Saturday, March 30, 2013

Gather 'Round Hustlers

Things have been so hectic around here, that I have not really had a chance to blog the way that I want to, but I have a quiet moment before I take my exam tonight, so I am going to try to catch you all up as much as I can.

I have officially survived my first winter in the DMV, and it has been something else.  Last year when I was making a million trips up here to see J and to find a job, it did not snow.  Not once.  It was never crazy cold either.  But this year, as a welcome to the DMV gift, I have experienced more snow than I ever care to.  This past Monday I woke up to an inch and a half of snow on the ground AFTER the official start of spring.  That was just bizzare.  Today was a nice 60 degrees, and I am praying that Monday was the last snow that I will see until next year....or maybe the year after that.

My career is taking off, and I am learning very fast, that it pays to network.  Now, I suffer from social anxiety so, networking was hard for me when I first got here, but closed mouths don't get fed.  Nasty attitudes will leave you stuck.  I want to tell you all a story of how a nasty attitude almost held me back from something that turned out to be a huge blessing.  I was assigned to work on contacting patients that have had certain types of vascular procedures in order to get data on how they were doing post procedure.  The nurse who heads up the project, came to my office and that day I had THE stankest attitude.  She made small talk and I gave one word answers and just acted like an ass.  She continued to be polite, and while we were working she commented on how nice I am on Excel.  Again, I have a short "Thank you" and kept going.  Then she asked me if I would be interested in learning SQL programming with her and a few other people from the department.  My ears perked up.  SQL?  I needed that.  I wanted that.  So I adjusted my tone and she gave me all of the info, and I am proud to say that I have just completed my first SQL class through Stanford University.  Having this experience has given me more experience in data collection and credibility as I am trying to construct an education program in my department.  It is also helpful that during every business meeting she throws my name out and mentions how helpful and knowledgeable I am.  The lesson here, is don't let your attitude make you miss a blessing.

In the world of running, I am kicking butt and taking names.  Two weeks ago I achieved a goal that I never thought possible.  I ran a 5k in one setting, for free, on a weekday.  I was in the gym, on the treadmill, just feeling it and I looked down at my Nike Plus app and saw I was approaching 3.11 miles.  I felt so good when I finished.  I wanted to run through the gym hugging everyone, but because I want to continue working out there I didn't, but it was a major accomplishment.  And it was nice that I came in eight minutes faster than less than a year ago when I ran my first and only 5k.  My race season is starting back up again next Saturday and I am hyped.  My first race will be a 5k, then a 8k, three more 5ks and then.....a half marathon.  Yes, your girl is going to finally tackle that 13.1.  It was something about surpassing that 3 mile mark in one run that gave me the confidence to say, "I got this."  My first half marathon will be the Diva's Half Marathon in DC Wine country, and I am approaching it more like a party versus a race.  I get to wear a tiara, boa, and a tutu and did I mention there will be wine?  A bunch of us from the running club I am member of are going and it is going to be a blast.

Speaking of running, I am finally realizing the importance of good running shoes.  Last year, I was not going to spend more than 40 dollars and I didn't care about what said shoe would do to my feet.  That was still my attitude, until my mileage began to increase.  I am an overpronator (google it) and my ankles and knees were starting to feel the effects of running in a shoe that was built for flexiablity versus stability.  Today I headed to the Nike store where they were having a huge sale, and for 80 dollars, I was able to get the Lunarglide +4 which is supposed to be Nike's stability shoe.  I cannot wait to break them in this week, I may sneak out early tomorrow morning and grab a few miles to see how they feel. 

There is one subject I haven't touched on in a while and that would be J.  J is still around, and the last post I put up was in regards to him.  I am not going into the whole story, but dig in the crates, find the story about Vegas, replace Vegas with wedding, and we have a ballgame.  Here is a fun fact about me, I hate lying.  My ex-husband STAYED lying to me about the dumbest things. The worst type of lie is the "lie by omission," which J is famous for.  When you lie by omission, it raises red flags, because the question will always be, "If it wasn't that big of a deal, why did you leave that part out?"  When you omit parts of your story it alters the person who is listening to the story's reality.  If I told you all half truths about how I got to DC or hell, my life in general, wouldn't everything else I said be questionable?  Where J and I bump heads is he doesn't think things like this are considered lies, and that is a problem for me.  In a relationship, above ALL else, I have to be able to trust you.  If I can't trust you then there is nothing to stand on.  I will constantly be on watch mode, and that is not healthy. 

Tomorrow will be our first Easter in DC, and we are ending the weekend off by going to the Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn.  I entered the lottery a few months ago, and I was sure I was not going to get picked as I rarely win anything.  But lo, and behold, I won and me and the Goonies are headed to the White House...lawn.  I intend to take a million pictures and I am hoping to see the President, but I don't know how realistic that is as we are in the last time slot of the day.  The real joy is going to be seeing both of my children's faces when they realize where they are.  Earlier that day I am surprising my son with a trip to his dream workplace, The Pentagon.  I have not said anything to him about it, I just want to bring him there and let him be surprised. 

I hope you all have enjoyed this update, I don't know how long it will be before I update again, because I have decided to go to school during the summer as well, because the goal is to get this IT career popping by the end of the year and I am on the victory lap toward earning my degree.  If I stop to take a break for the summer I am afraid I will lose my momentum and fall into complacency.  Onward and upward!!!!

Friday, March 22, 2013

For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When Words Were Not Enough: My Day Told Through GIF's

I have no words....just GIFS to describe my day....

I woke up like:






I had a pretty good day at work.  Good news all around, had me feeling like:


But then......I got a call, and the whole time I was on the other line my face looked like:

So now I am feeling like:

Jesus be a run this evening........


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Homebuying: The Ultimate Grown Up Task

Between my school work and my day job, I am just slacking on my blog hustle.  You can still keep up with me on my Facebook Page

After all of my wok, duvet, and tea kettle purchasing, I am embarking on my largest purchase of all: a house.  Precious Lord take my hand is all I can say.  I thought I was over the biggest hurdle by getting a pre-approval, but I still have a long way to go.  After my divorce, my credit was a wreck.  I worked very diligently the last few years repairing it by paying off lingering debts.  I got all of that done, and I am still in "pay for delete" negotiations with one of my former creditors, but last month I FINALLY hit the 650 mark, which cleared me for my first ever FHA loan.  I am horrible with keeping records, and it turns out that the home buying process requires you to be able to account for your financial history for the last 2 years.  My loan is hanging in the balance due to my lack of sufficient income in the previous years.  Sure, I am making almost three times the amount I did at my former employer, but that is not consistent, so my ace in the hole is my 401(k) and my savings account.  Well this week I did something foolish, and moved money from my savings, thinking they were done verifying that information.  Wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG.  I got a call from the realtor AND the bank asking what happened to my savings balance.  Guess what?  That savings was proof of my ability to pay, it vouched for me.  I let the bank know it would be back by Friday, and my realtor told me not to touch a dime of any money I put on the loan application because I could end up blowing this whole thing.  I think I had a heart attack at my desk.

On the house hunting front, it has been a bit better than I thought.  Initially, I thought that I would not be able to find a home in my price range with all of my must haves.  What are my must haves?  Garage, basement, stall shower, separate bathtub, kitchen island, walk in closet, fireplace, single family home. No short sales. I looked high and low, and my agent even suggested taking my search to Maryland, but I just don't know enough about Maryland to put roots down there.  So, while boo-hooing to J about not finding a place, I went on Long and Foster website, and there is was.  Three bedrooms, shower stall, separate bathtub, garage, basement, walk in closet, Two thousand two hundred and eighty square feet of lovely.  It was missing a few of my "must haves" but it was in the same area, in my price range, and the builder was throwing in a free room and closing cost assistance up to five thousand dollars.  I went last weekend to check it out along with a few other properties, and I think this is the one.  I stood in the Master bedroom and imagined my nights there.  I could see myself relaxing after a long day in my big bathtub, doing my make up, hogging up my two sink counter.  I looked out at the "just right" backyard and visualized my children playing, while I grilled and sipped margarita punch.  This would be our place.  Our home.  No leases, no more moving, stability.  So, keep me in prayer during this time.  My sister and a friend of mine had the LONGEST closings in history, and I watched them and prayed for that kind of patience when it was my turn.  I'll keep you all posted on the progress!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Untitled......

My writing is powered by different things and today's piece is powered by J claiming that I only get love where I go, because I have a big booty. For all of those pumping silicone into their asses, let me just let you know that having a big booty is the equivalent to being the girl in school that developed early. J never stopped to think that maybe I got ahead so fast, because I am smart, I am hard working, and ambitious. No it's because I have a big booty. *rolls eyes*

 He laughed Nobody cares about
 What you have to say
All they see in you Is your backside
It's your best side
It's how you got ahead
So fast
But what he doesn't see
Is I'm more than
A derriere
Fitted in Herve Ledger
I create mental
Orgasms with words
Giving feelings
Never felt before
Painting elaborate pictures
With words
I mother two futures
Caring for them
With a gentle but firm
Nature I work hard
Sunrise Sun up
Runner
Student
Daughter
Sister
So much more
Than my backside
Which isn't my
Best side
Microscopic
In the galaxy of
Me Sorry That is all that you see