I have a gift. I have the ability to start conversations with total strangers with ease. Crowds, social events, networking, random people….none of it makes me uneasy. I love talking to and getting to know people.

I do this so effortlessly that sometimes, I amaze myself. I reflect on some of my friendships and wonder how did we meet in the first place? Nine times out of ten, I just struck up a random conversation with them at some point.

After leaving DC on Sunday afternoon, I headed up to NYC to hang out with CreoleinDC and EricaB and take them to Ce.nt.ury 21. A diva cannot be in the Big Apple and not hit up Century’s. It would be….well…..sacrilige. While doing so, we encountered several folks. Made friends with the kind folks at Dallas Jones BBQ, made a random friend at Red Mango.

food courtesy of Dallas Jones BBQ, photo courtesy of EricaB

Red Mango deliciousness courtesy of CreoleinDC

Everywhere we went, we struck up conversations with random folks. I guess what I wanted them to take away from New York is that yes, it’s a big city….but everyone that lives there is just one person. Someone once said that there are ten million stories in the naked city and there are. Every single person is truly fascinating. You can people watch like no other in NY. Everyone from the cab driver to the millionaire probably has something amazing to share. I know you can find this in any city but in NY, people come because of so many reasons.

It is a city of dreamers. Some make it, some find a happy medium and some lose themselves, caught up in the fast pace, rat race and the bright lights. The homeless woman? She wasn’t always that way. Something brought her to this point. I look at people and try to see beyond the everyday. I love to find out what makes folks tick.

I often wonder about folks that go through life with a fear or aversion to the unknown. Those who avoid strangers, new surroundings or meeting people. Those situations make me feel alive…like I share a commonality with the world. I can’t even imagine how lonely or sad it would be to only want what’s familiar around you.

I relish the adventure of making new friends, trying new things and experiencing life to the fullest. Isn’t that why we’re here?

So to walk the city I love with two folks I met online was indeed a new experience. We also shared some food, some laughs and a universal bond. Different cities, different lives but the same good souls.

I’m glad I wasn’t afraid to do something new.

Happy Friday.

Well, I am back from my crazy weekend on the road. Although, the Centennial celebration is still underway in DC, I could only stay for the weekend. But I managed to pack as much as I could into my four days.

Me and 2 of my favorite sorors (my BFF had to cancel at the last minute due to unforseen circumstances) packed up and hit the road.

We arrived at our destination and headed off for drinks and dinner. After that, we just crashed.

Now on Saturday, we hit the ground running. We started at How.ard Univer.sity where we were founded over a Century ago.

While at Howard, we saw a great exhibit in the library. Here are some of the pictures:

How cute are these ladies in their pigtails and holding their ivy plants?

After that, we had lunch and pedicures before heading down to the Convention Center. Here’s what awaited us:

Pink and green everywhere. And vendors, shopping, etc.

Along the way, I bumped into my girl Roycee.

Yeah, yeah…I know…I’m greasy as hell but I was running all day long. LOL

We got back to the hotel, changed and headed out to find the parties.

We started out at one party and never left….we ran into so many folks and had a blast (shout out to Soror Leslie C. who found me in a sea of people at the party. I hope you enjoyed your first Boule!). The men of Alpha, Kappa and Omega set it out all weekend long. And the ladies of AKA were truly gorgeous. Nothing is more beautiful than a group of black women.

The next morning, after limited sleep, I crawled out of bed determined to hook up with a friend of mine from my hotel who had moved to DC and Sissy.

We all ended up at Brunch and had a blast.

How gorgeous is she? Hmpmh. Heffa.

We were also graced by the presence of another fab Soror… TravelDiva.

Although I couldn’t stay longer, it was great to meet these wonderful ladies. They were so much fun and I can tell a return trip is needed.

Did I take myself home after that? Nope….but I will recap my day in New York tomorrow. Your girl is STILL tired.

Did you miss me? I am exhausted right now but pics and weekend details to follow by Wednesday…..

Well folks, I am out of here and hitting the road. Off to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of my Beloved Sisterhood in the city where we were founded 100 years ago on How.ard Univ.ersity’s campus.

23 thousand of my Sorors will be in attendance so Chocolate City….get ready.  Hopefully, I will see most of my Club 1908 ladies in attendance.

Photos to follow when I return.

Everyone, have a fab weekend……catch you next week.

Today I am publicly apologizing to the Ram.sey family. You may have heard yesterday that new DNA evidence has ruled out the entire Ram.sey family as suspects in the death of J.on Be.net.

1969 is a huge follower of criminal investigations. Especially, the whodunit variety. I have been following this case for years. The fascination of this little pageant girl and the mysterious death (in her own house) has been so tragic yet mesmerizing.

I have to admit, I really thought the parents were involved in this murder. I always felt like they weren’t telling the truth in this case. Perhaps I judged them for putting their daughter in pageants and forcing her to look like a grown woman at the age of 5? Maybe that told me all I needed to know and I refused to look at the evidence any further?

Either way, I…along with most people, owe these folks an apology. Can you imagine what they have gone through for the last decade? P.a.tsy Ram.sey didn’t even live to be cleared.

I hope they find the bastard that broke into their house, snatched their child and raped and killed her in their own basement and throw him under the jail.

Just an FYI…..Miss Lee’s book, Rabbit’s Lucky Number is now available on Amazon and Target.

 The reviews are starting to come in and I am hearing good things. I am so proud of you girl.

Before I even start, let me warn a certain Jamaican blogger from New York that this is going to be one of those boooring posts about my day to day life. AHEM.

I have had a few people email me regarding the AbsDietforwomen that I talked about a few weeks ago.

Well, I started it because what appealed to me is that it is more of a manual to eating right than a diet. Basically, you eat healthier foods and more of them.

I have noticed results in the two weeks so far. However, I have also been running more. So, not sure if its a by-product of my workout efforts being stepped up or my diet changes…..or both? Either way, it is easy to follow and I enjoyed the knowledge of what good food is versus bad food.

Good luck to those considering it.

This weekend is my Sorority’s Centennial celebration in DC. I have been running around like crazy trying to make sure I have everything I need for my trip. The right dresses, the right club outfits, the right….”what? This old thing?” look for just hanging out. You know, the one that looks effortlessly pulled together but it took days to find? LOL

More than anything, I am looking forward to just hanging out with my best friends. Me, C, Number 3 and The Attorney are leaving the husbands and kids at home for some much needed girl time. Our last trip was three years ago when we went to Miami. Whew. To have three great friends who are also Sorors? Yup….Priceless.

We plan on dressing up, eating well, drinking lots of strong drinks and hitting up a spa (if anyone has restaurant or spa recommendations in the DC urea, holla at your girl).

We are looking forward to celebrating the sisterhood that brought us together but more important than AKA…..we will be celebrating the sisterhood that KEEPS us together. Nothing like time with your best friends.

On July 4th, we kept our sons up waaaay past their bedtime. At 10pm, we all got dressed and threw on our baseball caps and grabbed umbrellas. We left our house and drove to Fa.irm.ount Par.k.

We set up our lawn chairs in the grass under a huge oak tree, sprayed on some bug spray and spread a huge tarp over our laps so we would be unaffected by the slight rain.

My sons were so excited to be out in the park that late at night. They started running around and chasing each other in the dark. “Tag, you’re it!” was all we heard as they laughed. They eventually gave that up to catch fireflies.

All of a sudden, a huge clap of noise filled the sky. They both looked up and saw the onset of the fireworks, the wonder that filled their eyes was awesome.

Tali 1 was excited and started naming the colors. My little Tali ran straight for my lap and said “Fireworks don’t hurt the kids, right Mommy?” As I reassured him that they absolutely didn’t hurt if you sat in your chair close to Mommy…..I just sat there and took it all in.

I am living the family life I have always wanted. I am doing it. We are sharing and making memories that my kids will remember. They won’t remember fighting, lonliness, always having to be on guard and watching what you say….tiptoeing around on eggshells. They will remember family outings, laughter, happy times….mommy and daddy enjoying each others’ company.

All those years, and I never got what I craved for my own life. However, I am now in a position to provide it for my children. My life is coming full circle.

Sometimes, you just have to stop and recognized when you are blessed.

Since, it’s my birthday weekend…..I thought I would share some old school with you.

This is a funky fresh (be quiet Fresh) 1969 in 1972 in Trinidad. Mr. 1969 always looks at this picture and says “For ten cents a day, you too can adopt a child”. Remind me again why I am married to him? Oh yeah…..the muscles. LOL

Here is a picture of me and my favorite cousin in Trinidad. I was two and he was four. They dressed us and told us to play outside while they got dressed so we could go downtown for ice cream. When they came outside….our shoes were off and we were playing in the dirt and looking guilty. (I guess I should stop wondering where Tali 2 gets his ahem…spirit from, huh?)

Looking through pictures…I found this one.

A young 1969 in Brooklyn, on the front stoop, rocking a fresh pair of nike air max, the Guess jeans and my METS T-SHIRT from the World Series win (NY Post cover). Totally 80’s and soooo Brooklyn. LMAO!

Now that you are all thoroughly amused. Happy Friday.

On this wonderful day, 39 years ago…..this woman and man

brought a baby girl into the world that would grow up to be me.

Thanks to my Mom and Dad (even though they both called me at about 5am and 5:30am this morning. LOL

This year was a good one. Why? Cause I’m still here. I didn’t get the promotion I wanted but I did run my first 5K. I did not hit the lottery but I am rich with love and a heap of friends and family. In short, Life is good and I can’t complain.

Next year, I will continue to work on being more patient, do less procrastinating and make every effort to seize the moment and live out my dreams. Life is too short not to enjoy it and create moments that will live on.

Hope everyone is enjoying the day. Despite the fact that I am stuck at work with two meetings…..I plan on having a great one.

And yo…..the kid is 39….I can’t believe it!