Guess What?

I've been hired by DCPS!

WOO HOO!!!!!!

Keep praying for me, I need to find a school who is in dire need of a kindergarten teacher!

and I know beggars can't be choosers, but I want a school that's predominantly "minority". Like, 70% black, 20% hispanic, 10% other.

what?

"I'd like to call up Angela and Danielle to the front... these two ladies are spending their last Sunday with us because one is moving to New York and the other is moving to California! Let's pray for them and wish them all the best!"

*applause all around*

Our Father? Cannon? What ever he is made an announcement similar to that abt 6 weeks ago. I was beaming with pride cause Dani clued me in several weeks before it all happened and I was soooo happy to see it come to be. The other one, *shoulder shrug*. I just "feel" for the liturgical ministry we'll be missing. (sarcasm)

During the peace time of service, one of the ladies I actually like* at church scurried over to me with great concern. Her face was painted with worry as she started to speak, "Angela and Dani are leaving! You're not going anywhere, are you?"

I was touched; smiled to show my appreciation and assured her I wasn't going anywhere. "No, I'm staying right here." She gushed and hugged me. "Good."

The minute I got home, I started applying to school districts in northern virginia and Washington, D.C.

*

What crossed my mind the split second after I was happy someone was worried I was leaving was, "Why can't I go?" It seemed like everyone was able to go on with their lives but I have to stay where I am? No, I don't have to stay, but it was highly recommended and strongly suggested I keep the "good" thing I have going. It started with my father "putting his foot down" when he found out I was moving out last year. Then at the end of the school year, he was all with the "So things are looking good... you don't need to go anywhere. You have your tenure, why lose that and start over wherever you're going?" etc.

You already know mom was upset I moved out last year. It took me flying to Texas for interviews for her to realize I'm really moving on with my life, 3 years after she persuaded me to come home after graduation. But when I was walking down the street in Arlington, she called me and wished me the best cause she knew it was time for me to grow up. Let's see how she takes my pending move to the DMV... it seems like I always have something up my sleeve when she's gone.

Believe it or not, my brother has not been the most supportive of my ideas to move. I'm sure in his head, he's being concerned but with questions like, "So if you move but don't get a job in DC, how will you pay your car note?" (that was the latest, there were tons more when TX was on the horizon), he makes me feel like I'm a dreamer. Maybe I do come off as a dreamer cause I've been talking a big game abt moving every summer. But people don't know what goes on in my head that prevents me from leaving.

Martina said it best once, "I know you like to keep details to yourself so stop me if I'm asking too many questions...". She's right. I've learned to keep certain things to myself. Why? Cause when I talk abt it, it doesn't seem to happen. Remember all that talk of moving back to Tally for grad school? Yeah, the whole neighborhood knew abt it (I only told Stan who told his friend and the rest his history) and it was hell getting questioned abt why I was still in WPB the following school year. "Not enough students applied so they won't be having that major this year." Then the pseudo sympathetic look...ugh.

Whatever the case, despite the haters and even the lovers who really want what's best for me and think it means staying right here, I have a support group of friends near and dear to my heart who have been praying me up. I'm counting on them and myself to make this the year I do ME. I can't stay here for you. I can't help with Koko, I can't join ECW. I can't do faux long distance, I can't be a club sponsor. I can't live with my parents, I can't do City Place. I'm too big for this big village. I love you, WPB but I love me more.

* regarding the women at my church; I speak to all of them, I tolerate many, I like very few.

A Ga Wedding Story

My dad made me type this up for my brother's wedding. He wants a handout at the reception where I think they will actually do this... I've seen it once on a Wedding Story YEARS ago and was geeked! I already knew the procedure but it's been a while and the refresher was cool!

*

The Ga marriage ceremony is where the groom’s family asks the bride’s family for the bride’s hand in marriage in the presence of family, friends, and well wishers. This ceremony as now been adopted by almost all ethnic groups in Ghana and now it is a necessary common rite of marriage for all Ghanaian couples. In Ghana today, some people perform this alone as a marriage ceremony, however most people go on to perform the Western wedding in a church in addition to the traditional marriage ceremony.

Procedure

The ceremony starts with the groom’s family “knocking” (kokooko) on the door of the bride’s family home. The groom’s family is gathered outside the house and waits for permission to enter.

- The groom’s family is given a seat with the groom in the rear of the group.

- The family is offered water to drink.

- The spokesperson of the groom announces his intentions by first asking if they are in the right house. “Is this the house of (bride's name)?”

- The bride’s family responds with, “Yes”.

- A religious official from the bride’s side prays to open the marriage ceremony

- - An elder from the groom’s side prays or pours libation for the same purpose.

The groom’s side presents drinks and presents for the bride and her family.

- The groom’s family poses a question to the bride’s family: “Is your lovely daughter free to be married to our son? She has not been betrothed to anyone, has she?” At this time, the aunties go to the back room where the bride has been and confer with her.

- They ask if she’s ready, explain how momentous the event is, and might even play a little delay tactics to make the groom, “sweat”. When they come from the room, they announce the bride is ready for marriage.

- The DJ begins to play loud, celebratory music

- The same group of women goes back to the room to dress the bride in beautiful attire. They bring her out to her family with music still playing.

- The bride’s family explains what has happened and ask if they can accept the presents on behalf of her.

- A male member of the bride’s family takes the bride hands and places them in the hands of the male leader of the groom’s family.

- He will then tell the groom’s family “we have given our daughter to you, promise to take care of her.” The male will go on to brag about the bride. “She is well fed, well educated, no scars, bumps, or bruises. She’s happy and drop dead gorgeous.”

- The groom’s family accepts the bride and also promises the bride’s family that she is in the right hands, in the right family. At this time, the male can brag about his family and their accomplishments.

- The groom comes from the back of the group and joins hands with his bride. They hug and kiss. They make rounds and greet people as a couple.

- Then the party really begins!

*

Sounds like a plan to me!

angst

that's what i'm feeling right now. i'm in that mode where i wish i could just crawl into a black hole and hide till everything bothering me disappears.

can i be that ostrich that sticks its head in the ground? i really, really wanted to do that yesterday.

if i don't see it, it doesn't exist, right? is that way it works? no? can we make it work that way?

i don't know what's up with my psyche. i have issues. my ups and downs (more specifically my downs) are making me take notice.

are my hormones out of whack?

am i that bored that i'm driving myself crazy?

is music really that bad that i actually curse several times a day whenever i hear drake/nikki/alicia/wayne?

i want to go back to being a little girl and having everything taken care of. i don't want to take care of me anymore. i don't want to pay bills, i don't even want to work.

maybe that's what it is. that's where this anxiety is coming from. i don't know where i'll be in a few weeks. will i be in dc? i'm sure i will be but dc is not going to make me 8 years old again. will i be in wpb? i would rather not work than go back to that school.

i have to squeeze in all my doctors appts these last few weeks cause if i do move, i'll be without insurance for a lil minute. not cool, especially since i'm going up north.

man. too much to do and think about. and i'm on vacay. i don't think i need all this time to myself.

i just need a sabbatical.

30's the New 20?

Why something always got be the new-new? Can't we just appreciate where we are? Maybe even take it back? Why come Jay Zee turned 40 so now it's the new 30? Is 30 where it's at? And when Drew turned 30 the other day, why did a 34 y.o we dined with say, "It's the new 20!"?

Did I miss a memo?

Was 20 the hauteness?

Now don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to re-live my college days, all 2,555 of them. (Well, not alllll of them.) But when Niko (RJ's new boo) made the aforementioned statement, I was INSTANTLY taken back to 2002.

*

Okay, I turned 20 in May of 2002 so sophomore year was clearly over. I just gotten word I'd be attending FAMU with my brother who just graduated from Suncoast High. In May of 2002, I got my 2nd tattoo, a star on where I guess would be an ovary. Summer 2002, my family and I drove to Hampton to get my things out of storage. I left a note for Martina and BB on a trunk. I really think we drove back to Florida without a word coming out of my mouth.

Summer 2002, the guy I was dealing with starts to show his ass. We go back and forth via snail mail. (LMMFAO) I don't even remember what was said but I come thisclose to telling him, "That's why you weren't my first like I said you were." But I knew I wouldn't be coming back to HU and I didn't want him talking iSht about me while I wasn't there. He stamps, affirms, and confirms my decision to not make my first person anyone special. I could only imagine how I would've felt if he WAS my first. Someone would've had had to die. And it wasn't going to be me.

Fall 2002, first semester at FAMU... interesting. "Does anyone have class here?" Not taking a class but social class.

One thing I did notice was how openly Greek stuff was here. EVERYTHING was claimed with two colors and two years. I thought that was cool.

I shared a townhouse with two chicks I've known forever but mostly from Suncoast. We had lots of fun. Some trying times of course but more fun like making up dance routines and watching the Best man EVERYDAY. We were also walking distance to campus. I dated a guy who was the equivalent of a Student Leader at Hampton. We went to football games together with Kim and her BF (now husband). Dee marched in the 100.

I went to an Oil Spill with Kitty and fell on the ground a lot. I wasn't drunk, there was just hella liq on the floor. Not cool. I NEVER want to fall at parties and look like "that chick". Kitty got bit in the ass. We got barked at and guerilla-style dry humped. My car got broken into and all my CDs were gone. DEVASTATED. I then decided "I don't like Ques." They weren't like the ones at Hampton. FAMU Ques were beyond nasty and uncouth. and the ones from Florida State were extra hype. I assumed they had to prove themselves cause they're crossed at a PWI. Oh Lord, there's a white one too. He wins the title for Too Hype.

Parties at FAM are called Cosmos, short for Cosmopolitans. No one knew what I was talking about when I said I wanted to go to Cabs, short for Cabarets. Oh well, they were fun either way.

Football games are BEYOND a blast at my new school. OMG, the band is the greatest. and I know a lot of people in the band so I make special requests. It's so cool to know so many people from home. I feel like I can be myself. But in classes where I don't know anyone, I'm seen as the bourgie chick. I think it's cause I intro myself as a transfer from Hampton university. well, that's what I was! I'm torn. I hated the pretentiousness of HU, the "keeping up appearances" the full out accepting of being bourgie. You don't have to be stuck up/stank to have class. People were full of themselves at HU. But then I get to FAM and the ghettoness has me shaking my head at every turn. Where am I? Where do I belong? I didn't make any new friends.

Christmas comes, EVERYONE is home. I love not having to catch US Air to come home. I HATED that airline. My hair is long again.

Spring 2003

I'm still 20. The Student Leader I was dating ships out on Valentine's Day. He's in the reserves. I meet the whole family when we go to St. Pete the week before. Cool, his mom ADORES me.

Classes happen, I have a 3.8 gpa, I'm an education major and I love it. I visit my beloved Hampton for CC's bday in February. OMG, I MISS ALLL MY HOMIES! IT'S SO COOL TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK YOU'RE BOURGIE, BUT NORMAL!!

Basketball games are okay... they're in the gym so I feel a bit claustrophobic. HU played in the convocation center which hosted concerts and other big events. Am I really sitting on wooden bleachers like I'm in highschool? Oh well, the Pep Band is great so I have fun.

It's spring time so probates are happening left and right. Virgil crossed Kappa. Everyone is at his probate but I'm on the phone with SL's WIFEY. Yes, the guy I was dating has a main chick. I call Deanne and she can't understand a word I'm saying cause I'm wailing on the phone. She was also at Virgil's probate. She thought I was dying of pain or something. My heart was breaking as if it was made of poorly made glass. It's a bad time for me. I cut my hair for the 2nd time in my life. I look like a Supreme and I love it.

The end of March brings a wonderful party to my life. The Illustrious Champagne Sip. Kitty and I attend our first one Spring 2003. THEE best party EVER. EVAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR! We get dressed up in ball gowns and drink champagne all night? So there. We had no idea how loose it would get. But loose in a good way, not in a Champagne Sip 2004 way. *whew!*

April comes and goes. Exams and graduation come and go. School's out, "summer" is here. SL is still calling me, trying to make things work. I answer the calls as part of my American duty to boost the morale of our military but the feeling is gone. I'm like a hollow heart when it comes to love at this time. One day he calls while I'm at Kitty's and I start fake crying to make him feel bad. I remember why I was dubbed Ms. Drama freshman year at Hampton. He starts crying. But I don't think he's faking. I end with, "Don't call me anymore! Call Shay! *click*" Then, a guy in her section (french horn) who I had been eyeing on stops by and I get him. My motto for the year? "Fcuk the World, literally."*

So that was 20 for me. If 30 is going to be the 2.0 version of that, I'll pass.

*so even though Kitty and I said we were going to fcuk the world, we didn't. *LMAO* I didn't crush on anyone again till the end of Spring 2004.

Birthday Boy

If y'all know me, you know I make a big deal out of my birthday. If you know Drew, you know he doesn't.


But, if you REALLY know Drew, you'd know he doesn't MIND if someone makes a big deal out of his birthday.

I learned this little thing abt him last year when I was going crazy trying to find an immersion blender for Jameil. There he was moping and wondering what all the fuss was about. I had to get him right on together and tell him, "I make fuss for people who like fuss. Me and Jameil LOVE are birthdays and we make a big deal out of them! Does Target have an iFone app, find me a blender."

Whatever the case, I decided for his 30th, I'd make a 'fuss' over him.

On Tuesday, I told him, "Take a shower at 1230 and wait for me to pick you up". At 1250, I was in front of his place and we were off. He had no idea where we were going. Once we got to Aventura Mall, I told him, "We're getting married today! Go to Macy's and pic out your ring and get fitted for a suit!" When his face didn't show utter and extreme joy, I told him, "Calm down, we're just picking out your band. I'm going to get it for you." We walked thru Macie's when I "realized" we were in the wrong one. "Aa man, we need to go to Men's Macie's! That's on the other side of the mall, isn't it? Well, let's go!"

I'm dragging him across the mall when we get to the Art of Shaving. *Scrrrrrrrrrrr!* "Just kidding! You're getting a shave and haircut!" He started smiling but then the manager ruined it. "Your appt was for 1pm, it's 115. The barber has another appt and he may have to rush. If he doesn't do a good job, it's cause he has another client coming in."

ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? WHO SAYS THAT!?!?

Drew turned to leave saying, "I don't want a bad rush job." and I make a deal. "OKay, skip the haircut, can you do a good job with the beard trim/shave?" Now it was the barber's turn to get huffy.

"I am a professional. I only do good work. Nothing I do is rushed"

Whatever. let your mgr tell it...



I walked around the area for a little while then went back. Drew's eyes were closed so I sat in the room and watched the barber do his thing. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo coooooool! I was smiling and enjoying the show when my brother decides to call. The t-mobile ringtone shot Drew's eyes open! "Daaaaaaaaaah" I muttered and tip-toed out. I pressed 'ignore' but we already lost that meditative feeling. I call Stanley and he just wanted to know what Kitty and RJ thought of his house. See, I took them there the night before. My brother needed affirmation. So cute.

I walk some more and go back to see Drew is finished. His cheeks are rosy and his beard is SHARP! All the fine creams and lotions and tonics and extracts... grapeseed lily flower blossom, japanese palm frond, eucalyptus thorn mush, I don't know!


We walk the mall and I gave him the seersucker shorts he had been eyeing, then we go to a cool sneaker store, check out arden b and then we're out. I stop by holefoods to get some groceries but their prices were killing me. I couldn't even get down like that, I grab watercress and sage. for the rest, Publix it is.

We get back home and i realize I bought broccoli rabe instead of watercress.

DAAAAAAMN YOU HOLEFOOOOOOODS!!!!!!!!! DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

And oh, it is so bitter! nuffin i could do with that! my shrimp w/o roasted tomatoes or watercress salad was looking more like beans and sage. not awesome. although, i did use sun dried tomatoes... meh. i was still pissed abt the rabe.

(tbc)

Shello!

So I'm chilling in the NC; one summer trip down... EAST MECK, IT'S ON DA MAP!

Got my hair done yesterday, woo woo, can't wait to see it unwrapped today!

We surprised the hell out of Jameil's mom and it was great! I LOOOOVE surprises! Mini Me surprised Pops for Father's Day and it was AWESOME!

Jam and I are catching up with a Hampton Homie (the best kind of homie, don't you think?) this evening and I'm excited! Plus, there are two more on tap! Come onnnn, BK and AC!

The minute I land in Ft. Lauderdale (3pm, 7/4/2010) I'm getting ready for a 4th of July Yacht party with Kitty and RJ! Can you say excited? The yacht leaves at 6pm from... The Port of Miami!! Aaaaaaahhhh! Man, we had a yacht party last year (see: rick ross themed pool party) at Kitty's parents' house. This year? We on a futhermuckin boat. Let the unlimited champagne flow!

My next plane trip will be to DC. For what? An in person interview with DC Public schools! Woo, woo! They liked my application and statement, said I did phenomenal during my phone interview, and now want to see me in action. I have to prepare a 10 minute mini lesson, analyze a case study and bring proof of growth. I don't know how that last one is going to work cause any formal assessments I gave are locked in a vault at school. How will that work? "hi, I need to get a running record book out the vault for a job interview. I know I have one here but I don't want it and I won't say anything till a new job is secure which is why I need this running record book... don't tell the principal."

So my move out date is Aug 1. That's like, tomorrow. My interview is 7/27... that means ima have to start moving back to Spencer Lakes the minute I step off the boat. OMG, overwhelmed doesn't begin to describe. Maybe not overwhelmed but confused? That's more my speed. Whirlwind. I have no idea what the next step is going to be. The only certain in the equation right now is I have an interview and I have to move out.

Uhhh, I think that's bout it! I'll holla at y'all later!