Phone Date with a Friend

Soooo...I had a phone date with a friend. I simply wanted to talk about what we did over the New Year's break, what we ate for dinner, my new hair style, themes in a movie we've happen to have seen, favorite Tony! Toni! Tone! songs even hehe. But there was this urge that decided the shallow, yet relevant flags I love to wave (because they're so lite and airy and colorful :-) had to be placed on their pole and the deeper flags, which are a tad more cumbersome, needed to show their rare, yet fascinating colors: Relationships, intentions, goals....oh my! (By the way, when IS IT okay to start revealing such sensitive information?) So my friend started talking.....aaannnddd I started feeling my anxiety build up. I began to feel let down, embarrassed even. I started to get the sense that my friend and I had somewhat different views/ideas on relationships and intentions...oh my....oh no! (Individual goals were pretty subjective)  And the more I tried to relay my views on relationships, the more tangled, complicated and distorted my views became, until finally..."I'm just jaded" were the only words I had left. I'm 27 years old....there's no way I could be jaded already...right? I've read relationship books, witnessed broken and great relationships...I've even been in a couple relationships myself....yet, it turns out the older I get, it seems the more complicated life gets, including relationships. Weeeelllll...essentially, here is what my friend had to say about that: it doesn't have to be complicated, know God and let him guide your footsteps. Whhhhaaaattt? Ugh, come on. The idea was very simply put....I've heard the idea before....and I KNOW I've utilized this concept in my life....haven't I?

That statement and our convo lingered when I hung up the phone. I started thinking about challenging moments in my life.  During these moments, I had no choice but to acknowledge I was absolutely clueless on how I would conquer these particular challenges and I needed help...from someone much more powerful than me...Now, I won't get into my personal religious upbringing and beliefs, but I can say I consider myself Christian. And I can attest that anytime I've ever acknowledged being utterly powerless and unknowing....and prayed for help....challenging situations literally worked themselves out. Then, I had an interesting thought: I've never really acknowledged being completely powerless when it came to relationships! For some reason, I've been trying to figure it out on my own! Relationship books, convos with girlfriends, extracting lessons learned from past relationships, analyzing my childhood ...I've literally taken all of these aspects and tried to create the perfect formula to having a successful relationship:

5XY + assertiveness - 2XY * 83.88 - compatibilty (2%X - Z)  

8%genuineness * r (45/zxy) + chemistry

Geez, no wonder my over analytically brain feels like it's going to explode haha I had to laugh at myself for separating relationships from other aspects of life. I mean, why put relationships in a separate corner that had to be handled more intricately than other life issues? Life is complicated because people are complex and complicated....it's just in our nature. There's no way to fully understand another person's thoughts or predict someone's actions. Trying to decipher relationships is like trying to decipher people... And I'm not saying that taking lessons from books and past relationships is a bad thing, but I think they should be used as....hmmm, let's see...."relationship reinforcement tools." Keep these tools in your back pocket and pull them out when you need them, but they shouldn't be your map....I'm going to go on a limb here and say treat relationships as any other challenging situation, ACKNOWLEDGE YOU CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT ON YOU OWN. Let someone more powerful show you the way....let God be your map. Something I already knew...I just needed to look at it from a different angle. Thanks friend :-)

**Peace,Love,&Happiness**

Now, enjoy my favorite Tony! Toni! Tone! video :-D.....

And...a completely unrelated performance by Ellie Goulding that made me download her album one night...I like her music :-D

Romney's 5 Point Triangle

I was gone for a minute, now I'm back! Haha Wow, I didn't realize how much free time I had this past summer. Fall semester started with a BOOM and I haven't had time to post anything on my blog *sad face* But, I am currently on fall break and I think I am able to squeeze a post or two in this week.

In light of the debates last night, I thought I'd post my take on Romney's 5 Point Plan, in case you were wondering 

                                                                                        "What will it really do?"

http://thebodyisthelife.wordpress.com/

I even put it in a table for all you visual learners out there :-) (including myself!)

Point	Rationale	Result
Increase Military Spending!	It’s the male part extension of America, let’s make it bigger! Oh, America is a man btw	Troops will stay over-seas
Cut Taxes for ALL!	Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money! *in my Damon Wayans voice*	Mo’ money in your pockets = more money for you to spend which in turn should theoretically boost the economy; but this does not help pay the past due bills America is drowning in (deficits)
Cut Tax Deductions Available to Middle Class!	You don’t really need those silly deductions like the education credit, do you? Come on, they’re not that helpful.	Yes, we will lower your taxes, but also take your deductions. So middle class, you really don’t end up with Mo’ Money in your pockets…it’s just an illusion. Ta da!!
Individualism and Individual Rights for ALL!	It’s your money, you can do what you want to/do what you want to/ dooo what you want to *sings in my Lesley Gore voice*	Unless you use it towards an abortion, contraception, or a gay/lesbian marriage license; Tough break women and gays.
Keep Healthcare and Education the Way it IS!	Why go disturb a system that is OBVIOUSLY working! Duh..	Education and health care will remain in a “free-market” like system where Mo’ Money = better health care and education. So, you poor people better get out there and WERK for your doctor visits when you are ill and that high ACT score that will get you or your kids in college

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Romney or republicans are bad people; I just think they have no desire to focus on social issues or relate to middle/lower class individuals. Here's my theory: if the economy was a marriage, American policies would be the husband and the middle class would be the wife/mother; if mama's not happy, no one is. Hahaha okay, I stretched that one a bit. But my point is, the middle class makes up most of the population. If I were running for president...I'd try and get them on my side with honest, streamline policies. 

Anyway republicans are going to vote republican as democrats are going to vote democrat. I didn't really post this to sway anyone, just giving my educated guess on what would happen if Romney won....basically nothing would change. 

I'm voting for Obama because he came into presidency during a time where America was like a beat up rag doll. He has spent the first 2-3 years in presidency reorganizing healthcare, getting troops out of Iraq/Afghanistan, and eliminating al qaeda and their leader (he who must not be named, I mean Lord Voldemort, I mean Osama). However, the last year he has been preparing for re-election....now Obama is a great man, but he is also a politician. Heck, he wants to win too! So of course, he is going to focus some major energy on getting re-elected, even if that means pulling some tricks out of his hat....I don't think that this makes him dishonest or a bad person, I think it makes him a human politician.  That is why my friend J.D. and I propose to change the presidential term to 8 years instead of 4 (if I go down, my friend is going down with me haha). That way, the president will run the country for 6-7 years the way he/she originally planned to. We would be able to see the results of their work because the time frame will be longer. We will not  have to worry about whether a policy/huge political move was created to honestly help the country or be used as ammo for re-election. I'm voting for Obama so he can finish what he set out to do....create a CHANGE in order to try to make a POSITIVE difference in the lives of American people. 

Now,  a haunting video clip of Lesley Gore performing "It's My Party" : 

Yes, I am Single..."Stop judging my uterus!" -Jon Acuff

Someone asked me a question recently....why are you single??? I have a few theories.

Theory 1: Maybe I should stop watching movies
Relationships don't happen like they do in movies. But I can't get the fairy tale notion out of my head! Grand gestures...can someone please show me a grand gesture! You know...like waiting for me at my door step for hours in the rain to tell me you can't live your life without me....wait, that actually sounds kinda stalker-esque...please don't do that. Why am I seeking relationship advice from movies anyway...smh

Theory 2: Murphy doesn't want me to be happy
I believe in chemistry! Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry! Molecules, atoms, ions...I want the spark! I know it exists. But why do my sparks come at the wrong time!! It's called Murphy's Law! When I want someone to call...they don't. When I don't want someone to call...they do. Why can't Murphy and I get on the same page!

Theory 3: Independent woman ish
I could say I'm focusing on school and my career...or that I'm trying to work on getting to know me... lol those are all true, but isn't everyone doing those things?

I want a relationship and this vintage floral print desk chair from World Market...

...the desk chair is currently sitting in my living room LOL!

I think the bottom line is...things come in due time when we are ready for them. When I am ready for a relationship...The Relationship...it will come. Until then, I'll be impatiently waiting and enjoying my single life with my girls...while working, going to school and getting to know me...lol
***Peace,Love,&Happiness***


Enjoy a fitting throw back from J. Mayer and this unfitting, but totally awesome Kanye & Guests video because it is cool :-)

San Fran Adventures: Part 2 - UP!

PRiVAte PLaNe, Baaalllllinnngg 

so as you know from my previous post, I went to San Fran about a month ago....wow, it's been a month since my last post...gots to do better! Anyway, the most exciting part of my san fran trip (besides the many wines I sipped) was being flown over the san Francisco Bay area,  receiving a private aerial tour of san fran and flying to Half moon bay for lunch then back to san fran! Can you say balling status...not balling on my part though...all the credit goes to the wonderful Uncle J and friend! Meet our pilots:

Uncle J's friend flew a double seater and uncle j flew a 4 seater. We were set to go After about 15 minutes of communication between our pilots and the communication tower that went a little something like:

Pilot: Charlie, Tango, Alpha....something, something
Tower: Frequency 1500...Charlie, Tango...Half Moon Bay
Pilot: Safety Checks....frequency change....flight plan...half moon bay
Tower: You're ready to go
Pilot: over and out
Okay...I probably didn't get that conversation exactly right...needless to say, it was very official and I felt safe :-) Here's my view from the air: 

The altitude and being in such a small plane made me a little queasy once we landed. other than that very minor detail, it was Such an awesome experience that i will never forget! i can't thank uncle j and sed enough!  

San Fran Adventures: Part 1 - Wine and Things

cALi SipPinG!

Sooooo, I just got back from San Francisco, CA. Why did this trip happen you ask? Well, one of my very best friends calls me up one fine day in May and starts the conversation off with:

E.S.:  "Hmmm...I want to go to Napa Valley. Wanna go?" 

Me:  "Let's  go! Let me look at my schedule."

**60 minutes pass**

Me:  "I'm off June 7 - 11. Let's invite Joyce...she loves wine!"

E.S.:  "Cool....hotel and wine tour information to follow!"

And that's how it happened! We booked our plane tickets, hotel, and wine tours in May! The things you get done when wine is involved...smh. Oh well, our motto for the duration of the trip (and our rationale for being so random/sporadic/last minute) was: YOLO!!

HERE'S A LITTLE SUMMARY OF MY SAN FRAN ADVENTURE
I didn't list everything we did (that would take forever), so look out for one more post. I have to give a special thanks and shout out to my friend's uncle for showing us around San Fran! Thanks Uncle J.! You really made our trip awesome! 

 Our view from our hotel room.
Where we stayed: Marriott in Union Square
We enjoyed our stay overall. The staff was pleasant, trendy bar area and decor, EXCELLENT downtown location....We had one mishap (I won't go into details); instead of getting a free night's stay for the mishap (what we were hoping for), the hotel delivered a lovely bottle of wine and cheese/meat tray. Ummm...I guess that was sufficient.  

We walked along the Embarcadero waterfront. Embarcadero is Spanish, meaning "pier" or "to embark". According to one of my wine tour guides, back in the day, San Francisco was the busiest and largest ports in the US. San Fran's ports were so important to US importing and exporting business that many forts were built around the city to protect the ports. A lot of those forts are still around today. One fort in particular had military personnel until 1970! We are standing in front of the Bay Bridge. That bridge was built around the same time as the Golden Gate Bridge....I can't tell, looks a lot older to me! Anywho, that bridge will take you from San Fran to Oakland.






We absolutely loved Waterbar...so much that we ate there twice! haha. Waterbar is popular for their amazing waterfront views, a huge cylindrical fish tank in the middle of the restaurant (it needed more colorful fish), and.....$1 oyster bar during happy hour! Their oysters were pretty freaking awesome! Another favorite of mine from the menu was the grilled squid...sounds gross, i know. I didn't think i could eat squid that wasn't batter, fried, and died, but trust, this grilled squid taste like bar-b-que chicken to me lol 

http://www.frenchculturenights.com/index.php/86/the-venue/

The Bubble Lounge wasn't far from our hotel in the downtown area. If you love bubbly....they have over 200+ to choose from. Nice and cozy on the inside....i wonder if this is what a speak easy looked like back in the day? (Random thought) Definitely had to "call a cab" after leaving this place...lol But seriously, Bubble lounge = laid back + intimate + chill spot

OMG! Who knew "southern style" food could be found in san fran! This place was off the chain! I had catfish, baked mac-n-cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, and cornbread.....it was freaking amazing. the food wasn't sloppy, greasy and was full of flavor. if you are from the south and want some good ole home cooking....check out Gussie's Chicken and Waffles *in my deep south country accent*....where they specialize in a whole lot more! 

The Wineries :-)

 The sole purpose of this trip was to visit Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, Ca. We took two wine tours...Wine country tours and terrific tours. We had an amazing time. Each tour allowed us to visit 4 wineries....that's 8 wineries and wine tastings! Napa Valley wineries were very nice, contemporary and sophisticated. My favorite wine overall was the fountain court by the franciscan winery. Fountain court is a sauvignon blanc...when the tour guide poured that wine in my glass, i thought she was pouring water! the wine is so clear and taste amazing! Sonoma valley wineries prided themselves on being family owned. Sonoma valley is quieter and more rustic than napa valley. Sonoma valley is also home to the first Hispanic american winery, Robledo....i think that's awesome! We had lunch in the town square of sonoma. absolutely beautiful. Easy living is what i call it....and that's exactly how i want to live one day! We learned so much about viniculture (wine grape growing) and the art of making/tasting wine. Here's a little wine tasting 101 by d.g.:

• Swirl - once your wine has been poured in your glass, you want to gently swirl the wine around in the glass. most of the tour guides suggested placing your glass on a flat surface to swirl (keeps your hand steady, because after a couple of glasses you'll be swirling your wine out of your glass and onto the floor...or the person next to you...ooops!) Swirling allows oxygen to enter the wine, thus releasing the wine's flavors and aroma! Swirling also allows the wine to coat your glass so you may observe the wine's "legs"! Wine has legs! The legs tell you how viscous (thick) the wine is. Fat present in the wine creates it's viscosity. 
• Smell - use those nostrils and take in your wine's aroma! Everyone's sense of smell is different so there is no right/wrong way to describe how your wine smells to you! a lot of times, wines tend to have floral, citrus, and berry aromas. Describe it how you want to! Smelling the wine helps ignite those taste buds and prepares them for the last step....sipping! So make sure to take a whiff before sipping to enjoy the full experience your wine has to offer. 
• Sip! - the best part of wine tasting....actually tasting! There is no pace too fast or too slow. Sip how you want to sip! I personally drink wine slowly so i can appreciate all of the flavors in my wine. A lot of wines are fermented in oak barrels. If you pay attention, you can taste the oak in your wine. oak barrels come from all around the world! Apparently, the most popular and expensive come from France....every wine maker wants to get their grape-juicy hands on a french oak barrel. oak barrels are toasted on the inside to varying degrees to bring out different characteristic of the oak, which in turn creates different flavors in the wine! I actually tasted a wine that was fermented in stainless steel....it was a pinot grigio....tasted very crisp and refreshing! Definitely could tell the difference from an oak barrel wine... different folks, different strokes. 

Here's some more Fun Facts about wine:

• Wine grape's names are of French origin. The French named wine grapes based on their appearance and color. For example: Pinot Noir means black pine in French. Pinot Noir grapes grow in a pine cone shape on the vines and eventually turn a deep purple color...thus Pinot Noir
• All wine grapes start off green. It's not until the very last days of growing that red wine grapes turn color
• Wine grapes are a lot smaller than table grapes. Their skin is a lot thicker and they have more seeds than table grapes. Wine grape eating is not as pleasant of an experience as eating a table grape

Summer Fun

Memorial Day = 3 day weekend (except for hospital personnel *sad face)...the pool...grilling out...the start of summer! 
Memorial Day (officially May 28, 2012) is the national holiday commemorating men and women who have fallen defending the US of A. My brother is in the Army Reserve (very proud of him btw) and I know others serving in the Armed Forces. These men and women protect and defend us...hmmm that's a pretty big job...so I def appreciate you! 


My MDW started at a Nashville Sounds baseball game! I'm really not that in to baseball...but I'm down for a cause that gives me a reason to eat/drink stadium food and drinks! I like to put mustard and cheese on my ball park hot dog, in case you were wondering. I can't say I really paid attention to the game and I won't pretend to know anything about baseball...but I can tell you this: the weather behaved, Greer Stadium is nice and parking is not that bad, the Nashville Sounds won 7-6, and the stadium shoots fireworks at the end of each game! All in all....good time with friends.  


I hit the pool up all day Saturday. My soon-to-be-famous Sangrias, my friend's soon-to-be-famous guacamole dip, the pool, and good company = Good Times! After the pool we hit up Broadway Brewhouse in West Nashville....and partook in BUSHWHACKERS. Once you've live in Nashville long enough, you will come in contact with one of these infamous creatures...they lure you in with the sweet taste of a Wendy's frosty...but don't drink this too fast, you may end up with brain freeze! Perfect icy ending to my hot summer day :-)


If you love REAL quality HIP HOP music, then you've got to check out BoomBap at The 5 Spot every 3rd Saturday of the month. Although Nashville is "The Music City", hip hop music events are few and far between. So, I had a GREAT time with friends listening to the musical soundings of Mos Def, Jay-Z, Camp Lo (to name a few), all produced by some very talented DJs. People of all sorts came out...Hip Hop music tends to resonate unity to me. I think everyone can relate and enjoy genuine Hip Hop music. I'm sure this event has been around for a while (last night was my first time attending) and I hope it persists! 


*Peace,Love&Happiness*

KnOwLedGe

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/left-vs-right-world/

I don't like discussing politics....people can get really ugly discussing politics. It seems your political affiliations become part of your character....or is it your character that make up your political affiliations? With this being an election year, I've tried to stay abreast with some of the issues being discussed. (Mainly the health care issue) I've been trying to conceptualize what it means to be considered "LEFT vs RIGHT" (High School Government was so long ago!)  I came across this image on another website...Visual learners unite!! I think this is my favorite visualization/summary of politics in general. Some conclusions and thoughts I have  in regards to politics:


1. I think It's okay to have left and right views on different situations...it's okay to not be completely RIGHT/LEFT
2. I have a difficult time understanding the "laissez faire" attitude towards businesses and individualism but then the "let's intervene" attitude when it comes to who a person wants to marry?...(sorry Right-ees) 
3.  Politicians have a way of making things sound a whole lot better than what they really are...they're like...Political-used-car-salesmen...I definitely appreciate a genuine politician.
4. Is it ever going to be possible to truly separate church and state?
5. Staying informed and doing your own research is probably one of the most beneficial things you can do when it comes to politics...
6. I'm friends with democrats and republicans...we don't discuss it though lol


Peace,love,&happiness ;-)