Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Hi! I'm trying to post from my phone, let's see if it works!

So I'm in Springfield, VA, about 10 miles outside of DC and we're actually having a good time despite the freezing temperatures! We were excited it was supposed to get up to 40 yesterday, but it only made it to 36. But its all good, we were inside the Smithsonians pretty much all day, yet only covered two of them! You need 19 days to see all 19 of them! They are GINORMOUS! Aww man, its such a disservice to just peruse each flor but that's what you kind of have to do!

So we went to the Museum of American History (very cool), the MoAmerican Indian for lunch (goo.gle the menu. The baked oysters... HEAVEN in a half-shell. Heaven and ecstasy at the same time. Blue corn bread was banging, too!!) with my friend Bijal (soooooooooooooo excited! She is HUH-LARIOUS!) and then she dropped us off at the MoNatural History. We were tired by then. The mammals section was cool but at the ocean life, we came to the conclusion that 1) we're tired and 2) it would be so much better as an aquarium, not taxidermy. The gems and minerals were awesome once we got past rocks and soil... man. The jewelry in there... breathtaking. The pieces aristocracy wore back in the day??????? All the blinged out rappers are playing with fools good and genuine austrian crystal!

After we saw the hope diamond (meh), we drove to Martina's for some quick games of Mario*Kart! Yeah, I got the mushroom circuit and it all fell apart after that :-( We decided to hit up a sushi restaurant in the nearby hilton. Very good sushi, not crazy but good. They had meh virginia oysters that were too expensive so we decided we're going to Baltimore today for some real maritime cuisine! Can't wait!

For NYE, we're going to another SHS/FAMU alum's house party and to catch up with OTHER alums! Can't wait for that either! Ttyl

En Route

I'm packing for D.C. this morning. So excited! I love packing!! It means I'm leaving W.P.B for some place that's most likely more FAB! And D.C is DEF more fab than WPB!

*

I pack very methodically. I picture what my trip should be like and pack accordingly.

I try and make my wardrobe as cohesive as possible so I can bring as few accessories as possible. I lay out outfits down to the underwear based on a tentative schedule and I don't budge.

Tuesday: plane ride, hanging out with fam, mall (for my gift that Andrew says we're going to pick up... [FACE])- camel bcbg hoodie and pants, longsleeve green tee, socks, pink scarf and chucks

Wednesday: public transport, museum circuit, lunch/dinner on the town- bright green cable knit turtle neck sweater, dark jeans, thermals, flat brown boots

Thursday: hanging with Martina and beating her in Mario Cart and any other games, catching up with other Hampton Homies- jeans, long sleeve pink tee, cream cable knit zip-up sweater, pink scarf and chucks

Thursnight: NYE house party/parties- dark, dark cigarette jeans, long sleeve black wrap shirt, colored pumps OR brown camel cashmere sweater dress with flat brown boots and possibly some colored fishnet/tights

Friday: recoup day, I have no idea- GRAY SWEATSUIT!! and if we decide to go out, red cashmere sweater, dark jeans, flat brown boots

Saturday: heading back to WPB, I will most likely have more clothes/shoes/stuff than I came with (which is why I pack "lightly") so the day will be spent packing and chilling- jeans, long sleeve black tee, pumps or pink chucks and scarf.

Yep, that's it!! Now I know we have plans to find some cool restaurants to eat at and we might even take a trip to B-More cause there are some SHS/FAM classmates living there now... SO EXCITED!

One more thing to be excited about:

IT MIGHT SNOW!!!!!

0-3

I've calmed down tremendously since this morning...

as you may or may not know, Christmas Eve marked THREE years I've been in a relationship.

and for the 3rd year in a row, we did NOTHING.

When talking to my future sis-in-law, she exclaimed, "Aw! So nice! What are y'all doing? Going to dinner? Anything special?"

NOTHING.

2007, he was in a BAAAAAAD mood. Oh man, I just knew our 1st year anny was going to be awesome and it wasn't. I remember riding in the car with an awkward silence cause he was PISSED about something and it spilled into OUR day.

2008, I spent the day thinking he was going to surprise me... nothing. I went to midnight mass and set myself up by sitting in the back so I can signal him when he decided to show up... he never came. I didn't see him that whole day.

2009, three years, we did nothing. I got my hair done and spent the rest of the day at home.

So buddy is 0-3 on annys. What about Christmas?

I don't even want to talk about it anymore. I'm getting upset again.

Can I just ask you this? Christmas is the 25th of December EVERY year right? So that means you basically have 364 days to figure out what to get someone right? How long does it take to get someone you know and love something for Christmas? and if for some weird reason, you don't know what to get them, do you know person's friends? Can't you send a tweet? E-mail? Text? Phone call? taking it back to my high school days- smoke signal? (#shoutout to dmg23). HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION!?!??!

Taking it back to the old school.

Goals for 2010

1. keep my work area more organized.

Guys, I'm not nasty or dirty. I won't even use the word 'messy'. I'm just unorganized. My desk at school is a black hole of forms, worksheets, homework, toys, "gifts" from my children, and even money. Yesterday, my trifling principal decided to take a walk-thru (really? on the last day of school??) and see who had their lesson plans on their desk. Mine was on my desk, she just couldn't find it. It was under workbooks and craft examples (I always test out a project before I do it with the class). She left a note asking for it. I didn't bother replying cause she knows my deal. I'm an awesome teacher; my kids make crazy gains and they love coming to school. As for my desk? Holla at me in the new year.

2. take better care of my car.

I have a 2-seater sedan. Why? My backseat has been totally monopolized by JUNK. Clothes, shoes, papers, crayo-la products, cards, DVDs, CDs, etc. I'm the type of person to get in the car and throw whatever into the back seat. I plan on taking whatever out when I get home but I just say, "fcuk it, I'll get it later". Or not. So I need to keep Tima's interior neater.

Outside, I think the last time she's been washed was when I was driving back to Tally... for my last semester of undergrad. yeah.

I bought a lifetime balance and rotation but I don't know the last time I got them done. I do. It was back in 2007.

I needed to get an oil change back in Sept.

Since i'm not sure when I'll be able to buy my own car, I really need to do better with the 2000 Altima I have. 10 years is a good look but as you all have seen, she's falling apart! My baby!!

3. use my passport at least once.

I've had that joint since I was 2. Been to England 3 times before high school. Rode on a hovercraft between UK and France when I was 10. Fell in love with Holland at 7 years old. Someone with that travel pedigree needs to do much better. I would love to go back go Europe, specifically England. I have hella cousins there so I know they'd show me a good time.

I'd also like to visit a country in Asia. I want to save Japan for my honeymoon so before then, wherever Ant.Bourdain has been, I want to go. He can sell me Daytona Beach and I'd go there!

I want to go somewhere besides West Africa. I've always been intrigued by north Africa. Morocco, Algeria, or Egypt. I don't know what's going on with Libya but I think I should stay away from there. I'm sure times have changed but I was old enough to know what was going on with Pan Am back in '88.

4. have an all girls trip

I don't care where we go, I just want us to go.

I do blame FB for fab pics of girlfriends on cruises to Mexico and flights to Antigua... we don't even have to do all that (yet). I want us to start small. Let's go to NYC and shop! (at H&M, balling on a budget here). let's catch a show! let's GO!!!!

5. pick a beauty regime and stick to it.

by that I mean, I want to be consistent with my looks. If I'm going to get my hair done, I need to get it done like clockwork, rain or shine. If I'm going to be about my nails, manis and pedis every two weeks. If I'll go back to waxing, take it off every 4 weeks. Now I can't afford all 3 so I want to choose one and maintain it, then sprinkle the other 2 in whenever I feel indulgent.

Ideally, I'd pick hair appointments but hair removal is the bane of my existence. I can/have/will throw a tam on my head or hook up a headband. Hair on my legs? UGH! Razors dry me out like CRAZY and I have to iCal nair days. Plus, we all know hair doesn't grow back as quickly with waxing...

I think that's all that's pressing me for next year... keep you posted!!

Christmas Wishlist

It's a bit late, I know. But it's a post!

I still want the entire collection of SATC and will take seasons at a time

I still want Gossip Girl on DVD

I can go for Nip*Tuck seasons 2- wherever they're at now

and Dexter Seasons 1-4

I want actual CDs.

Now that I like him, I can catch up on Nee-Yo.

and I need 'Ye's Graduation to complete his trifecta. Yes, I'm pretending that 808 doesn't exist although I do like Paranoid... a lot. I can buy the single and be happy. Maybe I should take a listen to Heartbreak again... if it wasn't for the autotune, I think I'd dig it more.

I want Jay's catalog pre American Gangster.

and Bey's catalog (what's that? 3 albums?)

I want some old school music. Minnie Rip and Nat Cole, throwback Snoop, and Immature's 2nd album "Playtime is Over"

As for accessories, I still want a black leather bag with gold fixtures. The coach style I was eying is gone and has been replaced by the audrey. but she doesn't have gold fixtures.

I think I might want a scarf in every color. That said, I'd like red, green, blue, and brown. I still have my eye on a leopard joint *checks xpress site... not there :-(*

Lastly, anything on VS's PINK site that I haven't gotten already. Go ahead and knock out some sweatpants for me!

That's all I can think of that I really want... some audio-visual entertainment and some accessories :-)

If Sharing is Caring

Dreez doesn't care!!


*


It has been broughten to my attention that Dreez doesn't like to share me.

*snickering*

I've noticed that he gets a little stank quiet when others are around.


Those of you that have known us since high school know that he's been smitten and borderline smothering since the days of Sun Coast. If I could find my album from my Sweet 16, you'd see him one arms length away from me in every shot. Then there was junior year when we went to to Sugar Bowl and he was totally blocking me. Such an interesting trip cause me and fave ex were "us" and then here come Dreez from UM on the trip with other alum. If I wasn't hemmed up by Dreez, I was chilling with F.Ex. I actually found out that F.Ex was jelly of Dreez! Apparently, he was trying to woo me since freshman year but Dreez commanded all my attention!


ANYWAY...

last night, he was here and Mini Me called. When I got off the phone with her, he said,

"Someone is coming here now?"
"Yes, babe, just [Mini Me]"
"Oh" (deflated)


She got here and we're having a blast being us. Then someone was noticeably gone.

"Where's Dreez?"

I go to my room and he's on the bed playing with his iPhone.
"What's up?"
"Nothing."
"Are you upset Mini Me is here?"
"Nope."

(y'all already know one-word answers are not the beat)

*sigh*


It's especially bad when there's only three of us, as Jameil can attest. OMG, he turns into a different person! I used to think I'm just really gregarious and pretty much an extrovert and he's the total opposite. That part is def true, but point blank, he doesn't like to share.

When we went to Daytona for the HU-BCC game, I didn't even notice but Jameil told me he sure did sit in between us at the game!! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! We soooooooo had to lean forward with the crazy gangsta lean to talk to eachother!! Are you really using your BODY to keep me to yourself?? Reminds me of New Orleans!

There was my birthday brunch where he was all sullen on the beach... luckily, Kitty was there so she and Jam had a field day swapping stories of Dreez's selfishness.

I almost can't take him anywhere cause I feel like he'll need so much attention and I'd have to censor myself! And then when I do bring him with me, I supposedly act differently. I can see how that might be. I'm not as "out there" when he's around. But when you have a white, introverted boyfriend, I gotta make sure he's all comfortable, make sure we don't talk about white people, use the word 'nigga' all loosely, JUST CHANGE MY WHOLE DEMEANOR!! This is where having a black boyfriend would be nice. Dreez doesn't get somethings and his comments on some things we may talk about would only ruffle my feathers the way he did when he was looking thru my Essence mag.


Speaking of censoring, the first time Jameil came to visit... we're listening to one of the band's song, "Mr. Babylon"... here comes Jameil from the backseat, "Mr. Bobby Long? Why don't they like that nigga?"

M-O-R-T-I-F-I-E-D

I laugh now, but that day, I iced grilled the absolute SHEEEET out of her. from my mirror.

Anyway, what can I do with him? I'd rather he loves me the way he does best: selfishly.

iCal

1 Week till Anniversary

Would you like to:

Send Text Message

Send Audio Postcard

Call Contact

It really blew my mind that in ONE WEEK, Dreez and I will be celebrating our THREE year anny! When the reminder popped up on my phone screen, I looked at it weird, like, "What? Anny- daaaaaam! It is SOOOOOO in one week! Christmas Eve is one week from today!"

Two things happened:

I realized I essentially have less than a week to get everyone's gift

I realized Dreez essentially has two weeks to either have me forever or never

That was surreal. A flippant thought and a life changing one in the same breath.

To Be Continued

Alone vs Lonely

When I was in college, I never wanted to be alone. I had to be up under someone. At Hampton, I was always in someone's dorm room or lobby. Once I got to FAM, the townhouse I lived in my 1st year always had someone in it and it was close enough to campus that people often stopped by (#notagoodlook). The last 4 years were spent in a house almost outside of Tally. Although it really wasn't that far, nobody was stopping by. And it was okay, sometimes. StanKK and I had a roomie that we both got along with so it was always good times. But then the year she left, and it was just me and StanKK, you all may remember the turmoil.

But back to the topic at hand. Even though I enjoyed having a house when most people were living in dorms or apartments, I found myself flocking to those apartments. I wasn't alone but def felt lonely in the house. I damn near lived with Kitty and Trish till the both graduated and left Tally. It was that same year (2005) that I found myself in probably the most toxic relationship I've ever been in. I didn't think too much that year, just went. To his house, to his parties, to his shows. I wanted to be wherever he was cause I knew if I was there, she couldn't be there. Oh yeah, there was another one, but I chose to ignore the signs and be up under him, move her out the way. I eventually got the picture and so did he (lol).

And even before the toxic and potentially gay sociopath, I've pretty much had a boyfriend or something close (SMH) since I started college. Someone who I could go to when I felt lonely and when I wanted to get out of my world. "I don't want to look at my closet anymore. TV here is boring. These 4 walls are driving me crazy. I know, I'll go to his lobby/dorm/apartment/house." and so I'd go. Just so I wouldn't be alone. Or lonely.

I think of the person I called a social butterfly... I think I was lonely and just flitting around trying to find a place. Caught between the vastly different worlds of HU and FAMU. Talking to him, too ghetto. Holla at him, 'our kind of people' and thinks he knows it (this fool TOLD me, "I'm a light-skinned, catholic, alpha. I'm our kind of people" I sure did ask him, "then what are you doing at FAM? and shouldn't you be episcopalian?"), pass on you and your falsely inflated ego.

It's times like now I am soooooo glad I'm done with college. Way too experimental for me. Too much change and turbulence. Too many emotions that some may not be able to handle. I'm glad I was able to get out of there unscathed and into the arms of Andrew. It was exciting to be up under him every weekend when I first graduated from college. But even he can be smothering. (post coming soon!)

Now that I have my own place, I am cool with being alone. I'm very fortunate for this opportunity to be me, by myself, for myself. Cooking and cleaning is all on me. TV doesn't have to be on for the sake of noise in the house. I don't think of "whose place can I go to?" anymore, I just think, "I can't wait to be alone." not lonely.

All in a Name

Resurection First Daughter Second Son

That's what my name means.

I was listening to the radio this morning and they gave off list of names that have a particular connotation. My first name and 9 others give people the impression that I'm "nice". Frances, Kelly, Molly and some others I can't think of cause they weren't usual.

There are the names that people think, "freak" when they hear them: Tina, Candace, Monique, Jessica (I blame roger rabbit)

Then there are the names of people you should stay away from. I don't remember them but Rory came up... who knows anyone named Rory??

*

At the beginning of the year, I get my roster and look at the names of the children I'm getting. I can't help but to make some assumptions. Dejah and Jazmine will be my princesses, roneece and demetrea will be my hood chicks, giovanni and carmelo; my hispanic sweeties, antoine and jermaine, my good ole black boys, amber, james, and kevin; my 3 whites in a class of color, etc. I wonder my teachers thought when they saw my name on their rosters. I bet they assumed I was a white girl who spoke french.

Anyway, being a teacher, there are some names that I know I can't ever use. Everyone knows that child with that name is going to be a terror.

Black boys whose name ends in 'te. Keyonte, his brother Kevonte, and their whole crew... don't want em in my class. I know one 'tae that I think, has turned out okay. he was in my high school graduating class so it was before this new breed of children came around.

White boys named Jason...Lord, I will take a class of 'Taes before a little blond hair blue-eyed satan spawn named jason. The problem with Jasons is they have no fear and don't care about LIFE. You can promise them extra computer time or more stickers and they won't give a FU(K. At least with the 'Taes, you can "allow" them to be your computer person cause all they really want is to gain your attention. Jasons? he's probably on medication and has been since he was 3.

Black girls named Kayla. BITCHES!!!!!!! How are you a bitch in 2nd grade!!?!??!!? (my first experience) Since then, every primary Kayla I've met is a problem child. And there's always one in kindergarten who gives the boys a run for their money. This year, Mrs Hill has her.

I've never had a white girl in my class. I have one this year and she's not a problem.

Rats.

Hispanic boys named Juan Carlos (JC) or Angel (pronounced an-HELL). Such holy names for little deviants.

What does your name mean? What did people assume about you before they met you?

Cyber Money

Things have to change in 2010.

So you know how I had to pay my rent but got flucked when peipal decided to charge $23.50 to use them? Up.set. I'd rather find a plane ticket to NY and pay my rent in person than pay that ridic amount of money to do something I've been doing since August for free.

Rigamarole aside, my rent was paid and I know how I'm going to do it from now on: in cash. I will take her account # and put the rent in there on the 1st of every month. Doing it this way takes me back to the days when my parents would take money out of their account by actually going into the bank. Or paying their bills by going to the establishment, even when the days of ATMs and online bill pay were rapidly approaching. I used to get an attitude if I wanted needed money and Pops would say, "Let me go to the bank first" Ugh! Do you know how long that would take?! First he'd have to find an outfit that consisted of some dad jeans and a oversized t-shirt.

SIDEBAR: I told y'all my mom once said my dad looks like a person who follows rappers around, right? iDied.

Anyway, back to peipal.

I basically came out of pocket $1600. #notagoodlook

I won't see $800 to replenish my savings account for some 3-4 business days. Both sides of my account are waiting PATIENTLY for 1159pm! my hair hasn't been professionally done in WEEKS and I have Christmas shopping to do!! Although, I did see a tweet that had me rolling!!!

"I don't buy Christmas gifts, it's Jesus' birthday, not yours"

But we've all been accustomed to get and give gifts so bring on the money and bring on the mall!!

Annoyed at Love

Drew woke me up at 420am today. four.twenty.

Why? To put my head on his shoulder.

Yes, he woke me up by pulling my arms closer to him and somewhat placing my head on him and my arm across his torso.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I... I was STUNNED he woke me up for that. I tried to fall back asleep and was almost successful when he started using MY hands to rub HIS stomach around 5am....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I just sat up and looked at him. Granted, he really couldn't see me but I'm sure he felt the pure HATE spewing from my barely opened eyes. Then I squinted at him as if to say, "Are you for serious right now?!" Seeing how I clench my jaws when I sleep, I couldn't even open my mouth for a while so I just sat there and looked at him. After what seemed like eternity of me telling myself not to cuss him the fuck out, I muster the calmness to ask him, "Why do always wake up so early on Mondays?" He answered all sheepishly, "I went to bed early."

G.T.F.O.O.H.W.T.B.S.

I tried to go back to sleep and again, was almost successful when he starts moving, trying to get comfortable.

Oh, the moving, oh the moving.

I try and give him as much space as possible by making myself as small as possible (comfortable fetal position) but it's not enough. I seriously can't believe I'm going thru this on an ass crack of dawn Monday morning. I... *pointing to my eye* not only have to drive an hour north, but then I have to pour some knowledge into the minds of 19 five and six year olds from 745am-2pm.

at 540a, I stomped out of the bed. I stood at the foot of his bed and contemplated some Misery shit. Just slapping the shit out of his feet and legs. I decided to go look at myself in the mirror and calm myself down. Let my jaws unclench and then hit the road. I splashed some water on my face, grabbed my things and was heading out the door when Drew gave me a packed lunch (sauteed pink shrimp & white mushroom in garlic couscous) he made for me the night before and some PublixCupcakes he bought.

Damn him.

And today was actually a good day. By 8am, even though I was up since 440a, AND my team lost (why must dallas let me down so much?) I was good.

Baby By Me

yeah, remember that post about wanting boys?

Drew and I went to Kitty's brother's art party this past weekend and there were 2 toddlers present. One was Kitty's niece, Kia* and the other was a family friend's son. Seeing that little boy in action...

me and Drew looked at him

then looked at Kia, sitting and "reading" a book to her doll

then looked at each other and said at the same time: "GIRLS".

Moral of the story: as with any and everything in life, there are pro & cons

(that sounds like a #basicrevruntweet)

*not real name

Buckwild

That's what I went this past weekend. Straight buck booty naked wild.

With my money of course.

I saw a tennis bracelet I wanted; I copped it. Granted, it was Black Friday so I got a crazy deal on it but it was still up there in price.

Kinda like Sam in SATC, I wanted to buy myself a piece of jewelry. over the summer, when I broke up with Drew, I found myself not wearing any of the things he gave me... yeah I was down to ONE tennis bracelet. NOT.FUN. But, I'm done buying for myself! LOL

I bought TWO bottles of perfume... I REALLY like Jessika Simpson's 'Fancy'. I was pleasantly surprised with it so I bought it. the other one, I twitted abt already

I got someone named Jameil a Christmas gift. That mug cost 2.9 trillion dollars.

Santana designs shoes and purses. A metallic brown clutch caught my eye so I bought it.

Seeing how my hair hasn't been behaving, I got a flat-iron and two headbands. One has feathers on it, the other is made out of satin. and even though ceramic hair appliances have been around for a lil minute now, them joints are not cheap yet, just less expensive than titanium.

we can never forget the weekly shopping sprees at Buplix + gas

then the automatic debits that come out of my account (stock, ortho, utilities)

and the bill I pay with one click (car insurance, cell phone both paid by amEx so essentially, i'm paying one bill)

plus the all so important "dig myself out of the mess I created in undergrad" payment... my credit score better be 4 futhermucking figures in freaking 2010, yeah I said FOUR FIGURES!

Oooh, I bought myself a jean skirt a FAMU PINK hoodie. V. Secret know she's wrong for those prices. But then again, it's all the limited. Express is the worst of the bunch.

and then there's rent.

I think I'll have $3.82 to last me till NEXT thursday at 1159pm

White Trash

let the WT tell it, they're better off than us!!

My school is in an area that's adjacent to the Fl.orida Turnpike. What that translates into is TRASH. Vagabonds who hopped off the highway and settled into the trailers nearby. Meth dealers who make their little money in town and keep on truckin'. Just all kinds of unsavory people. Unsavory whites.

I don't understand them. Do they know they live in a trailer? That the car I drive is worth more than the home they live in?? And even if they don't live in a trailer, working part-time at the local k-mart doesn't make you any better. Just cause you're not home watching garbage on the TV doesn't mean when you take your cigarette break, your sister-in-law who lives in your trailer with your brother and their 3 barefoot kids under age 4 won't call you on your metro to tell you what's going on on Springer today. Ugh!!

Like, did you smell yourself before you left the house? Cat piss and spam is not a good look. Dog food and gravel don't go together. Bim Jeam and "tobaccy" will never be haute. The LEAST you can do is get some Irish Sp.ring from the dollar store and "make it work". You and your kids. I HATE going thru your child's backpack and wondering "WHAT THE FCUK!?!??!"

While we're on hygiene... nevermind. I they don't have dentists at "minute clinics".

Now that we've gotten the physical stuff out the way, let's work on your social skills.

That excuse that it's "Pride not Hate"??? Not buying it. This isn't 1861 so take it down.

That big ole truck with the deer screened on the windshield? or the hunter's camo? dead give away you'd lynch me in a minute. with that said, TAKE IT DOWN.

Well looky here... I know there are more than a little bit of people who'd LOVE to KILL this look at prom. Loxahatchee... I'm talking to you.

and when you get around me, don't even fix your face some kinda way. Do you know my SUNGLASSES are worth more than you!? I have jeans that cost more than the lot you rent your trailer on. I've seen People Of Walmart... I know how you and your kind get down.

I just don't understand how people in 2009 can still be living like trash. Like, did ANYONE in your family finish high school and at least attempt community college? How can you keep this cycle going? Who's going to break it? Not that I want y'all to, but come on! You can't be acting like you're better than me cause you're WHITE... Chile boo. I spend on sushi what you wish you had for groceries.

With all that said, when I'm FORCED to talk to your stankin', no teeth or education havin, married your cousin, finding yourself looking down on ME, didn't vote for Obama SOLELY cause he's black, raggedy behind, please don't act like you're doing ME a favor. You should be honored by my greatness.

Fell off the Wagon

I'm still upset I missed a day in NaBloPoMo... if you know anything about me, you know I dwell. And yes, I know there is no point in dwelling but let me wallow in self-pity...

*wallowing*

I'm not finished but I will get myself together to post something.

So I last posted on Wednesday. And it was about my hair. As you may have read from my twits, I got a flatiron on Saturday. Drew was here and I put him to work. Would you believe me if I told you that boy flatiron-ed the ish out of my hair? He is a self-proclaimed "black hair care specialist"

*LMAO*

His favorite products? Du-Grow shampoo, Olive Oil moisturizer, boar-bristle hair brushes and B&B super-grow hair grease (he uses all but the grease). and a couple of weeks ago, he sure 'nuff did make a hair appointment for me and asked the lady, "what relaxers do you use? Yeah, she uses Mizani or Keracare."

Yessss! Way to pay attention!!

I have taught him how to oil my scalp but the baby is still learning how to part hair. baby steps.

But back to the flat-iron... why didn't I have one of theses already?? OMG, the texture of my hair is so much smoother that it has ever been right after I wash & dry it myself!!! LOVE.IT.

Operation Na-Na Campbell (hair down the back) is sooooo in effect!

Much Ado about Hair

I used to be able to do my own. I don't know what happened and when it happened but this right here is not the beat.

A couple of hours ago, I said I was going to go to Sally's a buy myself a flat iron so I can do my own hair. Yeah, in that time, I found it convenient to make a pot of spaghetti, baste and bake some ribs, clean all the glass in my place, put some more "summer" clothes in my stonehedge suitcase, and spend way too much time on the internet. My hair won't do itself so what's the hold up, Adei?

You know what it is? It's raining. I don't want to go outside when it rains... even though I have some fab rain boots and a matching umbrella.

No, I don't want to get my hair wet... even though it needs to be washed now.

Dah, I don't know :-( I just miss those days when I had the patience of a saint and surprising skill to curl my whole head, Curly Sue style. yeah, I had drop curls to die for. I think I was in the bathroom for 2 hours that middle school evening before a dance. And again for 9th grade homecoming dance.

I have 4 curling irons that I don't know what to do with. I would have more but every time I cut my hair off, I threw them away saying, "I'll never need these again!"

yeah, right sure. I'm sure I've gone thru every size curling iron and roller. I can't wait to get back to the big gray ones... come on hair!

maybe I should start taking vitamins... maybe I should start doing my hair every morning. With everything else, practice makes perfect!

Okay, I'm going to get a flat iron! I think that's the key to straighter hair!

Be A Millionaire

I'd have a baby by Fifty and be one. Don't act like you won't either!!

I asked Drew about that one time, "Would you mind if I dated a baller/celeb if he was giving me money and things?" He said, "As long as you're not putting out, why not?"

My boyfriend, the Chosen One.

While on the subject of babies, I think he wants girls. You should hear him talk about his cats, Pookieshia and Beakoria. Yes, he named them what you read. Actually, Beaker's full name is Beakoria Jones.

LMAO!!! My BF is a FOOL!!!

Anyway, he picked up the son of our mutual friend. Mani is 4 now and Drew was OVER him the minute he got in the car. He told me he was loud, rambunctious, and farted with no remorse. He called me and asked, "Are you sure you want boys? I have Mani here and I don't think boys are a good look. Plus, they are messy."

Oooh, sore spot. You know I don't do mess. Unorganized? Maybe. Mess? No.

I almost gave in when I thought about having one little girl. A "little Lena" as Drew likes to call her (band mate whose dad is Jewish and mom is Haitian). She'd be our heart and get all her (reasonable) desires. I think her name would start with 'A' too. Awww, how presh.

Then I remembered what my life has been like. Just the hair factor alone makes boys easier. I broke it down to Drew:

Do you want to DO hair or simply CUT hair?

Do you want to buy feminine products and deal with that whole issue?

Do you remember your sisters growing up?

Boys it is.

(as if I have ANY control over that!)

I just heard on the radio, "there's a woman who is trying to have twins... she's pregnant with her 13th child and he's flying solo". (DYING!!! LOL)

Seeing how your chances of multiple births increase with every pregnancy, she needs to gon head and accept she's NOT having twins!

Let my mom tell it, my paternal grandfather was aiming for twins, too. he just has 12. I think my mom was being a bougie city b!tc# when she said that. Like, "who has 12 children?? that's some country folk stuff. MY family only had 5"

5 children. Boy, times sure are different! Talking to Dani while at the Sams Club, we can't even imagine how our moms did 3 kids! Our parents used to shop at sams the way some people shop at publix. buying in bulk was no joke! 4 gallons of milk every 10 days. geez. and the meat. the bread, the juice, and lunches to be packed, OMG!

Wow. When my Mom was my age at this time of year (Nov 1983), she already had me and was 6 months preg with StanKK. That is sooooo0000000ooo surreal to me. Can ANY of you reading this imagine that being your life? I can barely take care of my car!!!

BTW, I almost lost my driver's side mirror to the chick-fila drive thru yesterday.

I need to ask her if she ever wanted twins. they run rampant on her side of the family. My 1st cousin (Rodney) is a twin who's brother (Robert) died at birth. A couple of my mom's 1st cousins are twins and one set of them (Abeko and Abeku) had twin girls! I may have told you already... Stacey and Tracey, ow!

It's so going to happen for me!

and watch my brother have all the fun. but, I bet that ninja'll have twin girls. and I'm going to laugh my ass straight off!! he's going to have twin girls followed by another girl. then he'll stop cause he wouldn't want to try for a boy and have a 4th girl!!! HAHAHAHAHA! SO CALLING IT!!

My sister and Kitty want one boy. A milk-dud looking, chocolate baby boy. Cute.

What do you guys see me with? Or have I clouded your judgement with my incessant talk of twin boys?

At a Loss

I have nothing profound to say. I sometimes feel like I'll be wasting your time if I come on here with ramblings but sometimes, that's all you got!

- I am quietly excited my sister is coming home for thxgiving. We haven't talked since labor day but when I found out she was in daytona, at the SAME HOTEL we were in a couple weeks ago, we both got over it and chatted up her pageant, Miss Black FL. She made Top 5.

- my hair is not the beat. this bad ass length makes me want to cut it but I need to get over that. I miss my length. At the very least, I miss the roller wrap bob I had last year at this time

- my students are off the chain. one of them was drawing a picture of himself and used a yellow crayon. "Antwone, you are NOT yellow!" "I know, I'm milk chocolate but I'll just use brown."

*DIED*

and there's a girl in my class who my mom ADORES. my kinder reminds Mommy of me when I was 5 AND reminds her of herself when she was little. AWWWWWWWW!

-I'm teaching my students dictionary skills right now. They know better that to ask me how to spell a word. First I tell them to use their environment. If it's not ANYWHERE in my print-rich room, then I direct them to the dictionary in our classroom library. They love it! Phonetic spelling is only cute when the word is 'whale' and you forgot the 'h' ("I can arch like a wale").

- I need some new music in my life. Hook a sister up. I am DEF feeling Breezy's latest but I've gotten over getting a whole album based on one hot track. I hear that new Ri is that fire. tell me about Drizzy. and I think I will backtrack and get all of Jay's stuff. and his wife.

- wow, I just remembered, not even remembered but was alerted, (via twitter) that me and Drew have been an official couple for 2 years and 11 months today. i am so embarrassed right now cause he called me but I didn't answer cause the phone was "too far". it was in the next room :-(

- dani mentioned a day trip to NYC...there is a $160 plane ticket to LGA for dec 8... who wants to go? leave on a tuesday and come back on thursday? yes? let me know! GIRLS TRIP!! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK!!! why not? we def can't wait till we're married with children! OMG, I almost shuddered at how life changes DRASTICALLY when there's a mini you.

- I have way too many pairs of shades. I get it from my daddy. they are such an awesome accessory! now if only my hair will be my awesome accessory...

- I'm obsessed with jeans again. before I went off to college, I realized it gets cold where I was going and so I bought a whole bunch of jeans. back in those days, they were odd numbered. LOL. Anyway, have bought SEVEN pairs of jeans in the past 6 weeks. and one pair looks denim but they are more like dark chambray.

- is there a certain shirt that's hot? the last time I really bought shirts was when I wrecked shop in forever twentee one in Pittsburgh. oh, and the box sale at xpress 3 years ago. and I barely wear any of those shirts cause I don't want to look like a "24 y.o. who just graduated from college and got her a little money", you know? I'd really like some cashmere mini pocket tees from xpress... do they still make those? a much better look for the same comfort as a tee shirt!

- and speaking of same comfort, Jameil said something that has stuck with me. I think we were watching what not to wear together when she asked, "Why dress raggedy? It takes the SAME energy to put on homely sweatpants and an ugly tee!"

So deep. Yo, when it rains, ninjas get wet.

OH! Another one of my kinder gems!!

"If you only have one leg, you have to hop"

LMAO!! I LOVE THEM!!

on that note, i'm out.

Damn it, Beavis!!!

I was doing so well with this daily blogging thing!!!! I AM SO UPSET!!!!!! DAAAAAAAAH!!! PISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY WANTED TO SET A GOAL AND FINISH IT!!!

Okay, i didn't set a goal but I would've like to accomplish a pseudo goal!!!!! DAAAAAAAAMN IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!

*breathe*

Well, there's nothing I can do about it now. Let's re-cap the weekend.

Friday- I drove to Hollywood to hang with Drew before he left for Haiti with the band. I was stuck in traffic 30 minutes away for an hour and a half. and my phone died. IR.RI.TA.TED.

Got there, hungry, had to get my own food :-(

He was running last minute errands and finally got in bed around 2am. Y'all know I was down for the count and have been down for abt 5 hours. he woke up at 430 for a 630 flight out of MIA. It was weird. I'm used to leaving when the alarm goes off. I didn't like HIM leaving :-( but I was also excited for this opportunity for him and the band.

Saturday- been up since 430, stayed in the bed, watched anything besides infomercials. Got up around 7am and started cleaning. Oh yes, I had the place to myself so I was going to clean it. Started with the bathroom. Oooh, no cleaning supplies, go figure. Took a shower and made a mental list of what I'll need from Target. Went and got some foaming lysol stuff (not scrubbing bubbles which I SHOULD'VE gotten), some blue tablets for the toilet and heavy duty sponges. Scrubbed the tub, the toilet, and the sink. Swept up all the hair that "missed" the garbage can (SMH), washed the towels that never quite dry cause they are never hung properly (GROSS), washed the mat and shower curtain. Bathroom, sparkling and fresh. Next, the bedroom.

Threw away hella food containers, drink bottles, and boxes. Threw away some clothes Pookieshia "sprayed" to mark her territory, and sorted laundry that was strewn all over the floor. Whites. (linens) Browns (linens and a couple tees). Colored (tees and polos) Black (linens). All washed, folded, and put away. I was ready to start on the blues (jeans) and reds (boxers, more polos) but the laundry room got locked. Boooooo, I was on a roll. Now that the laundry was off the floor, I can see the hardwood. It needed to be swept. I want to be able to walk barefoot in here! Oh I swept. I just don't understand where all that dirt could come from.

Cats. Pookieshia and Beakoria (Pookie and Beaker). Harbingers of filth. Them hoes are heralded at the cleanest animals cause they lick themselves... I beg to differ!! Give me a dog anyday!!

I only swept one side of his room and couldn't do anymore that day. I got in bed and made file folder games.

What? It's how I relax! I like to color, cut, and glue! And I love seeing my kinders learn as they play!

So file folder games plus direct tv equals zoned out. Oh yeah, I was in the FLN zone watching martha. I was watching snapped all day on oxygen. I went to MTV and saw a couple videos

C. Breezie's Transform Ya <>

I fux with any of Bee's vids.

Ri-Ri... I can't wait for her Behind the Music.

Saturday night, I looked to see what I could cook w/o using any pots, pans, or utensils. Chikn tenders and french fries it is. and more Snapped. Then bed.

Sunday- woke up and watched hella martha stuart. bry gumbul was on an older episode and he made me realize I don't like black men with white women. the inverse is okay (lol) but no go on him with becky.

I made more games and decided to tackle the front room. trash trash, and more trash. I threw away boxes and blank paper and scratched dvds. I wanted to throw his soft keyboard case away but just went and got some cat pee deodorizer from his neighbor. and the sweeping. oh the sweeping *SMH*

Now I'm hungry. I really wanted a croissant from the greek bakery across the bridge but settled for some french fries, a fried egg and some veggie sausage. it was GOOD. I ate and watched HGTV. Then I did a game and then I finished the front room. I thought about tackling the kitchen but couldn't.

I took Beakoria jones out to play for a bit and enjoyed the beautiful so fla weather. Then went inside and watched snapped till I got hungry. I decided to treat myself to some sushi that was walking distance from drew's place. it was BANGING! and I didn't mind dining solo. I felt very mature :-)

Got back to drew's place and faded to black. woke up at 4am and wrote him a note imploring him to keep his place as clean as I left it. We're really going to have to talk abt this cleanliness thing...

hopped on the road, made it back to wpb and got ready for work.

#truthis

Those of you who tweet know what the pound sign means. If it didn't drive people crazy to have stream of consciousness tweets, this is what would be on there and not here... I guess it makes for another post.

#truthis I'm very sensitive about my dual college experience. I didn't want to go to Hampton but when I got there, I didn't want to leave. Don't get me wrong, I totally enjoyed my FAMU tenure and I'm eternally grateful for the top notch education I received but to this day, I remember at a convocation, the speaker told us to look to our left and look to our right. One of the people you looked at won't be here next year. I didn't think I'd be that person who was gone and it hurts cause I just wanted to start somewhere and finish there. But I hold fast to my "foundation". Imagine the person I'd be if I went str8 to FAM?

#truthis I sometimes want to be dating a black man. My total adult dating experience has been with Drew. And as "cool" as he is, he doesn't get a lot of things. I was rattled by the comments he made when reading my Essence, him not seeing the really big picture for us in regards to our 44th president, why there is a YBF and Essence, etc... it's not his fault but he obviously comes from a totally different paradigm

#truthis even though he wasn't good for me, I still think about 'him' ALL THE TIME. I don't even love this person and liked him rarely.

#truthis I'm very afraid of change. I admire people who get up and go and do but I could never imagine myself in their position. If I could do more with my life from my house, I'd be happy. But I don't want a degree from the Univ of Phoenix Online so I need to figure out what's next in my life

#truthis to piggyback off of the previous "tweet", I wish I wasn't as apathetic as I am. I just don't care about anything enough to go for it. yeah, I talk abt a master's but I'm living w/o one right? So between not wanting to rock my boat and being mostly okay with where I am...

#truthis (you guys already know this) I really don't like the Roots. or Talib (by himself)

#truthis I really miss my church in Tallahassee and haven't really been to church since Jan 2007. yeah, I've gone here and there, went in Hollywood a couple of times but from Aug 2002- Dec 2006, I must've missed 5 services at Saint Michael's & All Angels. I think I might go back to Tally for that church.

#truthis I never had a complex about my complexion. I didn't even know people had complexes till it was forced down my throat at HU. School Daze symposiums opened my eyes to some serious issues in black america. and reading this month's essence further cements my thought that WE keep it alive. not saying ignore it but do we have to talk about it every month?

#truthis I'm not an envious/jealous person. I remember the day when I got over being jealous. It was like a light switch; I said something aloud like, "Okay, no more" and that was it. To me, what's the point of jealousy?

#truthis I miss my dog Russell EVERYDAY. and I want another dog just like him.

#truthis I like jay-zee way more than I care to admit. waaaaaaay more. his wife too.

#truthis my allergy to spermicide was not the beat. I think about that dude I read the riot act to BEFORE I knew it was an allergic rx... *Kanye shrug* It was for the best in the long run cause I shole was scared to do anything for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time!! God wanted me to be a good girl even though Satan and lust had other plans, LOL

#truthis I just assed myself out on this post.

That two letter word, one of the most powerful in the world.

"Can I get your number?"

No.

"So you not gon let me hit?"

No.

"Is that a weave?"

No.

"Are you going to come up in the hundred?"

No.

"You should look into my sister sorority"

No.

"How bout a sweetheart?"

No.

"Is there gas in the car?

No.

"Going to ATL Classic?"

No.

"Are you going to class?"

No.

"Did you really take ole boy's mattress and leave the box spring in the parking lot?"

...

No.

"Do you run track?"

No.

"Bend over show the world"

Not here.

"Do you like snow?"

No.

"Wanna watch 'Love & Basketball'?"

No.

"Can you take out the trash?"

No.

"Can I borrow your license?"

No.

"Let's go upstairs and talk in private"

No.

"Wanna go running?

No.

"Did you finish the project due today?"

No.

"Let's go half on a pet snake"

No.

"Do you accept my apology?"

No.

"Let's go to a club in Quincy"

No.

"You got cash on you?"

No.

"Were those real tears?

No.

"Are you going to the Plies concert?"

No.

"Did you know he was a sociopath?"

No.

"Do you like smooth jazz?"

No.

"Would you be surprised if he was gay?"

No.

"Did you go to Howard?

hell no.

"Let's go to the gym"

No.

"Did you ever imagine yourself as a pharmacist?"

No.

"Would you marry me?"

No.

"Did you really love him?"

No.

"So you gon come over and cook?"

No.

"Can I come over and you cook?"

No.

"Are you going to cut your hair again?"

No.

(that last one tends to change)

*

That word used to come so easily. Now, when I REALLY need to say it, I get all uncomfortable.

"Can you please give me an extension on paying for the D.C. trip?"

Well, I gave a Nov 5th deadline cause I have to get the apps into the director on the 6th but I'll see what I can do."

Extension granted.

"Can I get another extension?"

Well, the 13th is really the last day. So bring the balance in on Friday"

Why are parents are still calling me about the patrol trip?? OMG. The level of stress is so not cool.

*

I went to get permission slips signed by the principal and she taught me something I've known all along.

"Hi Ms. K! How's it going?"

"Aww man, these parents are stressing me over money! I gave them a deadline and they keep on asking for extensions!"

"So tell them no."

It was as if a light bulb turned on. I need to bring my favorite undergrad word back from the grave.

Day Off (Cont)

I hung around and put a couple summery clothes in the ginormous suitcase I grabbed my sweaters from. Then I realized if I want to eat dinner, I should start cooking. Why so early? I had a 330p ortho appt and those take forever.

I text StanKK for the potato salad recipe and get to boiling potatoes. On another burner, I start Mrs. Smith's creamy shrimp dish. On a 3rd burner, I make some white rice. I was going to start spaghetti on the fourth burner but inadvertently put the ground turkey in the freezer. Oh well, I get to slicing and dicing green onions, celery, and dill pickle chips for my 'tato salad. I know, relish would've been easier but you know how hand shredded cheese tastes worlds better than pre-shredded in the bag? Same with relish/pickles.

Potatoes are done, time to coarsely chop them.

Damn, I forgot an egg.

Boil an egg and coarsely chop it. Now I put everything in the bowl. Sprinkle with salt, fresh cracked pepper, garlic salt, and paprika. Dollops of miracle wip and honey mustard and I get to mixing. Add more whip and mustard. More salt. More whip. deli mustard with horseradish, oh yeah! that was it! Just enough heat balanced against the sweetness of the pickles! A tbsp on pickle juice and a last mix.

AWE.SUM.

Now it's time to get ready to go. Brown tights, pink cami and a poncho that has both colors in it. big brown bag and shades and I'm out.

I got accosted taking out the trash. Coming from the dumpster, a person blows his horn at me. I keep it moving. Blows again and rolls the window down. I look around, damn, I'm the only one around.

"Hi, do you live here?"

"I don't have time to chat, I have an appt to get to"

"I LIKE YOU!"

*record scratching* Did he just literally holler at me?

"Do you even know me? Bye!"

Hop in the car and tell Drew about his homie. He's someone from some other country. American boys are NOT that aggressive!! Reminds me of some ish that happens in Ghana. Or when I'm at a reggae/creole club in broward/dade county!!! NOT THE ONE!

330p- sitting in the chair when the ortho brings out a mini circular saw.

"What are you going to do with that!??!"

"Just shave in between your teeth. I need to make space for your teeth so they won't crowd when I bring your jaw back some more"

"Is it going to hurt?!!?"

"I can't do anything that hurts. I don't have anesthesia!"

*FACE* "That hasn't stopped some people in here!"

"Calm down, I won't hurt, I promise"

who's heard that before?

It didn't hurt, but it wasn't comfortable. and looking in the mirror at my bloody gums (yeah, he got too low) plus my newly sharpened teeth was surreal. Then this fool took something like sandpaper and smoothed the edges!!!!! now THAT was uncomfortable!!! FILING MY TEETH.... MANUALLY!!!! Daaah, I wanted to cry :-( And it wasn't even over. I still had to get my new wires :-(

Stainless.Steel.

But, taking off the aluminum wires popped a bracket off. Great. This is the appt that never ends. New bracket, new wires that hurt I.MME.DI.ATE.LY. Plus a chain (connected rubberbands) across my bottom jaw to bring the teeth back. she told me, "This will probably hurt for the next 5-7 days"

:-(

I come home and can't eat anything. I drink lots of lemonade and barely chew the warm white rice. The shrimp dish smells and tastes BEYOND wonderful but I can't really enjoy it cause it hurts to chew. i really think i swallowed a whole shrimp...

I basically do nothing after my ortho appt. lollygagged and played online... talked to Drew. went to bed after washing all the dishes and wiping down the counters.

I so cannot be a housewife. How boring is that life?

Day Off

This is a post that I started when I woke up and will post before I sleep tonight.

658a- yessssss, I don't have to go anywhere I don't want to today. I think I might watch Office Spayse to continue the good feeling of doing NOTHING.

730a- damn. I have to go to the post office and figure this thing out. I could drive to the main one but that's far and I don't really know how to get there.

758a- Drew's up! Let's see who else is up via Twitter. Apparently, its Q Psi Phi's 98th birthday. Just found out my American godfather is a Que via facebook... who knew? I thought he was just sigma pi

8ooa- dee dee deeeeee, nothing interesting. Ooh, new friend accepted. He was someone I thought was cute in HS; brooding, cynic, british cute.

I think I will make a wahlmart list. I cannot go in there without a plan cause I will go in there needing ribs and milk but leave with glue sticks and a camera case. Oooh, I should hit up the post office, then do publix for veggies and continue down to 45th for wally world! Yess!

829a- Yoga pants and tank top, zip-up hoodie and flip-flops, hoop earrings and bag, and I'm out!

fcuk. it would be school zone time when I leave. I can't win with school zones. damn you middle school walking distance from my place!!

Pull up, remembering how much I hate this post office.

let's see what mess I'll get into today. Are you serious? How is there a line already? Whatever. Let me get my license out...

FCUK!!! I LEFT MY WALLET AT HOME!!!!

Maybe she'll forget to ask.

Did y'all know if you don't check your mail in three days, it can be considered 'unclaimed'? that's that bull-ish if i've ever heard any! and she tried to make me feel bad for not coming to claim it at the post office!

1. I didn't know what the fluck was going on to even come into this raggedy post office

2. how come I've never heard this rule before?

And she needs a picture ID... "I have my teacher badge in the car..." Don't give me that look that I'm supposed to be at school!!! Fcuk, I'm outta here.

and now my clever plan to grocery shop in 2 steps has been de-railed cause my wallet is home. back to the school zones that, I swear, take up a square 7.8 miles...

At wallmart and what's the first thing I see? a lady in her C-i-t-i Trendz dress and a polyester (she doesn't get satin) bonnet on. Her jacket race-car driver jacket says, "Don't Hate"

If you insist.

Damn, why am I in the toiletry aisle? I don't neeeeeed shaving cream, but would really like some.

Ooh I'm thirsty. lemonade, peach punch, milk, AND berry punch.

My bones haaaave been hurting me... string cheese and yogurt

Oooh, I did want a hotdog yesterday... ball park bun size

Damn, all I need is ribs and milk. Well, I could use some garbage bags for my recycling bin... and these candles smell good but I think I will close my eyes and get some real ones from bb&b; I don't want 'angel whisper' or 'aloha', ole victoria secret ass scent names... WHAT IS A SWEET TEMPTATION?!!?

FOCUS.

RIBS and cornbread.

Where did cornbread come from? I do want some with corn in it... is that considered cornbread casserole? let me ask what to do *pull out phone and tweet*

Oooh, Mrs. Smith posted a delicious looking shrimp recipe... I'll need bacon. Oooh, while I'm cooking, I might as well make spaghetti so i'll need ground turkey. And chicken is so versatile but I don't want a whole chicken like last time... not feeling the leg quarters over here... i'll look to see what publix has. Wait! I should try the farmer's emporium for veggies! yeah, I'll go there instead! let me get out of here before I find a scarf I "neeeeed". ooh, jewelry! Is the biggest diamond at wallmart a 1/4 carat? I can buy that! Right hand ring!!! ow!

focus.

1000a- this is farmer's emporium? this is what mommy's been ranting and raving over? all they have are hella kinds of apples and lots of leafy stuff! and jewish pastries!!! Booooo, I should've gone to publix.

1007a- where am I going? I passed publix! I guess that means I'm going home. Hmmm, are this many people on the road at this time? shouldn't y'all be at work? I'm sure EVERYONE didn't follow my suit

1015a- home supposed to be putting groceries away but I decided to post about my day off so far. Its amazing how many times I've tweeted since I woke up. Too much time on my hands.

1130a- spent hour doing nothing. well, i put the groceries away and thought about the yankee candle scent I want to get from BB&B, juicy peach.

Made a publix list for the pssgetti I'm going to make, ooh! i need potatoes for my 'tato salad I've been wanting!! You know who BEASTS 'tato salad? my brother. Matter fact, let me text him and find out what he does... I bet his monkey ass won't tell me. Or he'll say, "Potatoes, paprika and love. If it doesn't come out right *insert shoulder shrug and innocent face here*"

Okay, going to BB&B. I need my place to smell like fruit. Not, nothing. and then publix. and then the cooking marathon will begin! So excited!

1200- almost finished at publix when the most ghetto of my parents walks by the condiment aisle. she's the one who drives a tricked out 300 (the hood-rich car of 2007) with the spearmint glitter paint job and 24" blades, etc. Daughter STAYED decked out in Polo and Coach... HOW ARE YOU IN KINDERGARTEN WITH MORE COACH ACCESSORIES AND SHOES THAN ME??? Anyway, I get the smirk and "why you ain't at school?"

Tend. tend to your own business.

1p -an unreasonable amt of time in BB&B. They don't make juicy peach anymore so I was deciding btwn blood orange, tangerine & vanilla, apricot sorbet, and peach mango salsa.

All that?? Meanwhile, the other scent I bought (sage & citrus) is still going strong.

I want a peach scent that I don't have to light a match for. I almost bought apricot potpourri but that brought me to godparents house in the 80's. potpourri and eucalyptus for days. I don't want that. I settled for the ridiculously expensive jar of yankee mango peach salsa. and a candle warmer so I don't have to light it. Oh, great aNOTHER parent! Don't y'all hoes work!?!? then SHE asked me, "YOu don't have work today?" "I took the day off."

my gosh. I feel like I'm back in high school and I'm skipping with fave ex!!!

140p- heading down village when the smell of beef hits me. ooh, i think I want a champbrger. I make a u-turn and head to the spot. Decisions... the short line I'd have to reach over the passenger seat for or the long line on the driver's side? I go for short.

and knock my side mirror off. It's hanging by it's veins.

TO BE CONTINUED

Holiday

I'm pressed but not pressed about the upcoming day.

I'm not too pressed about Thanksgiving b/c growing up somewhat Ghanian, Thanksgiving isn't a holiday that was celebrated over there. Actually, it kind of is but it's obviously not the same and it's during the summer. Homowo.

Now don't get me wrong, we didn't NOT do the whole Thanksgiving thing... it was just always better when others were invited cause then we really went all out. Turkey, ham, salad, stuffing (see, I call it stuffing and not 'dressing'), green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. It wasn't till I got to FAMU and learned how to make REAL mac & cheese did that get added to the mix along with REAL mashed potatoes. Yeah.

So yeah, Thanksgiving.

Now I am pressed cause everyone else is. Everyone else has a place to be cause it's such a big deal meanwhile, my dad is in Ghana and my mom is in Boston. StanKK is doing the big day with his fiance and cause they're American, its a HUUUUUUUGE deal; ginormous spread with everyone coming from all over Florida. Even Andrew is doing the day with his landlord/friend. Butch is part Native American and takes the day VERY seriously. I don't want to do t-day down there cause they aren't my friends like that. Plus, I can't take a whole day of PWI grads on a holiday. Being Ghanian on Thanksgiving was already different enough.

I think Mini Me and I are going to do a Sister-Sistah thing. 1st Annual "Three Monkeys Don't Run No Show" Dinner. Mom, Dad, and StanKK... don't let this happen again. Cause even though we don't do Thanksgiving the way everyone else does it, it was nice pretending we do.

Cooking Cautiously

Jam and I were talking about... duh, food and what we WON'T touch. Basically, things we don't feel we're ready to or even want to attempt to deal with right now.

It all started when she asked how my veggie diet is going. I answered, "I need more shrimp recipes. If I could eat sushi everyday, I'd be set." One way to eat sushi everyday is to make it yourself. Yeah, I'm not there yet. Besides actually making it, I'd need to go shopping for very specific ingredients and tools/utensils. Don't feel like doing all that right now.

We talked about fennel. How often will I need that? If a recipe calls for it, we're passing it.

Various vinegars. Rice wine, red wine, white wine, balsamic, etc. Do we really need 40 different vinegars in our pantry? I'ma go with no. Next recipe.

Leeks. Pass.

Endive. Uh, no.

French cuisine. Nope.

Sesame oil. Too expensive for the one dish I'll use it for and make maybe ONCE a year.

Jam tripped me out with this one: egg yolks. "Two egg yolks? Next." She's so straight on separating eggs! LOL! I think I'm going to start separating my eggs and beating them separately so I can get a fluffy consistency by folding that whites back in...

Oooh, one thing I'm not ready for: lobster/shrimp bisque.

Do you know what goes into that thing?!?! I had a taste for some and looked up Ty Florence's recipe...

I should've known better than to look his ultimate ass recipe up. But recipes on other sites weren't too far off which lets me know I will be going to Hole Foods for my bisque.

The last thing I will hold off on is risotto. I've seen too many bad endings with that dish on TV.

Maybe over the summer, I'll try one of the above. Maybe.

Wedding Invites

I know weddings are not cheap. I know you're spending thousands of dollars to have your friends and family spend up to 6 hours with you. I know you're basically having a party in a tux/wedding dress.

But when I don't get an invite, I wonder about our status.

*

A homeboy of mine is getting married and months ago, he asked for my address and gave me the password to his wedding website. He's getting married this evening and I still have no invite. Clearly, I'm not going but, don't put it past me to drive some 4+ hours for a wedding I have no invite to! (brunswick).

Now the thing with invites to homeboys' wedding is I think, a sensitive one. I think it's a common conception that wedding day is the bride's day. with that said, I'm not invited to HER wedding, even though Dub is MY homie.

*

I remember the 1st of my homeboys to get married. Mr. L and his Cookie Monster. That was back in 2003 (damn, has it really been 6 years? I don't think so... or has it!?!?). I was pacing the driveway waiting for my invite. I mean, it was only the wedding of the year! Everyone from Suncoast was going to be there!! When a week before the wedding rolled around, I called him and asked, "Am I invited to the wedding? I know I'm an ex and I wasn't sure how Cooks would feel about that..."

Yeah, I asked that awkward question! Seeing it in print and being much older now, I can't believe I did that. Naivete, I tell you.

Yeah, I was an ex of the soon-to-be hubby. And can I tell you, he told me OTHER exes weren't invited but I was. As it turned out, the invites were pseudo sent out and most who were there were told to could come. It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun reception!

Next homeboy wedding... fave ex's.

Geez, I just get them ready, don't I?

I didn't get an invite but I didn't ask. That was last year so I had more tact. It turns out, the invite was addressed to me and Kitty at our apt. Neither one of us were there anymore. Kitty's sister read us the info and we made it to Daytona to participate in ANOTHER beautiful ceremony of my ex. we didn't stay for the reception cause Kitty's then (wack) beau was hungry and he didn't eat what was being served. So upset about that one cause I know it was off the chain. Fave ex is a Striker and so are TWO of his groomsmen. And bride is greek so I missed out on the serenade and strolls... ARGH!

That's what happens when you bring 1-star strays into the group...

I'm sitting here wondering what the deal will be abt Dub's wedding... was it sent to my parent's house? Is it a word of mouth joint like TWO I've been to? Or is Bride flat out hating?

Clip Post

April 2008- 1st year teaching

I have 4 kids who get speech therapy twice a week. Today, my favorite girl took her mini reader we've been working on to speech to read to the therapist. Why did the therapist come back crying with joy? she interrupted my whole group reading to tell me that my heart (D.Jones), is pronouncing so well; reading with fluency, intonation and prosody, she's doing a WONDERFUL job, and she kept on going on and on. then she started welling up again and added, "you are such a marvelous teacher, oh my gosh the growth in your students! please always send the mini readers with them cause its literally bring tears to my eyes to see and hear the product of your awesome work!! I am so proud! Ms. Kutieboots you are doing an awesome job!"

*batting eyelashes* who me??? lil ole newbie me?? AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! SHUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wait. I have one more reason to be excited. technically, two.

So i volunteered to do after-school tutoring with kinders who are on the bubble of promotion. All of us submitted names to the reading coach of children who need an extra boost in reading and reading skills and therefore will move on to 1st grade. Mind you, I volunteered. I went to pick up my students (who come from the 5 other teachers, we don't get our own students) and why did they cheer cause I was their tutor?? Who was feeling her head inflate a little bit?

me.

Get back to my classroom and I outline how our 1 hour sessions will be. Time really does fly when you're having fun! I wanted just 15 more minutes!!! Oh well, we did 3 out of the 4 12-minute activities I had planned but I was able to get in my read-aloud. Dr. Se.uss is an AWESOME man. Pure genius. I need allllll his books in my life. Him and eric ca.rle. Anyway, I read I Can Read with My Ey.es Shut and emphasized the part, "the more you read, the more you know". Its so true!!!! reading is the best thing you can do for a child. Even if its a book they already know, read it over and over again for fluency which is a GINORMOUS deal!

damn! in my excitement, i need to digress!!

So about tutoring that i volunteered for. Why did I find out that we get paid for this?

who's too happy to do what she loves and get paid for it? Oh my gosh, God is so good!

one last thing that is tied to this. another teacher had one of my babies. another one of my cuties who I adore. mad rapper from boston who loves to play basketball... anyhoo, she said my student was a delight and the most well mannered child in her group. so excited and driven to do well!!

guess who was beaming from ear to ear??

me.

*sigh* I love my job.

May 2008- 1st year teaching

there are 19 days of school left. i've lost a student (she moved) and gained a student (today was his 1st day) in the past 14 days.

i'm retaining 3, two of them are ESOL (eng speakers of other languages). ESOL retention is one of the hardest things you have to do. so much red tape! the school and the coordinator have to CTA (think crypogram, T=Y) and make sure its not cause of the language difference this child didn't make gains... blah blah blah. NO, THE CHILD STILL CAN'T WRITE THEIR NAME! THE CHILD KNOWS 10 capital letters and 6 lower case letters! no letter sounds, no numbers, can't give me ONE sight word, doesn't know the front cover from the back, cannot even copy a sentence of the board, NOTHING!

See, the problem with America is that they worry about being soooo P.C., that's it not P.C. I remember there was some BS about not using red pens or markers cause that would offend Asian students. I would bet my next paycheck it wasn't an Asian parent coming in complaining about that, but a cauc thinking too hard!

Whatever the case, I can't believe I'm sending my babies to 1st grade! I look at them and can't believe where they came from! I look at pics I took along the school year and see all the teeth that have come and gone, the coloring and play-doh activities that have turned into independent writing, books with 4 big words on a page that have been replaced with 3 or four sentences with size 14 font...

we're doing addition now and my heart SWELLS with joy at how fast they are absorbing this concept. to think that most could only count to 10 and they were showing off if they could count to 20 when I first got them. They can count by 2s, 5s and 10s now.

One of my darlings has a pet hamster. He named it Ms. Kutieboots

My babies aren't that anymore.

hey bush, can I have just ONE child left behind??

Fine.
Happy Belated Mother's Day to me.

*

April 2009- 2nd year of teaching

Yo, there are some 50 school days left in the year! I can't wrap my mind around that... I basically have two months to get my kinders even tighter than they are! OMG, my students have BLOSSOMED in the last few weeks!! There was a point where we were all on the up and up and then it seemed like they plateau-ed. I was worried. Oh no, these children are pulling tricks out their bags and are quite frankly, STUNNING me! For example, writing.

Writing has always been my least fave subject to teach. Its so subjective and there is no "right" way to teach kinders how to write. Math is cut and dry. Reading is letters, then sounds, then blending. Writing? *exasperated sigh*

I tried to do what other teachers have been successful with but it wasn't working for my class. Just this Monday, we put together a paper flower in science and I used it as a independent prompt for writing. I said, "Write about your flower" and let them do whatever comes to mind. Can I share the work I got?

"I like my flower. My flower is blue. I can plant seeds. My flower have a stem. The flower have a leaf."

Ummmm, that's 5 sentences. FIVE sentences!! Can I tell you how these children came in barely knowing how to hold a pencil and write their own names?!?!!!?!?!?!!?!? I asked my stellar writer, "Who taught you how to write so well!??!" and he replied,

"I just know."

Word???????? Ummm, don't make me pull out the paper when your name was a whole bunch of wingdings!!!!! Talking bout, "I just know.."

lol

June 2009- 2nd year of teaching

school is over in EXACTLY one week.

that's 5 school days.

I can't believe it.

As of now, I'm not sad yet. Watch out for a mopey Monday post about my babies going on to 1st grade.

Awwwww! That's what I do!! I send children on to 1st grade!!! Hopefully, I've done my job and they flourish the rest of their academic careers!!!

I know my students love coming to school! Parents tell me they have to beg their children to stay home AFTER BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL!!! True story, my little Dani woke up from emergency surgery and asked, "Can I go to school now?" AWWWWWWWW!! MELTED MY HEART!!!!

But yeah, this year, so different from last year. the children came in lower (see: not as bright) and as usual, I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it. Maaaaaaan, I'm sending this class on better than the last! I worked harder this year, had a bit more swag with mine, and I have writers!! I think that is my biggest accomplishment this year... serious writers.

Anyhoo, as you may or may not have heard via tweeter, I have the best kindergarten class at school. I can't wait for next school year :-)

Opposites Attract

Y'all know Drew. Totally opposite of me. He's a lefty where I'm right handed. He's introverted around strangers when I'm extroverted all the time. He's a hater realist where I'm an idealist. He's a night owl while I'm an early bird. He's white, I'm black. (wait, he's white!?!?)He was raised to not believe in Jesus Christ while JC is the basis of my religion...

He came to school to help out with a car wash one day. When he left, York said, "von K! I didn't know you like to climb trees!! I just knew you had a little geeky boy by your side! Little cake topper found her a sequoia!!"

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

That has been our outside persona to everyone. And we love it.

On the inside, like behind closed doors it's a different story.

I sweep every other day and thank my mom for instilling in us, Saturday Morning Cleaning. Yes, ever since I can remember, StanKK and I would get up on Sat and do our chores. Washing the bathtub, sinks and toilets; folding laundry mom was doing as we simultaneously watched cartoons; changing all the pillowcases in the bedrooms; as we got older, cleaning the fridge (once a month), cutting the grass... GENERAL CLEANING OF THE HOUSE.

I still do that. No, I'm not getting an allowance anymore but it makes me feel good. I just wonder how "good" i'll be feeling when I'm the only one doing it for a family household.

Next thing.

Since he's usually working when I'm asleep, getting home from the studio when I'm on my way to work, you can imagine we are on totally different sleep cycles. I think can only be married to him during the summer cause this fool woke me up SEVERAL times in the wee hours of the day. I've told him, "I have to sleep babe. I have work in a few hours." and he understands but his ADD/kitten ass is still moving and rolling and shifting in the bed. He will wake me up to put my head on his shoulder. Or wrap his arms around me OR TICKLE MY FEET!!!!!

FACE

I'm a light sleeper. All this getting up and getting back in bed, opening the laptop, playing games on the phone, rubbing my back when I didn't ask for a back-rub, etc is not going to work late August- early Jun.

Let me stop complaining. I just wanted to vent cause I didn't have to go to work till 8am today and I was woken up at 515am.

*gripe over*

Life

I hung up on my mom the other day. She was hollering about her plane ticket and I told her to stop yelling. She said she wasn't yelling so I told her to stop talking loud. She calmed down for a second but got excited all over again. No ma'am. End call.

My principal is trying to play me and the other patrol sponsor. We jumped on every fundraiser we could (gormay lollipops, chocklate, scented pencils, car washes, etc) and were able to raise about $200 for each patrol!! That is AWESOME! Whatever the case, all our bills have been paid so whatever merchandise is left is for the patrols to go on another trip after FCAT. Why is she telling us, "go ahead and bring everything to the front office and we'll take care of it" THE HELL YOU WILL! WE'LL take care of it! Not finna be using our money to have Christmas parties at your house...

My Ghanian godfather passed away. Just found out my American godfather is deathly ill. Went to see him today and I just can't believe the shadow of a man that sits where my pillar of a Godfather used to stand. With his baritone voice, not quite as bari as it used to be, we talked about the school district. He's General Counsel for PBCSD and offered some inside info on our new CAO (chief academic officer). I suddenly don't hate him anymore. And dislike my principal even more.

Drew is here. We played wee at best by and it was great. Oh yeah, I can watch TV now!!! So EXCITED!! It pays to have a guy around. They really do earn their keep.

Funny how I got excited but I don't really watch TV... at least I have the option to watch basic programming on the networks.

My children are too smart for me. I'm kidding. They are challenging me to challenge them more than the previous years have. I'm going to have some superstars in 1st grade next year! Things are snapping and trapping in their little brains now. They have schemata to fall upon and we both LOVE it when something from their past comes into their present and it makes sense to them. For example, I read a book titled Mouse-Mess. Talked about different foods, etc, etc. Just yesterday, during the phonics lesson, we talked about things that start with O and I introduced 'olives'. Okay. When centers rolled around and a group was at Big Books, Shy said, "Ms. von K! Olives! I know that that word is! I looked at the picture and sounded out the 1st letter!"

*TEAR*

My reading strategies are working!!

Anyhoo, that's where I am today.

Happy Veterans' Day. My paternal grandfather fought in WWII for the BEF.

Wedding Talk

I know nothing is guaranteed but as a female, I can't HELP but to talk about the day I've been dreaming of!

When at the house, Chole and Lamar popped across the screen. For some weird reason, both my parents knew who they are, all about the situation and even occasionally watch 'Keeping Up* with..." I was so thrown and "thanked" NNC for my temporary discombobulation.

Anyhoot, Klho and Mar prompted BOTH Mom and Pops to ask, "So, where's your wedding going to be?"

Me wanting to have a bangin ass reception with as little food and as much champagne as possible said, "At church, duh. Father said members of the church get to use it as a gift" (or something like that)

Pops: You have to take into consideration who you are marrying. Not everyone wants to get married in church

Me: Well then we'll do church and a temple.

Mom: yeah, you have to get married where you're comfortable and if you want to have 2, so be it. Jews and Catholics do it all the time

Me: yeah, what she said.

Pops: If you marry Drew, you need to have it in a neutral place. It's not right to impose your rituals upon someone else

Me and Mom: It's my/her day!

Pops: You need to think about it.

Me: so what, a hotel ballroom? outside?? in a garden? Stan is already doing the beach and I wouldn't do that anyway, too much sand.

Pops: Just keep neutral places open.

*FACE*

My once 'no charge' venue just might be out of the picture.

*

Speaking of my reception, I want Robin Thicke to sing. If anyone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows him, gon' head and knock that out for me. Please and thank-you :-)

Daytona

Please don't make me go there again.

It was a weird weekend. 2/3 of what was planned didn't happen.

And what did happen was somewhat of a let down because HU didn't bring their band or cheerleaders. So we sat there and watched a horrible football game in a municipal stadium that's the same size as most of our high school stadiums.

HU lost in a watching paint dry kind of way.

According to Drew, both teams had 2 plays total: run up the middle or the screen pass.

On a brighter note, the hotel we stayed at was nice. And we had ocean front rooms on the 11th floor.

too bad the ocean was not pretty. The water looked gray and there was maybe 10 feet of sand. But when the water rolled up on shore, that left you with 4 feet of dry sand. Really? If I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to lay myself on the sand? WACK.

So... Daytona looks like a raggedy ass Jupiter. Like, if Jupiter didn't have as many celebs choosing to live there on the low and more of the redneck population, sooo Daytona. I'm guessing cause it's the Birthplace of NAS*CAR. "That's a niiiiiiiiice car"

I would upload pics but b/c I got a new hard drive, I'm currently uploading 1400 photos and I have 662 left. Daytona pics would be numbers 640-662.

Ugh, just not in a good mood about Daytona. I really wanted it to be better than it was. Doesn't make any sense for an ocean city to be so raggedy. As we were crossing the bridge to get to Day beach, I was getting excited but when we got there, it was like, "Sketch, Seed. Sketchy and Seedy". A waste of my favorite day of the week. #notagoodlook.

249 photos remaining. Maybe I'll make it a photo post tomorrow. I am going to bed.