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.

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!

My 2015 Has Been Nothing Short of Amazing!

                Although there are still 15 days left in 2015, I feel that this is the appropriate time to discuss my year. I have purchased my carlarjenkins website domain, started a blog, became a LinkedIn Pulse contributor, renewed my PMP certification, traveled to Dallas, Cleveland, Atlanta and New York City and reserved my LLC business name. It has also been tumultuous as I am in between consulting opportunities; however, the good far outweighs the bad. Taking control of my personal career brand and dedicating myself towards writing have increased my confidence. I can handle anything that comes my way in 2016.

Many Happy Returns!

I returned to Cleveland for my high school reunion. I missed my hometown and my former classmates. It was good seeing how everyone was better now in 2015 than in 2010. People came out of the recession better off. That was all that I could ask for. Furthermore, I was happy to see my family. It had been 1 year since returning home. 

Me at my high school reunion at the Aloft Beachwood hotel lounge

My Brownies Are Finally On the Right Side of History!

                I am so happy that the Cleveland Browns have won today especially after starting 28-3. My Brownies have managed to come back from 25 down to win the game 29-28 making history in the process. This is the first time in NFL history that an away team has rallied from 25 down to win a game. Finally, my Brownies are on the right side of NFL history!

Reppin' My City

            Even though I spend most of my time in Washington, DC, I always represent my hometown Cleveland, Ohio. I must because I spend 28 years there and always return. I patronize Cleveland clothing companies showing my pride. Below are my Homage’s Cleveland is the City t-shirt and the Cleveland Clothing company’s Fashionista t-shirts.

Homage Cleveland is the City T-shirt

Cleveland  Clothing Company Fashionista T-shirts

Never Too Far From Home

Tuesday I went to the downtown DC Barnes & Noble to pick up my book. While perusing the magazine stacks, I saw the Cleveland magazine.  I was so happy because even after working in this town for 7 years, I was still homesick. Purchasing this magazine was my way of always staying connected.

Back to Where It All Started

            On the last day I’m 35, I am officially here in Cleveland and cannot be any happier because I’ll celebrate my 36^th birthday here. This past year I have received my GS-14 promotion, a new DuPont Circle apartment, and earned my PMP certification. These are major especially the GS-14 because not too many people get to this level at my age.

I will be with my father all day tomorrow but since my Mommy has moved our lunch to Sunday, I am free for my birthday dinner. This means that I will wear my Valentino dress. I bought it at Gilt City warehouse sale this past spring. I will pair it with Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that I broke in for an event but didn’t wear. I love them especially since I bought them 50% off. Speaking of fashion, I’ve bought the fashion Cleveland t-shirt from the Cleveland store off of Euclid & East 4^th. I will rock that with jeans on my birthday. It’s only right since I’ve promised myself that 6 months from now, I will showcase my collection for the 10^th Fashion Week Cleveland show. I refuse to let my housing situation deter me from success. I breathe creativity plus I possess the business acumen so I will always make a profit!

            I know what I will continue to do in my next year of life: stand on principle. Okay so people hate my drug free stance. They’ll get over it. I am an epileptic who has nerve problems and I’m not resorting to either marijuana, or any other type of drugs or alcohol to ‘cure’ myself. I work on myself and becoming better every single day. That’s all I can do and do it well I will!

Findings from Fashion Week Cleveland

            Last night I attended Fashion Week Cleveland’s fashion show. I wore my silver-sequined Vince cocktail dress at the behest of someone working for the organization.  Though the event said black-tie, I could get away with a cocktail dress.  Right after hearing that I shopped my closet wearing my Vince.  I switched out my boots for black flats because it was a fashion event and I should shiver for the greater good.  When I left the hotel, the weather wasn’t that bad.  Upon arriving there I was happy at my decision because none of the women wore boots.  I signed in receiving my VIP wristband then proceeded to have my photo taken against the fashion week ad.

Me at Cleveland Fashion Week

Next all of the VIP people were lined up in two directions awaiting for the Hyatt Regency staff to let us in.  Once they did, there was a mad dash for front row seats (I managed to get one!).  The Master of Ceremonies welcomed everyone and did housekeeping then the show began.  As an aspiring fashion designer, I watched with a more professional eye than others. I looked at garment construction and color themes.  My favorite was Sorjet because this clothing line was luxurious yet wearable. Below were all of the photos from each designer in order of appearance:

L.A. Gaitors Shoes

Bae Rae

Lindsay Marie

Art of Cloth

Sorjet

Sorjet

Sorjet

Modern Fashion

Jae Jarell Menswear

Lotty by Lotty Lewis

All Designers

I was impressed by these designers. I learned that the Sorjet designers hailed from Lexington, Kentucky.  That was when it hit me that Cleveland fashion week was a big deal!  My hometown inspired me to keep working at my craft because this time next year, I will be ready or at least further along than right now! Finally, I will be back front and center for the tenth anniversary.

Get Used to Seeing My Face Lady

Today I sit in 3C on my flight and the stewardess makes this big production over asking the man seated in 4C if I can put my purse underneath MY own seat. Of course, he has no problem. Upon hearing his response, the stewardess exclaims ‘It doesn’t really matters.’ Well, it if did matter why did you mention it? I feel that she did this because I isn’t one of her ‘regulars.’ A US Representative is seated in 4B and I am a row ahead of her. I will be flying back out of Cleveland Monday seated in 1A and don’t need a repeat of this mess. I file a complaint with the airline to have its customer service team discuss the incident with her. When I return back to Washington, DC this matter better be resolved.

Countdown to Fashion Week Cleveland 2013

I am very giddy with excitement to book my downtown Cleveland Hampton Inn room for Fashion Week Cleveland.  I’ll be back in my hometown from May 9^th through May 13^th. I think that I have my fashion week wardrobe assembled because today I’ve gone shopping at CUSP Georgetown, Nordstrom Tysons and downtown H and M.  First, I print the 20% off CUSP coupon, hail the circulator and enter CUSP. Immediately I love the 7 for All Mankind gold snakeskin print jeans (and they are size 31!) and the red Velvet strapless maxi.  I am extremely happy that even the sale is 20% off.  I return home, check the WMATA schedule, then walk to McPherson Square metro.  I board the orange line for Dunn Loring to transfer to the 2C…only to see the both the 2C and 401 come 3 minutes early forcing to pay $10 for a cab ride (Of course, I’ve filed a complaint because even with the long light I would’ve made it.). 

Since I already have the Alice+Olivia floral jeans and I’ve bought a new pair of jeans, I’ve written the Ted Baker London ones off of my list focusing only on the floral dress.  I go to the dressing room where it fits so I buy it.  Next I walk into Via C where I meet the saleswoman who’s held the Alice + Olivia leopard print trench coat.  Wearing black t-shirt and gold Stuart Weitzman Itsybitsy sandals, the trench coat perfectly complements my look; but, at $478 it probably costs as much as my Cleveland room (it is $450 for a 4-night stay.). I return it to the rack and proceed to the Coastal Flats for lunch.

Ted Baker London

The shrimp and crab appetizer and shrimp roll sandwich and fries are yummy! The portion sizes are very big making me carry the sandwich home. Also I make the waiter pack my food because that’s what I pay him.  I don’t wrap my own food because I am the patron. 

Crab and Shrimp Appetizer

Shrimp Roll Sandwich and Fries

Next I travel to H and M to buy the rainforest maxi and shirt dresses.  Since the Tysons Corner location is sold out of the sateen floral capris, I’ve traveled to the downtown DC store to get them.  Finally, I buy the Express purple maxi dress.  All of these floral dresses and this being spring make me think that I have already have my fashion week Cleveland wardrobe.

Express purple floral maxi dress

H and M Rainforest Shift Dress

H and M Rainforest Maxi Dress

All in A Day's Work

            I awake early on my final day of vacation because I have to give my Mommy the final First Lady Michelle Obama Cuyahoga Community College visit.  I would’ve given it to her yesterday but my father said that he would get back to me.  Since I have to pack and request a late check-in, getting up early isn’t the worst thing in the world.    

I scheduled my downtown Cleveland Obama volunteering gig before leaving DC.  I arrived in Cleveland on Thursday and entered data promptly at Friday noon.  Though I was too sick to volunteer Saturday, the field organizer reserved two Michelle Obama tickets for me for Sunday pick-up.  I went to the office and met a man returning from Cleveland after living in DC.  We bonded immediately.  Speaking to him motivated me to return even part-time regardless of what the haters might say about my hometown! Since I missed the Public Square and knowing that it would be another 15 minutes I walked back to the hotel giddy with excitement!  My Mommy was the first person I called.  She said that she would pick up her ticket this evening.  Afterward I called my father who told me that he’d respond in 30 minutes, the same time that my mother was supposed to arrive.  She got her ticket in the middle of the monsoon returning home.  I called my father who told me that my brother had his car.  I was done because deep down inside I thought about giving both tickets to my mother and avoiding all of this.  When he asked me how I managed to obtain the tickets, I told him that I was a part of Vote Corps, received data entry training in Virginia and signed up for the Cleveland volunteering myself.  Dad said that he was impressed with me.  I beamed with pride!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my Cleveland trip even though I was sick the first three days forcing me to miss most of my alumni events.  I did attend the Homecoming tailgate obtaining a Viking towel and two t-shirts (My headache slowed me down.  I missed the last size large t-shirt).

I met up with Stacey, one of my Western Reserve Historical Society former coworkers.  It had been 10 years. I was happy that we made it so far. She worked at the hotel since 2007.  The hospitality industry required a lot of special skills and the hotel I stayed at was a Hilton so it wasn’t bottom of the barrel.  I’ve been here in DC since 2006.  For the first six years I worked as an Economist.  Now I’m a Program Analyst.  It was very good to see that Stacey was doing okay.  Later I ate breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Cleveland.  This was the first time that I dined at Muse, I had the breakfast quesadilla containing turkey sausage.  It was so good that I didn’t need the salsa or sour cream!   

Sunday’s highlight was the Browns recorded their first win a 34-24 defeat of the much-hated Cincy Bengals.  In week 2 when they lost to them in Cincinnati, I knew Cleveland would win at home.  What I didn’t know was that I had to wait until week 5 for a win!  In tribute of the Brownies win, I wear my orange cashmere sweater on board the plane back to DC.

As soon as I exited the plane, I waited eons for my luggage.  It shouldn’t had taken that long especially since it was only an hour flight.  National airport knew we were coming.  I hailed a cab home scheduling a PJ Clarke’s lunch reservation.  I scarfed down a burger with sautéed mushrooms and Vermont cheddar cheese.  I truly needed that meal after all of the travel.  

Upon getting situated, I started emailing DC and VA offices for volunteering positions.  I contacted the VA state Vote Corps office contact.  I told her that I just returned today from volunteering in Cleveland, Ohio. After completing the survey (which she said was mandatory. The Ohio Vote Corps said no such thing!), I received another email.  Luckily, the Arlington field organizer called me.  We chatted and agreed to start tomorrow evening before the second debate.  After finalizing my VA slot, the DC field organizer replied.  I am in heavy demand! And that’s just the way I like it!

My Cleveland State University Alumni/Homecoming Haul

I missed most of the alumni events due to my illness.  Even with a headache I wore my green cashmere sweater and walked to the Wolstein Center to celebrate Homecoming. Below is the picture of my haul containing a lau, two t-shirts, towel and button!

Celebrating my Birthday in Cleveland

            I returned to my hometown Cleveland for my birthday.  I truly needed a break from DC’s breakneck pace and dangerously hot weather.  Off of Lake Erie, the temperature was 75 degrees.  When I returned to Baltimore Washington Airport it was 93 degrees! In between the Wednesday when I landed and this Monday when I returned, I managed to reconnect with family, visit Cleveland State University, my alma mater, celebrate my birthday and 10^th year Master of Business Administration anniversary at Mortons Cleveland Steakhouse (after telling the waiter my story, he told another couple who paid for my chocolate mousse dessert!), relax at the Doubletree Cleveland hotel and eat at Mallorca and John Q. Steakhouse.  Enjoy my photos!

Lake Erie and Cleveland coastline 

Celebrating my birthday at Mortons Cleveland Steakhouse

Filet of Salmon with Crabmeat, Asparagus, 2 Shrimps Topped with Crabmeat and 3 Baked Shrimp

Chocolate Mousse with Whipped Cream, Raspberry, Mint Leaf and Birthday Candle

Happy Birthday Greeting on the Menu

Waterfront Line, Great lakes Science Center (Dome) and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame (right)

Cleveland skyscrapers

Cleveland State University Student Center

Cleveland State University Student Center

Cleveland State Campus District

Euclid Commons

Shubbery

Cleveland State University banner

Cleveland State University Art Campus off of East 13th Street

Mallorca Lobster Ravioli and Vegetables and Potato Chips

John Q. Steakhouse Sirloin Steak with Bleu Cheese and Broccoli Au Gratin