Spending Small Business Saturday at Marvin Restaurant

            Today is Small Business Saturday where Americans are encouraged to patronize small businesses.  Though I know quite a few entrepreneurs, I do this often, I’ve decided to eat dinner at a restaurant I’ve never gone.  Checking the promotion’s website, I find Marvin restaurant in DC.  I’ve heard of it but never known its location until searching for online directions. I come to learn that it is two doors down from Lost Society.  Who knew? Certainly not I!  I enter the establishment meeting with the hostess who takes me to the second floor.  Even with the steep stairs, as a non-drinker, I don’t want to share space with the lushes!  I get there and the music is blasting from four speakers. Immediately my memory goes back to 1905 restaurant where I gotten a headache from being seated right underneath the speaker.  However, this isn’t the case.  My waitress/bartender is very nice and knowledgeable.  I order the shrimp & grits as an appetizer.  It has three shrimp with the heads detached.  This is awesome presentation and the first time I’ve ever seen the heads as part of the dish. 

Marvin Restaurant Shrimp & Grits

Combined with the grits and this deal is filling.  I order the chicken and waffles.  After finishing the waffles and the chicken leg, I ask for the rest of the chicken to be wrapped.  Initially, I ask the waitress for the dessert menu but decide against it since I am stuffed.  I leave Marvin full and confident that I will be frequenting this neighborhood gem beyond Small Business Saturday.  

Marvin Restaurant Chicken and Waffles

Participating in Small Business Saturday has given me new options that I wouldn’t have tried with the promotion.  I think that American Express and the Small Business Administration should do this promotion on a quarterly especially since small business is the cornerstone of the American economy.

Hurricane Sandy Survival Day One

Hurricane Sandy is here in full force and I brave the winds to get my PJ Clarke’s burger and Parmesan tater tots (My chest has just healed at 10pm.). Dammit! I’m glad that some restaurants are closed. Well, hurricane Sandy has mailed its way up to Cleveland forcing schools to close I hope that my Mommy is off of work Tuesday too as well as my father because no one is receiving mail.  I think that given the NYC flooding, even when Sandy leaves the area, WMATA can’t run trains.  It looks like I’m not returning to work until Thursday. Well, at least I have my lights on and money in my pocket. What more can I ask for with a hurricane?

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!

Grace

            One of my friends posted Good Morning on his Facebook feed and someone gets angry spewing ‘You can’t be that chirpy every morning!’ venom.  You should be happy for every sunrise you see.  Many people don’t because they’re dead. Just being awake is Grace.

Mind you though I operate in Eastern time versus my friend’s Central time, my body is sluggish today.  Even though it is, I am happy to be awake.  Every day is a blessing regardless of how my biology may feel about it.

Adventures in Voter Training

I’m here training at an Obama 2012 office and am the only data training participant bringing her own laptop.  This is crazy because I RSVP on My.barackobama.com and read the instructions.  Though it is an ad-hoc environment but still be prepared! When I tell them that I volunteered for Obama since 2008 they all wooed. I’m learning that the canvassing have daily quotas. I’ve asked our trainer about getting my Votebuilder account transferred to Ohio when I return home in October.  I’m calling the organizer about it because I will be ready!  Also I’ve learned during my first training that the campaign has virtual phone bank allowing me to feed in Excel spreadsheet.

One of the people stays over because I tell the data instructor that I’ve registered online.  Moocher!  Anyway, I am glad that I’m taking this training because I want to do data mining.  Lack of laptops seem to be problematic.  Hello, people how do you register for data training but not bring a laptop? C’mon people get it together!  In addition, I will speak with the organizer and sign up for a weekend event.  I’ll do this to gauge whether or not I want to sign up for Obama’s Vote Corps (It must exclusive because not even our leader knows about it.  When I mention it she gives a blank stare!  Hey, I guess I do get something since I start registering in 2008.  Early adopter status!).  Next is the 201 intermediate data training class.

Seeing the 201 data training sheet, I don’t know what the fuss about taking both classes the same night is all about?  The office must be used to Luddites because I can go through a 14-page brochure. We are learning how to become a data captain.  This position lets me oversee events and people.  I know that I can do this and will email the organizer about using my VA username on my DC and OH campaigns because I don’t want to open three different accounts.  Finally, though I’ve asked a lady for restaurant reviews, I’ve just remembered that Scandal comes on at 10pm and I will be front and center to learn who Quinn really is.  

Donating Clothes and Considering Other Charity Alternatives

            Yesterday I donated 10 items (3 pairs of shoes and 7 articles of clothing) to Suited for Change.  Combining this with the 30 articles of clothing that I donated to CUSP Georgetown on behalf of DC Goodwill, 21 items (6 pairs of shoes and 15 articles of clothing) during the first Suited for Change and 2 Homecoming dresses to my friend who works at a DC high school, and I’ve donated 63 items; and, I am not done because I think that I have some more to give away to Suited for Change this Wednesday. Giving away all of these size 12 clothes and sizes 11 and 12 shoes will help so many women dress professionally for jobs.   I am thankful to be in a position to help others and given my size, I know that there aren’t many options for women my size. Size 12 is only one size below plus-size which start at size 14.

On the flip side, I question some of my purchases because they are impulses.  Immediately I start reconsidering every single purchase.  I have more selective criteria.  So far it has been working because I have only bought what I have come to the store.  Next time I’ll donate money to Suited for Change.  Heck, I might even donate my time to helping women revise their resumes and critique their interviewing sessions.  I possess the skills to make a difference so I just might look into it.  

Taking a Break

            I ate lunch at Bourbon Steak for the first time in over two months.  Due to traveling and subsequent jet lag, I either wasn’t in DC or were too tired to summon the strength.  It also helped that the weather was cooperating.  In July it was 100+ degrees.  Now it was a breathable 80 degrees enabling me to wear a lined silk dress.  The menu had a new addition: Pad Thai.  I asked the waiter about it and he said that it replaced the Singapore street noodles.  When I received it, some of the ingredients (eggs, and jalapenos) were reused for the Pad Thai.  Though it tasted okay, Bourbon Steak should had dropped the Singapore street noodles.  I would like the option to choose.  Below is the photo.

Pad Thai

Thank God for Resiliency and Foresight

Getting out and speaking to others are a godsend.  Sometimes my tunnel vision is so bad that I don’t see other people. While talking with the male volunteer, I see how much resiliency and foresight I possess.  He works at a movie theatre and is a substitute teacher.  He complains about failing the Praxis by 2 points.  This section contains algebra, geometry and word problems…Let me repeat this again. Algebra, geometry and word problems.  Not linear algebra or calculus I through III. His rant makes me realize that I scored 660 on the GMAT quantitative section.  He would had score 440 or something.  I recommend Math Word Problems for Dummies because this book has helped me studying GRE.  Don’t complain!  Get better.  Find a way.  If one isn’t available, create a way; just don’t sit there and say ‘Woe is me!’  I’ve applied this to my life.  I’ve failed calculus before but kept on going.  There is no quit in me!

My First Production Assistant Gig

            I have just finished my first production assistant gig this morning!  Though it entails crumpling brown paper to create a cave, I’ll receive a credit and a premiere party invitation. Dressed in a pink Ralph Lauren polo shirt and Ann Taylor shorts, I’ve noticed that I don’t have enough grunt-work clothes.  I attribute this to being a highly ranked Program Analyst.  There are people who do this for me; however, I am at the bottom rung of the film industry so I might have to hit a couple of Labor Day sales to have a decent collection.  I will email the executive director thanking her for giving me my first shot and telling her that I am available for future opportunities.  Building my resume is my goal. While enrolled in the studio production class, I will book 2-3 more production assistant jobs.  I will have a solid resume.  This job is my first step.

Louisville Slugger Museum

Though work has run me rugged (I got sick when the proposed, quant, intimate gathering of 4 blew up to a rambunctious group of 14.  My body wasn’t prepared for that kind of shock. When there was 4 people you sit there for an hour not 2.5 hours with 14.  My body shut down giving me a massive headache and upsetting my digestive track!). Once it subsided a day later, I made my way to the Louisville Slugger Museum. I pay $11 for the tour and it doesn’t disappoint because we get to see the actual Major League Baseball players being made. The guide tells us that many MLB players sign contracts. Also it is an added bonus as a Clevelander to see Jim Thome’s and Grady Sizemore’s bats! Finally, there is a new guide who has been working for 3 days.  The crowd applauds at the end then we receive our mini-bats. The guide tells us that if we are flying out at the airport we must either check the bats in our luggage or ship them. I decide to ship mine because I don’t have any more space in my bag. After buying my postcard, I leave knowing that my bat is safe and I’ve made the right decision.

Louisville Slugger Museum

A Tree's Journey

Jackie Robinson

Joe DiMaggio

Hank Aaron's bat

'Reading' a Bat

Ted Williams

Lou Brock

Jackie Robinson Signing with Louisville Slugger

Henry Aaron Signing with Louisville Slugger

Louisville View from the Ohio River

            As an Ohioan and a native Clevelander, I’ve never seen the Ohio River.  I’ve been living off of Lake Erie. When my job takes me to Louisville, I get the chance to see it while dining at Joe’s Crab Shack.  Where the city is situated, I can see Jeffersonville, Indiana, from across the river.

Ohio River View from Louisville Joe's Crab Shack

Jeffersonville, Indiana across from the Ohio River

Joe's Crab Shack Louisville Cherry Limeade

Joe's Crab Shack Louisville Crabmeat on top of Shrimp with Dirty Rice and Vegetables

Tonight I used my Palm Steakhouse's complimentary 3-lb. lobster coupon for my birthday.  I decided that this would be a great time to use since tomorrow I am out of town until Friday.  I might not have the energy when I return.  Besides this has been a very good time for me.  This year I've received my promotion and gotten accepted into my second leadership development program.  Along with the potato au gratin, the original bill was $94.  I was unfazed because this year I could afford it.  Last year I was struggling; and, next year I will receive another promotion.  With everything going my way, I am very happy right now!

3-Lb. Lobster with Lemon and Butter plus Potato Au Gratin

My Vanilla Ice Cream with Raspberries and Raspberry Sauce

Sea Catch Restaurant

I have tried this Georgetown seafood eatery because as much as I love the Four Seasons, I need a change of pace. The restaurant and scenery haven't disappointed.  This being restaurant week, I can sample the fare without denting my budget.  I enjoy the Caesar salad, mussels and lemon mousse cake.  Furthermore, I enjoy the Georgetown canal.  The Sea Catch restaurant borders it.  Seeing the fish swimming past me, calms me down.  This has been a hectic past week and relaxing outside eating great food are the remedies!

Sea Catch Restaurant Awning

Sea Catch Menu

Mussels with Lemon and Butter

Lemon Mousse Cake with Strawberries

Georgetown Canal

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

Brick Restuarant Fresno Review

I wore my teal Ann Taylor dress and gold Stuart Weitzman Itstybitsy sandals to Brick restaurant. The Fresno employees talked it up so why not go there?  The restaurant was a 2-block walk from the hotel. The green door greeted me.  I entered seeing the hostess and a waitress. I asked for a table for one. When the hostess asked if I wanted a booth, I agreed.  She seated me in the booth with the Ray Charles photo above my head. TCM played on three different movie screens above the sports TV screens showing MLB, ESPN, GOL and Golf channels. Though the booths had lights, the tables on the floor only had candles. I ordered the grilled chicken satays. It took so long that I asked the hostess about it.  The long wait was the only downside.  My satays were delicious.  There were four plus a salad with spicy peanut butter sauce.  I was so full that I skipped the entrees ordering the vanilla crème brulee for dessert.  After taking  a couple of photos, John, Brick’s manager, came over to my table.  I told him that I was from Washington, DC out here on business and that I truly loved his restaurant.  Brick had a nice ambiance and when I return to Fresno on future business I will dine here again.

Grilled Chicken Satays

Vanilla Creme Brulee

Ray Charles Photo on the Wall

                                                         Brick Restaurant Menu

Agenda: Lead!

            I have been accepted into my new agency’s leadership development program.  I am very happy about this achievement since I’ve been here less than 90 days (I will officially be there 90 days on July 23^rd.  I will be in Fresno, California at a conference.).  Even though I’m in the second installment, due to my not being here a long time, I am nevertheless happy to make the cut.  This makes me two leadership programs for two agencies!

            Acceptance has motivated me to restart studying for project management.  Today I’ve written down all of the PMP Practice Makes Perfect practice test c wrong answers.  I’ve scored 76.1% which is more than enough to pass the certification exam; but, I will score no lower than 80% on practice test D. Breaking 80% gives me the 10%+ cushion allowing me to walk into Prometric and pass the PMP exam the first time.

Earning my PMP certification has been a nearly one-year journey.  Though the frequent business trips have delayed my taking the exam, I am adamant about taking it in August.  My scores show that I am nearly there.  However, I am not relying solely PMP Practice Makes Perfect.  I will take the Farnsdale PMP practice paper exam while in Fresno.  Since it is a 4-hour flight from Phoenix to Fresno, I am packing it in my bag because this is a productive use of my time.  I am thinking about carrying the Oliver Lehmann paper test.  I am not going to the Fresno facility on Monday allowing me one day to work on project management. I will take full advantage of this. Obtaining this certification makes me the deadly MBA/PMP combination that I crave!  This combo increases my competitive advantage over other people.  This is what I call a productive summer!

My Personal Sabbatical

            I am very happy to take off five days for myself because I’ve worked on myself. I’ve written more episodes, completed Statistics for Dummies, two project management practice exams, and rested.  There is no running around crazy over nothing.  I also get to post photos and work on my blog.  I think I might do this more often because I have emerged refreshed and reenergized!

Independence Day 2012 Firework Photos

Enjoy my Independence Day 2012 DC firework photos!