The Day that Hurricane Sandy Paid a Visit

Hurricane Sandy got PLENTY of coverage today on the local new channels.  While it wasn't much to report in terms of damage where I live - I hope I can say the same for people I know in affected areas when I wake up in the morning.

I've said this before on this blog and I'll say it again.  It is harder to come up with a list when you don't leave the house - but I have a list!  I HAVE A LIST!

1. It's nice to have family and friends that care enough to check on my well being during the storm.  There are still a few hours left to be totally in the clear but I never once saw a light flicker nor lost my internet or TV.  If you didn't know, I don't have cable - so I watch everything via an outdoor antenna.  That antenna never budged. 
2. We were notified of having Tuesday off from work.  Campus is CLOSED! WOO HOO!
3. My friend Myra, sent me a text to ask me if I still wanted a headlamp for when I go biking.  I said I did.  She bought one for me and her. How amazingly nice was that?
4. Tonight I made my first Hot Tottie.  They are tasty!  I think I may make more of these in the winter months.  
5. I lit my fireplace for the first time in over a year.  I love having a wood burning fireplace. I need to use it more. 

Hurricane Sandy - Don't be a Bitch!

PAH-TY!  That's what HE said.  hahaha  We woke up in Nic and Meg's house this morning and had no hangover.  I just want to celebrate that fact right now.  I also want to celebrate the fact that I am shaking this cold.  The cough is producing "results" and I can breathe out of my nose.  YAY! 

With this hurricane on the way, I hope it passes through and leaves very little evidence that says, requires a thank you note from "Sandy". 

1. I love that I am meeting so many people through my dating such a gregarious person.
2. Oh, and as a #2 to the list. I'm glad he's as thoughtful and dependable as he is.
3. Talking to my dad today, he told me some stories from when he was younger. I always enjoy hearing these stories because they always have some sort of historical relevance to them.  I said that he needs to start writing those things down and I would type them up. I think it would make for good reading material for a memoir. 
4. Getting the confirmation that campus is closed tomorrow due to Hurricane Sandy is AWESOME!  What might not be so awesome is gettin' hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. O_o
5. We're making progress on the online magazine work.  The bro and I have developed the sections for the first issue.

*what's really funny is that I found this clip art and it has his name on it! bwahahaha!

Family Fun Time

Today marks the first time my brother and his kids have visited since I've been in my (semi) newly acquired home.  It's pretty cool having them here.  I haven't seen them in about 4 years and let me just say - What a difference that time frame makes!  They all have gotten so tall and the oldest has facial hair!  The others have hit puberty and I'm just floored.  I guess that means they've gotten older and so have I.  The oldest nephew was born in 1993.  That doesn't seem so long ago to me - but geez - he's a grown ass man now. Might not be mature but he can now vote.

1. I had a series of nice meetings today.  I have to say that I think I'm going to enjoy partnering with a new person on an initiative. 
2. I loved seeing that the Program Board event tonight was PACKED. Great job!
3. I loved that I was able to play video games with my nephew and niece. Clearly, they play these games way more than me LOL I think tomorrow night I will challenge them in Guitar Hero!
4. Today marked my debut at a voice over artist. hahaha I had to do a series of videos on how to use a program.  The videos are for students and I hope they prove to be helpful. really enjoyed making them. 
5. While out to dinner with family, we sat next to a table with a very talkative, yet good-natured Korean guy that made sure we knew he could be "down" with the black folks. hahaha He was kind of annoying (and drunk) however, I loved how he got serious for a moment and got on my nephews case about not going to college. This was a classic moment!  A total stranger saying to my nephew, "Man, you should go to college, even if it's community college because a degree will open doors."  That was very nice of him to say and while he was annoying for most of the meal, him saying this made a world of difference to me.

Slow News Day

My eyes are TIRED.. it's been a helluva week.  There's definitely been a theme going on here.  My body is telling me to slooooooooooooow down.  I can't slow down this weekend because I have family in town, but next week you better believe I will.  I just need a weekend where I don't do or go anywhere.  WHEW.. I'm in need of recharging my battery.

It was definitely a slow "news" day around here too.. but I still found 5 items!

1. When I got home I was excited to see that I received my Roku Box!  WOO HOO!  So.. now it's time to hook it up. Unfortunately, I was too tired tonight to focus on doing that. 
2. I made some great guacamole tonight. Those avocados were ripened to perfection!
3. Great conversation was had tonight with someone in my office.  It's was one of those types of conversations where you sense that we both really understood each other a little better. 
4. It rained most of the day but that didn't keep people from being friendly.  People seemed extra friendly today. I don't mind that at all. I think people should practice kindness regularly. 
5. When I left campus tonight the traffic wasn't bad at all. I think i got home within 25 minutes.. That's pretty much a record on a Thurdday night.  Metro DC traffic ain't no joke!

My Momma Used to Say...

All the preparation has paid off.  Another great year for the homecoming block party.  Now, tomorrow will be the true test - seeing whether the contractors will remove the tents, port-a-potties and clean up the garbage. I sure hope so.  I can now rest and reflect.

1. What a day! I love how everyone in my office were in good spirits at the block party and were extra helpful. It made for a very successful event. 
2. Every single element of today just seemed to fall into place. When things seemed a little off - I remained calm and it all worked out. That's a testament about life.  Keep calm - it'll all work out.  Someone today said it's about weathering the storm.
3. Having a busy day like today, I can appreciate coming home to an empty house. 
4. "Many hands make for light work". My mother always said this statement.  It's sooooo true and I have tons of gratitude for staff members outside of my office who helped with the set-up and tear down of today's event. 
5. I didn't have to pay for a single meal today. "You can't beat that with a stick!" That's another saying my mother would say. Ahhh, the memories.

T.G.I.F.

It's FRIDAY!  You know what that means?  Well, you probably don't actually... but what it means for me is that one of my most difficult weeks ever - riddled with grieving, accusations, annoyances, being thrown under buses, and learning moments. Aahhh - so very exhausting.

One of the good things is that I'm back to posting the daily 5 things I loved/liked about the day.

1. I like when things just kind of fall into place - like with the delivery of the port-a-potties and the tents.  They arrived at roughly the same time which made my life easier.
2. When I was loading up the truck with supplies for tomorrow's event, several staff members offered to help me without my asking. That was so awesome!
3. I loved that the staff member leading tonight's event sent me and another co-worker home. She didn't feel like she needed our help.  That was sooooooo amazingly helpful. Thanks, Michelle!
4. The dance tonight started off slow but it certainly picked up the momentum after about an hour.  Very excited to see that happen!
5. I was walking across campus with Sara and saw that the Psychology Department decorated for homecoming. That in itself, is AMAZING!  Over 15 departments participated in the Homecoming Office Decoration Contest. This is awesome, too!  We've never had this many participants - let alone Academic Departments!

His Bar Mitzvah was Crunk and That's the Lesson of THIS Story!

Such a LONG EFFIN DAY!  So many lessons learned.  All work related. Growth. That's all I can say.

1. I love the support and care I received from the goof up that I made with a couple of publications at work. It was MUCH appreciated.
2. The saga of the "Shit ______________ Say" videos. Today's video showcases DC area people. Check it out.
3. We made crafts today during our day long retreat. I was in charge of this project and everyone seemed to love it. Whew!  I am so glad - I made up the project while at Wal-Mart late last night. Yup, I still got it.  The art educator skills...
4. While at the retreat we played a game of "Win, Lose, or Draw". It's a classic 80s game show where you have to draw out the clues without talking, writing words or numbers.  I LOVED this show. Anyway - once the clues slipped into sentences that contained slang words, things slipped into SUPER HILARITY mode! Sample sentence: His Bar Mitzvah was Crunk!
5. A song popped up on a CD I was listening to in my car this morning.  It took me back to my childhood. It also made me think about how, from my perception, kids just don't get thrown nearly as many educational things during the course of their day.  I remember watching Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday mornings and loved them - learning lessons through song.