Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Relocating...

Hey y'all!
It's been one hectic week...I don't even know where to begin.

Anyway, I'm currently in Dubai~ in transit, touring and also visiting friends! I have been asleep for the most part of the day and its 6.30pm now. About to go out and see what the city's about. It's about 42 degrees celsius and humid. Was too tired to move around during the day.

In the meantime, I'm going to be switching blogs "temporarily". The new link is going to be specifically about my work & outside experience in Uganda~ which is where I'm going to be for the next one month- starting from Thursday.

Click on this---> Going out there . You should get redirected to the blog. Please leave ur comments, as you keep me in your prayers (i hope!)
I hope the internet connection lets me update my blog frequently.

Be safe!

Chocolate kisses
xxox...

Monday, July 18, 2011

Weekly Digest

Listening to “Tattoo” by Jordin Sparks, while on the train back to DC from Connecticut. I’ve always loved this song not just because it touches my heart, but because there’s a clear visual of reality in it. Things we experience from day - to - day where we meet people, they influence us, take things from us and vice versa …and then they’re gone. It may hurt, it may bruise, or for others, it may feel good. Whichever way you want to look at it, there’s an effect.
The general idea behind this song is taken from a script where she falls in love with a dude, he screws up and the relationship ends…and now she finally realizes that it’s time to move on and enjoy every minute of life. Cool.
That’s what I always took away from the song although, I’ve never really been hurt 
by love per se.

*Just got to New York. Share the wonderful view of the sunset with me*

As the song came up on my iPod along with the impulse to write, the only memories that came to me were of my brother and how through him, I’m encouraged to live on like every moment is my last. I spent a good amount of this weekend reflecting as I spoke to people who I hadn’t seen in a couple of years, and every one of them asked how I was fairing without my brother. Honestly, I choked every time the question came up. It hurt; the void still remains.
Shortly after, I compose myself and I realize that although I feel the gaping hole  deep within, he is still very much a part of me. This past weekend I realized that I’m not only living for myself, but for him as well.

*New Jersey*

 Moments when I give up on myself, thoughts of him get me going again. I can’t be selfish. I, personally, don’t consider myself a selfish person, but I do realize that I cannot decide to sit and commiserate because he is not here to witness my accomplishments, my downs, or even party with me(yes! We were the party buddies!). I will not deny the fact that I get discouraged to make future plans or dare to dream ever so often, simply because I’m reminded of how he had dreams and well, here we are today… they remain unfulfilled. Is that enough of a reason not to live? Not to dream? NO, it isn’t.  That appears more like creating a façade, and letting your fears take over. My faith does not permit that I let fear rule me. If I were to let that be, then that which I call faith would be futile.

That being said, I encourage you all to live, let live, and live on. Let your zest for life not quench because you do not get what you want (or THINK you NEED), your friendship/relationship falls apart, you lose your job, or even because you lose a loved one.  Get rid of those boundaries which you’ve (un)consciously set upon yourself. That “look” that you think you can’t dare to try? Go ahead and PULL IT OFF! I promise it won’t hurt. * I know this because I have been trying this out all summer* …  Look around you, and you will see that someone is far worse than you are so make use and appreciate the little blessings you receive every SINGLE day. The gift of life is precious…don’t take it for granted. When God sees that you’re appreciative of those, He is sure to entrust you with bigger things. Leave it all to Him. One thing I am reminded of every day is that for everything that happens, there is a reason. We 
may not always understand why, but it all comes together for good.

Have a beautiful week and don’t forget to LIVE & LOVE…and SMILE while you’re at it!


Chocolate Kisses
xxox...

Saturday, July 16, 2011

#Song4dWeekEND

Here's this weekend's song...


"Give Me Everything"- Pitbull feat. Neyo, Afrojack & Nayer.



"can't promise tomorrow... but I can promise tonight!"


Better grab everything tonight!! Have a safe weekend people!

Chocolate Kisses
xxox...

Rants on Rants on Rants

View from the top
Hello my fellow readers and bloggers!
It's been a minute since I was here...excuse my desire to LIVE, my realization that time is against me, and a hint of laziness on that!
Hope things have been good for y'all because for me..."grateful" is the only way I can describe how I feel right now. Have you ever sat and looked around you and realized how much you've got in the form of family, friends and basic necessities to stay alive? If you haven't, I suggest you do that right now and say a quick THANK YOU to God. Yes, there are sooo many more things we want/need but we haven't died without 'em so here's my advice... Live on!

My Miami trip was much-needed! Arrived Friday night - didn't get to the hotel till around 9pm due to several delays. Didn't get much any sleep on board merely because of the convo that was going on between the people seated next to me. Anyway....the fun started once I landed. Met the rest of the crew and might I add it was fun seeing familiar faces once again.
We went out to 2 different spots. The dancing was crazy..infact, the night as a whole was EPIC! I don’t know if it was because we were all excited about seeing each other, or because we were in Miami, or perhaps… the "shepe" (i.e "alcohol") in the system. All I know is everybody had a BLAST!
Got back at like 5AM and went straight into writing my paper for my class. * I had intentions of finishing that b4 leaving DC but for some reason, I kept having to correct this or that.* And Miami people party till the morning! It’s crazy!
About to paint the city RED!!

C'est moi

Haven't seen Alex since '97! :-)

Ladies

Partner in crime!



Calling it a night

(P.S. Couldn't put up a lot of pics ---> "What happens in Miami stays in Miami!")

Waking up Saturday was not  a hassle at all… of course my mind was on the beach so I quickly changed into my bikini and headed out. Unfortunately, Abi & Silver had to head back to their zones… L  The rest of us ladies decided to go parasailing… Man oh man… that was an experience. 






Off we go!
Here’s a video ( I hope it works--- the wind was "swallowing" my voice)


!!! FUN!!!
We decided to meet up with the guys at a restaurant (can’t rmmbr the name)… All I know is it was bbq-oriented. Got talking with everyone and honestly, I was tired, but no way was I going to sleep. For what?! Meanwhile, Jerry proposed to me the night before (on his knees!) so yeah everyone was asking about the rock on my finger…. Even the waitress! Gotta love it! lol

Checkin' out the bling!


Kels and I

Dinner is served!

The initial plan for the night was to go out again but a lot of the guys weren’t down bcuz they had early flights to catch in the morning so we just bought drinks and chilled… Us ladies went for a late night swim.

Jerry (my hubby) & I

No comment!



Sunday- headed over to Joey’s place since I wasn’t leaving till Mon morning. We went out for lunch and Lord knows I stuffed myself.  Idk where the day went to but before I knew it, it was 9pm and we were all gisting in the living room, eating suya (made by Joey) and watching BET awards. That suya was on point I have to admit!
Caught my flight at 9.30am—arrived back in DC @ noon---- straight to work!
Man, sitting at my desk, I felt like I just woke up from a trance. As if everything that happened over the weekend was a dream.

So much has happened between then and now.
The plan was to go to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival but I couldn’t plan in time so  I ended up staying here in DC. Abi came into town so of course you know we had a blast. The more I think about it, it seems apparent that we’ve succeeded in making up for all the lost years between us since I last saw her in 1996. THAT is a long time man. Moving to the East Coast def came with perks and this is one of the best ones.  Going out, chilling, BBQ, eating… what didn’t we get into??? She ended up staying for about a week (yes, as much as you may not believe, some people find it hard leaving me) .. Took her to work with me- definitely a productive day!  #confession: I miss her!

MEANWHILE, I got pulled over by the cops FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE!
I always said if I did, I’d just tell the officer to arrest me because I don’t want wahala. Try to explain yourself, next thing you know they're holding you in contempt. I no want.
According to him, I stopped on the crosswalk so people had to walk on the street in order to cross the road. Clearly, my guy just wanted to holla at 2 ladies in a car dancing to WizKid on a beautiful Thursday afternoon. He asked for all those documents… asked this, asked that.. and then gave me a warning. In his words, “I’ma give you a verbal warning this time round, but next time... aint nobody gonna give you a lecture. That’s a $250 fine right there.”….My response “Yes sir.”… #Endofdiscussion
Perhaps it’s because I was wearing a short skirt and he was a black cop… I don’t know… LOL! I’m just saying. These things happen. LMAO!
Ok let me stop there.

 School’s still going on amidst all these events! My Stats class ends next week and Lord knows I am more than ready to get over with that class. Got an A in my other class so whoop whoop!! Thank God and thanks to those that prayed for me. I think I need more prayers for my Stats exam.  *shivers at the thought of it*

Have a fabulous weekend!
Chocolate kisses
xxox...