Exceed is my 2011 Word

Exceed is my 2011 word of the year because I will exceed everyone's expectations. I will earn my MA in Economics degree, receive my promotion, have my book published, travel and have more fun.

Ode to Elizabeth Edwards

Learning that Elizabeth Edwards has decided to stop her cancer treatment hits a nerve with me because I am an epileptic. We understand that it is essential to live life to the fullest taking advantage of every available opportunity. Unlike the other 99.9% of the population who don't have diseases, we both understand the life's frailty. They float through life taking the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years for granted. Elizabeth Edwards hasn't wasted any of her years on this Earth. She has earned a law degree, birthed four children, ran alongside her husband for the failed 2004 Vice-Presidency. When cancer has reared its ugly head, Elizabeth has managed to turn affliction into advocacy speaking at events to bring awareness. Whether the disease is in remission or not, Elizabeth never has this 'Woe is Me' mentality. Though realizing its potency, she continues going about her life raising her children and money to combat cancer. Finally, when the cancer spreads throughout her entire body and the doctors tell her that she only has weeks to live, Elizabeth has turned disease into dignity. Though her physical being will wither away, her spiritual being will always be present.

Reclaiming my Internal Hustle

Attaining a 94% on my consulting practice final has helped me reclaim my internal hustle. With finals and papers right around the corner, I truly need this injection because I am working overtime. Starting now I am working on creating my own communications company. Thanks to the National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) competition, I have amassed over 35,000 words. Though this is short of the 50,000 words mandated to win, this is the farthest I have gone in my four years competing. This abundance of material enables me to produce short stories under my new company's name. Make no mistake: With my newly found hustle, I am closing 2010 on a big note and 2011 will be legendary!

I Love All of You!

I know that I have been off of my blog for over two months but it has been an extremely productive period for me. I thank everyone for his and her well wishes! Love!

Week One in Econometrics

The instructor overdid it by lecturing the entire three hours straight! We had to beg him for a break. Also it was totally unnecessary to start the course with calculus II-III and linear algebra overview. That made me glad that I took all of those requisite math classes and AU graduate school courses else I would had dropped econometrics immediately! Actually, while others scrambled I was thankful for the opportunity to refresh my math and statistical knowledge because this semester I am studying advanced statistics and next semester I will return take another econometrics course. If I could survive the math review certainly I can thrive next week's simple regression lesson!

In Relationships Everyone Makes Deposits

I responded to a blogger's love versus security question. Knowing that I would piss her off because I take love, I answer love is secure. She snaps Love is not secure-wtf. Oh well, I am not the only one because she then replies that many of her respondents would pick love over security, too. There are too many people especially women in relationships for money. These become abusive because they cannot leave once they sour. Having your own money enables women to exit. When someone loves you, you always feel secure. Finally, good relationships occur when every one makes deposits. Bringing something into this relationship ensures its longevity.

Resilience

The word resilience has been stuck into my brain ever since returning from the funeral. I do not really know why but I do think that this has something to do with my mother's comments about my travel planning on such short notice. After telling her that by flying out of another airport, I am able to afford both flight and hotel, she says that I am very knowledgeable of travel sites. I have applied this to my life and realize the importance rebounding and shifting gears. These traits have been very helpful in my life.

Four-Month Milestone

Today marks four-month milestone of my starting project management. Since April 16, 2010 I have taken project management applications, MS Project 2007, project management fundamentals and am currently enrolled in Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification 1 course which I will finish by the end of August. I am so happy at the progress that I have made.

Proactivity Blog Entry #12: Making Headway

This morning I score 92% on my project management applications final. Completing my third class gives me a project management citation increasing my promotional potential. Furthermore, I have just learned that I have received another interview to display my newly acquired knowledge. Having this kind of good fortune makes me happy that I have enrolled in supervision II because now I can use all of this knowledge to ace my upcoming interview.

Proactivity Blog #11: My Actions are Receiving positive feedback!

After the interviewer mentions my project management coursework, I start realizing that I am going in the right direction. This is a good feeling especially since I have been enrolled in project management courses since April. Currently, I am wrapping up my third class this week giving me a citation! In addition, I will enroll in my second supervision class. The interviewer's feedback is a huge motivator for me since I am seeking a promotion! Hopefully, it will materialize soon!

The NBA Hall of Famers are Right to Call Out LeBron!

Michael Jordan and Ervin 'Magic' Johnson are absolutely right for calling out LeBron James as a follower who does not have the heart to compete against his other NBA rivals! One, LeBron will not win a ring in Miami for three reasons: 1) he is no longer the leader who cannot make 100% of the decisions, 2) in between him, D. Wade and Chris Bosh there are too many egos on this team and 3) friends and business do not mix. Unlike Yahoo! Sports blogger Trey Kerby who has neither won a literary award nor won a championship, Jordan and Magic are not complaining. These two men have 10 championship rings to LeBron's 0 rings! Furthermore, when MJ arrived in Chicago, the Bulls were not contenders. He made them one by winning 6 titles! Moreover, both MJ and Magic are astute businessmen. This commonality directly derives from them not quitting when things go bad! Magic Johnson has amassed a $500 million dollar business empire. Michael Jordan's staying in Chicago has taught him to stick it out in the hypercompetitive business world. This is the reason why Jordan now owns his own NBA franchise the Charlotte Bobcats! This translates into money or in James' case the loss of money. This week it has been reported that James is no longer a top-3 endorser slipping to #4. This is crucial because companies will not pay as much for him as a follower versus LeBron as a leader. Dwayne will get all of the money! I doubt that LeBron will ever make it to this MJ's and Magic's sports and business levels because he has bailed out of a tough situation. This character trait reappears in business. Finally, what MJ and Magic think about LeBron matters because it leads to my third point: NBA Hall of Fame entry. Current Hall of Famers determine future Hall of Famers. If MJ and Magic words are any indication, LeBron James will not receive enough votes for entry. In between, the loss of respect, money and Hall of Fame status, there is no way LeBron will ever win a championship or recapture the credibility everyone once had in him!

LeBron's Cowardice Will Never Win a Championship in Miami

LeBron has made a very, very bad career decision by going to the Miami Heat that will have career implications for four reasons. First, is the Shaq factor. Dwayne Wade has not won a championship without Shaquille O'Neal; whereas, Kobe has won two NBA championships. Wade is the catalyst for the Miami Heat so if he cannot get over the hump, how will LeBron James and Chris Bosh? Second, LeBron James will never be considered a first-round NBA Hall of Famer because he jumped shipped. Look at Kobe Bryant. Even when things were bad, he stayed in LA helping the Lakers win two more championships. The same with Tim Duncan staying with San Antonio winning 4 championships. From a historical point, look at Michael Jordan staying with Chicago winning 6 championships; Larry Bird staying with Boston winning 4 championships; and. Magic Johnson staying with the Los Angeles Lakers staying winning 4 championships. There is no way that the voters would send LeBron to the Hall of Fame after pulling this stunt. Third, I knew that when Chris Bosh was interviewing for ESPN instead of Wade, that there would be problems in paradise because now he thought that he was at the level as Dwayne and LeBron. Chris was never an All-Star starter. Now he thinks that he is at their level and going to get plays drawn up for them? That's three directionless prima donnas in Miami versus a cohesive Los Angeles Lakers team? I reside in Washington, DC and have seen how Gilbert Areans, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison have fizzled going up against Cleveland. I am taking Kobe over Dwayne, LeBron and Chris. Finally, LeBron cannot function well in a subordinate position. He is used to being the 'King' for seven years and celebrated as this generation's Michael Jordan. Now he has relegated himself to the Scottie Pippen role. This is not going to work. It is a train wreck waiting to happen!

Career Management: Passing the Supervision Fundamentals Exam

Yippee! I have just scored 86% on my supervision fundamentals final exam. This is the first step towards becoming a manager. Becoming a Senior Executive Series (SES) is my career objectives, and, this course has opened my eyes towards evolving into one. Now I will update my resume and enroll in the second supervision applications course this July 14th.

DC's Sad Social Commentary

It says something about Delegate Eleanor Norton and Mayor Adrian Fenty when they can promote medicinal marijuana but not statehood. I am glad that this is an election year because they have a lot of explaining to do!

Letting Go and Letting God

This morning Mary J. Blige has tweeted two very good messages on being your own person. The first is "Try not to run the race that every one else does because there is no leadership or peace in that race." I truly identify with this sentiment because with everything from the right to die to assisted suicide debates to the Tea Party rants becoming overtly political here in DC, I am officially done with it. Once you close the door, it is over and now you must start reclaiming your inner peace. There is a bitterness here when people try to call you stupid and assassinate your character when you disagree. Look no further than Keith Olbermann who rips people's character whenever someone disagrees with him. Though I am a Democrat, this is not the way to respond to someone. Civil discourse has gone the way of the dinosaur. In my own way, I have reached back to get it for myself.

The second is " Things always turn out better when we follow our own intuition not what some me else thinks or believes." Running at my own pace has helps me deal with a lot things here. Actually, intuition is my internal compass guiding me through life. I listened to it when I decided to intern in Washington, DC during my junior year; traveled to London, England during my Cleveland State University Accelerated MBA Program; and relocated here to Washington, DC to work in my major. I can always count on myself so there is no problem with listening to my inner voice.

Positivity=Productivity

This is the fifth week of my project management classes and in two weeks I will be on the cusp of completing the first leg of my two-step of the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification journey. After June 4th, I will enroll in project management applications and in six more weeks I will qualify to sit for the organizational tips that will help me personally and professionally. I can prioritize my tasks in order of importance. This enables me to increase productivity. Furthermore, I learn that the Department has two project management programs. Completing the certification positions me for headquarters promotions. I will reap a lot of benefits. Combining my PMP certification with my Aspiring Leaders Development Program experience, I am thinking of hanging out my own shingle by starting my own business. Possessing the adequate background and experience, I will be a success!

Proactivity Blog Entry #10: Living My Life on My Own Terms

Today is the first day of daylight savings time, I am awake all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Also I realize that I do not owe anyone any explanation for anything. I will simply start living my life uninterrupted. Channeling all of my energy into receiving my promotion and being a better person every day enables me to be further along this year than last. Each day I want to accomplish something significant and by focusing on myself, I will be more beneficial to everyone around me. This newfound feeling of serenity comes from some developments that force me to reexamine everything. I realize that I will be not just okay but better afterwards. So hit me with your best shot! I can take it!

Proactivity Blog Entry #9: Premonitions of Good Fortune

Sometime a while ago, I had this premonition that I should put my black sweater and Ann Taylor slacks in the dry cleaners because something good will happen to me; and, that Friday I received a phone call scheduling me for an interview. It was amazing because I did not know where it came. I aced the economist interview and sometime later that week, I received another email for the second statistician position. It just seemed that everything was coming together two weeks after four feet of snow froze everything. However, this good fortune was not mere happenstance but a whole season of hard work. In 2009, I enrolled in summer school to complete the six statistics credits to qualify for the statistician position. I realize that combining my mathematics credits, I also qualify for the mathematical statistician occupation. I was happy that now I was eligible for three mission-critical occupations; thus, giving me three avenues towards becoming a Senior Executive Series worker. Receiving this promotion was the first step towards achieving one of my career objectives, and, something told me when the time was right another premonition would come my way.

Proactivity Blog Entry #8: Being a Blessing

This week while doing my taxes I realize that I will receive the largest refund of my entire working life. This directly derives from my Dress from Success donations. When I was donating my ill-fitting shoes, I wanted them to go to women wearing a size 12AA. It was rough finding shoes for 12 narrow. The organization would give them to poor women wanting to work, earn a livable wage and feed their families. I did not think that putting them on EBay was appropriate because this recession ravaged the poorest people who could not afford decent shoes yet needed them the most to keep their jobs. The District's 12% unemployment rate proved this. Throughout 2009 I donated over thousands of dollars in shoes.

This year I will expand my charitable giving beyond Dress for Success to include Suited for Change, Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I already have my stuff mapped out. This week I will donate two evening dresses to the DC Public Schools' Annual Prom Donation Drop-Off. Originally I think I would only give the black evening gown I would had worn to the Southern Inaugural Ball; but, after learning that I am a size 8 in strapless gowns, I will give my size 10 silver sequined cocktail dress, too. In addition, I will give my White House Black Market dress and three Forever 21 dresses to either the Goodwill or Salvation Army. Finally, within two weeks I will donate some more shoes to Dress for Success.

Giving to others makes me feel better because I am contributing to my community. This is not a single isolated event. For instance, the old National Coalition of 100 Black Women chapter has sent me the DC Public Schools email. Social change is the cornerstone of all of my social memberships. I refuse to join any group that does not serve the community.

Proactivity Blog Entry #7: Helping Others Helping Myself

My friend and I are discussing the latest workplace shake-ups on Facebook. I relay to her how everyone is getting moved and how these dynamics will affect us. Personally I am happy with my new branch chief because he is creditable and does not play favorites. My friend is less excited with her new boss because she is not trustworthy. During the conversation I mention that she should pursue the Management Analyst and Contract Specialist jobs because I hate her always being miserable. Immediately I forward her the Contract Specialist and Program and Management Analyst OPM qualifications. Though she has thanked me for motivating her secretly she has helped me understand that I, too, qualify for the Management Analyst position. My economist job, MBA, management courses taken during undergrad and ALDP participation supply more than enough experiences to snag these positions. Furthermore, the Management Analyst earns the same amount of money as other mission-critical occupations. My personal fave is that they are centrally-located at the department headquarters, thereby, shortening my commute. Starting today I will create a template of standard questions to apply for all of these vacancies and apply for them. When the federal government reopens either Monday or Tuesday, I will fax my supplemental documentation. It is so amazing that in the midst of helping my friend, I manage to help myself broaden my career horizons!

Proactivity Blog Entry #6: Retraining

President Obama discussing retraining at Lorain Community College in my home state of Ohio and highlighting two factory workers' working full-time jobs while enrolling in a 6-month retraining program resonate with me. After completing my ALDP detail in November 2008, I wanted to become a statistician. The federal government required 15 math credits, 6 of which must be in statistics. Though I had over 15 math credits, I had 0 statistics credits thus last summer I took elementary statistics. During the same time one of my friends received a GS-13 Survey Manager position, I was motivated to complete business statistics last fall semester to qualify. Immediately upon finishing business statistics, I requested a student copy of my transcript to vie for similar statistician positions. Now I am on the cusp of receiving a promotion. My retraining is not limited to mathematics because I am pursuing my BA in Political Science.

While researching the college catalog for my BA in Spanish, I learn that my BA qualifies me for a lot of the political science credits. The university has accepted all 120 undergraduate credits thus allowing me to bypass the major's general requirements. In addition, I think that the department would waive the introductory level courses because of my BA and MBA. Having taken a political science class while enrolled at Hiram College, I am petitioning the university to accept it as an elective; thereby, leaving me with only four classes. However, I want to take the credit by examination to liberate my money. This is manageable especially if I take a position outside of downtown Washington, DC. The majority of statisitcians are outside the District. Today the Arlington Library has notified me that it has placed my poli-sci book on hold for me at its Central location. This weekend I will gather it and begin reading the book because I really want to test out of the classes. The university credit by examination fee is $50 versus $350 for actually enrollining in the class so why not go for it?

Earning my BA in political science is my way of expanding my career opportunities. Here in DC there are an abundance of job positions. Even though I possess a BA in International Economics and an MBA, having the poli-sci degree is equivalent to having my passport stamped. I can secure political appointments and foreign service positions. One of the department's elective is US foreign policy. Obtaining it along with two degrees and five years' economist experience enable me to lay the foundation for passing the Department of State's foreign service officer exam. Attaining important assignments allow me to fully use all of my skills and as a Type A personality I love it!

Financially Empowered Fashionista

Last Friday after saving the money and placing my name on the waitlist four months ago, I purchased the yellow Jimmy Choo Hunter boots from the Chevy Chase store. I truly loved them for their originality. My reason for buying the yellow was that everyone else had the red and the black. The store manager confirmed that I was the sole size 42 yellow boot pre-order which was wonderful because I did not want anyone esle to have it! Upon exiting the store, I asked the manager if I had to put my name on the red and the black waitlist since I wanted the other colors. She said that it sold out of the red but still had the black; but, I should contact headquarters. Immediately I emailed the company about the procedure because I wanted them in red, my favorite color.

I am going to pair them with each a white or navy blue raincoat because these colors complement my yellow rainboots. In the meantime, I will continue saving my money and rocking my yellow pair!

Proactivity Blog Entry #5: Following Through with my Commitment

My commitment to rebuilding Haiti is unwavering as I continue using my Twitter page to inform my audience. Today I have retweeted non-profit organizations CARE and UNICEF USA. These are reputable organizations which will use donors' money for Haitian relief. Furthermore, I am retweeting Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti $5 cellular phone charity donation because the singer is in Haiti now. Moreover as a native he has always helped his homeland and I respect that. The rebuilding process will take at least 5 years. The first year is about stabilization because a 7.0 earthquake will dismantle any infrastructure be here or in Haiti. The second and third years will be about reestablishing the Haitian economy and encouraging foreign direct investment. The fourth and fifth years will be about returning to any kind of normalcy, if I can call it that, because really how do you accomplish that in the face of astronomical loss? This week I will continue giving money to Yele online (It will reach Haiti faster than my cell phone donation) and notifying my audience about progress.

Proactivity Blog Entry #4: Helping Haiti and Myself

Yesterday I donated $50 to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti organization online, $5 to Yele via text message and $10 to the American Red Cross via text message. Two days ago on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, I started my Twitter advocacy. It continues today because the relief supplies will start arriving today. Furthermore, it will take at least 36 months to get over this hump because a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti. When one of my Twitter friend asked what if everybody gave money everyday to crisis. I promptly responded that people give money everyday but the earthquake put people on alert. Ironically, this was when I realized that I did donate to Dress for Success and other non-profits to eliminate daily suffering. Now it is time to plug-in and donate even more money to ensure that people can eat, cloth, and start rebuilding.

Senator Harry Reid's Hypocrisy

It is amazing that some people deem Reid's words regarding Obama being a light-skinned black man who speaks without an urban dialect as 'candor' but if he is so honest why does he not examine his ranking within his own race? Senator Reid is neither blond hair nor blue eyes so he is not the fairest of them all? So when a certain MSNBC commentator exclaims that "people who says racist things are not racist" then this is hypocritical. As a dark-skinned black woman, I see President Obama constantly parade his dark-skinned wife and children around constantly. Finally, to the black people saying that Reid is telling the truth, ask yourself this: can you speak for yourself?

Proactivity Blog Entry #3: Eradicating the Negativity in My Life

As much as I like this particular liberal blogger, I must subscribe from her newsletter because of her continued marijuana legislation advocacy. Marijuana is an illegal drug and should remain illegal because of its potency. Ask any crack addict how they have become hooked on this drug and he or she would answer marijuana. First, they lace their marijuana cigarettes with crack cocaine. Second, they become addicted. However, I will use current social policy regarding cigarettes to make my point. Nearly every restaurant and office building have banned smoking. Eliminating an activity reduces the number of smokers; thereby, reducing tobacco company revenue. Therefore, why legalize a drug when there is no real break-even point? That's just plain stupid and you do not need to be an economist to understand that when your costs outweigh your revenue, you shut down! Finally, if the public contends that it does not want to smell cigarette smoke, why should they want to smell marijuana smoke?

Proactivity Blog Entry #2: Following Through

This morning I have revised my resume and applied for seven positions because I really want the promotion. Instead of watching college football bowl games all day long, I have decided to sacrifice by investing time and energy in my pursuit towards ascending the corporate ladder. Completing the six statistics credits required to become a statistician have given me a real mental boost because now I can apply for more than one mission-critical occupation. Becoming a Senior Executive Service professional is my career objective; and, this demands GS-14 status. Securing the promotion ensures that I am one step closer towards bringing my dream to fruition. More importantly, I am looking for additional growth opportunities to broaden my reach. Working as a statistician on my Aspiring Leaders Development Program detail has given me insight into another occupation; and, this is something that I want to pursue. Furthermore, I am majoring in statistics so this job perfectly complements my studies. I receive graduate from the University of the District of Columbia in 2012. Hopefully, I will be a GS-14 by then.

Proactive Blog Entry #1: Creating My Own Luck

Today is the first day of this year and this decade. I have decided since I am unhappy with my current career trajectory that I will create my own luck. Right now I am revising my knowledge, skills and abilities for economist and statistician announcements. Saturday I will apply for these jobs. Make no mistake: I will receive a promotion this year by employing my newly acquired statistician abilities and Aspiring Leaders Development Program capabilities.