A little wrap up

So, back to blogging.

I know I won't be able to catch you up on everything that's going on but I wanted to share a few posts with you.
- Haiti Trip recap
- Sensational Single
- My beloved Grandmother
- October Wrap Up

Overall, it's been quite a whirlwind, but I'm doing good. I have much to be thankful for and my relationship with the Lord, is just really great. Just thinking about his love gives me genuine joy and peace. I've also got another trip coming up, but I will give you more details on that, the closer we get.
Until next time....

October Wrap Up

-Turned 26!
-Surprised my little sisters at school by having lunch with them
-Had a spectacular time with my family the Sunday before my birthday
-Got a surprise gift. New Michael Kors bag. ( I literally ran around the house shouting Hallelujah!)

-Ran the Wicked 10k on October 30th.
-Ran the WHOLE thing, at a slow pace but still!

-Carved my first pumkin! ( I think I did it when I was like 5 but i don't really remember it)

-Indulged in smores

-Had an unforunate, how shall we say....falling out? with a guy I was dating. It's a long story, but overall I am MUCH happier. (Actually that was September but whatev.)

-October was a pretty great month!

My Beloved Grandmother

Eula Mae Mischer, wife of the late Irvin Mischer Sr., daughter of the late Rosie Lee Miles, and the late Edward Robinson, was born on September 17, 1928. She was one of eight children.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Isabella Baptist Church in Tyler, Alabama and moved to Cleveland, Ohio from Tyler in 1950. She met Irvin Mischer Sr., and on May 3, 1952 they were married. Over their thirty seven years of marriage they created a home in Cleveland for their eight children.

Eula enjoyed staying active by working for over twenty years at Brown & Gage Inc. as an assembly line worker. You could often find her with a crossword, word search or Sudoku puzzle book in her hands. She enjoyed games of chance and traveled as far as Spain and The Bahamas.

She was an excellent cook and started family traditions of having your choice for breakfast on Christmas morning, including ice cream or coconut cake and often made Mickey Mouse pancakes for her grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted family, eight children, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two brothers, one sister and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Eula was a faithful member of Harvest Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

My Aunt, Grandmother, Mom and be back in 2005. I wrote and read my grandmother's obitiuary at her funeral. What an amazing and proud moment.

Sensational Single

So, before I went to Haiti, I had nominated myself to be a sensational single of Hampton Roads. It was just for fun, no big deal. I was sensational and not dating anyone seriously. Until I got back from Haiti and I was a finalist...say what?!

So, after another round of questions it became official, I was one of the top twenty 'Sensational Singles' of Hampton Roads! There were outfits to be picked out and photo shoots to be had. The photo shoot was a lot of fun and we all had a great time.

And then...I got the magazine. I wasn't thrilled about my group shot pic because you can't even really see my face, but my individual pic was super cute.

Every time I think about it, I can't help but laugh. I guess I can cross it off my bucket list.
Be a feature in a magazine. 

But, really it was a great time and I'm glad I had a chance to be involved. (As an update I did cut my hair as you can see, but I thinking about going even shorter!)

There was however, part of the magazine that wasn't as glamarous though. We had to be auctioned off for charity. I wasn't too thrilled about the idea, but I went with it anyway. The night of the auction, the weather was terrible! Schools were closing, people were getting off of work early, it was pretty bad. But, they decided to host the event anyway.
So, there were about 30 people there and most of them were women. So, while the guys were going for like $100, $150 even $200 the ladies were going for like $30, $45, $70. I personally went for $40....to my brother! He was trying to drive up the bids and ended up getting stuck with me! It's a good thing I didn't take the whole thing too seriously or else my ego would have seriously been bruised.

All, in all a great experience. You can read my interview here if you like.

Haiti Trip Recap

So, I'll just hop right back into the swing of things.
I wish I had the dedication it takes to post consistently, but well, I'm working on it.

I realize that I won't be able to catalog everything that has happened within the last few months but I will give you the highlights..

Haiti Trip. These pictures will never fully give you the insight to what it was like being there. Not until you've sat in the back of a truck, with the sun blazing on shoulders, used bug repellent instead of perfume everyday, been kissed on both cheeks by orphans excited to see your face again, have had little boys swarm you begging for money, and eaten baked fish with the heads still on them outside in the pouring rain, then well, You haven't been to Haiti.

still working...

So, the other day I happened to stumble across a binder filled with notes, story ideas, design ideas and the like on what I had originally envisioned 'twenty-something' to be all about.

This binder was from 2007 and while I was ecstatic to realize that this has been on mind for three years now, I was a bit disheartened at the progress that I had made in three years. It's always easy to look back think, "Oh I should have, could have done this, or "Oh, I should be much farther along..." and maybe I should. But perhaps  for now, with where I am, I can just be content that,

"I'm still working on it."

I'm back...

In more ways than one.

Haiti was without a doubt one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I will share so much more with you as soon as I can put down all of my notes, scratches of paper and things that I learned into a cohesive post. But for the time being I will leave you with this beautiful picture of my friend Yolanda. She was the loveliest little girl, but she never smiled... and it broke my heart.

I am determined to never forget the faces, the feelings and the little moments of the time that I spent in Haiti.

the weekend briefly and trip news...

...if it weren't so sad, it would be funny. My love life that is! Oh, I won't be too hard on myself, but geez. Ok- no more complaining, whiners are weiners.

On to the next.

the weekend went by very quickly. I worked both Friday and Saturday so come Sunday morning I was exhausted, but had a wonderful time meeting up with friends at a Tapas Party. Lots of yummy food and sangria to go around. Then we went down to Ocean View Park and had fun dancing to Big Band music.

 {not the exact location, but it looks pretty similiar. Via Hither and Thither}

Getting both excited and super nervous about this trip to Haiti. I had a mini melt-down yesterday about the trip. We had a meeting to go over everything and my trip leader, bless his heart, I know he's not trying to scare us but....it's just so much to take in. I know that it's something that I have to do, so I'm beginning deep prayer over the next month. I'm going to see a lot of things that I have never seen before. And I'm sure my heart will break time and time again. But, I have to go. I have to show them love and help those who desperately need it. I have to.

because sometimes Friday's are crazy

Today has been insane. No, really.
I could never be in IT because when things are working well everyone loves you. Take for instance the IT guy at my job.

On most days, he happily sits at his desk, "researching" ya know, computer things. But today....oh today.
He was pulled in every which direction by people freaking out and cursing over the fact that there email was down. (I happened to be one of them. But no cursing was said...not out loud at least.)

IT is a dangerous profession. I don't have the guts, nor the ability to stare at a computer screen all day. So, as much as I would like to go home and relax with a heavy pour glass of Riesling, I have to take my butt to my other job. Le sigh.

I'm trying to suck it up though because it's because of this other job that I will be able to save enough money to go to England for Thanksgiving. So to sum it all up I must:

"Decide what I want, figure out how to get it, and know what I'm willing to sacrifice to have it."

{Huong Nguyen Fralin}

 And traveling is what I want.

blog love

the lovely couple of Hither & Thither are spell bounding. this blog makes me want to...
-pack my bags
-move to New York
-And travel forever

Lovely.

writing stairs....

so last night I had my fiction workshop class. The last time I submitted something, um it didn't go so well. I sulked to my car and stayed up late in a sea of papers with red marks all over them.
When my friend D. came over he was like,

"Um, what are you doing?"
"Wallowing in my terrible skills as a writer. My career is over as I know it!"
"Ok, want to go to Wendy's?"
{Nothing like a supportive friend who doesn't play into my dramatic tendencies.}

{Writing is like a winding staircase, no? Huong Nguyen Fralin.}

needless to say last night I wasn't super jazzed about going. I had totally rushed my last submission and quickly re-worked something that I had written in the past.

And they loved it....................

They LOVED it!

I made them laugh, I made them relate to my character. One woman even went as far to say that she could see the movie! Seriously? Um, OK!

There's nothing like a little bit of encouragement to really get you feeling like you can do and be anything. Last night I kept dreaming of re-writes and edits and even randomly emailed my professor at 12:34am to ask about Point of View. It felt so great....

travel

So, I'm getting super excited about my upcoming trip. I held a fundraiser at work today and raised $123! How amazing. Seriously, a few months ago I would have thought that something like this would have been impossible. I felt totally stuck in Virginia.

 {fantastic photos from super talented Huong Nguyen Fralin}

But now, this is making me see that God has amazing plans for me. And I can't wait to uncover them all....

hair today...hair tomorrow

I'm pretty sure, but I think I want short hair. (Isn't it funny how changing the length of ones hair can be such an emotional decision?) I'm trying to reassure myself that if I don't like it then my hair WILL grow back. But who knows when I will do this, my weeks are scheduled to the max. But when I do, I think I want to go for something like this....

whatcha think?

I currently have long wavy braids. I have been wearing this style for two years and I am over it. Plus, I want to feel that I can be confident, sexy and attractive without wearing someone else's hair with braids, weaves or extensions. (The joys of black hair.) Anyway, I really love this look and I think I would be able to rock it even though my face is rounder than Rhianna's. Now, I just need to find someone I trust enough to do this...

Haiti

I'm going to Haiti July 27- August 3 on a missions trip. I am excited. I am scared. I am hoping to leave changed.

Farigrounds...

well hello there, friend.

-Yesterday I went to Elliot's Fairgrounds Coffee in Norfolk after work.
-Had a wonderful time writing
-Observing others
-Sipping iced coffee
-And being creative.

Perfection.

another mini update

why do I always do this? blog consistently for a couple of months and then just stop because i feel like i have nothing to say?
it's so lame.
anyway, another mini-update:

-Getting excited and nervous about trip to Haiti
-Thanks to a very generous donation I now only need $500 to go
-I still like the divorced guy
-I am going to England and France in November
-(Please don't feel like I have all this money to travel and that I'm well off.... I'm not. Just super blessed)
-Realizing how super blessed I am every day
-Meeting lots of people
-Went surfing for the first time on Saturday
-Got up on the board a couple of times
-Took a 1/2 day yesterday due to a serious stomach ache
-Want to go to get wings and a beer for lunch today
-Volunteered at the local Public Broadcasting station and was on TV for out 10 seconds
-Realized that 25 has been kinda tough on me mentally. Feeling as if I "should" have more things figured out
-Still learning to relax
-Going to shop at the Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale and stock up on panties
-Two free lancing articles due at the end of the month
-One due today!
-Taking a fiction workshop class, and reading, reading, reading

And that's that! Perhaps this how I'm going to blog from now on. Short lists of what I'm doing, maybe questions I have about life... but who knows I may change my mind...
And that's allowed.

getting back the spark...

 {photo by Max Wagner}

It's been a weird two weeks. A few things to catch you up on...

-I'm going to Haiti in July for my first missions trip
-I'm crushing on a guy who is in the middle of a divorce
-I think it's time for me to live by myself
-I covet... a lot -I skipped out on my quite time this week, and could totally feel it
-Realized that I'm super shy when I first get to know people...I hate that
-I started cooking more often and lost a few pounds
-I used the money that I was saving to sign up for my 1/2 marathon to go shoe shopping
-I'm a little more motivated at work
-I saw the movie Food Inc, and then went to Taco Bell two days later
-I've been networking my little butt off
-Went to the beach on memorial day... hoping to go again this weekend
-I still really hope that come December there will be a big change
-I saw my therapist for the first time in 7 years
-I'm going to start seeing her way more often
-I need to relax
-I want to go on vacation
-I've always been a writer

And that's that. Regular posting to begin next week.... for real!

because..... well, because

It's already Thursday and I haven't posted anything. Sad but true. This week has been super jam packed and busy and the weekend, although it is insight, will hardly be relaxing which I have to admit is my fault. Anyway, instead of wracking my brain and trying to catch you all up on things, I will leave you with this beautiful pic and will be back to regular posting next week. Until then.... xoxoxo

 {photo found here}

a goal or two

 {I'll explain this lovely meal....}

so, here its and practically the middle of May. Um, 2010 I love you but you need to slow down. I'm lady, take your time.

I've never been a huge resolution person but I have always been a fan of setting realistic goals. Yesterday, I came face to face with the fact that I had yet to establish some goals for 2010. {No, wonder it seems like the year is flying by. I had nothing to measure my successes!}

Anyway, I wrote out a list of goals last night. I'll spare you the entire thing but here are a few biggies:
-Continue to grow spiritually.I'm a on a spiritual high and totally don't want to my enthusiasm and love for God fade. 

-Run the Rock 'n' Roll Half marathon (September) This will be my second 1/2 marathon. And honestly I used to be an avid runner and totally proud of that, but um, I got lazy.

-Reach my weight loss goals, and stay there. Now I know everyone always says crap like this all the time. I am at a point where I have maintained a 20 pound weight loss for about a year and a half. ( I used to be super chubby!) But now, I'm ready to take it to the next level. I want to really think about the foods that I'm eating and not just hit up the drive thru all the time. Christina over at A Lovely Morning, geez I so want to be like her! She makes delicious food all the time, see top pic, and is so health conscious. I mean this lady cracked open coconuts while she was in LABOR as it's known to be nature's gatorade. Um, yeah. Hopefully I can be at that level one day.

So, they always say that there has to be a rewards system for things like this. Well, mine is pretty dope.
For every pound I lose I will give myself $20 to put towards the purchase of...

A Diane Von Furstenberg dress. Yes, I will only buy this dress once I have hit my goal weight and am a solid size 8.

Secondly, because I love shopping sooo much, I am considering* allowing myself to purchase a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for my birthday.Yes, Christian Louboutin. Yes, I know it's a total splurge but I would really like them and a girl needs a little inspiration.  Plus, my birthday isn't until October. So, it's not that bad right?

Anyway, this post is already long enough, but I will be happy to share my other goals with you tomorrow. Until then, xoxo

what I'm willing to do for a cupcake

I have seriously been craving a delicious cupcake for two weeks. TWO WEEKS. I know I could go to the store and make them but it wouldn't be the same. I need a serious cupcake and the only ones that come to mind that will do for a craving like this, are the cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery in NY. And, I am seriously, SERIOUSLY considering going to NY for the weekend just to get one.

All I have to do is hop on the Chinatown bus on Friday at midnight and I would be in NY by 7am the next morning. I could have brunch with my aunt, wander around the city all afternoon and stand in line outside of the Greenwhich village bakery. (There's always a line.) I would savor that cupcake and honestly, I would have more than one I'm sure.

Saturday night, I could meet up with some friends, go dancing and enjoy NY pizza at 4am and Sunday, I would sleep in, stop by Central Park, grab a bagel and head back to Chinatown to catch my bus back to VA by 5pm. I could sooo do this...