Skiing is NOOOOO Joke

So I went skiing...that's right folks SKIING

my black skin, against the blinding whiteness of snow.
I tried to go but fear crippled me and I punked-out on the bunny slopes..lol

I flew to D.C. on Valentine's Day, it seems as though D.C. has become my new home away from home and my temporary escape from reality. We went to the Twinz Jazz Cafe. The music was cool..the establishment cozy, but the food though left much to be desired. Afterwards we hit up a club, it was cramped and definitely not up to any of our standards, but it was something to do and it was ....FREE..lol

The next day we would embark upon our skiing endeavor. We were traveling to Reading, Pennsylvania. This trip was going to be interesting. We were staying in the Sheraton, that looked like a re-vamped Days Inn, yea it was an absolute mess.

The bus ride was cool, being that I was out of my own domain, I spoke with the people I knew, listened to music, and slept. The bus ride lasted about 3 hours. As usual I had OVER packed. If you know me packing has never been something that I mastered. But never the less we arrived and did so safely, so I was thankful for that.

The trip was booked through a company that shall remain name-less for fear of copy right infringement, defamation of character, and just the shear shame of association...lol. The Group that we traveled with appropriately named the trip "Black Ice 2008". Upon arrival there was a sort of meet and greet with an open bar and "other" refreshments.

The 'other' refreshments included and were limited too: donuts: glazed, chocolate glazed, white glazed, and fruit filled. Tomato soup, your choice of crackers and/or bread, and a cup of ice cold water. Hmm yum....

We walked in and to our surprise we were greeted with the stench of stale carpeting & bengay, and what appeared to be a family reunion. Obliviously the people that we booked the trip through neglected to say that age range of its guest would be so wide. Ages 4 - 100...this was going to be very interesting. On the agenda for the evening, were the meet and greet, an adults only entertainment option and a Pajama After Party.

Before we 'partied' we picked up our registration materials at the front

Where do I begin? The meet and greet = WACK. The Adult only entertainment option = DISGUSTINGLY TACKY to the point that myself and my friend C just had to leave. Last but not least the faux "Pajama Jam", where people felt the need to wear nighties and silk pjs and furry house shoes. Hilarious.

We stayed just long enough for them to play Beyonce's 'Get Me Bodied", which seems to have become the national female song of unity...lol.

The next day we collected our ski's (yes we had to carry them OURSELVES, TO the ski lodge....GREAT..*insert disgruntled smiley here*). At breakfast we were met with scone inspired pancakes (that translates into dry and crumbly), "scrambled eggs", bacon, sausage, grits, and cereal. Oh and please let me not forget the orange juice (from concentrate) that was 10% juice and 90% water...uh yea nasty.

At the ski resort we were all riddled with anticipation. The snow was well white and deceptively inviting. Some how some way, I decided to allow my friends to talk me into NOT taking ski lessons, absolutely the WORST decision ever. A little tidbit about me, I am accident prone ( i just play it off well), afraid of heights, and afraid of falling, HARD. So being adventurous, I wrapped myself up, put on my ski's and tried my damnedest not to fall.

So as we approached the bunny slope, my friends just jumped into it. I was hesitant. I was barely standing still on my ski's and you want me to go DOWN a slope. I took one look and new that if I wanted to live that I should probably sit this one out. I moved to the side and tried to maneuver myself through this skiing endeavor. Skiing folks is NO joke. I was on flat land and still wasn't able to grasp the fundamentals, and I was an athlete for goodness sake. Ha ha ha. I suppose the operative phrase here is USE TO BE, lol. As the children swooped past startling me, I realized that I should probably call it quits. I know I know, I so PUNKED out *insert sad face here*

It wasn't long before C and Co. returned asking me where I had been. I explained to them my skiing failure they laughed, I shrugged my shoulders, and we all decided to go SNOW TUBING.

I have come to the realization that I am a scary person at times. (Ok I already new this but now I am letting you know.) We arrive at the snowtubing area and I am not quite sure it is something that I want to do, but being that previously I opted out of an activity, I thought it would be in my best interest to participate. So I did. we walked around and up a mountain to the snow tubing line where we collected our family tube and we went plunging. I screamed as I saw my life flash before my eyes, I think I even shed a tear. For some reason I just can't stand that feeling of your stomach being in your throat, its just disturbing. After my fit and the realization that I was still alive, I realized that it wasn't all that bad. I'd do it again, but the line was long and it was time to go.

So my first ski experience was over. It was bitter sweet. Would I do it again. Heck yea.

Later on that evening we had 'dinner' which was the dining highlight of the whole trip since everything else left much to be desired and got ready for the 'evening' events.

Michael Blackston and Avant were performers for the evening. It was cool. Blackston did pretty much the same ish as always, so I was bored for a bit. Then Avant followed, asking people not to record videos or take pictures, do you think he got is wish?..lol

Avant kind of put me in a "I want a boo" mood, blah. Music is my muse and will ultimately be my demise. I got over it eventually. So that was the end of the trip just about, we partied (kind of), we hung out, and more importantly we got away. Lord knows you just need to get away sometimes, even if it is rom a hint of shady organization.

-Awaiting the next trip.....definitely somewhere warm...I can't wait!

Valentine's Day 2008

Valentine's day 2008. This is a day that I have distinctly made a point of disregarding in my life time. I suppose for the longest time, I associated Valentine's Day with certain things that made me resent it, you know stuff like, relationships, love, boys and anything that might make you go AWWWW. I didn't get a card or candy from a boy I liked so to me the day was a waste.

This year I received texts, and valentines from friends, primarily female. I went to a Jazz cafe in D.C. with my friends. But it was all still bitter sweet. I reminisced on Valentine's of old, as the jazz band played in the background, sultry sounds mixed with the up tempo beat of a drum, caressed with the underlying subtlety of the plucked strings of a bass. All the band members including the singer closed their eyes as they played...I closed mine too...I never really had a valentine, but I'd always wanted one. And to be honest I can't really remember any of the previous February 14th's except for one. I suppose I was especially miserable this day. I sat in the dark, and I didn't want to be bothered. I was sad. It was another February 14th and feel like in the relationship realm I had failed. Yes you have your friends that send you cute cards, you plan to do things to get your mind off of THIS day, but we had done all, and I sat, alone.

My phone rang and I picked it up. I had something at the Student Union Building. I wasn't really interested in leaving where I was, but I did. I was curious...I had something...hmm. I scurried over to see what it was. It was a single red carnation, with a ribbon and a message attached. If was from a person that at that time I was quite found of. He had taken the time to send ME a carnation with a message

"All Men Aren't Dogs"

I smiled a little. I knew that I could be really hard on the male species, but I think I was a victim of seeing too much before I had experienced it. And from what I had seen, I definitely could do with out actually going through such things myself. I said I smiled a little. I lied, I smiled, a lot. This had, kind of in a sick and debilitating way, warmed my heart and made me smile and made me actually believe that in that one instant that he was right, all men aren't dogs.

That was a valentine's day that I would never forget, other things happened that day but I'd rather focus on the good that come of that. There are a few things in my lifetime that I regret, but being a person that loves too hard at times is not one of those things. I can't help that I fall emotionally sometimes, but I know that, the emotion that I share with a few is genuine its real and should not be taken for granted. Valentines day is a day of love, respect and adoration, its a day were you realize that even with the bad that comes in relationships and friendships that just in that instant to feel the emotion of love is a blessing. I've loved (at least I think) and I have hurt (this I know for a fact), but I won't regret.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dinner with my LS - The Prayer Formula-Food For the Soul

So my 5 and I (thats my line sister who's number is 5 for those that aren't following) met up at the Kona Grill just because, which is always nice considering that life has a funny way of commandeering as my mother would put it, ever moment and breath of our existence. At times we don't get the opportunity to breathe, not that we can't but we forget too. But this was my waiting to exhale moment minus a man to complicate things and the worries of the the world. So my LS, as well as one of my very best friends took the time to meet up for a momentary escape from reality. Many things were discussed, the state of the school system, the frightening state of the black youth, and how were going to get out and meet new people (primarily of the opposite sex). We ate some, some drank and then we continued to discuss life.

The Lord really works in some SUPER mysterious ways, he opens your eyes to things that are at times inconceivable leaving you to revel in the altruistic power of his love.

Anyhow my 5 and I were talking and was telling me about a sermon given by the pastor of her church discussing how to pray. As kids many of us are taught to pray, but few of really know how to pray, me included so what my LS was telling me made a lot of sense.

She said that her pastor told them that there was a prayer formula that hit 6 points:

1. Praise & Worship - Acknowledgment
2. Pray IN God's Will
3. Pray for Need
4. Pray for Forgiveness
5. Pray for Protection
6. Praise & Worship - Acknowledgment


She said that the Lord's Prayer was a perfect example or if you will prayer template.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

These first two lines are an example of acknowledging the most high

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Here we have an example of praying in the will of God. It is the will of God that adequately and effectively drives the purpose in our lives.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Here we ask for the needs of the body soul and the spirit. Just like with anything you need nourishment (in whatever form it maybe) in order to function.

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors

Man I have such a HUGE problem with this. It is always so much easier to hold a grudge and harness dislike for an individual, but how can we truly be forgiven if we can't ourselves forgive? Forgiveness Forgiveness Forgiveness. Often times we don't afford people the right to such but we ask for it on a daily basis. We have to learn to forgive in order to be forgiven. Forgiveness is not our own to harbor selfishly.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

With all of the things that are happening in the world today, we cannot go into "battle" with out the proper protection. Asking the Lord for protection helps us in such a way that those things that seek to attack the mind, body, and spirit are held at bay because of the God that we serve. We even have to often times ask for protection from ourselves, because we can at times be our own worst enemy.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

And after all is said and done we take the time to re-acknowledge the Lord, affirming that we appreciate and love him knowing that all the things that we have prayed for will come to pass as he sees fit.

Sometimes we pray and we pray and we feel as though the things that we have have prayed for have not been fulfilled and have not been fulfilled in OUR time. I think it is important to remember that immediate gratification of anything is never lasts. It comes and it goes and we are still left were we began empty. So pray faithfully, diligently, and gracefully. Pray for yourself, your family, your friends and your enemies. Pray for patience, understanding, and fulfillment. For what God has for you is for you and you alone, no one can steal that blessing.

Prayerfully yours.....
AMEN!

Drop the ZERO and Throw up the DEUCE

Every morning I get my horoscope via text. Now I don't believe in them but I do find it interesting to read what it is that someone has predicted for my life. So today my horoscope text read as such:

"What do they see in you? Isn't it obvious? You're not a zero. Remember what you like about yourself. Find someone to worship at your feet."

I'll have to admit it made me feel good and made me feel like yelling "You're d**n right I'm not a ZERO!!!"

For one reason or another I am having the best day and I thank God for that. Nothing in particular happened that made today just extra special, but I am at peace and that has to be the best feeling in the world.

Yup Step your PEACE game up.

Isaiah 55:12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

I think that I just got my standing ovation
and I just took my bow
I threw up my deuce and then
Raised my fist and played to the crowd
No man will steal the joy I now feel
and that is more than a vow
its a promise, one from the most high
my soul is on fire
And Jesus is my flame
lighting my Lord's torch
I set evil to flames
as the ashes settle
and the dust falls
I'm still standing
and the Lord my God
still sits on the thrown
its not a throne of brick or wood, or metal not even stone
its a throne thriving in the Holy Spirit and on a Holy Spirit level
Lift me up
and I praise your name
Earth is my playground
but Heaven is my aim
I'm in love, I'm in love
and it feels so good
better than anything in the physical ever would
So I have officially dropped the zero
and gone with a hero
And I am free indeed
free in him
bestowing upon me a peace that knows no bounds
Inner peace, with an outward joy
a constant edification of all that is right in the world
my soul is on fire
my spirit is at rest
and its all because of and undying, unwavering and unfaltering love
Peace that surpasses all understanding

A GIANT Upset of Epic Proportions

Ok so football is something that is definitely new in my world. But I must admit I love sports and Football is winning its way into my heart. So watching Super Bowl XLII ( for those not familiar with roman numerals- Super Bowl 42) I had so many EUREKA moments that I was starting to get dizzy. Coming into the game the favored 18-0 New England Patriots were the talk of the town, the New York Giants, who had survived the regular season and playoffs, were not overly discussed, gave us a modern day battle of David and Goliath.

To me the game was dominated by tenacious defense. And the end score of 14-17 told that story all to well. I remember during the game wondering what was going on with the Patriots offensive line. The Giants continued to blind them with blitz after blitz, hungry to bring down the Patriots offensive golden child. Mission Accomplished. Right when it seems like the Patriots were getting closer the New York Giants, who had nothing to lose became that much more determined to draw blood.

It was the perfect example of the underdog, refusing to let the past be the predictor of the future. They wrote their own ending to what would seem to be an almost impossibly ridiculous story. But the Giants did it, and did it well.

For the Patriots its just seemed like a game of missed opportunity. It just seemed like someone wanted it more. Talk about a GIANT upset of epic proportions...lol

So here is how this is applicable to everyday life: In some way, at one point or another we are the underdog, but is what has happened before going to continue to be the predictor of what is to come? Or will we be the one to determine how our story ends or if you will begins? The Giants wrote and ending that focused on a new beginning and I am taking this lesson with me. No matter how much the other team has on you, whether if be an impressive record, more money, a better job, there is always room for the underdog to seize their moment and seize victory for the future.

Who's says you can't learn anything from football?..