In the Key of C

How Sweet it is...

Spring Break is two days away...thank you Lord!  Ready is such an understatement about how I'm feeling right now.  I submitted my portfolio for National Board Certification on Tuesday...talk about a heavy load.  Good grief.  I'm excited that I'm pursuing such a wonderful experience.  I will take the 6 tests during the summer then I'll wait until Thanksgiving for the results!   I've been really getting to used to sorority life...lol.  It's been fun.  We had Dash for Diabetes, where we were the top money raising team!  Skee Wee!   Then we had a sisterhood social where I got to know more of my sisters.  I had the opportunity to chill at the Chocolate Buffet with my cousins/sorors...talk about YUMMY!  My favorite was the chocolate bread pudding, hands down.  .  I haven't done much outside of work and AKA in the last few months.  I plan to scrapbook like crazy over the break!  I have tons of photos to play with!  I also want to read, read, read.  The last book I read was the new Jodi Picoult book, Handle with Care. I went to Barnes and Noble the other night and stocked up...lol.  I have four novels to keep me busy over the next week!  I'll be playing with my new iPhone too!  Just got it, already obsessed.  It was time for the Razr to go...it was falling a part and truly a mess.  My new toy is beyond amazing.  Rest & relaxation is high on the list too!  I'm exhausted from all of the running around I've been doing.  It's time for some zzzz's, literally!  Good night!

A Powerful Noise

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to view A Powerful Noise.    I joined my cousins and other sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in supporting this wonderful cause.    The documentary chronicled the lives of three women from three different parts of the world who are making a difference in their countries to combat poverty and advocate for women's rights.  I throughly enjoyed the film.  It was a very moving experience.  I was particularly moved by Madame Urban, in Mali.  The work that she is doing educating the young girls there is amazing.  It really made me take a look at myself and what I'm doing to uplift others, mainly women and girls.   The documentary concluded with a live discussion with an on-screen panel.  Speakers included Natalie Portman, the president of CARE, and Madeline Albright.  I encourage you to go and check it out, the message is very loud and clear...it's time for US to make a stand against poverty and start uplifting and empowering the women of the world!

Happy Valentine's Day!

  I love this photo of Eric and I.  It's an old one but it just oozes with happiness.  I never get tired of looking at it!  I am so thankful for our relationship.  I am truly blessed to be loved by him. And you know I love him dearly!  Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!   

A Serious Matter...

Well I've been up to a lot lately and I can finally tell the world about it!  Today I became a member of the first and finest  sorority in all the land, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.    I am so elated to join in this wonderful sisterhood.  I join my mom, my cousins Erikka, Erin, and Crystal, and my Aunt Terry (who was initiated alongside me)     in this noble legacy of women.  It's been a long time coming!  I'm thrilled to say the very least.  There were 162 of us Elegant Sophisticated Pearls who joined the sorority.  Our ceremony was extremely memorable.  My good buddy Sigrunn came to share in the beauty of this day.   Mari sent me some lovely pink roses.    I was showered with gifts from friends and family.  Just a little pink and green to get me started!  Eric captured so many great moments for me!  Isn't he a sweetie?   With his old gold and black bowtie representing Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.  My parents were here to celebrate with me.  I don't know what I would have done without them.  They made it possible for me to achieve this dream.    There are greater tasks ahead as I begin my service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  This is the beginning of something beautiful! 

Any Ol' Sunday...

Today was a very laid back day.  I woke up and rode my bike on the trainer , while I watched Thursday's Grey's Anatomy, which I might add was a fabulous episode.  They are starting to get good again.  I had a cup of Utopian Jewel Oolong Teavana Tea, with a bowl of grits and turkey bacon.  I played a few games on pogo.com, chatted with Mari on iChat, and browsed 2peas for some inspiration.  Eric and I headed out to Borders Bookstore for a few hours, I had some delicious white hot chocolate (complete with the shavings and chocolate drizzle), and bought a little book to read--More Than Friends, by Barbara Delinsky.  When we got home I made a simple page about my nephew, Langston  while I watched a movie with Eric.  In a little bit I will watch Desperate Housewives and type up some lesson plans.  I may even try to squeeze in a card or two.  I just love days like these!

 

So far, so good

I'm doing pretty well with my new year's challenge to create something new everyday!  Here are a few creations I've made in the new year: a clipboard for a sick student, some cards for a set I'm making for a friend.  I'm still working on the calendars too!  Now the true challenge will be creating something each day when I go back to work tomorrow.  We have a planning day but still, the days seem never-ending when school is in session!  But I'm not discouraged I'm going to keep my enthusiasm and continue in my mission to be creative!

         

Live. Laugh. Love

Off to a great start!  I was creative today. I made a little layout of my 2009 resolutions (to live well, laugh often, and love much).  No need for long drawn out declarations.  I need something that I can focus my energy on.  Besides, everything I need to work on falls within one of those categories!  I plan on doing something creative every day!    

Holiday Cheer...

               Our holiday was fantastic.  Everyone (about 23 family members) gathered at my mom's house for Christmas. What a blast!   We didn't want it to end.  It felt so great to share the joy of the season with my family.  What a blessing!    I loved having my nephews running around all over the place.  Langston is calling me "Charlo" which is music to my ears (it's as close as he can get for now).  He refers to Eric as "Man".  Every time he saw Eric he would call out..."Man!   Hey Man!".    I spent the majority of the evenings before Christmas being Santa's little helper, wrapping up gifts into the wee hours.  It was all worth it to see the little ones filled with glee as they opened their gifts.   Santa was very good to me this year too!    We also had the opportunity to visit Eric's mom & family in Memphis.  We took her to the casino in Tunica for her birthday.  Eric won a $100 on a nickel slot machine.  No such luck for me.  We went to church with his mom before we left.  Of course the message was right on time.   We've been back home now since Sunday doing absolutely nothing!  Well today we're cleaning like crazy.  I refuse to go into the new year with old baggage from 2008!  I can't believe it will be 2009 in a few hours.  Time just flies.  I've had another good year.  No regrets!  I look forward to the new year and the joys it will bring!   My goal this year is to be creative and productive!  I'm off to a great start.  I've been working on a couple of 09 calendars for my mom and mother-in-law.      I plan on scrapbooking for moi tomorrow. That has become a tradition...lol.  Tonight we will cook our annual New Years Eve dinner.  I'm not sure what we will have yet.  I'm dying to use my slow cooker that I've never used.  We'll see!  As I count down to the dawn of a new year, Best Wishes to everyone who reads my blog.  May you be blessed in the New Year with love, peace, and JOY!  Happy New Year!

King Tutankhamun & Life (as we know it)

I took Eric to view the King Tutankhamun Exhibit last night for his birthday.  It was amazing.  There were items that were from his actual tomb (burial chambers, annex, antechamber, and treasury).  There were also artifacts from other Pharoahs.   We had a great time.  I am fascinated and  by the level of artistry and genius apparent in the Ancient Egyptian culture.  It is truly awe inspiring.   While it is neat to have the opportunity to view these treasures and artifacts, it is so sacrilegious for someone to have violated their sacred tombs.  Especially given the importance of the after life in their culture.    But this is nothing new, that's how the story plays out for all ancient civilizations.  I would love to go to Egypt so that I can see the pyramids and statues, etc. where they were intended to be.  Hopefully I'll be able to do that one day soon!   Eric and I are preparing to go to Nash for the better part of the holidays.  I'm so excited!  Everyone will be at home this year, including my paternal grandparents, so there will be photos galore when we return...lol.  Lots of creative juices are already flowing.   I'm currently making a sleuth of Christmas cards for coworkers & friends, as well as a gift for my Mother.  I did a photo shoot of a Sweet 16 party.  It was interesting.  I can tell the family was inspired by the MTV Sweet 16s.  Kids nowadays are definitely spoiled.   Seriously.

The Artist

This totally made my day!   We had an art show for charity at school tonight, showcasing the work of the students.  Parents could purchase their child's original work professionally framed.   Prints of their work are also available for purchase online.  My nephew is one talented artist.  My mom had me buy the original for her for her office.  Of course I will be ordering a print for myself. Gotta love this guy....