The Best Things in Life are...

It's hard to stay motivated at work when you know you have a big trip coming up!  I'm headed to NYC on Wednesday to add another check mark to my Bucket List - The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  WOO HOO! I'm sure I'll be adding a few NYC things to my daily dose of positivity.

1. I shared my "cakes in a jar" with staff members today and the best compliment was seeing a staff member running her finger around the inside of the jar to get the frosting out.  MY HOMEMADE FROSTING... clearly she thought it was delicious and that makes me smile!
2. I am happy to have friends around that I can ask favors of. It makes life so much more manageable.
3. I need more people to get hip to this particular CD, Michael Franti and Spearhead's "The Sound of Sunshine".  I heard "I'll Be Waiting" again today and thought, "Man, this song needs to make my list today!" Check out the lyrics.
4. This afternoon I was interviewed by The Daily Dot today for being a male seller on Etsy. It was pretty cool.  Shout out to Lauren Orsini for the interview.  The article should be published on Wednesday. 
5. Through a really good conversation with a student, I learned that he enjoys history and educating/mentoring youth. Who knew?  The lesson of the day - Never judge a book by its cover. I love when I have moments in life that remind me of the lessons I have learned.

Quotes on Financial Brutality

I spend a lot of time reading quotes.  They give me inspiration and sometimes offers a new perspective. Today, while I was shopping I said to the cashier, "You can't beat this sale" and he responded, "You can't beat it with a stick." And oddly enough, I was buying a dowel rod. At that moment, I instantly thought of my mother because she would always say that phrase as well as a few others. It got me thinking about my own sayings.  What is uniquely mine? If not my own unique saying, what am I known for saying?  Hmmm... Something to ponder at a later date.

1. Today I got to see my brother, sister-in-law and niece. They stopped by this morning on their way back to North Carolina.  It was great to see them!
2. Great quote: "Logic will get you from A - Z.  Imagination will get you everywhere." Albert Einstein
3. I made another journal today, better than the last. They just keep getting better. 
4. Today. I. Ran. For. 8. Minutes. Did it twice, too and didn't pay attention to the time. Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Progress.
5. I bought fabric remnants from Jo-Ann Fabrics and they were on sale for 50% additional off! You can't beat that with a stick!

Saturday In the Park...

Today started off a little, hmmm... different. Let's just leave it at that. However, I visited the National Arboretum this morning and I'm now wondering why I had never been before! Even though it's autumn, it was still a beautiful place to be. The sunlight on the leaves and other plants were fantastic.  I can't wait to upload the images.

1. Taking a friend's suggestion and visiting the National Arboretum was a great idea.  I found this tall plant with feather like fronds and photographed it a few dozen times. AH-MAZING images!
2. Although I am tired, I still managed to do a lot today. What's my motivation?  Being creative. I made the covers for two new cereal box journals.  I am getting much better at making them.
3. Today I decided to try making cakes in mason jars.  I made my own buttercream frosting too! YUM! Cake Pops are next - with the homemade frosting!
4. I listened to Mary J. Blige's song, "Empty Prayers" at least a dozen more times today. It's such a powerful song. I love it.  It's my new favorite song. Good ol' song binging! "I try my best to keep you here - but it's hard to hold a shadow."
5. I made another sale today on Etsy!  YAY!!!

Noodlicious Hicks and the Treacherous Drinks

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011

Eating the curry chicken ramen at Toki Underground

I am writing my journal entry for Friday, today.  Why?  Because I wasn't home last night and have a lingering hangover to prove that I had a great time. This might be a pizza day with LOTS more water to drink. Oy Vey!

1. I tweeted @maryjblige today to let her know that I loved the songs that I heard on the show Private Practice.  She retweeted my message!  Out of that I got a lot more followers and responses.  How cool is that? 
2. I got a phone call from a friend in NYC who is letting me stay in her apartment for Thanksgiving. She called to fill me in on things before I arrive.  I love Barbara - she rocks!  I'm so excited for this trip and to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
3. While out in DC, I explored H Street - which is apparently in North East. hahahaha At any rate, I loved exploring the city and finding new places to chill.
4. Speaking of new places to chill, We went to several bars/restaurants.  A couple of them worth noting are Smith Commons and Fruit Bat. Smith Commons is a little "too trendy" and crowded - and LOUD... WHOA!  But they have a great Christmas Ale.  Fruit Bat has a nice bartender by the name of Angel. She has a beautiful smile and I loved that she was just so personable. She made us some amazing drinks - which is what this bar is known for.  Definitely check them out if you're in the area. It's like a quieter Adams Morgan. 
5. Tonight I challenged myself to try Sake and Ramen (not from a wrapper).  Sake is actually pretty good! I tried a sweet one and one that is served hot. I preferred the hot sake.  The ramen was a curry ramen with chicken. I wasn't sure about it but after that first sip of the broth, I was SOLD!!  Toki Underground (Which is actually ABOVE ground over a bar) I will be back!

What Do You Choose?

There's something to be said about investing in your own life.  Investing in your own happiness. Investing in your own ability to be at your best.  Today I had a conversation with someone I was dating that needed to be had - on a particular day when I saw a documentary called "Happy". The documentary is about how people in the world choose to be/are/are not happy.  How can you truly ever be happy when you're not your authentic self? The unhappiness always seems to spill out and manifest in other ways.  Sometimes we compensate with buying "things", making "things", eating "things", drinking "things", fixing "things", growing "things", smoking "things", etc. You get the idea.  In this situation someone gave up so that they could avoid the real "things" in their life.  It's sad that they don't have the courage to be "happy" - even when their happiness had to be veiled in discretion.

I wish nothing but the best for them while they embark on their journey to self-acceptance and loving themselves enough to be "happy".

With that said - while it may seem difficult to pull from the days events to find some happiness - I can. I choose to be happy.

1. Today I saw the inspiring and moving documentary, "Happy".  I love how it resonated with me and in a way, prepared me for the conversation that I had tonight.
2. I made someone's day when I brought them some chocolate! 
3. A blog writer contacted me today about interviewing me and some team members about being male crafters/sellers on Etsy.  I do the interview on Monday. How cool is that?
4. I talked to one of my brothers today.  We don't talk often but when we do it's pretty cool. I'd like to think that if we lived near one another we'd be closer. This goes for both brothers. hahaha As we get older it's like we put aside age differences in lieu of just general things in common. Today I learned that he always wanted to travel in an RV and see different things in the US like Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone Park, and the Grand Canyon.  Guess what? I do too!  We might have to make this happen!
5. Watching Private Practice tonight gave me two things I loved.  The storyline and the three songs they played from the new Mary J. Blige album.  Three great ballads on the show! "Need Someone" "Living Proof" and "Empty Prayers"
6. In further reflection, I loved my maturity in the situation tonight. I acknowledge that the only thing I can change is how I react to things in my life.
7. I loved how the different lessons I've learned over the years and by participating in Oprah's Lifeclass has really had a major impact on how I navigate through life. One of the lessons is expressed by Randy Pausch.
8. It's amazing how many more things I can list today as opposed to any other day.

Happy - A Documentary Trailer from Wadi Rum Films on Vimeo.

Small Things Add Up to Big Things

Today I'm keeping it simple.  Actually I have to because I can't think of any major things.  Strike that - I can come up with some things to list on this blog tonight. I have to change my view of this because no matter how insignificant something may seem, each thing that happens to a person feeds into more significant matters.  It's kind of like when you keep collecting change.  It's not significant until you add it all up. Having an understanding that it is all connected is the lesson here.

1. Today I went to work with a plan of action and accomplished 90% of it all.  The 10% that I didn't complete - I at least got the ball rolling.  Now that's action!
2. At the bowling alley, everyone was in good spirits.  At the end of the night everyone hugged and wished each other a Happy Thanksgiving.  That was a really nice thing to see and participate in.
3. I got a good bit of news today at work regarding an overspent budget.  It's NOT as overspent as I thought.  WHEW!!!
4. I read a comment on a photo I posted on Facebook and it garnered a "Woof!" That's a good thing. 
5. Peanut Butter M&Ms.  YUM!

Fall Fabulousness

I am feeling all fall-like today.  I guess it has a lot to do with the tea I'm drinking and the fact that I listened to REM.  Some of their songs just make me think of cold, autumn-esque weather.  Oh, and well, I had roasted turkey for lunch. That probably helped too.

1. Twinings of London makes a really good Chai Spiced Apple tea.  I'm diggin' it.
2. The more I look at this photo on the left the more I love it. I am so happy that I was able to capture the image on memory card. It will be framed soon.
3. Because traffic was so bad tonight, I made a pit stop at Trader Joe's.  I'm glad I did because I saw a reduced fat Mac and Cheese that look tasty. Guess what? IT WAS TASTY!! I LOVE TJ's!
4. Glee doing Hall & Oates songs?  LOVE IT!  There were quite a few 80s tunes tonight.
5. I got a sale on Etsy from a friend of mine that I've known since we were in kindergarten.  How cool is that?  It was quite a surprise tonight (although she has bought other things from me). I appreciate her support and love that I have life long friends like that. Thanks, Misty!