Q1 2026: A Quarter of Growth, Certification, and Strategic Alignment

 As I look back on the first three months of 2026, I am incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made. This quarter has been dedicated to sharpening my technical skills and ensuring that my professional contributions are in full alignment with industry and organizational standards.

Professional Certifications & Continuous Learning

My primary focus this quarter was staying at the forefront of emerging technologies. I am thrilled to share that I successfully passed several key exams:

• AB-900: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals: I participated in the beta exam on January 2nd and officially passed on January 29th.

• AB-731: AI Transformation Leader: I achieved this certification on February 13th, further solidifying my leadership capabilities in AI-driven environments.

• ITIL 5 Foundation Bridge: On March 5th, I completed this bridge exam, ensuring my service management expertise remains current with the latest ITIL principles.

• PMP Renewal: I also successfully renewed my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification on February 11th, which is now valid through 2031.

Strategic Administrative Leadership

Beyond certifications, I have been deeply involved in high-level administrative oversight. A major highlight was conducting a comprehensive Q1 Administrative Review & Performance Management Alignment for the CPP Engineering team. This initiative was crucial for:

• Ensuring full compliance with City of Cleveland HR standards.

• Aligning payroll authority with performance oversight to position the team for success in the coming quarters.

Career Trajectory & Future Goals

This quarter also involved active engagement in the federal application process, where I’ve been applying my specialized experience in IT and statistics to pursue GS-14 level opportunities in Washington, D.C.. My commitment to public service remains a driving force, and I am eager to use my skills in project management and AI to improve government efficiency.

Looking Ahead to Q2

With a solid foundation laid in Q1, I am ready to tackle the challenges of the second quarter. My goal is to continue bridging the gap between advanced technology and effective project management.

My McDonalds Grinch Happy Meal Review

 

Okay so Mommy and I have gotten the McDonald's Grinch happy meal just to see what it is all about. I have a Big Mac, green soacks (so on brand!) and Grinch salt. 

I am particularly intrigued about Grinch salt which is dill pickle flavored salt with a bag to shake the salt and fries together. 

Verdict

I am happy to have received two Grinch salt packets. I use them both. I like the Grinch salt. The combo has a nice twang which doesn't overpower or taste extremely bitter. 

Future Product Recommendation: Keep The Fries Bag

Personally, I think that McDonalds should keep the shake bag for its regular fries when customers ask for salt and pepper. That is customer service. 

Fall Foliage And More

 

Hey everyone! I know that it has been a while since posting but I am back with brand new fall foliage photos. The leaves have been changing and I have the picture proof.

 

There is also another wild turkey sighting. Right before Thanksgiving so I guess he has made the cut ahead of the holidays.

Urban Wildlife: 3 Deer At The Stop Light

 Hey we’re back with another installment of urban wildlife. This time we have 3 deer sighted at the same Miles Road intersection as the wild turkey a couple of weeks ago. The 3 deer were at least at 7am versus 8:45am.

Now Miles Road is right on the Cleveland Metroparks so it is not unusual to see them; however, since the arrival of the wild turkeys, I have not seen as much of them lately. I am glad that they’ve reappeared.

Urban Wildlife: Wild Turkey On The Morning Commute

 This whole summer I have been chronicling wild life in the city. I a native Clevelander but have never seen so many turkeys around in my life. Where I live, I am used to deer and ducks; but not turkeys. 

Last week Thursday during my morning commute, this wild turkey was up early at the stop light. Like he was going to get on the bus like a human!

I have posted my interaction as a YouTube short. Thus far, it has received over 400 views. My first turkey short received over 1700 views. 

Of course, I am keeping track of all of it because it is not every day that I come across a wild turkey. Better now versus November. 

Urban Wildlife: Nature’s Ability to Heal and Restore

 This past Tuesday I walked past the old JFK high school location. The two-story building was razed and replaced with a small marsh and grass. There was a lot of ducks in the marsh and grass. To think that 5 years ago this decade that a building stood here; and, now there was all of this grass.  Check out these photos below.

Urban Wildlife: A Glimpse of Nature in the City

We have ANOTHER urban wildlife sighting! (Check here for the my first post!)

It's not everyday you see a deer wandering through a residential area, especially not in a bustling metropolitan area like Cleveland. But recently, a beautiful doe was spotted off of Miles Road and Glenview Road, a busy intersection that serves as a thoroughfare for countless commuters and residents.

In a city known for its vibrant urban life, the sight of this female deer was a surprising, yet welcome, reminder of the wild that still thrives amidst the concrete jungle. Despite the constant hum of traffic and the close proximity of homes, she seemed perfectly at ease, calmly grazing in a patch of green. It's a testament to the adaptability of wildlife, finding pockets of nature and sustenance even in unexpected places.

This sighting sparks a conversation about how we, as urban dwellers, coexist with the natural world. While deer sightings are not entirely unheard of in Cleveland's outlying areas or larger parks, seeing one so close to a major intersection is a rarer occurrence. It makes you wonder about her journey, how she navigates the urban landscape, and what draws her to these seemingly unlikely spots.

Perhaps she's a reminder to slow down, to look beyond our daily routines, and appreciate the unexpected moments of beauty and nature that can appear right in our own backyards – even if those "backyards" are just off of a busy Cleveland road.

Wild Turkeys in The City

                 This week I have seen two wild turkeys roaming up and down Miles Road. Now as a native Clevelander, I know that Miles Road is the start of the metroparks so we always get deer (see this video here!).

However, the wild turkeys have been something new. I have never seen them growing up. Yet they are here from sitting in the middle of a field on a bright sunny Saturday morning to roaming up and down a main street.

I will say that it is pretty cool to be in the city and in the middle of urban living to have wild turkeys running around with the rest of us.

Positive Vibes Coming My Way

 

Hey y’all. We’re officially halfway done with January. I have received this Chinese fortune cookie message. And it’s a nice spirits booster. Things has gotten rocky a little as of late; however, this message reaffirms that everything will be alright.

I am resilient. Each time there is a setback, I formulate a better plan to get my desired result; and, this time won’t be any different.

2025 Word of the Year : Momentum

 

We’re nearly halfway done with month one of 2025. And, there has been a whole lot going on within the first 15 days.

And yes, I have settled upon my 2025 word while typing my email newsletter. You can subscribe here. 

I have gotten a whole lot of traction related to job and education (graduated from Cuyahoga Community College). 2025 is all about accelerating the 2024 momentum!

But I am not doing this alone. Here are some resources to help you sustain momentum. 

Ways to Keep The Momentum Going in 2025

Here’s Develop[HER] with ways to sustain momentum in 2025. One of its goals is to apply the 12-week year method by dividing your year into 4, 12-week quarters. 

Devoutly magazine with defining what momentum is and how to keep it. 

If you use CHATGPT as a tool, here are 7 prompts to guide you towards sustaining momentum throughout 2025. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

                Happy Thanksgiving Blogger family! I am thankful that you’re reading this and I still have an audience after all of these years. I do not take it for granted.

                This 2024 I am thankful that things are finally turning my way. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful that I am receiving many more opportunities. It is like I have finally found what works.

It has been hard acquiring skills, doing interviews, writing many blog posts, content creation. You name it. I have done it since 2018 in Washington, DC. The 2020 pandemic has made things weird; however, I have managed to learn new skills, meet new people and have a new perspective.

                The things that I have learned while here in Cleveland have made me appreciative of never quitting, always doing self-assessments and continuous improvement.

                That continuous improvement spills over to my writing. Even in a world where video rules supreme, writing has always been important. I’ve always prided myself on my English language skills and written communication. Especially as someone who is an economist and in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), communicating to non-tech audiences have been huge in my book.

                I see myself thankful for my Blogger family. I am continuing to blog on this account well beyond when I return to DuPont Circle because why quit now 19-20 years in it? You keep me going and I thank you for this.

Why I’m Now Returning Back to Blogger

 Hey everyone. I know that I have been posting some more here in 2024. I want to let you know why I’m now returning back to Blogger to post.

                Well, a lot has happened in 2024.

·         Graduated from Tri-C

·         Saw momentum in my job search

·         Started going outside more

Graduated from Tri-C

I decided to go back to Tri-C in 2022 because I needed to learn more skills to update myself. I received my MBA in Marketing in 2002. There were no cloud computing, streaming service or Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok. Imagine how different the world is 20 years later. I received my AA in Applied Business May 2024. Check out my graduation photo below.

Saw Momentum In My Job Search

I also am seeing more movement in the job search. The past couple of years, it feels like the pandemic with everything shut down. However, I am happy to have kept learning and professional development. I will say that right now in 2024 both tech and non-tech companies are favoring applicants that are technical with soft skills.

Started Going Outside More

I took my AWS AI Practitioner certification exam at a testing center. It had been 2 years since I set foot in one (to pass my ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity because ISC2 mandated in-person testing). However, getting out there and pressing the flesh make me improve my communication skills. I passed my AI Practitioner exam but this led me to get out more.

PS – I still love doing mainly online things because they save time; but, I may have to get out more.

What Does This Mean For You?

It means more experiences and blog posts. I will be on here with much more content. Thank you for sticking with me. 

Fall is Here

                 I have been walking around in the neighborhood taking photos of the beautiful fall foliage. Red is my favorite color so of course I have found some red leaves.

Confession – Even though I like living in Washington, DC, these Cleveland leaves are unmatched. In my hometown, you get all four seasons. DC ‘fall’ goes from 80 degrees to 50. That is not fall. Enjoy!

Happy November!

Hey there Blogger Family! I know that it has been a while but I am back! To my original blog no less! A lot of things have been happening; but, I am still ready to achieve many of my 2024 goals and get started on some 2025 goals. 

Happy Halloween!

 

                Happy Halloween everybody! This post’s inspiration comes from seeing these four Jack O Lanterns in the grass of DeForest Park in Cleveland, Ohio. I have thought that it is pretty cool to share this with you.

My 2024 Word of the Year: Soar

 

Soar is my 2024 word of the year.

Here’s its definition

2: to rise or increase dramatically (as in position, value, or price)

This year I am soaring personally, professionally and economically.

I Passed My SAFE 5.0 Scrum Master Certification Exam!

 

                Hey everybody! I passed my SAFE 5.0 Scrum Master certification exam retake on Memorial Day! I was so happy that this was over because it was a much harder retake exam than I expected.

I scored a measly 13% on my experiencing program increment (PI) section the first time so I spent a lot of time reading that. I also researched the swim lane, product owner, product management, DevOps CALMR and wrote down the Agile Manifesto every single day to retain that information. And STILL it was hard!

                As an economics major, Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP), I will tell you that SAFe is NOT an entry-level scrum certification. I would recommend that you take the CSM first and work in a SAFe environment. If you cannot do those things, I would recommend taking an introductory SAFe course first to learn the concepts independent of the pressure to pass the exam!

                I am very happy to end the month of May on a very high note. I went from having a very weird interview with a lady who had a major attitude, was all over the place but peaked my interest combining lean with project management to my learning that this combination was scaled agile framework (SAFE) to finding a 50% off exam prep course on Eventbrite to failing my first time to earning this SAFe Scrum Master certification!

SAFE 5.0 - Day 4

 

                I took the official Scrum Master certification exam Thursday morning right after midnight and failed scoring 31/45. It stung because I had scored 82% on the official practice test. I also scored a measly 13% on the Experiencing the PI Planning section which I felt did me in. I knew that I was in trouble off the bat when the first question was talking about program board and a swimlane (which I associated with business analysis but later learned that Kanban also used swimlanes.).

                Failing was the best thing that ever happened to me because I got to take all of my feedback and experiences to the instructor. He answered all of my questions, learned about the new score reporting structure and went through the official practice exam again pointing out the trick words. Had I taken the certification exam either during or after the fourth day of class, I would not had been able to have access to the instructor. It would had been anti-climatic. However, by learning from my mistakes it helped matters. I see myself passing the SAFe Scrum Master retake this weekend.

                On a much happier note, my attending this week’s scaled agile training helped me during my scholarship interview. Thursday I had a scholarship interview to win money to sit for the Certified Scrum Product Owner training. Before this scaled agile training, I thought that the Product Owner role only existed in traditional scrum. However, now I learned that the Product Owner existed in scaled agile too. I felt that from the interviewer’s body language that I won the scholarship.

SAFE 5.0 - Day 3

 

                Once again, I am having issues. This time Windows 10 is kicking out my wi-fi forcing me to constantly restart my computer. Next I have to find instructions to do an online repair of my Microsoft 365 because (you’ve guessed it!), Windows 10 has messed that up too. However, it is day 3 of my SAFe Scrum Master training and you WILL get this story!

                Okay so I ask the instructor if the certification exam was an open book or closed book exam. When he says closed book exam, out of nowhere the same person who texted the group that it was an open book texted saying that ‘This is my fourth exam prep course. No one is monitoring your camera or you work’. Um, that can have your certification exam snatched and banned by the accreditation body. Some people are just lazy I tell you! Anyway, I am very happy that I have stayed consistently throughout the whole thing because I am ready to pass my exam tomorrow night!

I have even taken the practice exam furnished by Scaled Agile. I have to give a course review where I detail the whole Scaled Agile meetup out of nowhere and not being able to log back in because the instructor is hosting another Zoom meeting escapades. After completing the course survey, I take the practice exam scoring 82%. This fuels my fire to pass my exam tomorrow night.

                I admit that during the second half of class, I have skimmed through some things (I know that the Dot review will NOT be on the exam!). However, I have learned how to save the Zoom meting chat. I have saved them on my red laptop so I will transfer these chat transcripts via email. My goal is to be SAFe Scrum master certified by Thursday. Not even the instructor saying that the actual exam is harder than the practice exam scares me. I have been preparing for this moment for over 2 weeks! I am getting my certification!

SAFE 5. 0 - Day 2

 

Once again I am dogged with tech problems. This time it was on my older silver laptop. My Windows 10 license was at the ‘end of life’ and Microsoft would no longer support so I had to do an update. No problem, I thought. I would just do the update now and get it over with.

Wrong!

                I started the update at 2:45pm. I napped awaking at 5pm and it was only up 78%. My training started at 6pm where it (finally!) got to 100%. But once again, had I relied on the laptop, I would had been late for class. So I started my training on the red laptop. Sheesh! I just wanted one day with any tech issues.

                Today I started off mentioning that I put two questions on the collaborate Kanban board regarding the role of the scrum master regarding the backlog and program increment. The instructor said that these were good questions (I try!).

                In the second hour, the instructor ends the Zoom meeting. The entire class tries getting in after the break and we all receive a message saying that the ‘host is in another Zoom meeting’. This is the second day and as many disruptions. I’ve honestly never seen anything like this before. The instructor uses his Zoom meeting room for 5011 purposes besides SAFe exam training.

                Also unfortunately, there are some technical difficulties not just with me but everyone today. I hope that Al Gore’s Internet does not fail us tomorrow on day 3!