Talented Beyond His Years

I found this video on Youtube and was amazed.



Not only because U2 is one of my favorite bands but that this young man is able to perform at a level beyond his years. It is astonishing.

At any rate, is it me or do there seem to be more extremely musically talented children of Asian descent. Perhaps, it is my draw to Asian children. I find them adorable. Any way….talented Asian children….genetic, cultural discipline, or are they simply being robbed or their childhood? Yes, some ethnicities do some what seem pre-disposed to excelling at certain things. Albeit, being mixed, my black half does not make me an excellent basketball player. Other than tennis, I actually stink at basketball. If not genetic perhaps I lacked the discipline to cultivate my basketball or tennis skills. Or we’ll go with God had other plans.

Whatever the reason…..this little boy plays beautifully.

Buying into your own dreams

I have been described as ………………….. Hard Working ……………. Creative ………. Wonderful ……………. Kind …………. Trustworthy ……….. Honest …… Polite …………. Outgoing ……………. Strong willed ………….. Caring ………. A good friend ………… Selfless .......... and many others. However the opposite of all these adjectives are true as well. Only most times, only God knows about them. I am a planner which is an advantage and a disadvantage. I can make plans well, but without seeing results I am sometimes easily distracted. I have been praying about a life change I dearly want, and God is answering. But, I came to the realization yesterday that I have become lazy. My trust in God taking care of my needs has increased, but at some point I stopped doing the work I was supposed to do. I allowed my fear of putting my all into something and failing dictate my current inaction. God can not be the only one working.

So, now its time to buy into my own dreams, build a plan and follow through with it. So, I realize that I need to remain in my current job and give it my all. God isn’t finished teaching me a few lessons. Through struggle there is growth as well. The work plan, is to get on a schedule, get organized again, and follow through with working hard and following up. My event planning plan is still in the works. I found a certificate program where I matriculated originally. It is a 300 hours course (Ugh!!! Better dust and tap into the student within.) and a very good one at that. They cover everything from event planning, owning your own business, accounting, ethnic wedding traditions, bridal gown fashion trends and running a booth at a bridal show. And the best part is that I have others buying into my dream. As much as I wish I could careless about what other people think……. I work best surrounded by people to bounce ideas off of and sad to say I also need my own little cheerleading section.

Here we go….

BE AGGRESSIVE
BE – BE – AGGRESSIVE
B-E ….A – G – G – R- E- S- S- I – V – E
AGGRESSIVE!!!!!

That said I plan to be much more aggressive in learning the skills God wishes me to learn and working hard toward our common goal.

Back to the job I get paid for currently.

Just Being Nosey

I recieved this email from a friend and figured I'd turn it into today's blog. So here are a few more things you may not know about me.



Hit forward and place an X by all the things you've done and
remove the X from the ones you have not. Answer the 30
questions and at the end send it to your friends (including me).
This is for your entire life!



( X ) Gone on a blind date - Met Stu on Match. com

( X ) Skipped school - My mom allowed me to schedule personal days in High school, if my grades were good.

( ) Been to Canada - Nope but on the list.

( X ) Been to Mexico - Honeymoon in Cancun, baby!!!!

( X ) Been to Florida

( ) Been to the Caribbean

( X ) Been overseas - England!!!

( X ) Been on a plane - Been flying since I was 9!

( ) Flown a plane - Not yet, but want to.

( ) Jumped out of a plane - Not yet but want to.

( ) Been on a helicopter

( ) Flown a helicopter

( X ) Been on a train

( X ) Sailed on a ship?

( X ) Been lost

( X ) Been on the opposite side of the country

( X) gone to Washington , D.C. - Yep, Love you Jess!!!!

( X ) Swam in the ocean

( X ) Cried yourself to sleep

( X ) Played cops and robbers

( X ) Recently colored with crayons

( X ) Sang Karaoke

( X ) Paid for a meal with coins only

( X ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't

( X ) Made prank phone calls (this was before caller ID)

( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

( X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

( X ) Danced in the rain

( X ) Written a letter to Santa Clause

( X ) Been kissed under the mistletoe?

( X ) Watched the sunrise or sunset with someone you care about or love

( X ) Blown bubbles

( X ) Gone ice-skating

( ) Gone snow or water skiing

( X ) Gone to the movies





1. Any nicknames? Keels, Keel, Ladybug, Baby Spawn, Keel-bug, Bugsy, Keys, K

2. What did your parents almost name you? Jesse - They though I was a boy.

3. Favorite drink?. water or choclate milk, alcoholic - mudslide, shandy or wine

4. Tattoo? surgical scars> no tattoos, no surgeries

5. Body Piercings? EARS

6. How much do you love your job? Not at all, but at least I have one while I look for a new one.

7. Favorite vacation? Cancun with Stu. Although England was amazing as well.

8. Favorite TV Program? House, Bones , Grey's Anatomy

9. Ever been to Africa? no, but on the list.

10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? yes and cake for dinner is good too.

11. Ever been on TV? yes, when I was in a little kid.

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? no

13. Ever been in a car accident? yes

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? two 4's

15. Favorite salad dressing? Popey Seed

16. Favorite pie: key lime, apple or pumpkin, or French silk

17. Favorite Season: Spring and Fall - Love all teh colors.

18. Favorite Movie? Love Actually

19. Favorite holiday? Christmas

20. Favorite dessert? Mom's double layer pumpkin pie comes to mind right now.

21. Favorite food? Mexican or Italian or sushi

22. Favorite day of the week? Friday

23. Favorite Brand of Body Wash? Bath and Body works

24. Favorite toothpaste? Colgate total

25. Favorite smell? Scooter, Stu, clean clothes, and bleach

26. What do you do to relax? hot candle lit bubble bath with a glass of wine.

27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Only God knows. How about.........married to Stu, a mommy, and owning my own event company.

28. Favorite things: Hiking, cuddling Scooter, fall mornings whent he windows are open, curling up with a good book, smores.

29. Furthest Place you have travel? England

30. Regret anything today? Purchasing my HS reunion tickets. Might need the cash for something else and just found out most of my crew might not be going.

Today's song......

Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love" (No embedible videos available.)

Man Your Battle Stations - We're at Level Orange

Work is work, but I have been faithful to a company far longer than I should have. For almost two years the grapevine has been filled with speculation, whispers, closed door meetings, and mixed emotions. But, what do you do when the promise of things getting better is killed and the realty sets in that things will remain as they always have.

A career is a relationship like any other and letting go is never easy. Or maybe it is like being on a battleship. Most days, you sit and man your station and there is no threat. You really like your crew mates. But you are on an older ship in the fleet, in much need of repair. But, you are comfortable. Besides, its better than being in the ocean (unemployed), right? Then half way through your tour, you notice that maintenance crews are touring your ship, but are only taking notes of the damage on the ship. So you put your all into it manning your station and hope and pray that your ship will be fixed.

Then after two years, you look around and nothing has changed, but they keep telling you that it is in the works. Well, then your friends and family (co-workers) begin to talk about the repairs needed on the ship. You get nervous, so you put in transfer papers (new job) and could leave your ship. But, the new ship has some of the maintenance problems the old one had. Then your captain tells you that the general is aware of the problems and will have them fixed by the end of the month. So, you decide to stick it out with your current ship. You reinvest yourself to manning your station.

A few months later it all still hasn’t occurred. And your curiosity has been becoming nervousness and the nervousness enters your thoughts every so often. Then, the battleship takes a hit and they tell you there have been budget cuts, some of the crew will be dropped into the ocean with a life jacket. Nonplused doesn’t even begin to describe how you feel. The nervousness hits the panic button. “ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!!” The ship is sinking and we’re scrambling for the life rafts (God and a new career). And you are stuck with the task of helping bail water out of your sinking ship while still looking for the life raft. And you ask yourself, “Is it more important to bail or more important to look for the raft?”

That’s where I’m at career wise. Level Orange – High Alert. I still know no matter what, we’ll be fine, but that doesn’t make the unknown more fun, just less frightening. Fight or Flight Mode in full force. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

Today’s song (Sorry, I am a child of the 80’s) Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” OR you know what, we’ll go with Van Halen's "Riht Now"

My music tastes are all over the place. I’m into anything that makes me want to dance, expresses my emotion at the time or touches my soul. Song’s I’m listening to today:

“Desert Rose” by Sting



“After Party” by Ozomalti



Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel”



“Black Betty” by Lynard Skynard



“One” by U2



“Zion” by Lauren Hill



And “Where’s the Love” by Black Eyed Peas

Fear and Faith

It has been said that fear ends where faith begins, or maybe its faith begins where fear ends, Not sure which it is but you get the picture. Well, God and I have been discussing the fact that I would like to move on from my current career path. Yes, I do feel like such an ungrateful butt, when there are a ton of people wishing they had a job to go to. Yes, I am under paid and work for a company that becomes less desirable more and more every day, but I LOVE the team I work with. There is no one I generally dislike, I might dislike their attitude or actions at times, but I really do like them all a lot. Plus we have always do a really laid back atmosphere. No high pressure cut throat sales here, but that’s just time…..really… that’s what changed. Our job was made harder by things out of our control and by the very people who are supposed to support us and aid us in a time of need. Well, they seem to just want us to fail. If you recall I have a fear of this…”Who Moved My Cheese” and all …………..so as I was saying, I’ve seen the writing on the wall. Saw all of this coming, but didn’t want to jump ship because there was a glimmer of hope, but they killed the glimmer of hope too. After all the talking to God, I finally got an in your face answer on what I am supposed to do.

I must admit that I cried a little. But, here goes my leap of faith. So, even with the debt, the new puppy, work being slow for the hubby, I’m diving in head first into the unknown and unplanned (Well, God has a plan, but I don’t other than stay positive, keep your head up and know that we will all get through this.) Then I talked to two of my girlfriends and I have direction and the rest is up to God. Where ever I am supposed to go whatever I am supposed to do, I’m game. So, I’m looking for a new career, actively now.

This letting go is harder than it seems. Its easy to say you have faith in God when everything seems to be going your way, but it is when seems to not be going your way when God does his greatest work. And I know that He is far more capable of handling all this than I am. So, I’m not going to sweat it.

Today’s songs:
“Amazing Grace” sung by the cutest little girl ever (How can you not feel uplifted listening to her.)



And the Our Father by the same little girl.

Ummmmmmm, I'm tellin'......Confessions and Barbie-ism

1. I am much more focused on work when I’m in the Atlanta office


2. I allow my fears of failure to hold me back from achieving what I want in life.


3. Dusting and mopping the floors are my lease favorite things to do and aren’t done unless it has been a while or guests are expected.


4. Some days I miss living in Atlanta in my own apartment all by myself.


5. Despite being in debt, I went shopping on Target.com


6. The amount of television the hubby watches bothers me and I’m not really sure why.


7. Part of me wants children now and another part of me selfishly doesn’t want to give up shoes, purses and buying things for myself.


8. I HATE the shake shingles we put on the house and I even picked the color.


9. My Mom is one of my best friends and I fear the day she’s passes away.


10. I am so sick of debt some days that I think about selling everything I own and moving to an unknown location.


11. The right song can change my outlook on a bad day.


12. I am completely in love with our new puppy Scooter and that might not be fair to Gizzie.


13. I am over working in the technology industry and wonder what God’s time frame is on when I can move on. I’m waiting and not as patiently as I should be.


14. I hardly ever admit to the hubby when I’m wrong and feel bad about it.


15. Can’t get enough of random people’s blogs, myspace, facebook and photo pages. I think that’s called stalking, but whatever! Wish Stu had a blog, I’d stalk his thoughts too.


16. I had 2 bowls of Edy’s French Silk ice cream today. ½ the fat, but I suppose that doesn’t count when you eat twice as much.


17. I’m ticked that I can’t afford to go to DC to see Jess and the new baby.


18. I miss dance and often dance around the house when no one is at home.


19. I wish was in Colorado with Stu right now.


20. I find it easier to forget about my bio-dad missing out on my life than to forgive him.


21. My heart knows God sees and hears all that I am and do, but my head isn’t always as sure.


22. I wanted to be a Rockette, Fighter Pilot and Doctor since I was 2 years old and the 6-year-old who still lives inside me, wants to know why we didn’t accomplish any of those.


23. Its going to take me a while to depend on my in-laws the way I depend on my family.


24. Some days I wish the world revolved around me.


25. I can not understand why some people have to have meat with every meal.


26. No chicken noodle soup compares to my dad’s (step-dad) home-made version.


27. Fabulous is over used in my vocabulary.


28. I identify more with the fact that my great grandpa was Irish than I do any other part of my heritage. My name is even Gaelic Irish.


29. Anything to do with flatulence makes me giggle.


30. I drank a pitch of beer all by myself at the Browns game. (Eeee, I haven’t drank like that since……..my hen party.)


Today has a few songs.

Babylon by David Gray

“100 Years” by Five for Fighting

“Superman” by Five for Fighting

Unfocused

I was awakened by a loud noise near by. What is she doing now? After hours of flitting from room to room, she must have settled by now. The faint smell of pesto still lingers in the air. I peer through a crack in the door. There she hunches over an odd container stirring the mysterious liquid. With several waves of her hand the room begins to darken. “Oh yes, you shall be mine,” she gleefully laughs. Followed by several thuds, bumps, and a few “oops”. I must admit I’m nonplused at this late hour. And what is that horrid smell. She seems to have something to do with it. An hour later, she emerges triumphantly. Now is it time for bed, I wonder.

. No really deep thoughts today, my brain in going in a million directions and simply can not focus on one thing all that long today. Lack of sleep perhaps…….most likely!!! After commuting from the office last night( lol…it’s a long one, all 40 feet worth.) I began pricing garage sale items like a mad woman. At around 9 pm, I realized I hadn’t eaten and if I looked at another item to be sold, I’d throw it out the window.

Mid way through my pasta, I realize I “borrowed” three cans of paint from my parent’s house. My curiosity got the best of me and I opened them. (I have been dying to paint!!! My sister-in-law picked the color for the house as it was being built. While the color is fabulous as a blank slate for new home buyers, I just needed color to feel homey.) I back going from room to room trying to figure out what rooms to paint. (No more watching HG tv at 9 at night.) I simply had to paint some where any where. I settled on the hall half bath. (small enough so that I wouldn’t still be painting at 2 am.) The intro above is what I am sure Scooter thought as I was painting.

Here are a few pics of the pups.

But I don’t like this life jacket thing!


I wasn’t chewing the box.


I’m not bad, I’m cute.


I don’t know how the pink thing got here.


Up close with Gizzie


That’s all for today. And the song of the day is……. Babylon by David Gray

On My Heart Just Like a Tattoo

I have to ask have you ever met a soul mate? Not necessarily the perfect man or women for you to fall madly in love with, but someone, be it man, women, child, dog, cat, whatever; that it is as if for some reason beyond the physical realm you are connected to this person. I have met a few of my soul mates and those meeting have been life changing.

Have you ever encountered a person who reminds you of a person whom was tremendously significant earlier in your life? Well, there is one such person I have encountered that is a constant reminder of a soul mate lost. Every time they speak to me, my head swims and my words escape me; when they look at me, it is as if they are reading the etchings on my heart and soul; or when they are generally near me, the heat of their very being makes me feel as if there’s no where to run or hide……everything that I am is sent into fight or flight mode. And it is as if they know they have this affect on me. Yes, I know I sound like a teenager with a crush, but I’m married to a great guy and to be honest, if you have ever met a soul mate, you’ll understand that you feel like a magnet being pulled in.

It freaks me out how much this person is just like the person from my past. In my head, I’m saying, “Hello, God, what’s up with that? Are you trying to tell me something? As if I don’t think about the person from my past often enough and now I have a physical reminder with all the characteristics as well.”

The current person almost seems to seek me out. I feel the pull of knowing that our souls understand each other. I try not to be rude, because the current person seems to be a genuinely good person and in another lifetime, we’d be friends. But, they seem to have all the things I miss about the old person, and my heart just can’t handle it. Being around them just brings back the pain of the loss.

I want to move passed it all, but I don’t even know where to begin. I think I need forgive myself for why the person in my past is no longer here. It is not often you find people where you know that you have a deeper understanding of each other beyond cogitative thinking. It is as if you understand their soul and they in turn understand yours. As cheesy as it sounds, its almost feels like their thoughts are your thoughts. I lost a best friend; we shared everything, thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams. We talked for hours and whether my friend thought I was crazy or talked too much or over thought things, they just listened. (Jordan Sparks' "Tattoo" lyrics come to mind......"You're still a part of everything I do, you're on my heart just like a tattoo, I'll always have you.")And the way I ended things was wrong even though I thought I was in the right and I know I brought my friend pain. I tried to talk to them after the fact and messed that up too, but now I’m in a situation where I can’t go back. And I’m pretty sure my presents would be unwelcome.

And as for the new person, who the heck knows how I’m going to deal with that. I suppose, God has brought them in my life maybe as the more acceptable version of my friend to suit where my life is now. But, when they speak to me, I’m lucky if I can even string three sentences together. Oh what an interesting situation this shall be.

The song of the day…..”Under My Bed “ by Meiko

One down many to go

The Chinese Dinner was a success!!!!! To give you a little background on all of this….I am now a member of Friend Church. Yes, the Catholic joined a nondenominational church. Why you ask…................well the hubby is newer to following God and is most comfortable at Friend Church. I’m all for him seeking Christ where he is most comfortable. Besides, for a nondenom church, the place is rocks. Amazing people..........great pastors...fab music........laid back / inviting atmosphere.

Back to the event. Members of Friend Church are going a mission trip to China. (I'm so jealous. China is on my travel list. Ok, few places aren't on my trip list. What can I say, Have passport......will travel anyway.) The Chinese gov’t only allows Chinese printed bibles to be issued, but these are expensive for the average Chinese family to purchase, so organizations have teamed up to go to China and pass out bibles. After working on this event, I really wish I was going to China as well. (Perhaps next year.) So, we held a Chinese dinner as a fundraiser for the members going on the trip and I coordinated. There's is nothing like doing what you love for a good cause. The China House in Irmo, SC provided the food for an amazing price. They rock and have fabulous Chinese food as well. Fun times painting Chinese signs, sewing table toppers, making lanterns (thanks Mam - She has more talent in her pinky toe than I have in my whole body. Albeit, we'll call it 20 extra years of practice. Hee hee, Love you lots Women.) and reusing a few items from the wedding. I had a wonderful set-up and clean-up crew (thanks to Linda!). Everything run beautifully. Money was raised (hope to raise even more for next year’s mission trip.), we ran out of food but everyone at least got some food and there were rave reviews.

The photos aren't the greatest, but you can get a idea of what things looked like.


High top Table Decor




















They liked it so much that our next event is October 11 and 12th. We are having a What NEXT Volunteering Expo. Ideas are running through my head as I type.

That’s all for now, but today’s theme song Monday, Monday by the Mamas and Papas (I know, I'm getting to be so old. Ha ha 30 is the end of the line, yeah right!!!)

Tee minus and counting...........

Just over 24 hours until the first Friend Church Event. I am so excited!!!!! A little disappointed that the hubby and the ‘rents are unable to attend, but this isn’t my first event and it won’t be my last. Everything is complete and it should love Fab-U-lous if I do say so myself. Hard to explain what party / event planning is like for me. High on life for lack of a better term. This week proved that event planning, marketing, and PR is where my heart is. Sales is a means to an end. I have learned much and now it is time to take those skills and apply them where my heart is.

The Scootie book is coming along well too. I love my family and friends. Thus far, everyone’s attitude is “cool, you’re writing a book! I want to read it.” Yes, as the hubby says, “It takes more than a day to write a children’s book?” His idea is….. “See Scooter” “See Scooter run.” “See Scooter bark”. Ah, sorry Babe, but my book is a little more advanced than that. And to my supporters, of course you can read it. Fingers crossed on getting it published.

In other news, it looks like CHS (Airport code for Charleston. It is easier than writing everything out. We’re an hour away) might get hit hard with all of these storms. Scooter and I are headed back to CAE (Columbia) late tonight rather than in the morning. We’re going to batten down the hitches and hope for the best for all involved.

The song in my head today. “Take a Bow” by Rihanna

Pocket Full of Sunshine

There is one word to describe how I’ve been feeling for a while and that’s STRESSED. It seems to be all I can think about some days. I’m trying to hand it all over to God and be optimistic....BUT......all it has been is lots of “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine”. I am a firm believer in if God brings you to it, he gives you the strength to get through it. So I have been working on letting my little light shine, but my head gets in the way A LOT. No I’m not depressed, A. I won’t give into that. B. I have way too much to be thankful for. But when its late at night, my brain drifts to little things I have given over to God that I shouldn’t be thinking about.

My thoughts……….what is going to happen with work being slow for Stu…….we will get through it, but are we on the same page?……….Why are the Dutch so odd?.....what’s going on with my company?.......Should I put all my energy into this gig or focus on finding a new one?........What’s the best way to break into event planning?............I hate debt!.......Really need to just get out of it……….How do we get on the same page with all that?........Man I am so stupid when it comes to money!.......

Yes, I know I think WAY too much. I just need to be great at whatever it is I’m going to be when I grow up and not hold back.

JUST DO IT!

Be all I can be

Trust in God

stop looking inward and handle things as they come.

BTW - Pocket full of sunshine is the song stuck in my head today.