In.. This... Moment

It's been a very long time...

However, today... I was compelled to revisit my blog...

See when I started this blog... I was 26, and coming off of a really bad break-up..

And tonight, I found myself wanting to remember how that 26/27 year old woman felt..

So I logged on.. and reread my first blog post...

So brilliantly titled "Self Love," because in all aspects of my personal life (during that time).. I didn't have any.

And although... Things have become a little fuzzy over the past few days.... I still want DC26 to know...

That I'm still working on my Self Love, and that I will never forget, everything we went through to get to this point where I matter more, than anything else.  

‎"Your twenties are about discovering who you are"-Oprah

Its official… (Well almost) I’ve been in DC for two years now.  And 2012, has been defined as the year of professional development, whichhhhhh is what I asked God to provide me with in the beginning of 2012 (If you don’t believe me go look at last years blog =).

In February, I told God that I need another job in April… On April 5^th, I got the call.  This job has been everything to me. It has provided me with A LOT of experience, I am able to travel, and I have my own office.  Want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

In June, I graduated with my Masters.  And since I have been working on it sporadically since 2008, this has probably been my greatest accomplishment thus far. 

I can’t put in to words how much this move to DC has changed my life, but through God, all things are possible. 

At one point during this blog I gave myself a “C” regarding how I was doing with my “Self Love” quest. And finally I can give myself an “A.”  I know who I am. I know what I want. Most importantly, I know what I don’t want.  Saying no, and ending relationships isn’t hard for me, I’m simply acknowledging, I’m worth more.

Stay Chocolate... 

Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By the Time She’s 30

Sweets!!

I’ve been reading a lot of books lately, and my most recent one is “Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By the Time She’s 30.”  I love it! Since me, and most of my girlfriends will be turning thirty within the next two years, it will become the gift that keeps on giving.

I decided to make my own list of 15 things that every woman should know by the time she is thirty (I feel like I’ve had some teachable moments in recent years):

1. Don’t be afraid to take risks professionally. During your twenties you should only be responsible for yourself, so if you want to leave a job without having anything else lined up…. Go for it.
2. Some people are only meant to be in your life for a season, don’t keep giving them a new membership card when the other one expires.
3. I wish I realized that during my twenties, I should only be focusing on bettering myself, with school and education.  Guys will come later, instead just have fun, date, and don’t worry about falling in love.
4. Now I will contradict myself…. Fall in love… and in the off chance that it does turn into something great and long lasting….awesome; however if it doesn’t.. then you officially know how you don’t want to be treated and you move on.
5. This comes from Christina on Greys Anatomy “I’m studying for my boards, but I’m crying over a boy??!” Don’t cry over men. Its pathetic, there are more important things to cry over…shoes =) ( My last breakup.. I didn't shed one tear.. i think that made me a little stronger.
6. Speak up at work, especially if you feel that you are not being treated fairly. 
7. You should be able to tell your friends how you REALLY feel without them getting upset, and ultimately ending a relationship; however, if that relationship does end, then you probably were not that close to begin with. Say what you have to Say.
8. In your professional career, if your coworkers invite you to lunch.. Go. You don’t want to be thought of as the “Anti-Social” employee.
9. Don’t text pictures of your body parts to boys.  Where do you think our president would be if Michelle was doing that to every guy who made her feel “special.”
10. Become more religious (this list is in no particular order).  At some point you have realize that there is a higher power.  Join a church, be apart of a family.  When I went to get baptized I told the woman that I didn’t have any family in the area, and she replied “well you have one now.”
11. Complete your education, go to college, have fun, get another degree, even your doctorate if you have time, do everything before you have a husband, and children. 
12. Don’t be afraid to tell someone how you feel about them.
13. CALL your family, and friends.  Social media gets in the way, and I can only imagine how it will be in the next ten years.
14. Don’t be afraid to say I love. And I’m not talking about to your Significant other, but to your parents. 
15. “There is nothing more dangerous than someone who knows everything about your past.” –Amanda Clarke

BONUS: Go Out!!! I had to learn that spending every weekend in doors doing HW was not cool.  Instead budget your time better during the week, so you can have fun on the weekends.


BONUS #2: Don't wait until you break up with someone to dye, or cut your hair, Don't let your emotions make permanent decisions! 

I will try to blog a little more, maybe after I graduate with my masters.. 'cough cough' on June 23rd! But until then.. Stay Chocolate =)

All Good Things....

Hey Chocolate Strawberries (how does that sound?),

I know it has been awhile, but I’ve been so blessed lately, I’ve only been able to blog my thoughts to God. However, TODAY for the first time in months, I have a little time to myself.   

Sometimes… You have to turn around… just so you can see how far the Lord has brought you.  I can truly say that when I left my unsatisfying job three years ago, to pursue a career in HR I had no idea that it would eventually lead me to this. Was it luck, my ambition, my talent, my drive… No it was God and I’m humble enough to recognize that.  Everyday during some point of my work day.. I look around my office.. smile and laugh, then I think about the fact that I'm in charge of a whole division and two different offices, so I smile and laugh some more.. as if, I still can’t believe I’m here, and someone ought to pinch me.  I would also like to mention that in 26 days I will finally graduate with my masters!! Thank ya Lord!!! All Good Things.

Looking at 2011 in My Rearview Mirror..

Every year I usually post a list of resolutions, and then at the end of the year I critique them.  I just realized that last year I didn't post anything, and I'm shocked. But, 2011 was probably the best year of my life professionally and personally.  


Soon after 2011 peered its head, I received a full-time HR position with a great company.  I was able to meet a lot of new people and develop long lasting friendships.  


For the first time ever I have my own apartment, and through the help of family and friends I have a furnished apartment! =)!


I've started school again, I have 3 more semesters left and I will be done in June of 2012.


I joined a church, and I was baptized. 


Not making a resolution last year, was probably the best decision(I forget) I ever made.  I surpassed my expectations about how this year would turn out. 


I was able to give my first Maid of Honor speech, see my best friend get married, and I was able to hold her beautiful baby girl. I provided comfort and support to my friends, and laid one of my friends to rest.


I gave my family lots of hugs, its hard living (3 hours) so far from home.   


This was my first full year living in DC, and It surprises me how much I've changed.  Last year this time I had:
Long Hair, Black Hair
Short Nails, Clear Nails
and now....
Short Hair, With Highlights
Long Nails(I stopped biting after 27 years), Pink Nails
What has DC done to me!!?? =)


This year I wish for good health, professional development, and for the Lord to keep my family, friends, and myself safe from all danger, seen and unseen.


Have a Chocolate filled year.

Today I came upon a really great article that I wanted to share.  According to this I've done pretty well for myself at 27.

11 Things to Know at 25(ish)

11. Don’t Get Stuck

This is the thing: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide. You can see very clearly two kinds of people. On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find God and themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults. Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might. They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one. They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. They mean to find a church, they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party. But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated.

Don’t be like that. Don’t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal.

Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? What have I learned about God this year? What parts of my childhood faith am I leaving behind, and what parts am I choosing to keep? Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time. Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe God is good and life is a grand adventure. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned.
Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.

Do You Dance for Your Man?

Do you dance for your man?

No, I don’t mean physically, breaking it down like Beyoncé in the video posted below, but do you support your man?  Recently I’ve noticed that black woman (not all), are less likely to jump up and down for their man, as lets sayyyyyy (hesitates) … a Kardashian would.  Yes I said it… A Kardashian.  Have you ever noticed Khloe and Lam Lam’s relationship? That girl does backflips for him. And while watching other shows like The Braxton’s, I am constantly seeing these black women diminish their men to nothing.  Yes I understand they have a long history, however, I would never bring my husband, my other half, my children’s father, on national T.V. and spell out “You need a J.O.B.”

Ladies, one thing a man needs is a support system.  I know its not going to be easy if he gets laid off, and you are left to pay the bills, but if you have a good man, be there for that man.  I hate seeing black men being disrespected, that goes without saying that I don’t like it when they try to diminish us to neck rolling, eye popping, loud mouths. 

All I’m saying is…. Support your man. Dance for your man, if you don’t, another Kardashian will.

As always, stay chocolate...and sexy... =). New blog in a few weeks.  Celebrating my 1 year DCinDC.