All Dogs Go to Heaven

I remember the very first time I saw her. Reese came riding down the street on his BMX bike with a puppy under his arm. An adorable tiny fawn colored puppy full of energy. Jay Short's dog Missy delivered only one puppy and they couldn't keep it. So Reese brought her to my house. I guess since we had owned every other type of animal so why not give us a dog too. She was too precious for a typical dog name, so I named her Shana. It's hard to believe that was almost 12 years ago. She was very special. Not just because she was the only puppy in the litter but because she brought my family so much love and joy over the years. She's seen the children grow up, summer BBQs in the backyard - (her favorite place!), fist fights in the house, and many holiday gatherings. Shana was incredibly smart for a dog. She would run around the house looking for our bird when you'd ask her "Shana, where's Butterbean?" although he had been dead for months. She knew to look out of the closest door or window when you'd ask "Who's outside Shana?" She also knew to jump down off the sofa anytime mom came home. Well that was until dad caught Shana in his chair watching the Craftmatic Adjustable bed commercial...she refused to get off of the furniture after that day. And I'll always remember how much she loved going for walks and riding in my brother's car.
Jason, remember when the billy goat dog stole your rhymes? I miss her already...

A New Year, A New You

2008 brought so many accomplishments as well as complications and I'm shocked that its all in the past now. With every day I grow stronger and wiser... well that is what I pray for. I look forward to the adventures that lay ahead in the coming months but I want to take a moment to reflect and remember... Mia & Frankie, the housewarming OH LAWD, the ski trip, Dee's surprise birthday weekend, the LA office experience, why do I have cat bills, being proud of my baked mac & cheese, My 27th birthday party at Bamboo, Sex in the City the Movie, our first kiss, Miami with the girls, my 3rd and final tatoo, falling in love, countless other birthday parties, baby steps up the corporate ladder, weekends with friends & family, getting a taste of pole dancing and loving it, the Obamas becoming our first family-elect, the 1st anniversary of purchasing my condo, Erica's bday in DC, holiday festivities, my short hair cut, and the best new year's eve ever.
*smiles & tears*

Happy 2009!

YES HE DID

A proud and touching moment for all. Whether you supported Barack Obama or not, tonight's victory will affect your life and the lives of generations to come. But this win is bigger than him. It's bigger than just this election day. All around the country there are celebrations rejoicing not only for this milestone in history but for a chance at a change. But let's not forget the way we all came together today for a common purpose. And we accomplished that goal. Can we keep the momentum going and reach back, in, and out to touch those in need, to clean up our communities, to heal our societal ailments?

PS/ Don't let anyone tell you this was about race. Not all African Americans voted for Obama. Not all Whites are ultra-conservatives like McCain and Palin although she seemed to think that. Change is change. No one will see color walking into the poor house together. According to the exist polls I saw on CNN this evening, Obama-Biden voters spanned across all races, ethnicities, religions, ages, every income and educational level, AND party lines... Yes, I am a registered Independent and I know a few registered Republicans that voted for this Democratic ticket. Obama is the President for ALL of America. God bless the Obamas, the Bidens, and all of you.

Skin Deep

Spoiled by attention I'm sitting here contemplating a girl's worst fear... what happens when I'm no longer attractive. I'm not sure what it is but ever since that weird lady touched my face at Chickie & Pete's last week people have been showering me with compliments. I mean compliments are pretty much commonplace but the last week or so it has been noticeable enough for me to ponder this idea today.

This morning as I'm waiting for the elevator I was asked by a coworker my opinion of the Presidential debate last night. In the middle of my well thought out response, he harmlessly but very assertively blurts out, " You're pretty." This right after my S.O. called me his beautiful angel and even before then hearing from random people over the past several days about my "good looks," "great shape," etc...

In no way am I being vain or attempting to show any ounce of conceitedness. I am humble and accept every compliment with grace & gratitude. I pride myself on having beautiful characteristics - being a good genuine person, respecting others, seeing God in all creatures and beings. Is that what people are seeing or is it totally physical. What happens when the external beauty dies?!?

FourBucks

That's my new name for Starbucks. One tall iced vanilla soy latte yesterday morning minus $3.75 from my debit account equals a night of restless tossing & turning or the equivalent to 3 hours of sleep. I am freakin exhausted!! I started to stop by FourBucks again this morning thinking that I needed a jolt <---LOOK, it's like crack!!! I resisted the temptation and made a black tea at work instead. How else would I break the cycle.

Natural Dilemma

3 years ago when I made the decision to stop chemically straightening my hair I never realized how much time and maintenance was still required to not only keep my hair healthy but to also keep it looking good. I was excited to shed years of straight lifeless locs and start embracing my roots literally. I still get my hair pressed ever so often because I have become very accustomed to that style but as any natural sista will tell you it is not worth pressing your hair in the summer.. well at least not worth paying someone to do it because it won't last but a minute. Many people don't realize the emotional aspect behind "growing out your perm." I was trained ever since my first relaxer (maybe even before then) that straight hair is better even though those chemicals are very damaging to our hair. So I've had to go through a lot of growing and self-loving to find the courage to not only wear my curly fro as I call it around my family & friends on the weekends but to also be able to walk into my very typical Corporate-America workplace on a Monday morning with my curly locs still glistening from the mousse I scrunched in it only moments before the morning commute. So where it may not seem like such a big deal, internally I, as I am sure many other "naturals," had to at one point in time go through a physical and emotional transformation before being able to fully feel free and embrace who they are..curls, kinks, waves, and all! Thank God I'm pretty much over that part. But what brings me to today's dilemma: How to wear my hair this weekend while in Miami considering the heat, the humidity, and the beach. All weekend I struggled thinking about the many ideas and suggestions from friends ranging from my curly fro, braid sets, flat twists, to weave. I would love to wear my hair in a pressed out style but I ruled that idea out weeks ago. The moment I step one foot off the plane, my hair would look like a poofy animal was resting on top of my head therefore resorting me to ponytails the entire trip. So I wanted a style that would be grown & sexy but still versatile to look good with every outfit I plan to wear but yet low maintenance so that I can still sit out on the beach everyday and feel casual and relaxed. I decided to just wear my natual curls although I'm certain my fro won't fit under my new beach hat. Oh well, it's simple and with bobby pins & holding mousse I can style it for every occasion.

Glow

This song by Kelis featuring Raphael Saadiq is playing right now on my Pandora Radio. With approximately 10 unfinished blogs currently in draft mode I haven't been able to find the motivation, or inspiration rather, to complete and publish a single thought. Until now... Chanting the hook which goes "They'll just watch us glow" has me sitting here thinking. I love her lyrics to this song! Especially considering that last night he said I was glowing. The glow could have been from my Neutrogena Soy Radiance daily moisturizer finally starting to work after 6 months when the box clearly stated results in only 2 weeks. Or possibly the glow was a combination of the moonlight shadowing my glimmering MAC dressed eyes but it was cloudy and we were indoors. So realistically the glow was our connection shining through me. Kelis said it best "Boy you stole my heart so quickly." This is insane! Sometimes we get caught up and no common sense or reality can tell your heart otherwise. Damn I hate not being in the driver's seat at all times. Internal conflicts are the worst battles to have to deal with especially when your heart hasn't won a game yet...