everythingiseverything

Tamir

2009-05-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

Dem Runners

2008-08-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

I just watched one of the track competitions in Beijing. The women.
That Veronica, she can really go. I was watching her and Allison Felix. Veronica, she looked like she was pounding the pavement. She ran like she was angry almost. Like I would not want to get in a fight with her. She would beat me up. Give me a Jamaican beat down. I bet she gets to eat lots of beef patties. Don't they have to eat lots of carbs? Let me stop. Allison was more dainty with the running. I don't know much about track. I'm just describing how they looked running side by side.

The commentator kept saying Allison didn't look like herself etc.....I started to wonder, what do these women do when they are on their period? I mean what if its the first day of your period when you are in a race for the gold medal? I wonder do they take bc pills to try to move the period around. Or get that shot or that patch that cancels your period or something. I mean you can not run LIKE THAT with a pad or tampon. I know I'm being real stupid. I mean most women I know have some sort of discomfort around their period. Or do they not even get periods because they are soo muscular? No, I bet they get periods, but they are painless because they exercise so much.

Random stuff

2008-08-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

Just because everyone has a cell-phone and/or caller id, does not mean you don't have to leave a message. There is a short list of people who can call and not leave me a message. If you have to wonder, you are not on it. If you don't leave a message, it's pretty much like you didn't call. I'll take note and call you back when and if I feel like it.

I love Lane Bryant's Cacique bras. 36DDD,yeah that's me. Or so I thought. I bought the same bra in a different fabric...and it is about to crush my damn ribs. Its gotta be the fabric because...I've been upping the running so I know I'm not gaining weight, at least not around my rib cage. I normally buy the cotton ones. Last time I bought the same bra in microfiber or something that isn't cotton. I like the cotton ones. I have fancy non-cotton ones for when I'm dressing up.

And you knew this was coming...people who ask "Whyareyousinglewhenareyougettingmarriedwhenareyougoingtosettledownareyoufocusedonyourcareer." Especially my two friends who seem to think its better to have been divorced than still be single. If you have to wonder, I'm talking about you.

Call me crazy, but if you are washing dishes, you should wash ALL THE DISHES, even the ones that are not yours. Why? because the kitchen is still not clean if there are dirty dishes in the sink. Especially if I have one dirty plate and you have 3 plates, 3 bowls, 4 cups and 3 pots, all 3 days old. Don't be petty.

Just because I'm black, does that mean I have to join all the black clubs on campus? GRRRR. I just want to go to class, do my work, write my dissertation and sit down somewhere.

Who can I blame for locking my keys in my car twice in as many months?

I'm too lazy to link stuff and put up pics of stuff here and make it look all fancy. I just want to type. But I may put up a video of my nephew doing the cha-cha. Funny is an understatement.

That Nephew of Mine

2008-08-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

He is sooo smart. More like a lil smart alec. Almost too smart for his own good

Exhibit A. My SIL was trying to hurry him on somewhere. She said "you move like a turtle" He replied "Turtles live in the water and turtoises live on land, so I would be a turtoise, not a turtle." Excuse me for my ignorance of the Animal Kingdom.

Exhibit B. My brother and SIL were preparing to do some yard work. My SIL was going to try to cut the grass. (Not something I would be doing, but she can knock herself out doing that kind of thing) Nephew comes running up yelling...MOMMIES DON'T CUT GRASS...MOMMIES DON'T CUT GRASS...LET DADDY DO IT!!!

Now, I'm all for traditional household roles, but I think he might be bordering on chauvinism. He also thinks firefighters can not be girls.

Exhibit C. He was acting up in the mall. My SIL threatened to call my brother and have him pick up my nephew. Nephew replies "Daddy has work to do...he doesn't have time!" I don't know where he got that from, since he's been home with his father for the last month.

Exhibit D. My grandmother brought him a T-shirt from the Rainforest Cafe. It had a big bird on it. "Nephew, look at the bird!" IT'S A MACCAU he replied, with as much disdain as a 3 year old can possibly have. Excuse me for my ignorance, I swear.

Oh and his latest thing is he doesn't like to talk on the phone. He covers up his ears and rolls his eyes if you hold the phone out to him.

So I don't get to talk to him.

Clothing Moratorium

2008-08-13T17:47:00.001-07:00

I don't need to buy anymore clothes. I think I've spent the last year or so focusing on getting rid of ugly, unfashionable stuff and only buying stuff that is cute on me.

I wonder how long I can go without buying clothes?

I think I could go until my B-day, which is in February.

However, I need some long sweaters to cover my rump when the weather starts to chill.

AND I'm working on losing weight, so I will definitely need some new clothes. I still need shoes, I always need shoes. I'm hard on shoes. I love DSW.

How about I won't buy any new clothes until November, or until I lose 20 pounds.

I only need those long sweaters...other than that I bet I can go until next summer.

This is a money saving measure.

Blended Families

2008-08-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

I was familiar with blended families long before there was a name for it. Not how you might think, though. My parents are married, I have no step or half siblings.

However, Both sets of my grand parents are divorced. That gives me 4 sets of grandparents in all. My father's parents divorced when he was 4. My mother's parents divorced when she was 16. I'm not even exactly sure how many siblings my father has-I met his mother maybe once before she died. She didn't even come to my parents wedding. I do know I'm her oldest grandchild. One of my uncles I thought was my father's step brother is actually his half-brother. I just never picked up on it...it's so many of them I can't keep track.

My mother's family is a little more interesting. My mother has 5 step brothers and a half sister who is 6 weeks older than me. She also has a whole brother, or a brother that she has the same mother and father with. Half, Step, all these terms are confusing. So, I have an aunt who is my age. Boy you know that was fun growing up. She looks just like my mom, too.

My mother is closest to her youngest step brother, and sometimes she calls him her brother.

My mother's stepfather died in May after battling alzheimer's (or however you spell it) This man thought I hung the moon and spoiled me accordingly.

My mother's stepmother died in July. She helped her step brothers look after her and did way more then they did for their own mother. Not necessarily because she was soooo close to this woman. She did it out of love for her own father, helping him take care of his wife.

And she did they same thing for her mother, helping her take care of her husband.

I think its soo ironic that both of her step parents died within months of each other.

My mother's brother (her whole brother) died in July 2007. This leaves only her to care for and look after her mother, who is 79 and her father, who is 87. Of course it would be easier on her if they were still married and lived in the same house. (They've been divorced since 1972.)

I wonder if parents think about that when they divorce. Not that they should stay together because of that. But my mother is spread so thin looking after both of her parents with their separate homes, separate bank accounts, separate everything. I guess this is neither here nor there, and water under the bridge but I just think about how easy it would be if they were together.

Uses for Afro Sheen

2008-08-03T19:43:00.001-07:00

I haven't used Oil Sheen prolly since high school. I don't see the point of it. Most of it probably ends up in my lungs instead of on my hair anyway.

Anyway, fast forward to 2008 and I'm driving with some classmates in my car.

One guy, of the fairer persuasion, is particularly nice. He is from Mississippi. He starts telling us about when he used to work on a cruise ship.

He says the best suntan lotion is Afro sheen.

Me: Afro Sheen...like black people use?
Him: Oh yeah, the aerosol...we sprayed it right on!

Yuck. I'm picturing some white folks spraying aerosol cans of oil sheen on their bodies while sitting poolside. I almost drove off the road.

That's gotta cause skin cancer, or lung cancer, or both.

Background: we had to attend a presentation in the neighboring city. Since I was trying to combine trips to save gas, I told the people riding with me that I would be stopping at Sally's beauty supply on the return trip. So I'm up in Sally's with this white guy, and my other classmate. And no he didn't have the nerve to ask me what I bought! Now, he is trying too hard. Like he would know what I was talking about! ummmm not any AfroSheen, how bout that! I politely told him some I bought a jar of relaxer and conditioner.

Ramadan Coming Up Next!

2008-08-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

As summer ends, Ramadan will be starting.

Why does Tyler Perry have a moving coming out again, during Ramadan! I think I might have to go see that movie. Okay, I won't initiate it, but if someone asks me and I'm caught up with my reading, I'm going.

Why will the game, my favorite sitcom be starting back up during Ramadan.

Such a test, people I tell ya!

I'm ashamed to admit I have never finished my reading during Ramadan. I blame everything. School. fatigue...but I never fall behind on my TV shoes. That is a SHAME!

What is this reading she is talking about? The Qu'ran is split in 30 parts and you are supposed to read a part a day and have the whole thing finished by the end of the 30 days.

Thank goodness Private Practice is starting up when Ramadan will be ending. I want Sam and Naomi to get back together!

Plastic Money

2008-08-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

I just wrote a long post about my cc debt and I accidently hit something and now its gone. oh well.

I have cancelled 2 cc's this year. I know its not good to cancel them, but I'm not making any big ticket purchase like a house or car anytime soon.

I cancelled one because of what I felt was poor customer service. And they didn't even beg me to stay! I called myself staying on top of the bill and was making payments as I used the card. It was an airline miles card. Well apparently I paid too early because they slapped me with a late fee for the next period. They said it was too early for the payment to be posted for the next cycle. Whatever. I was mad so I cancelled the card.

I cancelled another one because it has an annual fee. Last year I called and they waived it. This year they didn't waive it and it has a zero balance. So I told them to close the account. I'm not paying no annual fee! and get this they cancelled the fee once I cancelled the card. But you could have waived it kept me as a customer. Makes no sense.

So this leaves me with 2-capital one and my credit union visa. I want to cancel the capital one but I'm waiting for the right time. It has a zero balance. It also has an annual fee, which they waived this year.

I cancelled a victoria's secret card last year. They don't sell enough stuff I can wear to justify keeping the card. So I still have my NY&CO card, Firestone card: store cards. I used to have a Macy's and a Sears card. Soooo glad I don't have a Macy's card anymore. I'd be in real trouble! Can't say I won't open one in the future, though! I got the Macy's card just to buy one dress. Then I paid the purchase off and closed the card. I got the sears card because my battery died and (of course) I had no money for a new one. I closed these before I knew you weren't supposed to close cards all willy nilly.

Early next year I'm going to call my CU and ask for an interest reduction on that CC. So far that game has not worked for me. They will raise the limit but won't lower the interest rate. Whatever.

You know, I am willing to learn about personal finance, but some stuff will continue to be over my head. Hey, I can't be good at everything. Plus I think I inherited the spending disease from my mom. I haven't looked at my IRA statement in over a year. I couldn't tell you what fund is what. I just know I have one, how much its worth and that's it!

Product Junkie

2008-07-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

I am headed in that direction, please save me.

CVS is like a broke girl's Sephora. At least for me it is. I am always running up there for something, whipping out my extracare bucks like a .....JUNKIE. I justify it buy saying its all cheap, on sale, had a coupon, etc. But when I look in my bathroom, all that stuff adds up.

I am going to Sally's this weekend. To purchase Motions relaxer and moisturizer. Only!! And maybe some plastic clips.

I do try to use stuff up before I buy a replacement, unless a product has been deemed unsuitable-Like my mineral oil products. I am noticing the difference in my hair. No matter how much I put on, its still dry.

Now, baby oil is basically mineral oil. And baby oil breaks my face out into itchy welts. Just my face, though. So it would make sense that I wouldn't use a product with mineral oil on my face? Well my beloved Pond's moisturizer has mineral oil in. So after I finish the 12 ounces I have left, I'll buy the CVS brand vitamin e moisturizer.

I read an article on the internet about mineral oil collecting in your body and absorbing nutrients from your system. It sounds like a hoax but I kinda believe it. But it can't be any worse that me eating an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's in one sitting.

But having these various products makes me focus on using them and this pampering myself. Plus a lot of the stuff I have was given to me.

No more new stuff after this weekend, I promise.

I could cut him.

2008-07-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

My brother.

He sent me a text message saying he needed help with a bill. I called him. I asked him why didn't he just call instead of texting. He said he didn't know. Could it be that he was begging like a punk.

I asked him what bill he needed help with. His car insurance. This is the same guy who went to one of those got a job, got credit places and got an SUV "for the same payment as the little." FOR TWICE THE AMOUNT OF TIME, DUMMY!

He's had some accidents and some speeding tickets.

I asked him who else he sent the text to. He said mommy and daddy.

I asked him what made him think I had money. He said maybe I'd like to help.

I reminded him that he made more than me and that my "income" was really just a living stipend.

He's saying help like he's raising money for starving children.

I think a member of a 2-income household should be able to pay their car insurance

He said he's not not working this summer. I reminded him that that was by choice.

GTFOWTBS!

My dad gave him the money.

Brother calls a few days later saying his wife interviewed for a job making more money and that they'd be moving up or whatever.

I said I hope you can figure out a way to pay your car insurance.

My brother is really good and sweet but he drives me crazy, I swear!

AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON PEOPLE THINKING THAT HE'S OLDER THAN ME!!!

as if.

The Proof is in the Pudding

2008-07-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Taken from this site: http://www.hamptonu.edu/news/071608_01_sob_rankings.htm

I couldn't link it for some reason.

Hampton, VA - The results of a recent study by Hampton University School of Business researchers found that the best method to rank the top colleges and universities for African-American students was to base the rankings on the impact of the alumni of the institutions.

Dr. Sid Howard Credle, dean of the HU School of Business, conducted the study along with Dr. Sharad Maheshwari, associate professor; Janelle Pridgen-Davenport, instructor; and HU MBA graduate students.

"The current weighted index model although useful to some, generally excludes Historically Black Colleges and Universities and is biased. You can change the weight of model variables to produce a desired outcome," said Credle. "We found that our method reduces bias, and results in realistic rankings."

The research report, "An Alternative Ranking Methodology to Determine the Best Colleges and Universities for African Americans, Based on the Success of Alumni," was awarded the 2008 Outstanding Research Award by the Institute for Business and Finance Research. The paper was presented at the Global Institute in Costa Rica in May.

The report examined the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate college degrees of the most successful African Americans in 2005. The list of 411 influential African Americans was compiled from several lists of prominent African Americans included in Black Enterprise, Ebony magazine and additional sources. The list included prominent lawyers, judges, entrepreneurs, presidents of U.S. universities, high-ranking members of the government, non-profit institutions and members of corporate America.

The results indicated that while Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) only represent four percent of the nation's four-year colleges, 38 percent of the 411 influential African Americans on the list attended an HBCU. Howard University and Morehouse College were tied as the top schools represented. Harvard was next on the list. Yale, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Cornell, Northwestern, Michigan, Fisk and Morgan State completed the top 12 schools.

"The evidence clearly indicates that the HBCUs compete primarily with the subset of richly endowed Ivy League TWI schools when measuring alumni success," said Maheshwari.

The report also examined the sample's attendance at graduate schools and law schools to determine entrance rates and the quality of the graduate schools attended. According to the report, 83 percent of those studied who attended an HBCU and 83 percent of the African-Americans studied who attended a Traditionally White Institution (TWI) went on to earn a graduate degree. The study showed no greater benefit to attending a TWI or detriment in attending an HBCU when it pertains to attaining graduate degrees. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the quality of graduate schools attended by the African Americans studied.

Pridgen- Davenport stated, "It should be recognized that all data can be viewed from a variety of perspectives and the determination of the best school or group of schools is inherently subjective. Ultimately it is the current student and active alumni who will determine if an institution of higher education is truly the best."

Teasing vs. Bullying II

2008-07-27T09:56:00.001-07:00

My 6th grade year I went to a school that was a horrible experience in integration.

Upper middle class white students and black kids from the projects. And me being bused from the black, middle class side of town to sit in classes with all white kids because they program I had tested into wasn't offered at my neighborhood middle school.

So, of course all the black kids wanted to know why I'm in class with all the white kids because the classes are OBVIOUSLY segregated.

Two schools in one...one black, one white.

Oh and I'm still getting teased about my lips. At this point, I don't even like to chew gum at school.

Oh and I was definitely fashionable challenged, too. (I didn't wear brand names-the horror!)
I went through an identity crisis and insisted on being called by my middle name. That last for 1 semester. I kept forgetting to answer to it.

Well, Gym class was the only class where I got to see other brown faces. One face in this class was Carmelita Bull. Yep, that was her real name. She did look kinda bullish. She was cute. She had a wide nose. And she was thick...like if she hit me it would hurt! I don't think that heffa could wait to start teasing me. Well, I guess maybe it was my fault. I wore my house key on my earring...you know...like Janet. So everyday, I got "*smack, smack* dis girl thank she cute...thank she like janet jackson or something with that key on her ear." Now I did get that from Janet, but I didn't think I was Janet, nor did I want to be Janet. (Well I did want to dance like her)

Anyway, Carmelita and her crew would terrorize people in the locker room before and after gym. You know adults are never around when stuff is going down. Anyway, one day they put this girl's clothes in the toilet. Yep, her hammer pants and patent leather shoes. I was already scared to undress because they would grab people's clothes and throw them around and I thought if they were teasing me about my lips what would they say if they saw the rest of my body?

Well one day, the orchestra was taking a trip to the mall. (Yes, I played the violin and was pretty good!) So I had $10 dollars for lunch and any other incidentals, courtesy of my dear mother. I locked the money up during gym class. Or so I thought. Carmelita and her crew got to it. They stole my money. I didn't go around announcing I had money, but they knew I was going on a field trip. Only the most unfortunate student didn't bring money for a field trip.

Of course she denied it so hard I thought maybe I just lost it. But eventually she confessed.

The life of a middle schooler is not for the faint of heart!

Teasing vs. Bullying

2008-07-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

Who didn't get teased as a kid?

I did. I got teased for having big lips. Yep. I got called bubba-lips, Bubbalicious, etc. I never, like wanted surgery or anything, but I would constantly bend my lips back into my mouth. And I think I was a little delayed in wearing lipstick because I didn't want my lips to be anymore noticable.

Now? Oh I get "ohhh your lips are so sexy" all the time.

Was anyone ever bullied? I think I was.

Another thing I got teased about was having long hair, as if that is something you can tease someone about. When I was in the second grade, these older kids would come up to me and pull my ponytails (I usually wore 2, no more than 4) really, REALLY hard. And swing my head from side to side. It was always after school, when there weren't many adults around as I walked to after school care. This one heffa in particular I remember well. Her name was Kimberly W. She would tease me about my lips, but she had what I can only describe as a physically big mouth. Like, she had big teeth, big black gums. She was unattractive as a 3rd grader, but I'm sure she's probably a nice looking adult. But her big thing was my hair. I guess she didn't like me having long ponytails. Thing was, her hair was shiny, well-kept, in curls, etc. I mean her head wasn't jacked up. At that time, my mom was still doing my hair and I was NOT ALLOWED to wear my hair "out." I could only wear braided ponytails. If she was feeling fancy, she would actually curl the ponytails, a treat for me.

So, everyday after school I would see her. We went to the same after care place. I hated that place, but that' another post. And everyday, she would yank my ponytails really, really hard until I had a headache. One day, she pulled my ponytail holder (you know the ones with the balls on each end) so hard that it ended up dangling off the ends of my hair.

Maybe once an adult caught her pulling my hair. But I didn't tell anyone, I don't know why. She did it like every day and every day I dreaded after school. I think I wanted to be "cool." That was my first year at that school, I already had a funny name, I didn't celebrate Christmas, and I was the best reader in my grade. The chips were stacked against me in this second grade popularity contest!

Well one day this big fifth grader...let's just call her Neicy...Saw Kim pulling my hair. She stopped and asked me why was I letting this girl pull my hair. I shrugged. Next thing I new, Neicy had shoved Kim on the ground. "You betta stop lettin people mess wit' you like dat!" Neicy told me.

Kim didn't bother me anymore. Thanks Neicy!

Get it off!

2008-07-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

I was in the 6th grade when I first noticed a slight peach fuzz growing on my upper lip. I tried to shave it. My upper lip was on fire the next day.

I was 22 when I noticed my first chin hair. I used nair for the face, but it didn't work. So I shaved it. And of course it left bumps. yuck. But since it was very low on my chin and I'm dark-skinned, the hair wasn't very noticeable. But it was noticeable enough for me as a woman. And it bothered the hell out of me!

That summer, I barged into a Walgreens determined to find a depilatory strong enough to get rid of this facial hair. I found Surgi-cream. It's very strong and smells like a relaxer. I have burned a sore into my face with this stuff like 2 times. But that's 2 times in the last 7 years.

Now, I have like 8 whiskers that grow on my chin. The Surgi-cream works, but I'm tired of having to do it every 2-3 days,on my chin. My upper lip I can do like once a month. My OB suggested bc pills. I decided against it. I thought that was overdoing it. I mean the hair would have to be nonexistent, not just thinned up for me to do that.

Whenever, I have a self-pity moment and complain to my friends about my facial hair, they always say "we can't see it"
Duh....because I get rid of it!!!!

When ever I see a woman with facial hair, I fight the urge to run up to her and say "Honey you don't have to live that way...there are things you can use to get rid of that!"

You would think that the next solution would be waxing, or electrolysis or some type of laser removal. Well, all of those solutions require hair to be at least 1/4 inch long before removal. Well, I am soooo anal about the facial hair that I can't stand to let it grow that long.

I bought this self-waxing kit. No hair came off, so I must not have been doing something right, or the hair was too short.

I don't have hirsutism or anything like that. I'm not THAT hairy. Nor do I have polycystic ovary syndrome or whatever its called. I was diagnosed with with a 4 cm cyst on one of my ovaries (can't remember which one) back on 2004. During the ultrasound, the tech did asked me if I had facial hair. That freaked me out. Then she wouldn't even tell me what she saw. But the cyst is gone now. And my periods are regular as rain, as always.

Anyone have any other suggestions for getting this hair off my face? I wonder if I could get it threaded?

Itchy, Itchy

2008-07-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a minor health problem I have.

In spring, 2002 I lived in Pittsburgh in an un-air-conditioned studio apartment. It was hot. Around this time I began to experience an intense itching in my cleavage area. Betweem THELMA AND LOUISE-yes, they have names!. I got some cortisone and medicated powder and went on about my business, trying not to scratch too much in public. Eventually it goes away.

Summer 2003, I'm working at a summer camp, The itch has come back and is unbearable!It has spread onto my upper torso. The skin is red, inflammed and flaky. G-R-O-S-S! I use hydrocortisone, but it provides relief for all of 10 minutes. I show my mom and some female friends. My mom doesn't know, she just tells me to keep using the hydrocortisone. Another friend says it looks like ringworm. (How I would get ringworm in that area, I don't know). A cousin says it looks like psoriasis. Someone else says it looks like excema. I start buying any and every cream and potion I think might give me some relief. I am constantly itching or resisting the urge to scratch. Meanwhile, its just getting worse: bigger, redder, flakier, itchier.

Finally, I go to the doctor. She takes one look and says it's yeast. Excuse me??? Yeast...like you make bread with? She says it's like I had athlete's foot on my chest. She said it is caused by sweat gathering between my (large) breasts and the skin in that area not getting any air or a break from the moisture, causing perfect conditions for yeast to grow. Me not wearing a bra to bed only made it worse.No wonder I only seem to have this problem in warm weather. Trust me, I was ready to sign up for a breast reduction after this.

Doc told me to get some tinactin or any otc cream for athlete's foot and I'd be fine and might not want that reduction anymore.

Now, in 2006 when I started wearing more supportive bras with underwire, I did experience some relief that summer. However, it still itched if I got hot and sweaty. So, tinactin has become a daily toiletry for me, during the summer. If I miss a day, I notice...I start itching! In fact, if I had to chose between it and lotion, I'd just be ashy.

Bad Shoe Day.

2008-07-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

Ever had one?

It could be that day you wear a new pair of shoes that fit in the store, but when you started walking (across a large college campuse, or several city blocks or whatever) the dogs start barking.

Or it could be that day you just underestimated the amount of walking you'd be doing and your cute shoes just ain't workin. You end up with a sore somewhere on your foot.

Yep, you can avoid bad shoe days by not wearing cheap shoes.

Yep, I broke one of my own rules and wore some cheap shoes.

See, I have this white skirt with tiny slivers of silver in them. The best shoe to wear with this skirt is a flat shoe. Preferably a silver one.

Well I bought these quilted metallic ballerina flats from NY&Co back in December. You know they were CHEAP if they came from NY&CO. I bought two pairs, one gold, one silver. They were 10 bucks a piece. NY&CO only sells shoes in full sizes (A true sign you are buying a cheap shoe) I wear a 7.5, but my foot is narrow, so I got a 7. Didn't want the shoe flopping off my foot, which is what I thought would happen if I got an 8.

I wore the gold pair back in December. I knew they were too small because I kept slipping them off my feet at every opportunity.

Well I guess I forgot because I decided to wear my silver pair with the aforementioned white skirt. I primped in the mirror, thinking I looked so cute! The shoes were tight. I told myself "They'll stretch out by the time I get to my desk."

Not!! My feet hurt so bad by the time I got to my desk, I was wincing in pain. I knew there was no way I'd be able to walk back to my car after class, when the campus shuttle would not be running.

I started thinking. I'm in the boonies, so my quick shopping options included a payless and wal-mart. I dipped out early and sped to payless. Bought a pair of silver thongs with a cork bottom and a half inch heel. Cute enough. They were 17 bucks, which is expensive for Payless!.

I wore them out of the store. Like a throwback from my childhood when we shopped any Pic and Pay (anyone remember that store?) On my way out, I noticed that my heel was at the VERY EDGE of the shoe. Like, any more closer to the edge and they'd be too small. I stopped and looked at the bottom of the shoe, thinking maybe I grabbed the wrong size. Nope, it was the right size. I think it's just a cheap pair of shoes.

Still just as cute.

2008-07-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

You like that pic, huh

I was cute, ain't it.

I was about 3.

Is it Genetic

2008-06-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

My mother and aunt are both recovering from sinus infections. Mom is in Charlotte. Aunt is in Phoenix.

I began to think I could have one, too, or an ear infection. It must be genetic. I was having headaches and fatigue and just feeling icky. It was stopping me from working out. (When your head begans to pound along with your heart, its a problem). I mean, it felt like something was sitting on my face this morning. Now some diehards can work out through stuff like that. I wish I could. I am not there yet. I'm just getting to where I can lift weights and walk during my period. Baby steps......

I used the ear wax remover in my ears and I felt better for like 10 minutes. So now my ears are really clean and I have to remind myself to use it more often.

So I went to the student health center to see if something was really wrong so I could get back to working out as soon as possible. If I wasn't worried about working out I would have gone another week or so just popping tylenol sinus.

So I go. My ears are clear. She looks up my nose. She says "your nose is swollen." She presses my face. Doesn't really hurt....until 30 seconds later. She tells me to stand up, bend over, drop my head between my knees and wave it back and forth. Then stand up. She asks if I'm dizzy...

"um shouldn't I be?"

She says I feel better than I really am because I've been taking tylenol sinus. Uh, then how really am I? She never gives it a name. I guess she thought I knew. She gives me instructions to take 4 medications:

Tylenol sinus

Claritin-the 24 hour one

An antibiotic-"just to get it all out," she said

Prednisone-now this scares me because I thought this was something that really really sick people took and is a steroid I think.

Oh I'm supposed to drink a ton of water, which I already do.

I'm supposed to take this all at the same time. She says they won't interact. Hmmmm, there is a first time for everything!

All the medicines together cost less than 4 dollars so I was pleased (I already had the tylenol and claritin). I've taken all the medicines and I feel slightly worse. I'll give it time. I'm supposed to call Monday if I feel worse. All those drugs together, I betta not feel worse!

I have tylenol daytime and nighttime sinus and let me tell you I can't wait to take the nighttime sinus! I sleep soooo good with it.

I want to find a dairy queen and get a cookie dough blizzard..perhaps that would make me feel better....SIKE!

It's over...let it go!

2008-06-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

All you people with campaign paraphenalia from candidate's who are no longer in the race(This includes but is not limited to Billary, Romney, Huckabee and Edwards-with his cute little hair cute self):

Take that stuff down! T-shirts...bumper stickers...signs...take them down...stop wearing them....put the buttons way for your collections.

Suck it up and pick a side. I am still seeing way too many Edwards bumper stickers.

This goes for my grandmother who still has her Christmas card from Bill and Hilary on top of her TV. (Cuz they family, right?) My grandmother was a staunch Hilary supporter. Hilary was her candidate and she would let the world know, as my mother and father rolled their eyes behind her back. I think she liked Obama, she just didn't want him running against "her girl." Now, she insists that Barack needs Hilary. Okay grandma...love you anyway...but next time I'm down there I'm ripping up that dang Christmas card..(I think she thinks they actually signed it.)

And how was Mitt Romney going to be president with a name like MITT...is his name really Matthew or something? Anything is better than Mitt..a president should have a name like William..John..George....BARACK! And Huckabee is not a presidential name either. He kinda looked like a Huckabee, too-whatever a Huckabee is. How can you be conservative with a name like that? I think some of these politicians need to think about changing their names like some celebrities do...some of them might want to get some "work" done, too. Hmm if you knew my name, you would know I have no bizness joking at anyone's name. Looks do count, though!

Aight Imma say this...don't beat me up. I like Barack Obama...not that it matters now, but a year ago, I was on the fence. But if he was short with a pot belly, acne, jacked up teeth, and glasses, he would not be as popular as he is. I'M JUST SAYIN!!!! So thank goodness he doesn't/isnt. Looks do count. I didn't make the rules.

Affirmative Action.

2008-06-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

What is it for? What is its goal? Why did we need it in the first place?

Is it for people, like descendents of African slaves who historically were oppressed. Is it also for other groups like, women, who were discriminated against and denied opportunities.

Or is it just to keep things "diverse."

Let's say a university has X amount of slots for minority students. We know this is illegal now but just play along. Who is more deserving of a slot? The student whose great great grandparents were slaves in Georgia? Or the student who is an immigrant from China. Or does it not matter as long is the student is a "minority"

I hate that word, minority, by the way.

29 and 48

2008-06-09T12:18:00.001-07:00

A 48 year old man is too old for me, correct? I can't take someone that old home to meet my momma, who will be 52 in October. Right?

I must be getting desperate. Someone talk some sense into me.

Hungry I should not be!

2008-06-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Why am I hungry. I should not be. This is not period-related. There is nothing wrong with my blood sugar. Went on a wild goose chase getting my blood checked out in December. There is nothing wrong with me, I'm healthy

Today I have eaten:

Whole wheat English muffin and 2 slices of veggie bacon

Grande green tea frappacino from starbucks (cuz I was still hungry on the way to school.)

Vegetable soup-Healthy Choice

apple

290 calories worth of trail mix.

This totals like 1110 calories.

I'm still hungry, I feel like I didn't eat lunch at all. I want a burger, some fried chicken, something of substance. I thought soup was filling!

It will be after 8 when I have my dinner of a turkey burger. How will I make it until then?

Maybe I have really been exercising so much that my eating isn't keeping up. I dunno.

Yes, I am still single

2008-06-07T19:36:00.001-07:00

While I was in England a friend called. I haven't spoken to her in about 8 months.
She left me a message asking me if I had gotten married.

So you know I had to call her and ask her where that came from.
"Oh I hadn't talked to you in so long I thought you might have gotten married."
TO WHO? She didn't have a response...that's why she's a dummie.
Did I tell her she has a 41 year old Nicaraguan boyfriend? and he has 2 kids. Good for effin her. She's 28.

It's sort of known that Europe takes a whole different position to interracial relationships than the US. I think I saw more black women other there with white men than the reverse. I even saw advertisements for furniture, restaurants, everything with interracial couples hugged up. You would never see that here.

So several people, including family, said things like "you know they like black women over there" or "you might come back with some blue eyed soul" I don't think I saw anyone that was remotely cute to me over there (read: I didn't run into Idris Elba!)

Upon my return, people keep asking me did I "meet" anyone over there. Um no..and what was I going to do with him, stuff him in my suitcase and bring him back with me? I didn't go to England to meet any men! Newsflash: I'm not desperate and I'm still single and those things can go together!

2-24-2000

2008-06-07T19:20:00.001-07:00

Since I'm talking about birthday's I'm gonna share about my 21st one.

I think I can probably remember every birthday after 15. I remember 13. Everything before that is a blur. Which is why parents need to stop spending all this money on their kids birthdays. But anyway.

I was the only with a car. One friend already cancelled on the festivities because she was studying for the MCAT. She's an OB/GYN now so that was time well spent. My roommate is like "Okay get dressed, you are driving." (Of course I am because I'm the only one with a car, duh)

So we get dressed and get in the car. She is directing me. I don't know where we are going. They blind fold me and direct me out of the car. We end up at this club in Bad News. We go inside (for free). We go up stairs. (I'm still blindfolded) I'm waiting for people to jump out screaming or something. We sit down and they remove the blindfold. People are handing paper, I later realize its money. Off goes the blindfold. We are in front of what looks like a boxing ring. More friends come out of the woodworks. I really didn't think I had that many friends but I guess it was just that they were all there together. Everyone is giggling and I'm in the middle of it all. Its early, like 8pm. Dumb me still doesn't get what is about to take place. I'm like "why are they giving me money? 3 dollars for my birthday? Thanks....I guess. Then the music starts....

And the strippers come out. Y'all I was not ready. The first one hands me some kind of gel stuff to squirt on him which I politely oblige. I gingerly rubbed it on him. Camera's are snappin. There is a pic somewhere of me with the stripper. Then this other one comes out and since I'm the guest of honor I get the lap dance. Well I sit and he gyrates in front of me. Its weird because we are like the only women in the club but its like they knew we were coming, thanks to my roommate. A few more minutes and its over. I gave out the money but I really wanted to keep it. (Hey I was a broke student!) We hang around. One of the strippers who I guess is also a manager is trying to persuade us to stay. I think he his feeling me but I don't like men with long blonde hair. He says they are doing a money drop later. Whoo hoo. But if we stay, everyone but me would have to pay to get back in because I was the only one who was 21. So we went back to campus. And everyone in the dorm seemed to know where we had been. Fun Times. My mom sent me a monogrammed bathrobe. And I got phone calls from people I hadn't heard from in years. It was a big deal that I was turning 21.