Act of kindness for the ladies

I stepped out of class for a restroom break and as I approached the toilet (sorry, is there a more lady-like term?) there was a make-up bag on the hand rail. I assumed some chick had forgotten her collection of Revlon, but to my surprise it was an "aunt flow" kit. There it was packed with all the essentials, different brands, sizes and forms.

If this was intentional, I applaud the good samaritan who has pity for all of us who never has a quarter on hand when the need is there.

Kudos to her.

Material Status

Unlike Madonna, I've never really been a "material girl." Let me be clear (in my President Obama voice)...I LOVE clothes, shoes, purses and other useless material items but I'm not big on brand names. I could care less if it's Juicy Couture, Gucci or Mossimo. I shop for quality, comfort and a bargain. But ladies and gents there is one brand that I feel like I need to purchase in order to reach a certain status level. This may be completely due to my 248 upbringing and I think I notice it more since my trekking around 202. The point is I haven't "made it" yet and I won't until I purchase a damn Northface.

Back in the day it was Starter jackets that gave you status but I have no clue how much those cost. I'm willing to bet it is no where near the hundreds that a Northface costs.

I am happy to report that my 5-year-old niece, K-Geezy, has reached this level thanks to the bargain I found at TJ Maxx over the holidays (but her size is always cheaper - she had an advantage).

I start my second job next week and you better believe I'm saving my pennies in order to be suited in Northface come next winter. What's your status?

Love and Other Drugs

SPOILER ALERT:
Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway got me to thinking the other night when I saw Love and Other Drugs. By the way it was cute flick - your ordinary romantic comedy (with a whole lot of intercourse - long way from Princess Diaries for Anne). Moving on, it got me to thinking about when you spill the beans about having a chronic health condition in a courting situation.

Unfortunately for Anne's character he learned by being sneaky and a peeping tom, but how soon is too soon to disclose your health issues?

I'm not talking cancer or AIDs, but maybe Lupus, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis or in my case Fibromyalgia. Something that effects your daily living, but it isn't necessarily noticeable. I've taken the don't tell at all, don't tell until we are official, don't tell until he can't fathom why I can't get out of bed approaches and I still don't know when the time is right. It isn't exactly the easiest condition/ailment to explain.

So that was the first thing the movie got me thinking about. Second, I was scared shytless by her defense mechanism. I could totally see myself in her because at times it's much easier to do shyt to make them leave you alone then to allow them in and take the chance of them resenting you for becoming your care taker.

Love and drugs, I can't live with or without them.

Save the Best for Last

I'm such a hopeless romantic and this episode of A Different World gets me every time. (Don't mind that the sound doesn't match the video...you get the point). Now, I would like to think that when I walk down the aisle that I won't be hoping another man is coming to interrupt, but Dwayne's appeal goes from 0 to 60 in about .03 seconds when he says those two words, "Will you..."

Football: Love it or Leave him

This is not Derwin, Malik or Jason. And it isn't those pitiful women who aren't actually football wives either. This is real football young ladies and you better learn to love it or live with it if your man is a fan.

So, if you have plans to stick around here are some suggestions: 1. Learn the game...it isn't rocket science. 1a. I'd recommend learning on your own and asking questions to men you aren't interested in 2. Plan to take a nap or have regularly scheduled "me-time" while the games are on 3. Don't make a man choose between you and his football 3. Don't expect him to stop watching or watch less once you become official 4. Grab a glass of wine and a book and do you, but do it on the couch with him 5. Unless you are on the verge of death or child birth - don't expect much out of him until the game is over

There is one more game tonight and then it's the SuperBowl - you know, the Sunday that he may actually invite you to a football watching party. Good luck!

Packers vs Steelers...let's get it!

Diversity

As I attended yet another "diversity dialogue" just a few days after our nation celebrated Dr. King's birthday (can only imagine what he is thinking in that photo), I couldn't help but wonder "when will we stop talking about diversity." This particular event was sponsored by a leading global PR firm and addressed the state of diversity in the industry. The panel was made up of talented, successful and knowledgeable African-American professionals. I listened, I laughed, I doodled and I got on Twitter when they lost my attention.

In my opinion, these panels are preaching to the choir. The audience is made up of starry eyed students, hopeful young professionals and somewhat jaded experienced practitioners, but those aren't the people that need to hear that diversity is needed. In my opinion, all the non-diverse people that were sitting upstairs in their offices and cubicles should have been/should be the audience at these panels.

We, the minority, we get it.

When will they?

Wish list

Today's browsing...

And for the upcoming move...

How To...

I'm in the process of writing a series of "How to" books. Here's what I'm working on so far:

How to slap the shyt out of the acupuncturist without causing further harm to yourself

How to react when your shoe collection is under water

How to be polite after the 5th different call from a HR rep saying "you were the best, most qualified, but we've JUST NOW decided we don't have money for this position at all"

How to convince Dish Network that a flood is a natural disaster and reason for breach of contract

How to remain sane when you decide to go cold turkey off your medicine because it made you gain weight

How to tell your parents that you want to drop out of school and become a dog walker

How to convince people from the DMV that hangers and brooms aren't meant for snow removal

How to switch insurance companies when you find out renters insurance covers everything but what happened to you


The series is still growing. Stay tuned.

Holy Boobs!

I finally took a hint from friends and suitors that it was time I go for an updated bra fitting. And whoa, what an enlightening experience. It was a relatively quick and painless appointment, but it sure wasn't cheap. Like majority of women, I was wearing the wrong size. But I will say that I think my last measurement at Victoria's Secret must have been done by a new girl because there is no way I've grown that much.

After trying on nearly 15 bras to determine what size these girls really are...I felt absolutely compelled to make a purchase. (fitting appointment is free 99). With this new size comes a new price range and this chica will no longer be throwing the latest polka dotted selection in basket when I was only suppose to be at Target for some body wash.

45 minutes, two cup sizes up, and $200 later - I felt like a new woman. The feeling of a new, properly fitted bra was refreshing. I almost wanted to walk down Pennsylvania Ave. showing off the new lace.

The sad part is that tomorrow I'll have to go through my intimates collection and prepare to donate all the cute and colorful bras I've collected over the years (mostly from Target - love love Gilligan and O'Malley). What I won't do is give up my now too small 100 ways bra from Victoria's Secret. That thing is still amazing.

Ladies, do yourself a favor and get fitted! You'll feel like a Pretty Woman...walking down the street =)