Old Year's Night

.....As its referred to in the West Indies. It’s that time of year again!

Time to close out one year and usher in a new one.  For some odd reason I was up really early this morning. So early in fact I was able to see Sydney usher in 2014 and as I write this it’s about eight minutes until midnight in Dubai and I am tuned in to see the city’s said record breaking fireworks display. I enjoy the ringing in of a new year and will continue to sneak peaks of various places around the world as they show the world their take on the tradition.

Suffice it to say 2013 was not without its challenges but as I spent that last couple of weeks reviewing, reflecting and unravelling, I realize all of it was not so bad.  But the bottom line is I do feel like I didn’t accomplish anything.  That may be stretching it a bit but I wanted to see a lot of changes in 2013 and didn’t.  I got discouraged when the big things didn’t work in my favor. Truth be told even when I dropped the ball, I didn’t pick it back up. By March I had become a statistic in New Year resolution planning.

I learned two lessons from that.

• I will not have 20 BIG things to do in only 365 days. 
• Something I hear ALL the time and should have adapted by now- I will make the goals S.M.A.R.T goals (specific measurable attainable realistic and timely). Why I didn’t do this for 2013 I do not know. I can only attribute it to a big move and travelling for the entire month of December though as I type it - it looks like an excuse. Sigh.

In reviewing the goals I have written down for 2014, I can say the overall focus has to do with my health.  I am in the final stages of CLARIFYING exactly what this means (trying to be S.M.A.R.T.) but it is my hope when I reflect on this at the end of 2014 I will have accomplished what I set out to do. 

What’s on your list to accomplish in 2014? However small or large I hope that you are successful in meeting and keeping those goals.

Here’s wishing you an absolutely fantabulous New Year celebration and New Year! Be safe and take a sip of something yummy and bubbly for me. I plan to stay in and take it in through the various national news outlets.

Besos,

Mel

Image courtesy of hdwallpapersinn.com

In Memoriam...........

 ...of Trayvon Martin

It has been one year since his death and we are no closer to knowing what happened to him nor seeing justice served. Regardless what side of the fence you stand on this issue, the bottom line is an unarmed child is dead. 

Here are reflections on the tragedy from Huffington Post, Time magazine and USA Today.  

Happy New Year!

The day is almost over but I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

As in past years, I made a list of goals I want to accomplish including applying and being accepted to graduate school and journaling at least three times a week. I have at least 14 other things I plan to accomplish, mainly surrounding financial obedience. The BIG one? I want to make sure I have at least six months of salary in my emergency fund which, by the way, I hate to admit does not exist at this point.

I also want to rely less on credit cards when I travel. Though I usually pay it off in a matter of months, there have been times where it took me more than a couple of months to pay off a trip. Not trying to go down THAT road in 2012. Scratch that- I am NOT going down that road in 2012!

Unlike in years past, I put these goals where I will be forced to look at them daily. I usually write my goals in my journal and never ever really go back and tweak or check off what I accomplished. What would be worse was when I fell off and threw goal setting to the side. The Chinese say fall down seven times, get up eight.

I was searching the web for suggestions on keeping up with goals. I was looking for something that I hadn't heard in the past. Something to assist me keeping up with my goals and goal setting. I didn't really find anything and kinda gave up. And then today, I found this book, Write It Down, Make It Happen. I came across it while perusing one of my favorite blogs, Creole in DC. I love her posts on Finishing school, Convos at 13700, and her candor and openess about VERY personal things in her life. When you get a chance take a moment and check out the Rantings of a Creole Princess, Monnie some blog love.

So you guys, are you like me? Do you make long list of goals like I have in the past and never ever ever look at them or are you all disciplined creatures and accomplish everything you put on your list? I am always looking for advice on following through with my goals. Knowing its a daily walk, how you plan to follow through with the goals you set for this year? What are some of your goals for the new year?

Whatever your goals and desires for the new year, here's wishing you all the success in meeting and surpassing those goals.



*Image courtesy of Wallpapers Cafe

Its Wednesday

Hump day and I hope the week has been good to you thus far. I've been good but the changes in the weather make me feel blah. I get home and there is very little I want to do. Honestly, I am doing the bare minimum. I am so looking forward to a break in the weather.



I thought I would post this pic. It's a picture of me -actually my foot-from last year at Maracas Beach. It just screams warm...Here's hoping the weather hasn't gotten you down. Have a great rest of the week.

Just a Thought

I have been doing a LOT of thinking lately. About life, love and the pursuit of happiness- in its various forms including this blog.

Since I started this blog I have been 'searching' to create its identity. That is probably most evident by the sparse posts. I always feel what I have or want to say has some way or another already been said or that no one will want to read it in the form in which I have written it. But through all that - two years and counting-the desire to write is still there. One of my 'goals' for the new year was to give my blog more attention. With only two posts since the year has begun I would say I haven't been actually been meeting that goal. But hey, the year is still young.

The other thing that was flying over my head until now was that I changed this blog title to Becoming a Better Me and then I didn't write anything about ME. Not one. Single. Solitary post. I'm scratching my head thinking, why haven't I written anything about ALL the things that have or for that matter have NOT happened. Then these lyrics popped into my head. They are from Erykah Badu's Tyrone and they go a little something like this:

"I'm a test this out on y'all right quick.
Now keep in mind that I'm an artist
and I'm sensitive about my sh*t."
(ha ha ha)

Now, on the ha-ha part I eh laughing, you know what I'm saying. I realised the reason I haven't written much about me is because I am SENSITIVE. But then I thought about another saying that loosely says-Nothing worth having comes easy, if it did EVERYONE would have it. I have some ideas in mind as to how I would like to go forward.


Stay tuned........."Lets See How Ya'll Groove to this"

Motivational Monday

What you truly desire is already somewhere in YOUR world.
Have the courage and the confidence to go to it and to live it.
~ Ralph Marston



Here's wishing you a great day and a good start to the work week. Follow your dreams. Believe in yourself. Go out and get it. Whatever it is.


Melz

Snow Day

Ok..... That's a bit of a stretch but I thought it was a cute title. It's actually more like an Ice day. The weather here in the South has been horrible. We are used to mild to moderate winters but we have seen temperatures as low as 19 degrees. Right now its about 29 degrees- frigid by Texas standards. Schools and non essential services in the city were all closed today because Emergency Management Officials were expecting a couple of inches of snow. I waited until 1:30 this morning and to no avail. I can't even show pictures of ice because by the time I found my camera, it melted. I live in the city so with constant traffic there wasn't much build up but those in the outlying areas are not quite out of the woods yet.

I have absolutely NO plans to venture into the cold. I have a ton of things I could be doing right here at home. The question is what. I have a stack of three different magazine subscriptions dating back to December that I haven't read. I could pre-poo. I could actually clean a day early. I don't know. Right now surfing the web and creating blog posts seems to be it.

Be safe you guys -especially to those heading to Dallas for Superbowl festivities.


Oh.... before I forget...I was looking for free images of ice to add to this post and you will NEVER guess what my search brought up! Ice T and his wife - Yes you read correctly- Ice T. I won't describe the picture because I want you guys to keep coming to my blog.

Reset Program Day #1

Its a new year and I am looking to create a new me. I recently came across a 31 day Reset Program created by Ms. Rosetta Thurman of Happy Black Woman and I am looking forward to being virtually coached. Actually Friday was Day 1 for me but I couldn't for the life of me think of a mantra. I thought about it and thought about it and then I opened my gmail to send a message to someone and there it was. I always sign off my email with a quote- Its never too late to become who you might have been- by George Eliot and I decided then that I would use it as my mantra.

The other assignment was really easy. She just wanted you to select a 'Reset' notebook and list what type of notebook it is. I will be using a regular spiral notebook. I was going to use an actual journal, but I am printing out the emails and keeping them with my responses to the assignments so I need a little extra space.

Check out Rosetta's Program on her blog at Happy Black Woman. Stay tuned for Day #2

Wish me luck...

Talk in a Way that Heals.......Not in a Way that Wounds

These words are from President Obama's speech earlier tonight at the Tucson Memorial Service. I thought the speech was powerful and at points made me tear up. When President Obama said Representative Giffords opened her eyes today and her husband teared up, well you can guess the rest. Here is the video in its entirety, courtesy of NBC News video.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Haiti Earthquake

It has been a year since an earthquake hit the island of Haiti. The quake, which reports say only lasted for a couple of seconds, devastated the region leaving more than a million people homeless and hundreds of thousands dead.

Volunteers poured into the region to help with the aftermath. Nightly, I sat glued to the television watching Anderson Cooper's AC 360 as he ventured into different areas showing the devastation. Days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months and we saw the same images, people living in close quarters- tent cities as they were referred- trying to make do with what they had.

Now a year later and it appears that the people of Haiti are still the same position they were in a year ago. CNN has done a piece the earthquake here. Here is a reflection from thefabulousdogooder.com that was posted on Huffington Post.com. And lastly, if you have a moment- take a little time to visit Haiti.Compassion for stories about recovery and rebuilding.

While a lot has been done in Haiti, a lot more needs to be done. If you are interested in donating to the continued relief efforts in helping Haiti move forward, please contact the Red Crossor UNICEF . If you know of any other relief agencies please post them in the comments.

Happy New Year

Can I still say that? I think so. Its still the first week of the New Year. So I will take the time right now to wish you all the best. Much success and happiness in all that you do in the new year.

Sadly, I had to go to Trinidad for a funeral and at the last minute decided not to take my computer. BIG BIG BIG mistake. I wish now I had taken it because I could've updated my blog. I thought about logging on to my Mom's computer but I my nephew and brother were there so computer time was limited.

My new year was pretty good. I actually spent it with my sisters but on the eve of New Year's Eve, my brother and nephew played the 'what do you want to accomplish in 2K11? game. We had a really good time discussing our goals and dreams for the new year. Since coming back, I may tweak a couple of the goals I hope to accomplish (we chose 10). I plan to have that done no later than Thursday of the coming week - I returned Thursday so I figure a week should be ample time to get it done.

One of my ten goals is to increase my writing on my blog. I even added it to my planner to make sure I get it in. I will definitely be taking the one day at a time approach to writing. I have put a lot of pressure on myself to write daily and then fall deep into a hole when I don't get it done. I will not do that this time around.

How are you approaching resolutions and the like? Do you get out the gate in a flash only to die down by the end of the month? How do you plan to stick with your resolutions?

Giving Thanks

I haven't blogged in a while and let's just say that I have been extremely busy with school, work and helping my mom with what little I can concerning the house fire. My blog has never been far from my mind though and I have thought of all the ways I could 'come back' after such a long time away. I have been working on a couple new posts to catch you up on what's been going on in my life, future goals and perusing blogs -new and old- to show some blog love.

Today though, I would just like to acknowledge the spirit of the day and say Happy Thanksgiving to you all. God Bless.


-Image courtesy of Thanksgivingcards.blogspot.com

I'm back......Hump Day.......and a little blog love

Well, actually, I didn't say I was going anywhere so you probably didn't even miss me so I don't know. I spent a couple of weeks with my mommy in Trinidad taking care of details of remodeling our home. Tedious work to say the least. All wasn't bad though. The scenery, as always, was to die for. I will post in the near future in more detail just as soon as I download some awesome pics.

Today is ALL about blog luv. While I was in Trinidad there was little time for blog reading as I would regularly do here. Since I returned I have been playing catch up on what some of my favorite bloggers have been up to. Anilia's blog, Motivated Sista, as you can probably guess by now is all about motivating women to, as she says, "pursue their dreams and live the best lives possible". I love that! I am at currently chopping away at some goals myself, including my desire to get a masters ( just as SOON as I fill out the application) and its great to read positive posts that are along those lines.

When I got back, her most recent post was "You Are All That Matters" and all I can say is that it hit H-O-M-E! I do not know Anilia ( I act like I do huh, I'm using her first name all willy nilly) but honestly I swear she wrote this directly to ME. Afraid of success, afraid of failure, afraid to leave my comfort zone...Check ....Check....and Check. I personally am very guilty of having Imposter Syndrome and try my best to remind myself that I am WORTHY but honestly one wrong word from the right person and my self-esteem could be shaken for weeks sometimes even months. After reading that post I pulled out my calendar and started planning my application in three small steps. It's due in November so keep me honest.


Today, as it turns out, is her first blog anniversary and so to celebrate head on over to Motivated Sista and show her some love. If you're feeling really good, take a moment to fill out the survey -click here for the link- she has listed to help her make the blog even better.

Have a great rest of the week


P.S. Before you comment.....Yes, the photo WAS random and No, it is in no way related to the post....it just expresses how I felt today

Rushing to Judgment and the Shirley Sherrod incident

I called it an incident but honestly I don't really know what to call it. A woman lost her job and has been vilified in the media so it is more than an incident. If I can think of something better to call the incident, I will do so at the end. The story as you now know goes loosely like this. Ms. Sherrod gave a speech about her view on race and referred to an incident in her a past - an A ha moment if you will - at an NAACP event. The event, which happened back in March, was taped and someone decided to slice and dice it to make it look like she was a racist. One look at the video and one could see that it was 'put together'. Nevertheless, in the end, the cleverly packaged video made its way to the forefront of all three of the cable news networks. Quite understandably at first glance there was outrage. I'm sure we all agree that NO one should use their position of power against anyone.

Everybody wanted her head on the platter for what appeared to be racist remarks against a white farmer. NAACP denounced her actions. She was subsequently forced to give her resignation by pulling over on the side of the road and texting it. Her superiors wanted it quickly because they didn't want the story to appear on Glenn Beck. She went on the various news stations pleading her innocence, asking everyone to watch the ENTIRE video and .......well.....24 hours later everyone was given access to the video in its entirety and the story gets even deeper. It was not as it originally seemed.

It turns out the 30 second clip was actually a small PIECE of a much LONGER video and Ms. Sherrod was indeed telling the truth. Her comments were essentially taken out of context. It dawned on NO ONE in the news media, at the NAACP or in the Secretary's office to 'further investigate' this situation. Every one acted FIRST. Had everyone wait just ONE DAY .....

I would love to know how we got to this point. As a undergraduate journalism student, we were always told to check and re-check facts. Granted, we all understood if it bled it led but check the facts nonetheless. I also know as a consumer that many a story makes its way on to television and print news and not all the facts are presented. And I am by no way implying that this is some sort of malicious conspiracy but when a reporter only has a minute and 30 seconds to tell a story, only so much is going to get in. It is after all being told from the presenter's point of view. Something will be left out. I'm sure someone reading this will probably wonder what I left out.

This incident has many facets including the initial position the NAACP took their claim of being 'snookered', how the administration chose to handle the situation ( texting a resignation?seriously?) and last but not least how we as a society look at this.

I think without a doubt we can all think back to a time when we have all acted hastily without all the facts and the results were horrendous. Personally, I can think of a more than one. Watching this play out on television over the last 48 hours, all I could think of was how sad it was that everyone hit first and asked questions later. This is not to say that we know EVERYTHING there is to know about this situation but I think if we give it time we will continue to learn more. I think this is textbook teaching moment about rushing to judgment but honestly I think it will go over most of our heads. I hope as we continue to watch this unfold we will bite our tongue the next time someone angers us, or makes a decision we don't like or chooses a position we don't like. Take a moment to see their point of view. LISTEN.ASK QUESTIONS.ASK MORE QUESTIONS. In the end this may ultimately help YOU save face. Remember that your response or reaction to a situation could have grave results.

This is my two cents....What say you?

And the reference to this as an incident will stand. As long as it took me to write this post I still couldn't come up with anything.

Making today rich....Becoming a Better Me

I trust everyone had a great 4th of July, I know I did. I hung out with my mom and my nephew. We had a roti and went down to the park for Houston Caribfest. I didn't plan on going to the park. Spending money to get sunburned and sweaty just didn't seem appealing but my nephew wanted to go so that was that. I originally planned to just sit around and enjoy the sunshine after the many days of rain courtesy of tropical storm/depression Alex. It was a beautiful day!

The 4th also marks our move to the Houston area. Thirty years ago yesterday, my mother made the decision to leave NYC to escape an abusive relationship. She left with two small children and a suitcase a piece. No one knew where we were and it stayed that way for six months. Ultimately it was not meant to be and he wormed his way back in her mind and they, through the years violence still prevalent - are still together today. I thought a lot about this on yesterday and the only two people I could talk about it with were both unwilling and incapable of going back to that moment.

I obviously have my own feelings about this relationship as I grew up watching everything unfold. It hasn't helped my life overall and more importantly my life PERSONALLY. It has left me very jaded. I think a lot about how it has affected me and realise that being bitter just leaves me ...well.....being bitter. No one cares about the past. Everyone who has had to listen to the story, and a story I can tell,always ended up saying to me - "Get over it Mel. Its going to eat you up!" Over the years I have always said I was 'over it' and tried to move forward but some way some how, I always end up letting a thought, one sometimes 10-15 years old get the better of me. I am getting to the point where I really do want to move past it.

My girlfriend Stephanie gave me a daily meditation book for my birthday in 1997 and I recently pulled it out and starting using it again. I missed a couple of days and had a moment to pick it up earlier today. Today's meditation was, "If you are willing to deal with the past, you can make the moment you are in rich." It also goes on to say we cannot get away from our past. It also mentioned something about denial. Needless to say it made me think of all the times I have said to my self that I would deal with my feelings of anger and hate and hostility. I also think of all the things I want to accomplish and moving forward and I know deep down that nothing will change until I do.

Another Milestone....and some blog love

Yep...I can't believe another anniversary is upon me. Time really waits on no one. I had many hopes for this blog when I started it and well....let's just say I haven't accomplished many of them. I have learned alot. What I have learned most of all is that its REALLY hard to blog. Blogging takes a.lot.of.time. Time I seem NOT to have. Tons of topics cross my mind and blogging in the middle of the day seems impossible. Waiting until I get home to blogs blows my momentum. I haven't found a happy medium but as with everything else, in becoming a better me, I will continue to keep trying.


I also realized that I am not the only one who runs into the problem of trying to blog and continue with day to day life. I have come across several bloggers who run into the same challenge but still manage to do a great deal with their content. When you get a moment check out this 20 something college girl who started blogging at Think and Grow Chick to document her journey in this thing called life and providing a guide for chicks just like her who want to do EVERYTHING.

Show her some blog love

Happy Birthday to me....

I know I know...same song, different dance. I have been silent for a minute and I waited until the end of the day but I am trying to finish up my last two courses so blogging has been literally put on the back burner. I just wanted to pop in and say Happy Birthday to me!

As my course winds down, I will try to post some things. Having a birthday puts a lot of things in perspective..

Later

My thoughts and prayers...

...are with those affected by the earthquakes that hit Haiti today as well as those headed to the area to provide assistance. Appeals for aid are underway. I tried to find a couple of links to post here and was unable. I will update this post once I find them. See the CNN video below of Raymond Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the United States and Wyclef Jean's uncle discussing the quake.

Weekend Blues..weight blues..just blues

Cold weather is no joke. It makes you want to hibernate and stay in bed.....ALL.DAY.LONG. I did this practically the entire weekend.

Hope all is WARM where you are....prolly not. This weekend has gone on record as being one of the coldest. Reading twitter posts let me know I was not alone. All the Tweeple from the South, who regularly see temps in the mid to low 60's this time of year, were all a chatter about the weather. At its lowest point it was in the 20's here in Houston. I ventured out at the highest point - about 46 degrees- Saturday around 3 and quickly rushed back in. Needless to say for those of us not use to this type of weather, I got little done. I tried to complain to a girlfriend who lives in Pittsburgh and she stopped me in my tracks, told me it was 11 degrees where she was and changed topics. Allrighty then. I had no comeback so I let her change topics. Hopefully this coming week will bring milder weather.

The weather has also wrecked havoc on my workout plans. I would like to at least do a drive by on the gym. It is difficult to get into a decent routine with weather like this.I suppose if I had some sort of routine before it may not have been as difficult to disrupt. Who knows. I am not claiming negativity with this situation or being whiney but I need to get it together. All I can process is 184.184.184.184. In case you are wondering what those figures represent its.... wait.....hold for it...it my weight. There I said it. WHEW! glad that's out. They say acknowledgement is the first step to recovery so..there it is. I think by far acknowledging being overweight with a BMI of 29 has been really hard. I didn't compile a new years resolutions list (translation I didnt commit to anything per se) but since my weight has pushed me to being a borderline diabetic I am more focused on getting something done. I have been given until April to "show improvement" so I need to get it going. I thought about rearranging my apartment so I could work out in front of the television. My cable company has work out videos "on-demand" so since I am paying for cable, the workout videos are there and it could be a start. We will see

I just watched the Joel Osteen on BET a little while ago. The message this week is having a good opinion of yourself, #447. Again, no resolutions but I really need to put this in check. I am my own worst critic. Here's a link to his site incase you want to check it out. I think its only up for a week so get on it.


Have a great week everyone...Bundle up

Happy New Year!!! 2010 is here...

Can you believe I am up? I definitely cannot. Its an hour into the new year and it crossed my mind to drop in on my beloved but very much neglected blog. I spent the last day of the year completing the final details for my apartment. I also went to Mass with my mom. I had plans to have a drink to ring in the new year but that did not materialize. Does that mean I didn't need it? I wonder...

I for one am glad to see 2009 go. I felt stagnant at a certain point in 09 and found myself hiding my personal wishes and desires for the needs and wants of others. This year there will be none of THAT. TRUST!

I didn't do much in the way of resolutions. I guess I kinda just made one. Not really. The above is more like a vow. Anyway, back to resolutions. Every year around the end of November I use the remaining space in my planner to come up with resolutions. My resolutions surround being a better me - losing weight, volunteering more, write more blog more, that kinda thing. For whatever reason it just didn't seem right this year. My plan is to take it one day at a TIME.

So with that I will end. Keeping it short and sweet. I wish you all the best for the new year. For those of you who diligently follow your resolutions congrats and good luck with them this year. For those of you who are on my bandwagon, let's try and keep each other motivated.


Happy New Years Errybody!


P.S. To my one and only friend that I know born on January 1st - New Year's Day- Happy Birthday DJ Aggravated!