four-star boutique hotel in downtown Kansas City.

I get inside my four-star room on the twentieth (top) floor of the four-star hotel that I would be living in for the next week and it dawned on me... four-stars in Kansas City, MO are rated a little differently from four-stars in the rest of the world. Hahahahaaaa. The room was cute, I'll admit. But I feel like one of those stars should have been removed due to my not having a refrigerator or microwave in my room. Granted the hotel is super old and such... but Ummmmm... welcome to 2010 KC.

I immediately got on the phone and gave the customer complaint office of KC Super Shuttle an earful regarding the murder of my suitcase by the driver of van 567. Hmmmph! After resolving that issue it was time to go find food... because, hello, its me!

Went to the hotel restaurant, because the owners of downtown Kansas City, MO have decided that the entire city should shut down at 5:00 PM. Even CVS closed by 5:00 which is uber stupid. The 12&Baltimore restaurant was super cute with free wi-fi! After a nice overpoured glass of Riesling... I was all getting used to the humdrum that was KC. BUT the highlight of my day was the beautiful Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich that I consumed at said restaurant. Heaven on the tongue!

God Bless you Kansas City! *dreamy sigh*

If you don't know where you are going... how will you know when you've arrived???

So I attended a training today about Creating your Brand. Making a name for yourself in the workplace. The instructor tasked us with writing our mission statement and I am embarrassed to say that I struggled with this assignment. What is my mission? Why am I here? What is my purpose? What do I want people to say about me when I leave? These may sound like easy questions but they are harder to put into words than I thought. I even struggle with the simple "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" question. I know that I have a place in this world but I need to figure out exactly where that place is.

Mission statements are essential in our personal and our professional lives. When I was in high school it all seemed so simple. I was going to be married by 25 and my career was going to be an elementary school teacher. Well... I am well past 25, not married and certainly NOT a teacher. I just don't know where I went wrong.

With 30 approaching so rapidly, I am charging myself to create and live by a mission statement for my personal life and for my professional life. I want to operate with a purpose. I want the destination of my life to be well known so that I know of I'm on the right road.

Stay Tuned... More on this later.

I'm such a girl...

Okay so I had a loooong day of shopping for back to school stuff with my BFF Saturday and got in later than usual. He was such a gentleman and followed me home since it was dark outside. I parked my car and had him drive me to my door since it was raining; I refused to get my hair wet. We pull up in the parking lot and guess who's waiting for us???

Baaaaaby... let me tell you I had a FIT! Uber terrified, I refused to get out of the car. I called my "Comforter", who is out of state, as if he could come and rescue me from this horrific scene. It was the WORST! These huge evil raccoons were climbing out of the dumpster and ran under a car that of course is parked directly in front of my door. It's like pitch black outside and raining, I have to pee like never before, I have to carry about 6 bags and a stupid ottoman and somehow get in the door without these monsters attacking me! I had on Flip Flops... they were right at ankle height... It was all way too convenient!

I don't understand where these little nasty greedy monsters came from. There are no woods near us. I live in the most un-raccoon-like area ever. Uuuugh... Beat It!

Then I'm texting some other friends to see who can offer a solution to this emergency that I am experiencing and one of my friends replied "Awww Raccoons are so cute. Just like a cat. Don't be scared" All I could do is shake my head and roll my eyes when I read such nonsense!

I ask you today... Is this the face of a cute precious little cat-like animal???

I had to reply and ask her what kind of freakish devil cats did she grow up with?!?!?!!!

So...I asked my BFF to honk his horn, to see if they would run back into the dumpster. At least that would let me know exactly where they were. No luck. They weren't the least bit affected by the noise. I sat in his car a good 15 minutes contemplating my next move while the raccoons moved back and forth between the dumpster and the parked car. Just dumb and greedy!!! I was so scared that I considered having him drive me to my mother's house to stay the night.

Finally we just decided to be brave and go for it. I, of course, asked him to carry all of the heavier items in first... give me the go-ahead to follow and then I would make my way out of the car. LOL. But not until he offered a FULL, Touch and Agree, Get all Into it kind of prayer to God asking for safety and declaring that we would not be attacked! In the end I made it in the house safely and then looked out of my window for the next half hour to see if I saw them again. My adrenalin was on 1000!!! I couldn't sleep and my heart was racing. After an hour or so I was able to unwind... so all was well.

I STILL feel like Nature owes me an apology and darnit I'm waiting!

DIY – Part 1 – Hanging Pictures

DIY – Part 1 – Hanging Pictures

So… for some reason I woke up with the URGE to do some redecorating around the house. I recently purchased some paintings and my plan was to wait until my friend or my daddy could come hang them up for me; however, I decided to just do it myself.

I can do it! LOL

It was certainly only 7:30’ish in the morning and I’m all equipped with a hammer, nails, little picture hangie-things, a meter-stick, and a vision of what I want to see happen. I even was brilliant enough to buy one of those leveler thing’a’ma’jigs with the bubble in it to make it all just right.

I have seen enough HGTV and other home makeover shows to figure all of this out… I guess. LOL.

I began to get into it… measuring and hammering. It all moved along nicely. Uber proud of myself. I spaced and hung (hanged?) a collage of paintings over my bed, two paintings in my living room and two masks that I bought years ago in Africa.

I’m well on my way to becoming a lady of the 90’s! LOL.

More on this later…

DC Cupcake Craze...

Okay so I have certainly fallen victim to the DC Cupcake Craze... There are few things greater than getting that email from Curbside Cupcakes and knowing that you are first on that days list of stops. *dreamy sigh* I've followed them on Twitter... I was friends with them on Facebook and I've signed up for personal emails to know exactly when they are approaching my desired stop. Its like heaven on wheels.



I was content with just getting a Red Velvet, Cookies and Cream, or Carrot Cake Cupcake from the Genius' who operate Curbside Cupcake. If I had to rank them my Number one choice would be Carrot Cake (Its Freakin AWESOME!!!) Then Cookies and Cream and finally Red Velvet.

I was happy with just one weekly cupcake supplier... but of course the story continues.

Along came CakeLove.



They had the nerve to put a beautiful CakeLove in the National Harbor... less than 20 mins away from my house. As If?!?!?!!! I now don't have to wait for a van to come deliver my cupcakes at work and stand outside in a line in what could be Freezing Cold or Scorching Hot weather... You actually invented a store that I can drive to and wait comfortably in line to fulfill all of my cupcake needs??? It won't end well.

A friend of mine told me that CakeLove had DRY cupcakes. So of course I had to go and try them out for myself.... It was love at first bite. OMG!!! PERFECT Cream Cheese Icing on the Red Velvet. I could barely contain my happiness. A fat girls paradise. I was so smitten. How did I go almost 30 years without experiencing such joy. It made love to my tastebuds. Ahhhhhhh....

Although the actual cupcake was indeed a little dry... the awesomeness that is their perfect cream cheese icing MORE than made up for it. I don't like any flavor except Red Velvet from CakeLove... Their carrot cake was way too spiced and uber carroty.

And finally there is Hello Cupcake... In Dupont Circle.

My Friends and I went through HELL and Highwater to get to Hello Cupcake one day... We rode the slowest metro ever... Walked ALL the way UP the broken escalators at Dupont Circle Metro Station and promptly got lost looking for the metro after receiving said cupcakes.

In My opinion, Hello Cupcakes are OVERRATED. I didn't like any of the options that were presented to me. Totally not worth the effort that we made to get there. The Carrot Cake was just plain Nasty to me. Uber disappointment. I'd much rather eat a pre-packaged store bought cupcake from Hostess or something.

I still have plans to try Red Velvet Cupcake in DC and Georgetown Cupcakes (who now have a show on TLC - DC Cupcakes) My friends and I will go on some sort of field trip soon to taste test at these locations.

So to the assumingly skinny chicks to exposed me to such a cupcake fad... My hips hate you!

More on this later!

From the Bottom of my Heart...

Okay so I've been mentally preparing myself to say goodby to my supervisor who is relocating to the Philippines. I thought that I was ready for this event but have learned the hard way that I was certainly NOT. I have never cried more... My make-up is a mess and I'm convinced I rubbed my eyebrows off on her shoulder when we hugged. You never know how much of an impact a person has made on your life until you are watching them walk out of it. I knew she and I had a special bond... but I didn't know I cared so much. I'm usually the chick who is nonchalont in her relationships and keeps a wall up as to not let people get too close, but clearly not this time. My heart is heavy even now... even though I know that this move for her is for the best. I'm happy for this new journey that her life is taking her on... but selfishly wish that she would stay her and supervise me until I retire. LOL. She taught me that whenever possible, you should choose your supervisor... and I believe I chose her at the same time she was choosing me.

I never got to tell her that I admired her... or that I looked up to her and wished I could follow in her footsteps. I never got to say that she was amazingly fashion forward! I never got to let her know that she will forever have a place in my heart and that I am eternally grateful that she took a chance with me. I hope she knows that I was her #1 fan and that I will work throughout my years striving to be as respected and adored as she is.

So to you Ms. Steele... the tears are drying and my smile is returning. I'll remember the fond days that we shared in the office and pray that you will do the same. I'll wait patiently for the email to come from you, inviting me to come do a rotation in Manila. :o)

From the Bottom of my heart... Thank you!

Week One: Facebook Free

So... Its been a full week and I don't feel any sort of desire to log back into my Facebook acct yet. My MVP tells me that I'm missing some sort of action... and that there is some sort of nostalgia to be appreciated on line since that was the starting point of our reconnection in life. I guess its pretty true about it only taking 72 hours to break a habit. Who knew!?!?!!

I have however brought on a full new love for Degrassi. I am 4 episodes away from completing the Every Degrassi Ever Marathon!! Obsessed much??? This is like 90210 meets Saved by the Bell. I kinda love it... all the while feeling like I'm WAY TOO BIG! LOL. I mean why wouldn't I shed tears when JT got stabbed or gasp when Jimmy got shot in his back. Oh well. It all ends today... until Monday when Degrassi BOILING Point begins!!! *pelvic thrusts*

I'm pretty pissed I couldn't become as obsessed with going to the gym or eating right as easily as I did with this TEEN Nick TV Show. LOL. I'll give it another go and try to have the same fire in my being that I had when I knew that there were 6 eps of Degrassi TNG waiting on my DVR for me. LOL.

More on this later...

Metro Horror Stories Part 1

Okay so today one of my friends from work got the brilliant idea that we should go get a birthday surprise for one of our co-workers. We had to travel near the Dupont Circle Metro Station.... Sounded like an excellent idea at the time... I was all for it. And so it begins...

My smile started turning into a frown when we got to Metro Center and had to wait a full day for the next train to arrive. Thanks to whoever invented non rush hour train schedules. Hmmmph!

All seemed to go great as we rode our two dainty stops to Dupont Circle. We had seats together... everyone laughing and joking ready to make magic happen.

We exit the train and hear a very loud intrusive voice over the intercom saying "All Escalators on this side are broken... if you want to ride you need to go to the North Side" So we stop in our tracks and contemplate our next move. No one knows where the North Side is... We know that our destination is right across the street from the exit we are at, so lets just go for it.

Baaaaby let me tell you... the devil was pleased at my thoughts as we approached the escalators that we were about to walk up... stair by stair... for what looked like an eternity. I wish I had taken a picture... but I found one online that did this monster some justice.

All I could do when I saw it was laugh... because I was certain that there was no way my big behind was gonna make up those steps alive.... lo and behold I made it tho... the last one in my group... wheezing like the end of my days had arrived. I'm sure I left my spleen on that escalator somewhere....

So to the metro maintenence guy that allowed all three escalators on what is likely called the South Side of Dupont Circle station to break down all at the same time... I would like you to know that you make my life hurt and my shins are still cussing you out even now!

Good Day

Farewell to Facebook...

Okay so I'm doing this whole new mature approach at life and want to cut back on what I feel are wasters of time... First to go was my Facebook Account. This may be at temporary thing... but we'll see how things play itself out. I guess any Social Networking site that my PARENTS are on can't really be that cool anyway...

I was never ADDICTED to Facebook or any other social networking site... Well at least I didn't think I was. My body is somehow telling me another story though!

It's only Day 2 and already I can feel my loins aching to go and plow my fields of love on Farmville. My palms are itching to go dig for buried miracles on Treasure Isle. And of course, my mind is yearning to go win 200 bonus points on Family Fued. Its cool though. I already feel a little less consumed with the internet thugs and e-battles that I read about daily.

What really burns me up is that I was driving and listening to Trey Songz singing about his Jupiter Love and got the BEST idea for a status update. I mechanically reached for my phone to text this genius verse as my new facebook statues and remembered that I left that life behind me. So Suckful.

So since my social networking days are currently behind me, I'll just sing it to y'all...

"Don't you be afraid to let me elevate you... Welcome you to super.. duper...Jupiter Love"

It really doesn't have the same effect as when you post it to your facebook status knowing that HE will read it and believe that it was written just for him... Ahhh well. I guess the Joke is still on Me.

More on this later...

I H@Te wH3n PeOple TyP3 L!kE Th!S!!!

So @pPar3nTly tHe Tw33n$ and T33n$ H@vE dEc!Ded tH@t sp3lLiNg wOrd$ a$ God iNtEnDeD w@s T O O mUcH 2 @sk. N0W @duLt$ h@v3 2 $PeNd ExTr@ t!Me fIgURiNg oUt wH@t tH3 H E L L tHey R tRyiNg 2 s@y 2 u$. Mii h3Ad hURt$ @LrEady tRy!nG 2 R3@d wH@t I haV3 tYpEd sO f@R.

!T tAk3$ sO mUcH M O R E tYme 2 sP3LL tH!s m3sS oUt tHaN !t dO3S 2 jUsT T Y P E !t r3GuLaRly YoU fUnJ3Rk$!

sO 2 tH3 geN!uS wHo d3C!dEd tH@t T H I S w@$ cOoL... STOP IT NOW!!! It Sucks.

It took me about 30 minutes to type this on a computer... I can't imagine the time it would take to type such nonsense on a blackberry or other cell phone. This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. The recipient of the first message that looked like the above should have told the sender to cut the jokes. But nooooooooo... they decided they liked it and have spread this foolishness like an awful plague to middle and high schools alike. SMH. I just don't understand where we went wrong with these young people?! I'm sure your fingers will thank you once you stop this bafoonery and type real words! LOL.

Sincerely,

Confused reader

Elevator Etiquette...

Okay so I will surely admit that I am a bit of an elevator snob! There are few things greater than stepping onto an elevator and getting to ride up to your floor alone with no stops in between. Sweet Joseph, it makes any day just a little better... but since my office building wasn't considerate enough to designate an elevator just for my use I do have to suck it up and share with others... Fine with me.

BUT there are some people who think they rule all elevators they come in contact with and those jerkwads are who I am paying tribute to today.

If I'm on an elevator when you get in and I have "5" pressed already and you know its pressed because the orange halo of lighness is shining in all of its glory, why in tarnations must you get on the elevator and press "5" again??? We're clearly already on our way to "5" you ninny! Your double press will not get us there any faster!

Then there's the guy who you see walking towards the elevators just as the door is closing. You, being the proper polite individual that you are decide to risk a limb and throw your arm into the path of the closing doors, just to allow this gentleman a ride. So he gets on and immediately presses "Close Door" even though he sees other people walking towards the same elevator that just graciously accepted him at such a late moment. SELFISH! What if someone decided to press "Close Door" on you buddy??? You are not the king of elevators sir. They don't operate solely on your schedule! Hmmmph!

And finally, there's the hurried chick who gets on with you at "G" and presses "6" while you press "3" and the only other gentleman riding presses "2". She is annoying and impatient and has clearly deemed herself elevator door monitor because she jams her stupid finger into the "Close Door" button as soon as the elevator opens its door at every floor, hardly allowing the people a chance to get off.

So I say to you madame elevator door marm, I do hope you will forgive me for pressing "4 " and "5" as I was getting off on "3". I hope that those two extra stops gave you some time to think about your actions and re-evaluate the proper way ride an elevator in the company of others.

I bid you adieu.

No better way to start the day...

So... after a "Wild" night at home (and by wild I mean a Degrassi Marathon and ONE fuzzy navel wine cooler) I somehow slept through my alarm this morning... woke up over an hour late and with only 30 minutes to get out of the door for work. I am the chick who normally has to wake up at 5:25 AM just to be able to leave my house at 7:15 AM. Uber slooooow in the morning. *shrug*

On top of that, both of my eyes were nearly swollen shut. This day just has greatness written all over it. I'm brushing my teeth and somehow rub toothpaste in my already swollen left eye. God was certainly not pleased with my thoughts or my language at this point.

Took the easy way out and threw on a maxi dress for work. No effort... Commenced to grab my things and leave... Then the clumsy me that I love decides to trip over said effortless maxi dress while running down the stairs from the top floor of my apartment building, Awesome!

Having said all of that... I made it to work On Time! go figure! SMH. My eye still feels dumb but I medicated it with two Krispy Kreme donuts! Thanks Nate! *besos*

I hope everyone else had a good morning... Someone surely needs to.

Father's Day 2010

Let me start this by saying that I am a self proclaimed Daddy's Girl.

Now... Today I just want to honor the man who raised me and loved me as if I were his own. Although not biologically, you are my Father. My most trusted friend, the prototype for my husband. The one man I know without a doubt loves me unconditionally... even when I'm being a big spoiled brat and a whiny baby. A daddy's love is irreplaceable. I remember our countless arguments about why I wasn't allowed to date or wear make up until I was 16 and I look back on those days with a smile. You were molding me into a lady. Never allowing me to be an object.

My daddy gave me the best gift ever for my 19th birthday. He quit smoking for me. Because I asked him to. I selfishly want to keep you around as long as possible and I refused to let a cigarette shorten my time with you.

A Daddy's love can leave you speechless. Even in 4 feet of snow, I can depend on Daddy to drive to my house and shovel me out. It's the little things like the smiley face he puts inside of every birthday card he gives me that put a smile on my face on even my darkest days.

I salute you dear Daddy and I hope you know that on this and every day your little girl adores you!

29 and 3/4

So 30 is right around the corner and I am feeling some kind of way about it. Bored of the routine that is my life... so my vow to me is to try something new. Namely this Blog. :o)

I may bore you... hell I will probably bore myself, but as long as I COMMIT to this it will all be worth it for me.

Dija vs Diva... the autoblog'ography of me. LOL.