Yummm....Candy!

So it's October and to me it is officially fall and you know what that means?   Candy Corn!

Yes I know they start selling it in September, August even but since I live this stuff and don't show restraint often when it comes to eating it, I promised myself I wouldn't buy it until October.  We'll it's October 1st and I stopped by Target on the way home from GG and picked up a bag.  Yummy :)

September 30 It Is...

Well I went back to work today....thank God for my job. :)

I was exhausted from all the activities of the previous week but it was totally worth it!

So I'm typing this blog post in my pj's so ready for bed!!!!

Happy Birthday Month to Meeee!!!!

Thank you Jesus for a good month and a blessed year.  I'm looking forward to the future HE has planned for me.  To God be the glory, Amen!

Sunday service and Brunch

Great service this morning and afterwards I hosted a birthday month brunch at my place at noon.    Friends were here hanging out laughing and eating from noon till about 7:30.  One if my BFF's sent me a wonderful edible arrangement so we ate on that.  We also had Apple/blueberry salad, kale chips grits eggs bacon hash browns and fired fish and shrimp.   It was great!

Happy Birthday Month to Me!

Salsa!

I bought a new bag today yay! And a couple pairs I shoes that were really really on sale

The salsa festival was off the hook today. Sooo much fun!

Happy bday month to me!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Back in Cali

So my meeting in Austin went really well today.  I got a lot of good ideas.  More later. 

When I got back to cali tonight I was driving home from the airport and got a happy bday call from my BFF in Afghanistan.  Yay!   It was already my bday there.  So glad to hear her voice.  Counting down till she's back in the US alive safe and whole Lord!

So glad to be back home now.  First thin I did was put some kale in the oven to cook while I took a ahower.  Yummy!  Also had a good apple. Love good food!

Oh yeah and it's my bday on the east coast already.  Happy birthday to me!!!

Austin oh Austin!

So I stopped at one of the parks along Lake Travis today to get a good view of the lake. When I drove up to the park gate, the park ranger told me it was a great view of Lake Travis but it is a "clothing optional" park and it is mostly just old men.  I said "in Texas????"   She said yes the only one in Texas. I said, "ma'am this is my first time in Austin and I really don't want that picture in my head"  #keepdriving #onlyintexas.

Denver!

Today was such a great day!   I get to meet with William Cross who wrote one of the seminal pieces on racial identity development.  All I can say now is I'm so psyched!

Next stop Austin!

Denver!

Today was such a great day!   I get to meet with William Cross who wrote one of the seminal pieces on racial identity development.  All I can say now is I'm so psyched!

Next stop Austin!

Yay wah wah yay

Yeah that's how I feel now but I wanted to do a quick post before falling asleep.  Even though I have to get up in 4 hrs....

Yesterday was church and the ocean ....

Today was everything else, oil change, windshield repair, conf call, reports, post office, fedex, brow appointment and grocery store....all before 2...then a couple hrs of reading, reflecting, a short walk and then a workout with my trainer.    No wonder I'm exhausted now.  I'm mostly packed but there r a few things I can't find so i just went to bed and hope I'm sleep soon!

On a good note my cold seems better praise God!

Happy Bday Month to me!

Where did this come from?

So I course I have several theories on where I got this cold...but the fact is that I is here and it needs to leave now.  

I spent most of the day napping trying to get enough rest to make it go away.  I even took some cold meds and nasal spray.  

But when I went out this evening to a friends house for a presentation she hosted, that night air got the best I me.  I left shortly after the presentation since I was getting stopped up and my voice was getting hoarse.   So I came home and got din and am resting again.  

Happy Bday month to me.  

Cold cold go away!

And So It Begins!

Had an all day meeting followed by a team Bocci Ball event.  It was my first time playing, it was fun and I think I have the hang of it now.

After work I went with my boss and old boss and some other directors for HH Arab place near the bocci ball spot in Los gatos.  Everyone else bailed so I was he only woman but had fun.   I left after about an hour to meet one of my friend at Cascal's in Mtn view. However on the way I realized I have to have my car in for an oil change at 7am.  So I made a quick stop at the grocery store to replenish my kale supply and headed home.  

I had kale, small potatoes and steak... I actually had a plate full of kale.  Seriously as much kale as I eat most weeks I should be the most healthy person alive. 

This morning I had an 8am conf call before my all day meeting started at 9.  And since I'm trying to get more rest I didn't get up early enough to work out so I just did a plank, read a scripture and got ready for work. 

Wait the most important part of today is the fact that I am now officially ony birthday vacation!  Woohoo!   I am off for an entire week.  I do have a conf call but that's it! :)

Happy Birthday Month to Meeee!

I feel like singing..."danga!"

I can't edit out the bad words but the beat makes me want to dance how I feel knowing I'm on vaca for a week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVwoLUIdAx0&sns=em

Almost there...

Yes one more day until I'm on vacation....yay!  So excited.  I am so praying that this week is blessed and restful and lasts a long time.   

So I'm going to bed now so I can be ready and rested for tomorrow.  

Happy birthday month to me :)

Up and At 'Em!

Yesterday was a long day but I had a great growth group meeting last night.  I always have a great time with my GG.

I was so tired by the time I got home I ended up falling asleep before blogging last night.  Today is a busy day at work followed by a workout that will be no joke at all.  Ok, up and at em!

Monday Monday

Workout was a challenge but made it through. Made kale chips and my tomato sauce and rice.  It was delish!

Happy Bday Month to Moi!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I originally planned to go to 8:30 service. I was tired from the weekend and went to 11 am service instead.   After church I went to see The Butler.  Great movie!  Then a little grocery shopping before heading home to finish my book.  

And yes I finished shaken and stirred and was crying my eyes out reading the last chapter.  It was a good book too.  

Well, weekend's done.  Time for Monday.  

Happy Birthday Month to Meeee!!!!

MiLady, How Are You This Fine Day?

I went to the Renaissance Faire today for the first time.  I did not dress up but I had a great time. I was kissed, squezed, called milady..... and my friends from work actually bought me a corsets so I'd be ready for next year.  One of the other people with us told me I should wear it for my birthday but ...um no.

Overall it was fun, there was food, rides, theatre, jousting competitions....and then there were the people of course.  Some folks take this really seriously, but that's what makes it a fun day.

Yes that's me in a corset!

This evening I went to have dinner at a coworker's house with his wife and adorable little girl.  He had been telling me about these steaks he gets from the market in Stanford for about a year.  So I finally went over for dinner and they were amazing!  I also had fun reading a couple of curious George bedtime stories to their  cute little girl.  Oh and she introduced me  to another Lorde song, Love Club. 

All in all it was a great Saturday.  I need to get new contacts....I'm out of contacts and had to wear my glasses today.  

So today I also started a new book that my Bff is reading and also on the BGR reading list.  

I also read chapters 1-3 Of the book of St. John.   Im going to finish the book of John this month.  

Obviously today was packed full.  But so has this month so far. 

So far this month I've run a race, had birthday cake twice, salsa dancing, spa treatment, started and finished a great book as well as had a couple of new experiences including the Ren Faire and Fred's Steaks.  Also my nephew started walking yesterday...and he's so adorable.  And I had the BEST conversation with my smart, beautiful, precocious little niece.  We talked for about 10 minutes on the phone and even though I did not understand all the conversation, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.  I LOVE that little girl!

Two more weeks in my bday month and Lord willing, more celebrating to come!

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEE!!!!

Salsa!

Friday Friday Friday!   So glad to see you my Friday! 

I finished my September book, Americanah this morning.  Great book!  I just love the way she tells a love story, weaving the lives of these people together against the backdrop of ethnicity, nationality, race and culture.  I read her last book, Half of a Yellow Sun, while in AK 3 years ago, loved it and eagerly anticipated Americanah. I even pre-ordered it so I had it as soon as it was released in May.  But I just got around to reading it.

Was soooo sleepy in the pic below but was ready for a salsa night with the girls!

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEEE!!!!!!

Detox...

So I started the day with a great breakfast.- oatmeal, eggs, kale and fruit salad and 2 bottles of water with fresh lemon.   

I especially wanted to start the day well since I knew my coworker wanted to take me to a local hot dog place for lunch.  :)

I also got in a quick 15 minute workout and 30 sec plank before work this morning. Then my legs felt heavy all day. 

Here's me before a meeting with someone who is extremely patronizing.  

Still smiling.  

Happy Birhtday Month to MEEEE!!!

Half A Workout

So traffic was so bad today that by the time I got to my trainer session they were halfway done.  So I just jumped right in.  I gotta make this up tomorrow!

But I did get my travel booked for my birthday week. Yay!

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEE!!!!!

Sometimes It Takes More Than One

Yeah so i took another day to just chill after work.  Seems the weekend took more out of me than I thought.  

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEE!!!!

Recovery

After returning home at 1am from a most wonderful 3 day BGR conference and race, I was tired and sore.  So I skipped my training session and a conference call after work so that my body and mind can recover.  Taking time for recovery is always best so I can be refreshed and ready for the next fun weekend.  But I will say that next year I will take the day after BGR conference OFF!

No pics today, time for bed. :)

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEE!!!

BGR Sweat Your Sole - Day 3

Well we had a great end to a great weekend! 

The encouragement we had at this race was fantastic!  BGR is not a game...these women are fierce!   Love love love this sisterhood!

As for the race itself, I have no regrets switching from the 10K I had originally registered for to the 5k.  I really hadn't trained or prepared adequately for the 6 miles of the 10k.  Both courses had more hills than expected and after being spoiled with this Bay Area nice weather, I have not run in this type of heat and humidity before.  Sidenote: this is exactly why I hesitate to do the run in Jamaica next year.  But it was a great race because I learned so much and most importantly, I finished!

If there weren't so many people I knew waiting for me at the finish line I seriously would have cried.  Just the physicality if this race and the emotions of it all was just so overwhelming.  But I did not want to alarm my folks especially who were attending a race of mine for the first time.  

BGR Sweat Your Sole - Day 2

Tonight the keynote speaker for the evening was Marion Jones.  We both graduated from Carolina together.  Great speech too!   Great 2nd day of BGR!

Tomorrow is the race yay!

Happy Birthday Month to MEEE! 

  

BGR Sweat Your Sole -Day 1

Great day!   So glad we got here first thing this morning.  Love love lovethe camaraderie   and the sessions and hanging out with my BGR sisters from SF Bay!  Also saw some of my sisters from Winston as well.  Great great day!

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEEe!!!!!

On my way....

This morning I did 1.25 miles and my 3 min power workout complete with burpees, push-ups, plank and squat jumps.  Busy crazy day at work but after, I went home to pack, shower and  am now sitting on the parking shuttle to the airport.  Oh I  do miss having someone to take me to the airport.  Sigh.  

Here's a pic of me on the way to work this morning.  

I can guarantee that I do not look this chipper now on this shuttle.  And I realized while walking to the shuttle bus that I forgot something for the monkey...smh

Well I'm praying for a restful flight and safe arrivals of me and my BGR crew.    Ready for this weekend!

Happy Birthday month to MEEEE!  

Thank GOD for Traveling Mercies!

After work I headed to my training session.  On the way there, I saw a really bad accident and I prayed that everyone was ok.  It did not look as though anyone was hurt which is a major blessing.  It also reminded me that we don't thank God enough for his traveling mercies.  Thank you JESUS!

I need to be more THANKFUL on a daily basis.  I try to be grateful, but there are times during my daily routine when I lose sight of what is important and my many blessings.  So let me take the time now to say THANK YOU JESUS!

Training session went well today.  Halfway through the workout, as I was huffing and puffing, trying to do this exercise which required balance and burned my thighs, I noticed my trainer did not have my name up on the board for birthdays.  I was like, um, my name is not there.  He ran over and added me to the board :)  I'm like yes and you KNOW I celebrate all month long.  LOL, people think I'm joking about that...they soon find out.  :)

I was sooo hungry after my workout and did not have any snack in the car.  Instead of making a bad decision, I just went ahead and got my gas and made my other stop before coming home and preparing my dinner.  

I actually have been wanting to cook this for quite some time.  It is a broccolli chicken cheese ring which I learned to cook at a pampered chef party years ago.  It was very very tasty just as I remembered.

Happy Birthday Month to MEEEEEE!!!!!