Yearning...

So I really want to write...

I just don't know what.

For now, this will suffice

BBL
K
xoxo

Stupid Cupid

Okay, so I know you may think my title automatically makes me "anti-Valentine's Day," but trust me-- I have good reason! Or at least I'd like to think so...

I know the 1st thing you're thinking is, "well, are you single?" LOL

And to my very own disbelief [kidding]-- I am... [Slaps forehead] --But this is not my reason as to why I do not acknowledge February 14th as a legit holiday... Let me explain...

First off, when I say I don't celebrate V-Day, I don't mean that in terms of my family. They RARELY see how affectionate I can be [yes, I'm working on it lol], so this day is a great way for me to let them know how much I love them. I plan on writing each of my family members a nice letter for the occasion.

So now that we have that cleared up, let me just let you know that, yes-- I have celebrated V-Day in the past [most recent was 2008] and actually had some very special ones...

Surprise homemade candlelight dinner featuring my favorite Italian dish-- chicken parmigiana and my favorite desert-- red velvet cake... A beautifully intimate experience..

Another where my boo at the time created a scavenger hunt for me to search for all my V-Day gifts... That was sweet...

And another where we had a romantic evening spent in bed simply snuggling and watching romantic movies...

Yea, I know--nothing extravagant, but they were definitely great memories nonetheless...

So why the change of heart?

Okay, first of all, its a recession! Stores want to mark up the same candy, cards, flowers etc. [wrapped in red packaging] for the moment-- pssssssssssh! A card saying "I Love You" in all red shouldn't cost more than one that says it in all blue [sucks teeth]. And on a bigger scale, if your loved one plans something grand and romantic, they are definitely bound to pay more during this weekend than any other weekend... Sucks right? Love shouldn't break the bank for one weekend, but instead across several of them [LOL joking]

Well, as I've grown, [over my short life span-LOL] and have had experiences with different types of guys, I've realized that I need more than just V-Day to really honor love-- I need that ish all the time. So don't get me hype because you can buy me flowers on Feb. 14th, but then don't bother any other day-- I mean, not that its all about me or anything... [smile]

And its not... My third reason has to do with the man in the relationship, friendship, 1/2 way commitment or whatever... I feel for the fellas... So many pressures to live up to, tons of money to spend and reservations to make. In most cases, the holiday isn't built for them. I mean... you can buy him boxers, cologne or something to wear for him, but how special does it really get for the man? Eeeeeeh I don't know, but I doubt its as great as it is for women. But shoot-- what holiday is? lol

Thee Exception

But, if I happen to get a partner in the future that ABSOLUTELY has to celebrate V-Day, he can kindly buy me all the chocolate [I love chocolate any day really], the teddy bears, the balloons etc the day after when they are all 50% off... Yup-- might as well buy it all on sale LOL...

OR an even better option would be to make up our own "Day of Love"-- whether that's simply an anniversary date, the first time we say "I Love You" or any random date we picked with our eyes closed. I live for random things :-)

I hope this all made sense. See... I'm not completely crazie lol just a tad bit coo coo in the head...

All in all, laugh a little more, live a little more and love a little more...
Tomorrow, February 14th and everyday there after...

Ttfn- ta ta for now
K
xoxo

No Comprendo

Greetings earthlings...

Lately I have been feeling extremely emotionally and I am pretty sure I know why, but we won't go there LOL. Anywhoo... As I was discussing a recent article with a friend, it reminded me of a topic that I have been dying to blog about.

So in this article, a man, 26 years of age at the time, was accused of raping a 15 year old Catholic school girl in 1994. After being in jail for 14 years, he was proven innocent. Could you imagine?

With that story told, it leads me to my next point...

Things that I have given up trying to understand (part 1)

No. 1- Why bad things happen to good people

Now, I know this is a question that can be answered with quotations from different religious texts, but sometimes, those scriptures just don't satisfy me enough. I do believe in a higher being and such, however, it has always rattled my brain as to why bad things happen to good people. In this world, it is so much easier to be bad than good, so why is it that the good gets the short end of the stick?

So now, I think back to this case where this man was behind bars for 14 years.... not 1, not 5, but 14 long years for a crime he didn't commit. *That would have eaten me up inside*

However, he elected to meet his accuser after an appeal to the court's decision and being let free. He didn't hold anything against her and was moreso focused on rebuilding his life with family.

It's all too often that I hear about innocent bystanders getting hurt in acts they had nothing to do with. No matter how many charities I've donated to, or hours I volunteer, nothing saves me from being subject to evil-doers.

Life is complicated-- We live in a world where its hard to determine whether good prevails bad, or if bad clobbers good. Think about it...

You can either be a good person and watch everyone else around you do wrong OR do wrong while everyone expects people to do wrong anyway, therefore making it okay in some instances. Now, I do believe you are rewarded time to time for being good, but for some people, those accolades are far and few and nonetheless not worth it. And sometimes, you don't feel like being good gets you anywhere. So why bother?

In either case, it breaks my heart when I hear about something horrible (specifically unpreventable) happen to an innocent person. The only thing you can wonder is "why would something so terrible happen to this person and their family?" And no matter how much I try to add things up, some times, it still makes no sense to me *sigh*

I've come to the point where I am over trying to understand why this happens. I HAVE to have answers to questions, but for this one, it's one of those things that I have learned to live with and let be.

But don't worry... I am all good (winks). I don't think I have what it takes to be bad-- remember I think with my heart waaaay too much LOL.

My frustrations don't end here... I actually have a ton of things to add to my "No Comprendo" list-- so definitely look out for part 2.

Ttfn... ta ta for now
K
xoxo

M&M

Not the candy silly-- it stands for make-up and mentoring-- two things that are totally better than chocolate! [okay, maybe not better, but definitely are close seconds lol]

I had a fantabulous day exploring both of these ventures and I can't wait to get started! Let me tell you allllll about it :-)

Make-Up Madness
Soooo... I told you about my desire to become a make-up artist and to get certified at a make-up school-- guess what~ I found one that totally takes the cake!

Sooo... its called Chic Studios! I haven't started the program yet, so I don't want to vouch for them so soon, but I will tell you I am happy with their assistance thus far. I got to meet one of the representatives and she gave me an awesome overview of the program. And look at the view from where its at! [Check out my pic!]

Anywhoo-- besides the great view and the new romantic getaway I found, I got to ask a million questions! What types of products are offered? How many people are in a class? Are there going to be tests? The rep was very helpful and really helped me through understanding their operations. I will be in class 4 times a week at 4 hours at a time [yikes after working full-time that will be tough, but I can do it :-)] They use all top line products and there are 3 tests [shoot me LOL] But I absolutely will LOVE learning about make-up, so I think this is the first time I will actually enjoy a test! I am just trying to figure out how I will fund this venture [Ohhhhh Daddy!-- kidding, I got my own ish!-- all the woman that's independent, throw your hands up at me! LOL]

Mentor Magic

I LOVE children! I would be a teacher now had I not spent a ton of money on my college education-- kidding lol. But honestly, I can TOTALLY see myself as a teacher down the line.

My heart skips a beat for make-up, but totally stops in terms of affecting a child's life. I am a firm believer that although life can be difficult, everyone deserves the chance to smile. I love to make people smile. Children aren't afforded the opportunities that adults are, so its unfair for them to be short-changed from what life has to offer.

Even if I never become a teacher, I will always try to stay as connected as I can with today's youth. One part of me feels like it is my utmost duty to give back to those who are less fortunate and the other part just knows that I undoubtedly have a big heart that I love sharing with people.

Soooo about the program... Its called Children of Promise and it's mission is to provide support, recreation and academic assistance to children with incarcerated parents. There is a viscious cycle of intergenerational incarceration and CP is advocating to end it. I think its a topic that definitely needs attention and I am happy to be apart of it.

CP gave us a tour of the facility [and fed us a very delectable red velvet cake-- my FAV!] The volunteers ranged from age 20-50... so it was a beautiful thing to not be the only one with the same passion. While on the tour, there were kids around and of course they were not afraid to be themselves LOL. I love their innocence, spontaneity and energetic spirits.

Now I have to wait and see how I will work this into my schedule, but I am mostly interested in becoming an individual mentor. I don't even have a preference on the gender or age- male or female, 7 or 17-- I am sure I will learn as much from them as they will from me.

Welllll.... go meee for making it happen in 2010! Crossing stuff off my bucket list!

Changing faces one eyeshadow and smile at a time...

Ttfn- ta ta for now...

K
xoxo

Wee Oh Wee Oh Wee!! Like a Cop Car....

WTF! I don't know if this is just me or if this happens to anyone else butttt... when I'm driving somewhere and the radio commercial or song has sirens or car horn sound effects in it, I get scared!! Seriously, I think it's happening in real life! I always think there's a cop behind me or someone beeping at me b/c I did something wrong! Like what the heck! It's sooo annoying and my heart always skips a beat. I'm all checking my rearview and side mirrors looking for the flashing lights... but there are NONE!! LOL Don't you all think that crap should be BANNED from the radio?! Like what if they play the siren sound effect and you quickly move to the next lane over to let the cop pass and you crash into another car!! Who in their RIGHT mind would believe "I thought I heard a cop car coming (when there are none in sight)". They would either think I'm drunk, texting or just plain crazy. Smh.. I think we should all start a petition to ban sirens and horn usage from radio stations, songs and commercials! Who's with me!?

My Bucket List

I am in LOVE with the thought of living life... I think there is so much to explore and although at times I can be hesitant, I can see the greater good in attempting to experience everything rather than experiencing nothing.

I love trying new things-- whether it be something as grand as a physical activity or something as simple as taking a different route to work. I think the element of surprise is what fuels me the most.

"I think life is all about spontaneity- attempt to never live the same day twice." I know she probably didn't make it up, but I got this line from Jennifer Lopez in the hit movie "Monster-In-Law." This is the answer she gives when asked why does she have so many professions. She was a dog walker, seamstress, hostess and an array of other things. In addition to taking so many risks, in the movie she finds love while doing one of her many temp jobs. I can only hope to try as many things as she has-- oh and find love too, but of courseee that's a totally different blog post LOL.

Additionally, trying out new stuff will help you determine things ranging from what you could probably stand to live without to the things you could potentially love. And that alone is absolutely beautiful. You just never know what your heart may have a penchant for until you try it.

Now the stuff on my list ranges from extremely practical to very adventurous. I didn't make a bucket list of tasks that are impossible (I like to think things are nearly impossible hence the small font LOL)-- but rather feats that I know are very attainable for *ME*-- I am not living my life by this list, but I think writing them down will help to get tasks crossed off that much quicker.

I am in no rush to complete my entire list either, however, I do need to get rid of items, otherwise, with time, I just keep adding LOL. However, some things have no end date. The best part of sharing my list is because I can always come back and update you all with what I've done or what I've added.

Check out what I have so far--my things are in no particular order or priority... I hope my list influences you to start one of your very own :-)

Ttfn... ta ta for now
K
xoxo

K's Bucket List
1. Learn to play an instrument (either the piano or violin)
2. Learn to master 2 or more languages (preferably spanish and french)
3. Visit every continent (Okay maybe not Antartica unless I visit Santa!)
4. Get casted as a random extra in a movie (wouldn't that be cool?)
5. Cut my hair realllllly short
6. Become a mentor
7. Be a judge on Iron Chef America (LOL! I love that show!)
8. Take the real estate exam and become certified
9. Learn the ins and outs of the stock market
10. Understand how a car works (I sound like a real girl huh? lol)
11. Become a wine expert
12. Create a budget and actually STICK to it (boy oh boy, my poor spending habits)
13. Learn about different religions
14. Become a conneiseur in cuisine (I freaking love food!)
15. Get 2 more tattoos (oh la la LOL)
16. Sky dive (this should help me get over my fear of falling ::hides eyes::)
17. Take up painting/sculpting courses
18. Get certified in make-up artistry (in the makings-- yipeeeee!)
19. Attempt to live a vegetarian lifestyle (and boy would this be hard-- I love meat!)
20. Ride on the back of a motorcycle
21. Attend Broadway plays every month
22. Actually sight-see in New Yaaaawk (lol, its so sad I never have)
23. Go white water rafting
24. Learn how to swim
25. Take a helicopter ride (whoo hoo!)
26. Start my own non-profit organization
27. Write and produce a play
28. Live in a completely different and unfamiliar city
29. Own an all black car (tint, rims and interior... black is sexy LOL)
3o. Open up a business (no idea what type... but a business nonetheless)