OK, so after a week on campus, I learned a few things about NIU
1) Bring your own lunch unless you want subway but never go to subway between the hours of 12pm and 2pm.
2) I can navigate the campus…but only the 6 buildings I need to know!
3) Get to campus before 9am, no matter when class starts, just so you can find a parking spot.
4) Never ever ever print from home…it’s free on campus!
5) Hide your facial expressions from the girls walking around campus like it’s a club with heels on and half naked…they don’t like when you look at them like they are fools (but they are! All those hills and all that walking and you got on stilettos…hot mess!)
6) The staff is really friendly…in every department (especially Connie in the PT department! She’s been really helpful.)

As you can see, I have learned a few things about NIU. The most important thing I learned is that I love it! Now if I can just learn my classmate’s names! I know a few but not all 35 of them…I suck at remembering names!

quack! quack!

Sorry folks! Its been a while since I blogged but that is only because I am way too busy (which is to be expected). Classes are great and I have having a blast, especially cadaver lab. I will definitely blog more when football starts and after I get things organized! I have just been getting all my ducks in a row!

Oh, and a special belated birthday shout out to one of my bestie's, Nichole! Yesterday was her birthday and now she is really really old! HAHAHA! I love that girl to death! She is the best...so I guess if Ashley is my rock, that would make Nichole my pebble...a really BIG pebble thought, or maybe Ashley is my boulder and Nichole is my rock...either way they are the best 1-2 punch when it comes to friends and by punch I mean kool-aid (with a little tequila in it! yum).

P.S. I have stuck to my diet so far, even with all the traveling and school work! YAY ME!

Welcome to DeKalb!

No hmmm…moment but I had a wonderful day yesterday that I would like to share. It started out good until my mom made my take pictures before I left the house. I’m pretty sure of the 36 PT students, I was the only one who had a morning photo shoot. The drive was fine; exactly 46 minutes. The first things I did unexpectedly cost me $200. I had to get my parking pass which was $75 and not $100! But then I went to pick up my books, where I was told would be paid for by financial aid. Apparently they only let you use $700 of the financial aid so I had to pay $125 for the rest of the books…not cool! And as you could imagine, twelve college textbook can be heavy, especially walking 3 blocks with them! My arms are still sore!

The reason we had to go to campus yesterday was to orient ourselves with the campus and the lab facilities, hence the name “orientation”. Everything and everyone is really nice. Dr. Nuzzo remembered me from all my questions I had for her in 2008. I thought it was great that all the professors knew my name and then I realized…I’m the only black girl so they probably put a and b together from my application. I am ok with that! It’s not often that I am THE black girl! Anywho, we went over lots of policies and procedures, bought cadaver lab tools, took a tour and filled out some paper work. The best part of my day what the background check…SERIOUSLY! The guy was hilarious. He kept telling me to smile and say cheese when he was taking my fingerprints. He was telling corny jokes trying to make me laugh, which at that point was much needed with all the mind-numbing information. He also was telling me how it all works which is amazing! There was no ink! It looked like a small copier. Good thing I have no background to check! Actually, that was my first time in a police station. Actually the second but the first was only to pick up the accident report from the car accident I was in years ago when this d-bag used my trunk as a parking lot. UGH! Anyway, yesterday was a great day and makes me even more excited about the future!

Cheese!

Today’s hmmm…moment is brought to you by Satan. You can’t get me, dude! Muahahaha! STICK AND MOVE!

Yesterday was rough. That’s why I didn’t blog. No need to spread my bad mood to others. I got some bad news from a group of inconsiderate individuals, who are rude and want to see me fail. Obviously the state of Illinois is run by Satan…look at Blago! How does a man who is clearly corrupt get away?

Anyway, that’s enough of that. Yes, I am still angry. No, I probably won’t get over it soon but I can’t worry about who did what and who won’t listen. That’s what Satan wants me to do. He wants me to worry about nonsense to distract me from the goal. It’s not going to happen, so find another victim. I will be just fine and if not, at least I didn’t waste time worrying about something I can’t change. I’m not a politician and I have no desire to be. My voice is heard through my vote and apparently I need to reconsider my selection process!

On a brighter note, I have a job interview Saturday. It’s at a clothing store. I’m not thrilled about retail but I will not complain! It’s a job and income! And…I really like the clothes they sell, except the shoes because I don’t do heels! But I can wear flip flops and flats! Oh, and I can wear jeans! I hope this works out.

short and sweet

‎"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." ~ Mario Andretti

Short blog today: all I want to do is share this motivation. Share it. Maybe someone will steal it from you just as I stole it from a facebook friend.

Back to skool!

I cannot believe that this time next week I will be a full time college student…again! I’m super excited! This is all I have been waiting for since I got the letter in March that I had been accepted. Things are going to be difficult at first but I think I will love it so much that I won’t think about it that much. My schedule this term is basically 9-5, with one 8am class and done a little earlier two days a week. I am taking human anatomy (with a HUMAN cadaver!!!!), neurology (which I already know will be my favorite class), and my first 2 foundations of PT class. The only real depressing part of all of this is that I ordered my books last week…12 books for $940! OUCH!!! It could be worse. I could have no financial aid or something else really bad that I can’t think of right now. Anyway, things are going to be awesome and I am excited to drown myself in school and not think about all the other things!

I must give a shout out to my lil big bro, Garing! Side note: I call him my lil big bro because he is my little brother but is WAY bigger than me! Anyway, he is starting college in September! I am so proud of him because I know this is what he wants so much. See, he’s a Marine (yay, don’t mess with him!) and when he was done serving our country, there was some confusion with the money he was suppose to get for school. I know he will be so happy to begin his scholastic journey, just as I am!

New light, new day, and a new...

Today is the start of a new week. I feel great. I have a job…almost! My meeting for school is Friday morning! I can’t wait to start! Things are going to be great this week! I just know it! Last week was tough because there was so much going on in my head and unfortunately that is where it has to stay. I am going to focus on getting ready for school!

There isn’t really a hmmm…moment today. I did notice yesterday that I can actually feel my abs and they are getting less and less like j-e-l-l-o! I have also noticed that my posture is better. I am just stronger all around. It’s a great feeling. Hopefully I can keep up with everything when my schedule gets a little crazy!

hahaha no way Jose'

Today's horoscope is correct but its not going to happen...

"You have too much on your mind now, but that doesn't make it easy to share your long-term concerns with others now. There may be so much happening that you don't want to create additional problems, yet you also have some significant information that is worthwhile to express. Keep in mind that what you say is less disruptive than how you might say it. Instead of tying your conversations to anyone else's actions, just put your feelings out there with no expectations."

Dear Horoscope, its not all my fault. I can't express myself because completely because then I'm just being a bitch. There is no nice way to say "you hurt me with this more than I could have imagined". I said it once and it wasn't received well so I will take the chance of keeping it to myself.

Shhhhh...don't tell anyone

Nothing on my mind today. Well nothing I'm going to blog about anymore. I discussed it once and that is enough. But I have been right all week to keep some things to myself. Just read my horoscope:

The Libra Moon buzzes your 12th House of Secrets and you're likely to have a few things that you're not going to tell anyone. However, you are tempted to reveal something very private about yourself and you could go overboard and share more than you should. Don't think that everything you say now will turn out fine. If you are thinking about confessing, take a few minutes to remember your reasons for keeping quiet in the first place.

I don't know about the moon's and how they get in these numbered houses but the rest of it makes a whole lot of sense!

love=Lord

As a reply to musiq Wednesday: the song has 2 meanings. I can love a person no matter what and you can change the word love and replace it with “Lord” and the song as a whole new feel. I heard the remake a few months ago on the radio here. It was great.

I wrote a blog for today…deleted it and wrote it again. Then I saved it, came back and deleted it again. See, sometimes I can care what people think and how my words will hurt. So today I will keep it in. But I will say that I am a DJ now on blip.fm. Just call me DJ Jayboogie! Anyway, I don’t have many songs on the playlist but I will work on it! I love all kinds of music. Right now I think it’s just Evanesence and JayZ but I will add more! Just keep checking it out!

Musiq Wednesday

Anyone ever wonder why songs get stuck in your head and play over and over again like a broken record? There is a song that has been stuck in my head for about a week now and its driving me insane! It’s a great song! It makes me think but not of who it used to make me think of. Read the lyrics. Who do you think of? What do you think of? It means more to me than anyone can image. I will tell you exactly what I mean tomorrow but I want you to think about it first!


Here are the lyrics and if you have time check out this youtube link (it’s a beautiful song if you’ve never heard it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rXAPXKPRaM

Verse 1:
Love
So many things I've got to tell you
But I'm afraid I don't know how
Cause there's a possibility
that you'll look at me differently
Love
Ever since the first moment I spoke your name
From then on I knew that by you being in my life
Things were destined to change cause

Verse 2:
Many days I've longed for you
Wanting you
Hoping for the chance to get to know you
Longing for your kiss
For your touch, your feel, your Presence
Many nights I've cried from the things you do
Felt like I could die from the thought of losing you
I know that you're real
With no doubts and no fears
And no questions


Bridge:
At first you didn't mean that much to me, no
But now I know that you're all I need, oh
The world looks so brand new to me
Now that I found love
Every day I live for you, yeah
And everything that I do
I do it for you
What I say is how I feel so I believe it's true
You got to know I'm true

I called, He answered

I listened to You, Lord, when You told me to go for my dream. I found courage in You. You tested my faith. You gave me strength. You showed me love. You gave me support. And I thank You.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry” Psalms 40:1

I totally had a different blog for today but one phone call changed that blog. Let’s back track. Last week during one of my many personal talks, I told the Lord that I need a sign; for Him to tell me I wasn’t making a mistake by going back to school. I admitted to Him that I hadn’t been very patient but I would change that. I didn’t have to wait patiently for very long!

Let’s go back to the phone call! Yesterday morning I got a call from Connie, my new best friend! Sorry Ashley, but she just bought my love for the right price (the equivalent of about $15,000)! That’s a lot of money right?! I won’t actually ever see it exactly but I don’t owe it to NIU! The NIU PT program was given a second tuition waiver and they gave it to me!!! ME!!! They picked me!! They could have picked one of the other 28 people but they chose me! HE chose me! HE heard me! I haven’t been this happy in a really long time and I love it! It seems to be the beginning of great things!

One day soon...or not

Diet update: I let go of the rules for the weekend and I still stuck to them anyway. I didn’t have any soda, candy or junk. I snacked on Stacy’s pita chips and fruit! I spent most of the weekend playing Wii fit. I forgot how much fun it was. I had a blast and so did Christian. I actually came in at one point on Saturday and he had pulled everything back out and started playing again! We have a competition going as to who can keep the most records on the game…I’m winning by a lot.

My hmmm moment comes from a conversation that I had with my mother yesterday…yes we talked and didn’t yell! AMAZING! Anywho, my mom has been in Illinois since 2001. I have been here since 2003. I asked my mom if it bothered her that no one comes to visit her but she’s expected to come to Ohio every other month (don’t ask how the topic came up…it only upsets me). She instantly said “I got over it a long time ago”. Then she paused and said “yes”. It’s funny how something bothers you so long and you try to get over it but can’t and you have to think about the real response. What’s sad is I got to thinking about it and can tell you who has been here and how many times but I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve driven to Columbus for a birthday or holiday or just because. June was the beginning of my 7th year here. My family has been here twice; the first Thanksgiving and my college graduation. My brother makes it a point to come here a few times a year. My best friends Ashley and Paul came to see me graduate. My aunt came to see the new house. She’s funny. Her reason was “if I’m on the phone with you and you tell me you are in the family room, I want to be able to picture where you are”.
I guess I’m trying to say I don’t expect people to drop everything for me but it still bothers me. The thing that really gets me is people, who have never made an effort to come see me here, bitch at me when I come to Columbus and don’t see them. There are 20 years of love, life, and friends in that city and I can’t be expected to relive it every visit. It’s the same 45 minute flight or 6 hour drive from Columbus to where I am. I’ve made the drive so many times I can tell you what cities to stop in and where to get gas. And I must say the best rest stop is on 70 East just after you cross into Ohio and Lebanon, IN usually has the cheapest gas.

In the same part of my heart that holds these feelings is where I hold my cousin who lives in South Carolina. I haven’t been there since they bought the house. I’ve seen lots of pictures. Heck my son has been! I’m going to get there, especially now that I regained my soul which I sold to YHS! And I’m sure that people say the same thing about coming here…”I’ll get there one day soon” and the one day becomes 7 years.

Check...Mate

Today's hmmmm... moment is about friends. I am going to ask you a question and you don't have to post a reply. I really just want people to think but I will share my thoughts.

What type of friend are you?

I know it sounds like a quiz you would take on facebook but its a serious question. You may be the same to all people or you may be a different type to different friends. Your position on each relationship may be different based on the other person's needs, wants, and personality. That's me. I have a handful of people that I would drop everything I had to do to help. Then there are the people that I think and pray that they are doing well. This would be where most of my facebook friends are. I don't message everyday but I always wish them well. Then there are the people that are around because they have to be. I'm not very good at pretending to care about anyone or anything so this group usually is very small or doesn't exist. I purposely try to keep this group away. I'd hate to hurt someones feelings. Who am I kidding? I really don't care too much.

The reason that I asked you all (or the 4 people that might read this) to think about this is because I have begun to realize some things. Some people in group one don't deserve to be there and some people in group two should be held closer to my heart. I'm making moves like a chess game and I'm sure I will be victorious!

Done with month 1!

Well I made it through the week on this diet and didn’t starve! Actually, yesterday I had to make myself eat lunch because I just wasn’t hungry. And I am about to do the same thing for breakfast. I am on the right track because I am eating when I need to and not because I want to. That fat chick in my brain is not so hungry anymore!
That also ends month one. I have no idea how much weight I lost but I know that I love a total of 7 inches from my arms, waist, hips and thighs! I don’t have a scale that works but the next time I go to Nichole’s house, I will weigh myself. I won’t tell you the number but I’ll share the difference with you. And with the end of month one here, I will put away the level one DVDs and start bustin a move with Shaun T and level 2!

Diary of a Mad sort of black woman

There is so much going on in my head right now, I don't think that I can put it all together to write this blog. There is so much that I need to figure out and it would be so much easier with a job. I thought this summer would be cool; I would get to spend more time with Christian and DeVaughn, begin my studies, find a part time job, and enjoy life. I wasn't even close. Every time DeVaughn opens his mouth, I want to strangle him. Christian, up until recently, wouldn't even play a board game with me. I can't get a job and that means I can't do anything because I can't put gas in my car. My mom thinks I'm lazy even when I tell her I applied everywhere. I couldn't even get a job at a nursing home changing bed pans. I am beginning to think that its me but its not. My resume is intimidating to people because I have worked so long at one place and made a bit more than they are going to pay. If they would just call me back they would see that I'm not going to leave for at least 2 years and 9 months (yes I am counting already). The job thing is the biggest of my problems.
Then there is the other stuff. My BFF's sister in law is a bitch and making it absolutely impossible for anyone out of town to get to the baby shower. And this baby shower is the same baby shower I wanted to plan and was told it wasn't necessary. She doesn't listen. She is a fat ugly cuntbucket and I can't stand to hear her name. Its always all about her, even when she is doing something for someone else. And I would have done such a better job. I would have first consulted with the mommy to make sure that everyone who she really wanted to be there could be there...LIKE HER FUKING BEST FRIEND, MOTHER, AND SISTERS! AAHHHH!! I'm so angry about this shit I could spit fire. There are so many things about this that anger me. I would have made sure people had plenty of time to get gifts and plan to be there...not 2 weeks. I would have had great food because I'm an awesome cook. Just look at the first baby shower; the food was the best and everyone had a great time and guess what...IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE MOMMY!!! Anyway, it doesn't really matter now. She doesn't listen. There will be 5 people there because she can't plan things and none of those people are people that would do anything in the world to be there if they had enough time to plan to do so. I bet she doesn't even know where they registered at or what is on the registry.
I have to get away from this before my blood pressure goes threw the roof...or I decided to send that email I have all typed up and ready to go.

Ouch!

I got my general tso chicken finally! It was great! And I didn't coat the chicken with flour in hopes to save some calories...that and I was out of flour! But either way it was yummy!

Today's hmmm moment is brought to you by the 18 mosquito bits that I have on my legs and arms. Do mosquito's have a purpose? Why can't we just kill them all? I think I'm going to get one of those African Mosquito Nets for football camp today. Mosquito's are like Satan's way to say "I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere". All they do is spread disease like hookers. YUCK! Hopefully the field will have dried up some today and there won't be as many mosquito's today... or I get there early enough to park on the street and sit in my car!

Day 4
Breakfast: coffee, small bowl of cereal
Snack: plum!
Lunch: salad topped with boiled egg whites, red peppers, tuna and green peppers
Snack: special K bar
Dinner: tacos

C is for cookie

This hmmm moment is brought to you today by the letter R and cookies! Don't ask...The R is for rain and cookies, well I just want a cookie.

Yesterdays diet was messed up because SOMEONE didn't make sure the freezer door was shut all the way and food defrosted. So I had to cook a roast but today I am making the general tso chicken! I actually didn't eat much roast; 1)I really don't like it, 2)I didn't want to and 3)No one was there to guilt me into eating it. And anyway when I got home I drank a huge glass of water, half a Gatorade and some Sunny D. It was entirely too hot and humid yesterday and I sat outside watching Christian at football practice for 2 hours! Today, I'm bringing drinks for both of us!

Breakfast: coffee, small bowl of cereal
Snack: apple
Lunch: turkey sandwich on wheat with fresh veggies (no dressing)
Snack: special K bar
Dinner: general tso chicken with brown rice and a side salad

day TUESDAY!

So day one of my diet wasn’t so bad. I didn’t eat breakfast because I woke up too late. I stuck with the snacks and lunch but I changed dinner. I made baked tilapia with small potatoes and salads. It was tasty and I was so proud that I took a small potato instead of a large one.
I am most proud that with all the stress from the day, I didn’t snack more! After the third bad news call, I really wanted to rip open my box of cosmic brownies and go to town! But instead of brownies I had a hand full of honey nut cheerios! I’m really getting into this and honestly, I wasn’t hungry at all! It was just enough food and I was satisfied with a smaller dinner portion. Here’s my menu for day 2. Hopefully day 2 is just as successful as day one! And hopefully all my phone calls make me smile and not make me cry!
Day 2
Breakfast: coffee, small bowl of cereal
Snack: apple
Lunch: turkey sandwich on wheat with fresh veggies (no dressing)
Snack: special K bar
Dinner: general tso chicken with brown rice and a side salad
Dessert: small scoop of ice cream no cone

nom nom nom

Today’s hmmmm…moment is brought to you by my gene pool. Mom, why didn’t you pick a baby’s dad with skinny jeans?

For the past 3 weeks I have gone back to my Hip Hop Abs with the sexiest gay man alive, Shaun T. I am determined to fight my gene pool! I will admit that I am by no means fat. I tell people all the time “I’m huge”. My favorite line to use about myself is “this fat girls gotta eat”. But as much as I know I’m not fat, I know I’m not thin either. So I have decided to do this. I’m going to get to a point where I am happy with me! I think that is what is missing from most people’s weight loss programs. Their goal is to look good for someone else or for a job. The best motivation is ourselves. A very intelligent person told me once that no one can love you until you love yourself! If you know me, you know I love me! That is why it is important that I look good for me. It is normal for people to enjoy compliments but the greatest compliment I can get is walking by a mirror and having to take a second look because I look that good! So I will continue with my exercise program because I physically feel as strong as I was in high school and college (back when I was an athlete).

One thing that I am going to do different this week is begin a strict diet. I don’t eat horribly. I don’t like salty foods. I don’t eat much red meat and I don’t really like pork. I will have a difficult time with the sweets. I love sweet tea, soda, cake, candy and anything milk chocolate! I am going to do my best with this diet and hopefully I don’t have any headache issues because I tend to run to the cherry coke when I get headaches. Don’t judge me. It helps my headaches! Anyway here’s the menu I have created for today. I wanted to share this to hopefully motivate a healthy lifestyle for you and track if this actually works for me!
Day 1
Breakfast: eggs with sliced peppers and onions, toast
Snack: pear
Lunch: turkey sandwich on wheat with fresh veggies (no dressing)
Snack: special K bar
Dinner: large mixed greens salad with veggies, boiled egg white and tuna
Dessert: fresh fruit with yogurt

Let’s see how this goes! Wish me luck!

?!?!?!

Well I started a blog for today but I didn't finish it because I didn't want to vomit on my computer...I'll finish it later and you will love it! It will inspire you to eat healthy stuff.