Resolved in 2008: No More Drama

Resolved in 2008: No More Drama! No more waiting for blowback and any other bad emotions pent up inside of me allowing them to fester. It is imperative to immediately address any and all issues that I have either with someone of myself because life is too short to carry grudges. Furthermore, I will diffuse all erroneous and blatant libel and defamation swift and immediately so that they too will not linger. I will be total peace with myself physically, emotionally and spiritually this coming year!

Conversations with my mother and other enlightened discussions

Last night I have told my mother that I have earned a 3.25 grade point average in my initial semester at UDC and she was very pleased. Then I divulged that maybe I was a nerd for carrying three different kinds of calculators to which she said that I was not and recommended that I purchase a leather organizer to store all of them. Afterward, Mom notified me that one of my maternal cousins was expecting in the summer (Hopefully, it would be August because we need more Leos :)). Upon learning that she worked at a restaurant, immediately I cringed remembering the woman at the Wendy’s drive-in who returned to work one month after giving birth. I did not want her to end up like that. My mother then says that another cousin was stressed over her supervisory job at MBNA to which I responded she was probably working with seasonal people who would not return after January. Finally, I confessed that I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes in addition to the laptop as personal Christmas presents. Her reply “Get out!” When I explained to her that how I miscalculated how I would walk in these shoes because they were four-inch heels instead of the one and one-half inch heels of my gold shoes, mommy asserted that I would not be working in them merely attending parties. Furthermore, I should buy a shoe travel bag (She’s very big on bags this Christmas season!). All in all it was great speaking to her because I can tell her anything!

This conversation also crystallizes my 2008 goals because now my math grade goal will be a B+ and I will focus more on my music which are very important to me. In the beginning of 2007, with precalculus being the most advanced math class I’ve ever taken, I could never have imagined that I would earn a B in calculus I and calculus II! This is big for me. However, during our talk, she’s also mentioned the need for balance; and with two USDA distance learning classes outstanding which must be finished, I should heed this clarion call. Taking out more time for me is one of my 2008 resolutions!

Sean Taylor Posthumously Selected to His Second Pro Bowl

Sean Taylor was posthumously selected to start in what would have been his second Pro Bowl. The fans admired his work and even in death recognized his contributions not just to the Washington Redskins but to the National Football League. Taylor will be sorely missed.

A Haute Couture Christmas

Christmas present to myself: I have bought the Jimmy Choo shoes that I have always wanted (the red ones fit better than the black ones plus it’s my favorite color). However, they are four inches (I thought that since my 1 1/2 inch heels have a thinner heel, that the four inches' thicker heel would cancel out any uncomfortable feelings). Though I am 5’ 11” never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought that I would have to transform into Giselle, Tyra or Naomi (Secretly, I wonder how they do it especially when they have to break in new pairs of five inch heels minutes before embarking on the runway). They are so high that my right foot ALMOST cramped and these shoes work my calf muscles (I am used to flats but the ones at the store fit too snug and I worry about them rubbing against my toes). Furthermore, the carpet in my room and apartment are harder than the store’s compounding the problem. Oh well, I have four weeks to break them in so I will be okay! At least I have stayed within my budget!

Opportunity Journal #17: Push, Persistence and Perseverance Pay Dividends

Yesterday my professor returned my take-home exam and on its front sheet had my score and overall course grade which astounded me because I did not think that I earned a B. This pleasantly surprised me and immediately I thought about taking calculus III and not fighting over finishing the lab assignment's last problem because there was enough cushion to sustain myself. Also I learned that I was the only student who completely solved all of the problems (because well, that was what was required of me so I did it!). During the beginning of the review session, another student talked about one who departed early. I told him that he resided far away and since it was an evening class, the trains and buses took longer. However, I secretly did not condone him leaving early because last year when I lived in Arlington, VA and had AU night classes (sometimes the class concluded at 10:40pm), I had to take two rail lines and bus to arrive home at midnight sometimes 1m and had to awake at 7am to take a bus then transfer to rail to get to work. Furthermore, (I know that I am a Type A but still) as an immigrant, he should had some grit in him because his family came to the US to seek better opportunity.

Oftentimes I am confounded by my drive to be the best that I can be. As soon as I received this job, I finished school transferred to AU, and continued my education even when I moved to Arlington. Now after improving my math skills at UDC, I am reapplying to AU to complete my MA in Economics degree. Sometimes, my type A personality puts me into overdrive but I still
manage to get at least six hours of sleep and reclaim my weekends. It's all about balance and striking that has enabled me to enhance both my personal and professional lives!

Today my boss informed me via email that the agency has approved my calculus III tuition request! Immediately I search for the training form on the Intranet but could not find it; so, I ask the secretary who then ask my boss to locate it. During this time, I find a paper version, complete and copy it then return it to the secretary to process. I want my form processed by Thursday (which with the antsy HR man that I have will happen!) because UDC's returning student registration deadline is December 21.

Calculus III is very important to me and upon learning that integration will not be mentioned, further motivates me to enroll. In addition, my first choice for doctoral school has told me that calculus III along with regression is its requirements; meaning, that this will be the first time since my undergraduate years at Hiram, that I have entered school with all of the required math courses. Furthermore, with my MBA I can finish the program within 4 1/2 years instead of the standard 5 years which makes me extremely happy! It is about push, persistence and perseverance!

Darren McFadden Got the Heisman Shaft

I totally disagree with awarding the Heisman trophy to Tim Tebow over Darren McFadden because his own conference, the SEC, gives Darren Offensive Player of the Year honors. If the Georgia Bulldogs cannot play for the BCS national championship because it hasn’t won the SEC conference championship, then why should Tim Tebow when his won conference hasn’t voted him the best offensive player? Furthermore, Tim hasn’t defeated the #1 team, the LSU Tigers, but the Razorbacks have. In addition, half of this decade’s winners are unemployed (Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke and Jason White). Everyone agrees that Darren is the better overall player meaning that Tim will the fourth winner not playing in the NFL while McFadden will garner Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl championships! What a shaft!

My Take On the BCS

Honestly, I feel that Ohio State should have played Hawaii since it is the sole undefeated team in the top 25 myself. That’s what I hate about the BCS. Ohio State deserves to be number 1 but should not Hawaii at least be number 2? Both teams win their respective conferences. Though many people proclaim that capitalism is the undercurrent for selecting LSU, remember Baton Rouge is 55 miles away from New Orleans so many of the hotels will go unfilled. If Hawaii is selected there will be virtually no vacancies since they will have to seek shelter on the mainland. Furthermore, how can the committee pick Kansas over Missouri when the Tigers not the Jayhawks make it to the Big XII championship? . The Jayhawks play only one top 25 opponent (Kansas State) so the BCS is bogus. Moreover, the Rose Bowl committee chooses traditional over reality by selecting Illinois over Georgia to play USC. I would prefer to see Georgia play USC However, the one decision I respect is to place LSU, the SEC conference champion, over Georgia who was ranked #4 in the BCS. If you cannot win your own division, you should not play in the championship period (Please take note Georgia football coach Mark Richt!)

Jason Whitlock is a Butthole who Should Be Fired for Misreporting the Facts

Jason Whitlock deserves to be fired for writing such an incompetent piece on Sean Taylor admitting in his article" Taylor's Death a Grim Reminder for Us All" that he does not know all of the facts (He calls it "aggressive speculation". Immediately I have posted my response that both the Washington Redskins and Sean Taylor’s family will sue him for libel and defamation of character plus forwarded my complaint to Kansas City Star’s Reader’s Representative because this is against journalistic ethics. You cannot report on anything without knowing all of the facts. This is a case of racism because if Jason Whitlock was a white man misreporting the fact, he would have been fired!

I have contacted both FoxSports.com and the Washington Redskins because this is the ultimate form of libel and defamation of character. Mr. Whitlock has no right to speculate when the police has not conducted a proper investigation. What every by now knows is that a burglar entered his house eight days before the murder, left a knife on his bed then returned during the middle of the night to kill him in front of his girlfriend and 18-month old daughter. This is not random but a planned, cold, calculated murder and the guilty parties must be convicted to the fullest of the law!

Olin Buchanan is a Jerk!

Rivals.com writer Olin Buchanan is an immature jerk who labels people whenever he cannot win an argument. Yesterday he called me a "Tebow hater" after I have told him the truth that Darren McFadden not Tim Tebow defeated the #1 LSU Tigers. Initially, I thought that this would blow over and since turning thirty, wanted to not get emotionally involved with pettiness; but, name calling is something totally different.

For the record, I do not hate Tim Tebow but let's be clear: his jinx is the fact that during his freshman year he won the national championship but this year hasn't positioned the Gators to win the SEC championship let alone the national one. Furthermore, his focus is winning repeat national championships not the Heisman which is true and Timothy has professed this in interviews earlier this season. Therefore, I am not lying by proclaiming that Tim would not be upset if he does not win the Heisman because this is not his primary focus. Moreover, his individual production of 20 rushing and 20 throwing touchdowns have not translated into wins because the Gators have three losses. Mr. Buchanan obviously cannot see that lack of ineffectiveness. For example, look at Chase Daniel, Missouri's quarterback. His numbers are not even in the same category as Tebow's but he has positioned his team to be #1 in the polls. The Heisman winner usually plays for the championship or is somewhere close to it. Therefore, that is my reasons why after careful analysis, Tim Tebow may not win the Heisman.

This year the fans have been treated to the most surprises. Anyone can get beaten on any given Saturday and that's the beauty of college football. If Tim Tebow does win, I have no problem with it but I know that he'll rather hoist the BCS national championship than the Heisman any day of the week!

Rest in peace, Sean Taylor (1983-2007)

Sean Taylor’s death has really broken me up because it was only late last night that the news reported him responsive. Here he was 24 years old with an 18-month daughter, who was in the house when the allegedly botched robbery occurred, murdered. The bullet hit a major artery in his leg and he bled out. His death forces me to reevaluate my priorities because I haven’t been putting things into perspective. This whole calculus II thing does not matter remotely as much because if I fail (which I will not), I can simply retake it. Sean Taylor is dead. There are no retakes!

Memo from the Upper Crust

Attending the Cleveland Club of Washington was an eye-opening experience because I wasn’t the only person who did not know about it. This group, founded in 1957, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The Cleveland Plus presentation has made me feel much better about my beloved Cleveland area because there was much growth. The presenter correctly informed us that though we were hearing doom and gloom stories about Cleveland, no one resided in Cleveland proper which was true. All attendees were suburbanites. But still, we identified ourselves as Clevelanders! Cleveland Plus created a statistical area containing sixteen counties including Akron, Youngstown and Toledo in its demographic. However, it was important to ensure that native Clevelanders could fully participate in this job market. The reason why most of the attendees left was job opportunities. There were more entry-level economist job here than in Cleveland. The dearth of entry-level and middle-level opportunities really hit the area hard because there was no bridge between the two. It was just all upper-level management jobs. Honestly if the National City job reopened, I’d seriously reconsider it because I knew that I had the experience plus the bank would pay me adequate compensation.

Yet most people weren’t as gung ho because they felt returning to Cleveland was professional suicide because Washington was on a higher plateau (Well, DC was neither NY nor LA and people did fine!). This one lady said that she had been here 2 ½ years and that everyone including family dissuaded her from returning to Cleveland proclaiming that she’d outgrown the place. I didn’t feel that way because many of my Cleveland colleagues worked as vice-presidents and held upper management positions so I would fit right in. This experience helped me realize that it was people not places that were the great equalizer because if you knew the right people you could always get another job. I could unequivocally say that even if I do not return professionally, I could see myself staying there during retirement because Cleveland was not a rat race place.

You Don't Get What You Deserve, You Get What You Negotiate II

Today the student loan agency has agreed to align one of my loan forbearance with the other due date. This is a major coup because this is the first time I have ever negotiated this with any type of financial concern. Also dissatisfied with my current career trajectory, I use my Linkedin and MySpace connections to search for a professional resume reviewer. I have received two good emails which is better than not asking. Remember, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!

Quit Hating on Ohio State and the Big Ten

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the number 1 college football team. Unlike then #3 Oklahoma who lost to unranked Colorado, former #1 USC lost to unranked Stanford, and former #2 Boston College losing to unranked Florida State, Ohio State just keeps winning which is more than what everyone else can say. Furthermore, I disagree that the Big Ten is weak especially when six teams (Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State, and Michigan) have been in the top 25 at one point during this season which is more than what the Pac-10, Big Sky, ACC, and Big Twelve can say!

You Don’t Get What You Want, You Get What You Negotiate

Today I call the student loan agency to confirm my ninety-day forbearance which will save me over $500 in the next two months because I’m only taking four credits at UDC. This is a perfect example of you don’t get what you want, you get what you negotiate.

Opportunity Journal #16: Reading is Fundamental

During yesterday's math class I realized how dedicated and disciplined I was because in the beginning, I taught myself integration by reading and outlining chapter 5 to arrive at this point. That was remarkable because it is a testament to the importance of literacy. Reading is truly fundamental.

This three-day weekend I will apply this skill to ensure that I secure the promotion. When I inquire about why the divisional information is not the agency's Intranet, the branch chief has given me the binder holding with all of the confidential information! Now that's what I call insider information. My ability to read and comprehend this manual all but ensures my promotion.

During lunch I devised a timeline to gauge when I should receive notification of my first economist interview. Since my interview is Monday, October 22, 2007, Sharon should have an answer by Monday, November 5th. My second interview is Wednesday, October 24, 2007, and I should receive an answer by Wednesday, November 7th. During this process, I will still continue monitoring my data sources, revising my flowcharts, work on my Aspiring Leaders Development Program application because regardless of what transpires, I can control my performance.

This is mine and no one will ever claim it!

Opportunity Journal Entry #15: Taking Charge

Yippee! The division program manager emails me for my agency's ZP-III Economist interview. This is important because now I have two opportunities to remain here while securing the promotion. Initially, I was happy but afterward a little afraid about my newfound fortune because I really did not want to work for her but still wanted to remain on the eighth floor (Okay so I am picky but have just realized that since I work within the division neither my boss nor his supervisor can interview me).

Never back down from opportunities! Embrace it especially since my boss’ boss has told me that I had to become a subject expert and wait until the end of the county cycle. Already I am thinking of ways to successfully convert my skills into the ZP-III promotion. Having just revised my flowcharts, I can take all of my experience of using different data to complete my state components as a sign that I am a flexible problem-solver (Who can argue with that?). Furthermore, during my seventeen-month tenure, I have completed two state cycles and one county cycle, received pay-for-performance. Moreover, I am the youngest Data Review Tool (DRT) member who is selected because I have taken both SAS A/F classes and am responsible for maintaining the frame. Capitalizing upon all of these opportunities enable me to take charge of my career.

I Think I Have Gotten It!

Though the ladies at the local ladies chapter was nice, professional and sophisticated, I felt that I could reach the next level by becoming a Link. And for the first time, I did not feel guilty for my ambition. I am a Leo and a Type-A personality who come here to DC to conquer the world and I refuse to defer my dreams to accommodate others’ expectations! It’s my decision to fulfill all of my potential especially on the heels of interviewing for the ZP-III Economist. I already have the qualifications: an MBA, community service record and a high-profile job. Furthermore, since properly managing time, I can now devote my attention to becoming an Alpha Kappa Alpha. I’ve always loved education because that’s the reason why I am an economist and believe that I can contribute on the scholarship committee. However, I cannot foresee myself moving from this chapter to Washington, DC one because the ladies are so hospitable (I don’t know the DC ladies but I don’t want to lose that homey feeling). Also I have some Links in my other online profile but I cannot see myself telling them that I want to become a member because that’s opportunism; and, I avoid that at all costs because I possess the qualifications therefore I’ll be okay.

Lately I have been thinking about returning to Akron to see my maternal family, attend civic events and the uproar of wearing high fashion. Living in Washington, DC, wearing Armani Exchange and Stuart Weitzman shoes are seem as normal but returning to Akron would cause a stir. How many people have purchased $135 sandals (not shoes, but sandals?) and wear $250 Limited suits? However, every time I travel a learning experience ensues, therefore, I expect no less from fellow Akroners.

My dreams have been providing the road map to navigate around obstacles to become a Link. It is becoming clearer that God has been transmitted messages using my dreams as conduits informing me that I can be whomever I want, just do not lose yourself in the process! A Ha! I finally get why all of my dreams revolve around family because I hold them dear (even though they get on my nerves at times!).

Bill Cosby is an Adulterer and a Hypocrite!

My take on Bill Cosby, a serial adulterer writing family books: He is a hypocrite! Everyone in black America knows this about him. Furthermore, his ability to write books on black Americans is a testament to race because if former Reverend James Baker were to publish the same stuff, no publisher would risk his/her livelihood on releasing it.

Book Review: The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans

The Vixen Diaries is a testament of maturity and accountability that the author has accepted during the aftermath of Confessions of a Video Vixen. Karrine recounts the positive and negative reactions from fellow celebrities; newfound financial stability; hypocrisy of Tyra Banks and Donnie Deutsch (both people passively question Hugh Hefner although he has three girlfriends) and the sympathy Oprah shows regarding her story; how speaking to students at historically black college Philander Smith in Arkansas boosts her self-esteem; and regaining custody of her son after having a nervous breakdown; her personal relationships with Bill Maher, Antonio Tarver, Bobby Brown and Ray-J; and the passing of R&B legend Gerald Levert. These experiences helped her overcome her demons.

Karrine reconciles her past and by the end of the novel practices forgiveness for herself and her mother. During her relationship with Antonio Tarver she lets go over her torrid past in Tampa, deciding to blaze a new trail. Furthermore, Ms. Steffans is neither having continual nervous breakdowns after the failure of a relationship nor pulling the covers over her head like the boogeyman is coming to snatch everything away; she possesses solid self-worth thereby no longer defines herself by the man in her life. Most importantly, even with incessant name dropping of past beaus (she reveals Papa as rapper Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan), Karrine has realized to keep her current love interest secret because sometimes it is best to keep what is private, private. The Vixen Diaries is a complete 180 degree turn from its predecessor, Confessions of a Video Vixen;but in order for Karrine Steffans to survive let alone thrive, she has had to put the mirror to her face and change.

Notes from the Republican All-American Presidential Forum (Why I Will Vote Democratic in 2008!)

I must respond to the Republican accusations that all black people are welfare recipients. Here’s is my summary:

The problems I have with the Republican Party during yesterday's All-American Presidential Forum viewing black people as welfare recipients even though 65% of welfare rolls comprise of white people) and the ardent advocacy for states’ rights in the midst of Jena and the unfair application of the death penalty persists after the conclusion of All-American Presidential Forum at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Moreover, in the prologue of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Why We Can’t Wait he details a married couple, the wife who works as a live-in maid for a family and her husband who is unemployed yet this union possesses two characteristics not present in the Republican nominees’ answers :1) does not result in divorce and 2) result in welfare roll dependency. It amazes me that Duncan Hunter is against DC statehood because the district disallows guns in homes. Further it blows me away that Tom Tancredo asserts that if DC wants to achieve statehood then the part ceded to Virginia should returned and the part ceded to Maryland should be returned. However, West Virginia was a part of, you guessed it, Virginia but it achieved statehood. Then this morning again Tavis Smiley says that we should not have been surprised with the answers we’ve received given whom we are talking. However, this just serves as one more reminder of why I will vote Democratic in 2008!