- I saw my first Cirque du Soleil show, Alegria. Saying that it was and amazing show is an understatement, but it was indeed a phenomenal presentation. I loved every minute of it and was even suckered into purchasing a bag, a bag that I’m sure only cost about $.35 to make. But, I was proud to have my little souvenir.

- I went to Global Wildlife – TWICE! The second time was with my daughter and her class, sans my son. Sometimes, you just need to get a little alone time in with one child at a time. I love our Mother-Daughter time just as much as my Mother-Son time as much as our Family time.

 

 

- I went to Mississippi with one of my best friends. I always find it fun when he calls and says, “Hey, I’m headed to such-and-such, are you riding?” Louisiana’s weather is crazy and this trip was taken mid February. Yes, in February I was in Biloxi, MS on the beach…having a good time, nevertheless.

 

- I bought my first car. Yep. At 23 years old, I financed my own car. I’m still in disbelief that this actually happened, but I’m glad that I was able to do such. My first car, Emma, put me through it and I was not about to waste money on another motor. So, I saved – and penny pinched – and went without a lot of things to save for a down payment. And it happened. I love my 2010 Hyundai Sonata aka The Silver Bullet.

- I visited Atlanta for the first time. And well, I fell in love with Downtown Atlanta. Initially, plans of traveling to Atlanta didn’t look so good, but luckily, everything went as planned. I finally got a chance to gas up the “Silver Bullet” and drive across two states. My sister and I had a great time. We got a really good rate on a room for the weekend at the Marriott Marquis and made it to Atlanta in 6-1/2 hours. (Yes, we broke all kinds of traffic laws.) By the time we made it to the hotel, it took us about 8 hours to finally get up and go somewhere. I could have stayed in bed all day.

 

- The kids, my sister and I drove to Mississippi for a day at the beach. This was the second “spur of the moment” road trip to Mississippi for me. They had a really great time there. We went in early October because it was still very hot.

 

- I went out and participated in my university’s homecoming festivities with friends. I hadn’t gone out in a while and I needed this. I LOVE the Greek shows and going out to party afterwards was a blast. I dealt with the aftermath of partying all night until 5AM and having to work at 8AM, but I had a great time. I slept from the time I got off on Saturday and didn’t get out the bed Sunday morning. O,O

 

- I had two amazing school semesters. Dean’s List of of course. :beep beep: I’m working hard to improving my GPA, which will in turn, create more opportunities for me. I’ve applied for acceptance into Southern University’s National Science Institute and I’m waiting to hear from them when the new semester begins January 17.

- I landed my first internship. I should have had an internship during my Sophmore and Junior years, but I have on nonetheless. What does it entail? Well, I’ll discuss that more in detail when I begin on January 17, 2012.

- I loved again. I did something that I thought I couldn’t do. . that I was scared to do. . that I was too angry and hurt to do after the epic fail that was my son’s father and I. But I did it and it was one of the best moments this year.

 
 

So, did I accomplish what I said I would accomplish from my first post of January 2011? I think so.
After all..

I lived.

I laughed.

And I loved.

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I didn’t get a chance to travel as much as I would have hoped for, but that was mainly because I was in desperate need of some wheels. I believe that was one of the highlights of my summer. I’m still in awe about my acheivement. It feels good being able to get into a car that I know will start and get me here, there and everywhere. I have yet to put the Silver Bullet to the highway test, but the summer isn’t over just yet. Hopefully after church this Sunday, we’re headed to Florida, or Mississippi, before they go back to school. That’ll at least give them something to share with their little friends when they return to school next week.

There’s a lot to be done this week. Besides getting settled in the house, I still need to get school supplies for my daughter, clothes, shoes, hair accessories – and not to mention, my son is going to need some things to for his school. As for me, school starts soon and returning to take on a new semester creates an indifferent feeling for me. I’m ready to return, but coincidentally, I could definitely go for a few more weeks before I have to return to such responsibilities. As with the start of any semester, I plan to remain organized. One of the things that I’m excited about, though, is shopping for school supplies. I’m a nerd and I can spend hours in Office Depot testing out pens, Sharpie markers, and the like.

The ending of the summer is always bittersweet to me, though. I was able to appreciate every event that has occurred. The smiles, the laughter, the tears, the accomplishments, the triumphs, the tribulations – everything. So besides the hot weather that permits cute summer outfits with bright colors, cookouts, late nights with daquiris, and weekend trips, my summers always present me with the opportunity to grow and to become a stronger person. It provides introspective moments, as well as time for self-reflection. And that, is what I look forward to each year.

I’ve hit my head on the ceiling multiple times. I’m sore from reaching and climbing up and down the ladder. I can STILL smell the varnish and paint. Oh, and let’s not forget my thumb’s struggle with a knife. Yea, it’s like that.

I can’t wait until I get situated. It’s been a fun process but I’m not trying to make it a longer process than it already is. I need to be moved in before August so I won’t have to deal with any of this when school starts for my daughter and I. I’ve been calculating the amount of money that I’ll be saving and I’m wondering why I haven’t decided to do this sooner? And let’s not even get on the extra time that I’ll have to get to do things that I haven’t done in so long.

I work too hard to not be able to spend my money the way I want to spend it. But now, I plan to.

So, my parents bought a house. After years of trying to convince my dad and various methods of persuasion, he finally agreed to leave the town in which we’ve lived for so long, and to a city/town that isn’t so rural. I was present when my mom was handed the key to their new home–a home that she’d dreamt about since I was little. Did she cry? Of course. Even I found it hard to suppress the tears simply because this is the type of feeling that my parents deserve. They have sacrificed a lot for my siblings and I and I’m not at all pondering the fact that this was done after we moved out. I’m too busy overwhelmed with joy that they are living their dream.

To me, this is a monumental moment as well an inspirational moment because the life that they have, is exactly what I want. I want to purchase my own car, my own home, etc. I want to make my dreams come true as well. I stood by the lake at my parents house and dwelled on this thought long enough to devise a plan on how I can get closer to my dreams. I concocted an aim, a disposition on acheiving such. And it was really quite simple. I know what I’m not doing that has, in a way, hindered my progress with living the life that I truly want to live. Simply put, I am not organized.

When I was little, my mom drilled in my head that “organization is key. It unlocks many doors.”. Now, I didn’t understand where these doors were or how I could obtain these keys but as an adult, I find myself digging through my life trying to recall for the life of me, where I put the spare. I used to be so organized. I was on point with everything. Even after the birth of my daughter, being so young, I was systematic.

Now with two kids, staying organized has become a bit of a challenge. We have structure and stability in our lives but there are a few things that I’ve noticed that will definitely make a lot of difference. I find myself gravitating to all that is convenient. And while gravitating to this convenience, I tend to overlook the cost and the monies that I spend to take advantage of these accessibilities. And this is something that I really need to get a better grip on. I’ve addressed this issue in the past and honestly, I have gotten a bit better at it; but, there is room for improvement.

So, what is my plan?

I’ve made a list, offline of course, just because crossing out things on a list gives me a better feeling of accomplishment. (It’s a mind thing) It seems infinite, but I’m not backing down. Some of the things on my list may seem quite simple, but to me, they are significant. Anything that I can think of that will enhance my quality of life and allow me to reach greater heights, I’m doing it. Point. Blank. Period.