tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61866262719469871642024-03-19T04:48:45.368-04:00Writing, Surviving & ThrivingOn newlywed life, motherhood, academia, and everything in betweenTJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-78354135133346758472016-09-30T15:09:00.000-04:002016-09-30T15:09:12.882-04:00There's always more, right? <span data-offset-key="43ifk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">I</span></span>'m working through a life/work lesson at the moment. <br /><br />I'm stuck between <br /><br />"There's always more of what you're not afraid to give away" <br />vs. <br />"Don't give too much away." <br /><br />I'm learning how to share but be protective of my stuff at the same time. I want to share, but what a punch in the stomach to see your work and your passion filtered through someone else's lens, especially when it was your passion and your ideas that sparked the flame. Ugh...<br /><br />Lord, bless this academic journey. Amen.<br />
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Until next time...still writing, still surviving, still thriving (I think???).TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-10080780914251347892016-09-21T10:29:00.002-04:002016-09-21T10:29:45.416-04:00On Performing Patriotism<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Performativity, simply put, is is the capacity of speech and communication to construct and perform an identity. Researchers like Judith Butler take it a step further and argue that identities are caused or created by performative actions, behaviors, and gestures.<br /><br />I read this post the other night, and it's still on my mind. </div>
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"You stand for the national anthem at sporting events. Big deal. I’m guessing you don’t when you’re out to eat and a game is on. Or when you’re watching the game at home. Nope. Only when people can see you and judge you for how patriotic they think you are." - <a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/neither-laws-minds-hearts-changed-silence-compliance/">post on Scary Mommy site</a></blockquote>
This writer succinctly captures the idea of patriotism as performance. Long story short, the people who are performing patriotism get on my damn nerves. <br /><br />I watched the #TerenceCrutcher video. I'm so exhausted by these hashtags. I just heard about the father of 7 killed in his car while reading a book that was mistaken for a gun. <br /><br /><br />
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And folks are still confused about why people are outraged and why folks are kneeling? <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ46IAFV2qU/V-KYpnYPqUI/AAAAAAAADrg/2x7i6qvq6M8AVcmovp8ce4ObAjJO0GQ1wCLcB/s1600/Kapernick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ46IAFV2qU/V-KYpnYPqUI/AAAAAAAADrg/2x7i6qvq6M8AVcmovp8ce4ObAjJO0GQ1wCLcB/s320/Kapernick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />A weak argument conflating military appreciation and standing for the anthem would get a revise/resubmit in my class. <br /><br />Love, <br /><br />The Daughter of a Wounded Vietnam War Veteran<br /><br />Until next time, y'all keep on pushing. I'm trying. TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-20089910564512138052016-08-07T21:45:00.000-04:002016-08-07T21:51:35.477-04:00From the Desk of my Hubs: Some Thoughts About Suicide Squad and the State of the Summer Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey y'all. I'm still here...just trying to keep everything afloat.<br />
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I'm not posting at the moment, but my hubs, the pop culture junkie extraordinaire, has a few things to get off his chest about summer movies <strike>and his geekdom</strike>. This superhero stuff just ain't up my alley, but <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/02/nope-well-never-see-eye-to-eye-hubs.html" target="_blank">I'm learning.</a> </div>
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Enjoy! </div>
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__________________</div>
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First things first…. I refuse to pay $4-$5 for a Dasani
water at the theater! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Watching the movie, I can see why DC is having so many problems replicating Marvel’s success. They are trying move way too fast with
their Universe. The Marvel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>movie that
best parallels Suicide Squad is Guardians of the Galaxy. While important they
are “B” level characters at best. Guardians of the Galaxy is the tenth Marvel
movie and during that time they have been slowly building from the big guns
individually to groups. Suicide Squad is the third DC movie….THE THIRD ONE!!!
How do you make this movie before (rebooted) Batman, Wonder Woman, (movie
version) Flash, or (rebooted) Green Lantern, JUSTICE freakin' LEAGUE?!?! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not quite sure where they go from here with the
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harley Quinn will be in the
Batman reboot and possibly Justice League. What about Will Smith’s Deadshot who
had, perhaps, the best performance in the movie? Do you make another Suicide
Squad, or does he get a solo movie? Looks to be a waste of “A” level star power.
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Speaking of Harley Quinn, they clearly wanted her to be the scene-stealing
star of the movie. She had the most fleshed out story and best lines of the
movie. The only gripe I had with her is that it felt at times like they were
trying to force the audience to see her as the scene stealer rather than it
happen organically. I suspect at the early test screenings, the powers that be
saw her and said we need to see more of her…. RESHOOTS!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This leads to the next issue/slight disappointment. I feel
there is a director’s cut/ “R” rated version of this movie that would have
really KICKED ASS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David Ayers is know
to make some pretty dark violent movies and that is what the Suicide Squad is
about in the comic books. These people are some of the baddest guys in the DC
universe. While they said they were bad repeatedly, I feel that they held back
on letting them truly be “bad” with it being PG-13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>really wanted to put out. You would think
that after Deadpool’s massive box office, the studio would be daring enough to
not put out a PG-13. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jared Leto’s performance as The Joker intrigues me. Heath
Ledger remains the gold standard for his Joker performance and I think it will
be unfair to expect someone to surpass it (although it could happen). He really
wasn’t put out front and center so I will withhold final judgment however for
the time he was there it was a good performance. I enjoy his take on The Joker,
which is more of a gangster rather than Heath Ledger’s anarchist performance.
Both are clearly demented and unpredictable however, Jared Leto’s Joker would
not be burning stacks of money like the Heath Ledger version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I really enjoyed the use of classic and current music in the
movie. I think it helped give it a cool feeling and give you a feel about some
of the characters.</div>
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Adding everything up and walking in with low expectations, I
thought the movie was enjoyable. As I said earlier, I believe there is a unrated
version that would have been a lot better then the one released. I do not think
Suicide Squad is a bad as reviewers have made it out to be; however it’s pretty
cookie-cutter as comic book movies go. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My Final Verdict- 6.5/ 10<o:p></o:p></div>
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Can I say that this summer SUCKED in terms of movies? Allow
me to get some stuff off of my chest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Remember when summer movies actually premiered
in the SUMMER! This summer season started on May 6</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> with Captain
America: Civil War. While this was the best movie of the summer, it was MAY 6</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">TH</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">!!!!!
I understand starting summer movies during Memorial Day, but MAY 6</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">!!!! It feels like
we are always in a rush to get to the thing instead of enjoying the now. For
example, walk into some stores and they are already selling Halloween
merchandise. Could we wait till at least September before putting this stuff
out? Let’s enjoy the moment, Hollywood! I want the Summer Season to be the
SUMMER SEASON and keep the blockbusters to that time frame. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I love movie trailers to the
point that it annoys the misses that I would rather see another showing then
miss them. However, it feels like they have gotten longer and longer and
LONGER. These days I have already finished my Twizzlers before the opening
credits have started with all of the trailers. Can we limit them from 4-5 to around 1
to 2 minutes? Also please try to hold back a little on what is included. Some
of the best stuff from a movie is thrown in the trailer leaving the actually
movie lackluster.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Before I conclude: </span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I REFUSE to pay $4-$5 dollars for a Dasani</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Comic-Con is the devil when it comes to summer
movies now. Hollywood is so concerned with getting the approval of a room of
full of antsy twitter fingers</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">that they
are scared to take chances. Summer movies now fall into a couple of buckets:</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Kids Movies- The Secret Lives of Pets, Finding
Dory, The Jungle Book, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Angry Birds, and Alice
Through the Looking Glass<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sequels- Captain America: Civil War, Finding
Dory, Independence Day: Resurgence, Now You See Me 2, The Conjuring 2, Star
Trek Beyond, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Neighbors 2,
X-Men: Apocalypse, Jason Bourne, Ice Age: Collision Course<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Comic Books- Captain America: Civil War, Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles, Suicide Squad, X-Men: Apocalypse<o:p></o:p></div>
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Notice a trend…not much thinking
outside the box. Producers are so focused on getting the approval of the
Comic-Con crowd that it has really killed creativity and taking chances with
movies. Could you imagine a movie about a globetrotting archeologist seeking
out a legendary artifact succeeding today? How about a lonely kid befriending a
lost alien while the army is chasing after them? Maybe a teenager going back in
time to make sure his parents met one another so he could be born in the
future? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkkzKHCx154" target="_blank">Raiders of the Lost Ark</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSx8Jobx-Gs">E.T.</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsgGtivCgs">Back to the Future </a>were made without
looking for the approval of the Comic-Con and became HUGE. Notice how long these trailers
are, BTW.</div>
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The poor box-office this summer
reflected the sad state of movies and I hope a change is made soon. When I take
my daughter to the movies in a couple of years, I want her to get the same
feeling I had when I saw some of the movies above. Until that happens, I will
just have to fire up my Blu-ray player and tell her what a real blockbuster
used to look like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I still refuse to pay $4-$5
for a Dasani!!!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-13395543548000712612016-05-19T09:43:00.001-04:002016-05-19T09:43:48.462-04:00Make Your Ears Happy: Chance the Rapper<a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/02/confession-of-gospel-loving-hip-hop.html" target="_blank">I've told y'all before</a> that my favorite genres of music are gospel and hip hop. When the two merge...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjuNVntd-a4" target="_blank">listen</a>.<br />
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So, when Hubs rushed home from work on some, "Come downstairs; you've gotta hear this. It's your speed," I hightailed it to the basement. Let's just say, my ears aren't the same.<br />
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If I were using emojis, this post would be full of flames and 100s.<br />
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This album is everything.<br />
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Honestly, this feels like what <i>The Life of Pablo</i> wanted to be, but the lyrics are amazing (Kanye's bleach/t-shirt lyric destroyed one of the best beats I've heard in years) . I must note, however, that the Kanye influence is definitely recognizable.<br />
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Best part - THIS JOINT IS $FREE.99!!! Go on and <a href="http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/chance-the-rapper-coloring-book-new-mixtape.116400.html" target="_blank">stream/download</a> it.<br />
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The preacher's daughter who is in love with breakbeats is a happy camper right now. Listening to this gave me an opportunity to share some of my favorite gospel songs with my husband. <br />
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And don't get me started on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaEuyV2YWoA" target="_blank">Chance-Jay Electronica cut</a>.<br />
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Chancelor Bennet - You did that!!!<br />
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Until next time, I'm over here praising and nodding my head.TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-39700560359247658632016-04-21T14:27:00.001-04:002016-04-21T14:27:38.417-04:00Cannot. Process. Prince. Phife's passing made me feel like a piece of my adolescence disappeared.<br />
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Prince -- Lord, I feel like a chunk of my childhood is gone. I can barely focus, and I need to get a TON of work done. <br />
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Here's to the heel-wearing, hair flipping, gender-bending with the amazing ability to keep his masculinity clearly in tact. Here's to the man who was already in 1999 in 1982. Visionary. Genius. A man who loved his Blackness. May he rest in power and paradise. I can't even write about this anymore.<br />
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I'll leave you with one of my VERY favorite love songs, not just Prince songs, <i><a href="http://www.veoh.com/watch/v3192346y8CDyTx" target="_blank">She Loves Me 4 Me</a></i>. Click the link. You won't be disappointed.<br />
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<br />TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-70731272654933556622016-04-18T11:12:00.000-04:002016-04-18T11:14:57.702-04:00Literally and Figuratively Sowing Seeds First, a little mood music. Today's selection - Apple Tree by Erykah Badu.<br />
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After years of imagining and dreaming of a backyard garden, I finally got to work!<br />
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I could have been grading papers or working on a paper that needs revising, or working on another manuscript that won't let me rest, but instead, I decided to sow seeds - literally and figuratively. </div>
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Life in academia is rough. Beginning my career as a tenure-track professor being pregnant, on bed rest, and caring for a newborn, now toddler, exacerbates the struggle. I've spent the last month and a half trying to get back on track - establishing a productive writing routine, bouncing from conference to conference to conference. For someone who is very, very shy, attending conferences does a number on my spirit, and by "does a number," I mean makes me anxiety-ridden. It's hard putting yourself out there. Rubbing elbows and exchanging cards drains me. Walking up to strangers to share how their work impacts you is tough, especially when that person is looking <i>through</i> you in search of a bigger name to flatter. Academia is one part rigor and <strike>five</strike> two parts self-promotion. I've decided that I'm going to go hard for my career, but I'll have to do it in my own way, on my own terms. This ain't nobody else's race to run but my own, and I think I lost sight of that. This <a href="https://conditionallyaccepted.com/2014/09/16/academic-stardom/" target="_blank">article </a>blessed me this morning. I have rockstar potential, but I'm going to let the work (and some strategic social engagement) be my calling card. </div>
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So this past weekend, in an effort to recalibrate and shake off the academic residue, my family and I sowed seeds - literally and figuratively. </div>
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I've dreamed of growing a garden for years. Maybe it's the southern girl in me. Maybe it's the inner-boho-Badu (as my husband would describe it). Either way, I've always had the desire to grow my own food. We planned on gardening last year, but moving into our house in mid-May pushed gardening way down on our list of priorities. After over a month of palm pressing and hobnobbing, and the cold weather FINALLY gone for good, Hubs and I decided it was time to get going. </div>
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Following the advice of every gardening site I read, I only planted what I knew we'd eat - lettuce, kale, cucumbers, red peppers, onion, and garlic. We also did some container gardening for a watermelon and some strawberries. I've still gotta plant the herbs, but we're up and running! </div>
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Things always happen when they are supposed to happen (Lord, why can't I hold onto this?!?). Starting our garden this year gave us the awesome opportunity to share the activity with Little Miss TJ. And, y'all, she took right to it. </div>
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As annoyed as I was that she was undoing our hard work at times, I was more grateful to watch her enjoy connecting with nature. She's a helpful kid by nature, so she was more than willing to make sure that everything was watered. </div>
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As y'all can see, she was serious about keeping the plants nice and hydrated. Let's pray she doesn't drown them. </div>
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As we worked on the yard, I realized I felt something that I hadn't felt in a while - RELAXED! </div>
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Tending to our little garden gave me a way to connect with my family. It also allowed us to do a little personal sowing. We sowed:<br />
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<b>Seeds of Quality Time</b>: Being outside with each other made my heart full. The joy on Little Miss TJ's face was priceless.<br />
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<b>Seeds of Teamwork</b>: We all came inside hot and tired, yet accomplished.<br />
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<b>Seeds of Patience</b>: Hubs and I are mindful of how we engage with Little Miss TJ as she "helps" with the garden, and we are teaching her to wait for our seeds to blossom and grow.<br />
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<b>Seeds of Self-Care</b>: I needed this weekend off (well, mostly off). Tending to the garden took me away from the world of due dates and deadlines.<br />
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This weekend also reminded me that my sweet, chubby-cheeked baby is evolving into her own autonomous, independent little person. Check her out!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just noticed <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/05/on-new-pooch.html" target="_blank">Tyson </a>trying to get a little bit of H20. Ha! </td></tr>
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These are just a few of the special moments we shared in the yard yesterday. We are already reaping from what we sowed. <a href="http://biblehub.com/galatians/6-7.htm" target="_blank">I believe this.</a> The garden, like our lives, need to be cultivated. Sometimes it (and we) need a little pruning and some new soil to get us growing. I love getting lessons when I'm not looking for them. Continue to lift me up as I cultivate my backyard garden, my inner garden, my marriage garden, and my family-life garden. All of these things will contribute to the improvement of my work-life garden, which is slowly starting to bud.<br />
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I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the garden. Given all the hard work, time, and energy <strike>(and coins!) </strike>we put into it, we want to eat from our back yard this summer! Also pray for Tyson - He's already eating the watermelon leaves, and I'm NOT happy about it. Sigh.<br />
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Until next time - I'll be over here sowing seeds in all my gardens. </div>
TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-3347506174687341212016-04-07T14:54:00.002-04:002016-04-07T14:54:44.412-04:00I've been...<div>
It's been forever since I said hi. Hey, y'all!<br />
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Just checking in while I write, survive, and thrive (well, try to anyway). Lately I've been...<br />
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<b>Making:</b> little to no time for the things that sustain me . . . reading, exercising, going out with my girlfriends, blogging. A change is coming!<br />
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<b>Cooking: </b>meatloaf muffins and smashed, cheesy cauliflower. It's the way I get my little person to eat her veggies.<br />
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<b>Drinking:</b> way too much coffee. Little Miss TJ's daycare puts it out every morning for parents, so I (over)indulge.<br />
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<b>Reading:</b> one of my doctoral student's papers on equity in mathematics education. She's got it, y'all. Total star in the making. I'm going to take some credit. :)<br />
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<b>Wanting:</b> a new Fitbit, but one that I wear like a watch. I just washed the One that you clip to your bra/pocket. This is #3.<br />
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<b>Looking:</b> at comforters to redecorate our master bedroom. It is the barest space in the house. I'm designing with the word "sexy sanctuary" in mind.<br />
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<b>Playing:</b> games on my phone as I think through an article I'm trying to write that's giving me the blues.<br />
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<b>Wasting:</b> time when I should be grading papers.<a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2014/05/ive-been.html" target="_blank"> Same answer as before</a>. At least I'm consistent.<br />
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<b>Wishing:</b> for a nap.<br />
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<b>Enjoying:</b> watching Little Miss TJ make sense of the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um...could y'all hurry up?!? I'm Easter fresh. It's time to style on the other babies.</td></tr>
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<b>Waiting:</b> for my final meeting of the day.<br />
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<b>Liking: </b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/proeraradio/joey-badass-brooklyns-own-prod-by-statik-selektah" target="_blank">Brooklyn's Own by Joey Badass. </a><br />
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<b>Wondering:</b> What Little Miss TJ is doing at school right now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate that she has to wear uniforms, but we find ways to jazz it up. </td></tr>
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<b>Loving: </b>the idea of being a <i><a href="http://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/the-slow-professor/" target="_blank">Slow Professor</a></i>. Busy culture is overrated.<br />
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<b>Hoping:</b> that my rental property sells really soon. Say a prayer for me.<br />
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<b>Marveling: </b>at my awesome wash & go from the other day. It's all about product and application.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First wash & go EVER in almost 17 years! This pic doesn't even come <br />close to showing y'all how my curls were *popping* in person</td></tr>
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<b>Wondering:</b> if Sesame Place is a too much for Little Miss TJ's 2nd birthday. Lord Jesus, she's almost 2 years old.<br />
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<b>Needing:</b> a solo vacation.<br />
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<b>Smelling:</b> like Givenchy Ange ou Demon. Mmmm.<br />
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<b>Wearing:</b> the same shit over and over because I refuse to give up on fitting all of my pre-baby clothes.<br />
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<b>Following:</b> some fun new mommy blogs, which inspired me to visit my own.<br />
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<b>Noticing:</b> that things run so much smoother when I plan ahead. Duh.<br />
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<b>Creating:</b> beautiful programs for my sister's wedding. It was awesome.<br />
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<b>Knowing:</b> that I need to network rub some elbows at a conference this weekend.<br />
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<b>Thinking:</b> how can I carve out meaningful time with my husband and myself. Life is so go, go, go at the moment.<br />
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<b>Bookmarking:</b> cute haircuts. It's almost time for another <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/05/on-choppa-style-my-hair-story-pt-2.html" target="_blank">big chop</a>!<br />
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<b>Giggling</b>: at my group text messages. Mess. LOL.<br />
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<b>Feeling:</b> like I have something really special to give the world, but I haven't quite tapped into it yet. It's coming.<br />
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What have y'all been up to? What are you thinking, making, marveling?</div>
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Until next time . . . </div>
TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-34080339183437992992015-12-11T15:30:00.001-05:002015-12-11T15:51:30.366-05:00Achievement gap at infancy...What?!?I used to want to teach kindergarten. Since Little Miss TJ has entered my life, my interest in early childhood education has been reignited. <br />
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My husband and I trade child-rearing and educational articles for sport. He sent me t<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2015/12/10/achievement-gap-in-d-c-starts-in-infancy-report-shows/" target="_blank">his </a>article, and it has been circulating in my education social media feeds all day. It sent me over the edge in a way that I didn't expect. I think the title is what triggered me. It is rooted in deficit thinking and language.<br />
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I call BS on some of this article. I get the point of it and the intention, but I still call BS.<br />
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If you've been reading for a while, you know <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/02/being-black-loving-mathematics-and.html" target="_blank">I can't get into achievement gap rhetoric </a>in the first place.<br />
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Achievement gap in infancy? Get out of here. What about honoring the knowledge that children bring with them to school, and what about addressing issues of longstanding social injustice? Time and time again, we've seen that when we (1) address social issues AND (2) equip parents with knowledge and skills, kids thrive. Folks always want to fixate on Step 2 and ignore Step 1. I think that's why I'm so annoyed.<br />
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/11/24/how-twisted-early-childhood-education-has-become-from-a-child-development-expert/?postshare=8811448449851117&tid=ss_fb-bottom" target="_blank">We're forcing too much inauthentic learning down kids' throats anyway</a>. Who gives a damn if your baby can read? If they were meant to read, they'd have fully developed language. Besides, experts in early child education have said that PLAY is the best way to grow little minds. You mean to tell me the little ones referenced in the article don't have imagination and know how to play? They have to learn how to do a lot with a little, and if that isn't imagination and innovation, I don't know what is. There is a "gap" because people are putting too many academic rigors on babies and not addressing larger social and institutional forces at play. And while we're on gaps, lets talk about opportunity and exposure gaps instead of achievement gaps that put the problem on the shoulders of kids.<br />
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Here's the thing, and I don't know how to dress this up nicely - They (meaning the systems that be) will never give poor, Black kids the kind of play-based education research has shown that young kids need and that affluent parents pay <i><u>top dollar</u></i> to give their kids (I'm presently on the hunt). They'll keep forcing reading down 4-year olds' throats and calling them dumb when they don't rise to the occassion. This isn't to say some little ones don't have the natural desire, inclination, or ability to do so, but it's ok if they don't. Some children need more time than others. We have to learn how to let children develop on their own terms (barring any serious issues) and stop panicking every time they don't hit some developmentally inappropriate target. CAN THE KIDS LIVE?!?!<br />
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After reading the actual report the article cites, I feel a little more at ease, but I'm still coming down.<br />
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Until next time . . . let's encourage policy makers to read some early childhood research.<br />
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<br />TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-46194250822636048192015-11-19T14:03:00.001-05:002015-11-19T21:56:06.153-05:00Guest Post: Hubby's Musings on ATCQHey, y'all.<br />
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I'm still here. Just trying to figure out how to juggle it all. I won't even fix my fingers to write about balancing it all, because I think balance is a farce, at least for me.<br />
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My husband stays on me about blogging. I miss it. I love it; I've just got to figure out how to juggle it. In the meantime, he had a little something on his mind about the A Tribe Called Quest reunion tour that he needed to get off of his chest. Remember, we're <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/03/our-love-story-in-concert-pictures.html" target="_blank">hard core music lovers</a>.<br />
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This is serious business for us. So here's the scenario:<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
If you want to know more about his musical tastes, follow him <a href="https://www.instagram.com/boombapdad/" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/sjfrank597" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I know there is a lot of energy around this Tribe Called Quest reunion and what might happen afterward. I will saythat I am conflicted on some of the aftermath from this reunion. Here are a couple of things I do and don't want to see:<br /><br />I DO want to see a tour. I attended the shows they had for Rock the Bells, and both years they put on great performances. Similar to Outkast or even Lauryn Hill, the nostalgia bump always makes what could be an okay show seem great when you start reciting Check the Rhyme or Bonita Applebum. There was animosity during one of the tours as seen in their <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1613023/">documentary,</a> and shows were still dope. I believe the continued beef will not affect them having a great show (but it may cut the tour short).<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" />
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<br /><br />I DO want to see an album of unreleased material. I know that tracks like these are usually leftover for a reason - they were subpar to the actual material that was released. However, Tribe was so ahead of others that their sh!t still sounds better than 70% of the sh!t out today. I will bump that number up to 80% if you are between 29 and 34 and 95% if you are 35 and older. I am sure amongst these tracks are some gems. Couple that with possible unreleased Ummah tracks (check <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ummah">Wikipedia </a>if you don't know who that group is), that makes me even more excited at what's floating around in that vault.<br /><br />
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<br /><br />Finally, I DO NOT want to see a new album from ATCQ. Sure we yearn for this like a new Outkast or Lauryn Hill album; however I will point out exhibit A (like that subtle Jay Electronica reference?) as to why I don't want to see this. Gentlemen of the jury, I present the recent Dr. Dre release, Compton. We have been fiendin' for the follow up to Chronic 2001, and this what we got. After the hype and social media over reaction wore off, what you were left with was a lackluster effort from the good Doctor. While I hate to compare albums, I will compare an artist's output and this just didn't meet his previous work. Maybe it was the ghost writers or "co-producers" but the album just isn't very good to me....Back to Tribe, I want to keep them off the mic and not sully their legacy. Think about how disappointed you would be if you didn't get that same thrill and feeling you had when you listened to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFO77h9aALs">Low End Theory</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shrMgPuFMQ0">Midnight </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shrMgPuFMQ0">Marauders</a>. Hell, even The Love Movement and Beats, Rhymes, and Life were great albums; they unfortunately followed two all-time great records. I would equate this to Nas's Illmatic vs. It Was Written. Listen to It Was Written now and you will realize that it was an amazing album that rightfully would have a hard time eclipsing what people consider the greatest hip hop album of all time. Tribe would have the same issue only worse because of the lapse of time in releases.<br /><br />So to wrap up, stay out of the booth but take your act on the road, ATCQ. Couple yourselves with De La Soul, and that would be a well attended show. Team up with Outkast, and y'all are selling out arenas. A man can dream.<br /><br />Until next time, my wife and I will leave you with our unwavering love of ATCQ and each other - our first dance to Bonita Applebum. <br /><br /></div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-76515885401739830972015-06-18T14:06:00.000-04:002015-06-18T14:06:48.357-04:00Black JoyI ran across the most beautiful hashtag today. In the midst of so much Black pain, @ReignofApril asked people to post pics that are examples of #BlackJoy.<br />
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I don't have a picture, but at the moment, I can't stop watching this video. It gives me complete #Blackjoy when I watch it. #LittleMissTJ is now 10 months, almost 11, and she has become quite the character. Here's a snippet of how we spend our time as we wait for Hubs to get home from work.<br />
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#Blackjoy<br />
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Until next time...I'm racing home from the coffee shop to go snuggle with my nugget!TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-84133820260125857542015-06-18T13:55:00.003-04:002015-06-18T13:55:52.297-04:00Prayers UpThis has been a tough week. <br />
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The farce of the woman whose name I refuse to say. Guess I'll go pull out my flat iron and be a White woman tomorrow. NOT.<br />
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The deportation of those of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic. The DR will NEVER make our list of places to visit ever again.<br />
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But last night, I lulled off to sleep with the news of a church shooting. Too tired and in need of some decent sleep (says the mother of an infant - ha!), I decided not to delve head-first into the news. When I awoke this morning and took it all in, I was outdone.<br />
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I've shared numerous times on here that I'm a church kid. My dad is a pastor, and my childhood memories are full of Vacation Bible School, church lock-ins, and choir rehearsals. The Charleston shooting hit me hard. The fact that I spent time on the phone this morning discussing church safety with my parents is so disheartening.<br />
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While everyone is posting about sending prayers up, and I fully believe we should, I'm in more of an action space today. As long as there is breath in my body, I will fight against racism, and more specifically anti-Blackness. Whether it's with my students in class, in a conversation with friends, colleagues, or strangers, or in social media and blog posts (that I'm reluctant to post in fear of how I'll be perceived).<br />
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Y'all keep praying. I'll be sending some up as well. But my prayers won't just be for Charleston, they'll be for the courage and the right words to prick people's hearts against anti-Blackness.<br />
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Until next time. . . I'll be over here reminding folks that we matter. TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-75497567183939258862015-04-29T12:47:00.000-04:002015-04-29T12:48:37.381-04:00A Mama's Think-Aloud about BaltimoreA little mood music: <i>Momma</i> by Kendrick Lamar. His new album is so timely given all the injustice and frustration of the moment.<br />
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This post is about the love of a mother and my conflicting feelings. I needed a space to think aloud, and Facebook just isn't the place. It's way too volatile.<br />
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I'll start this post by stating that I am anti-spanking. Yes, I know my little one is still an infant, but trust, she's starting to test the waters. Her father and I are committed to trying to go a route that detours corporal punishment.<br />
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Over the past few days, folks have been posting the Baltimore mom. The posts have had a "LOL, get him, girl!" tone to them. She's being heralded as a hero.<br />
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I had a new revelation this morning as I watched the Baltimore mom again this morning, and tears started to roll. There's NOTHING like a mother's love. NOTHING. I told my mama I love her in a new way since having Little Miss TJ. The sacrifices I make with no thought about making them astounds me when I step back and really think about it. I know that what that mother did, she did out of love and fear - an immeasurable amount of love for her son and fear for his future. I get it. I really, really do. I understand going into the trenches for your child. I'm not here to judge. As a matter of fact, as first I was like, "Go, head, mama!!!" and wondering if I'd do the same if I were in her shoes. Then I kept watching the news and they showed the news clip over and over and over ad nauseum.<br />
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Here comes the however . . .<br />
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The more I see the Baltimore mom being lauded in the media for smacking her son around, the more questions I have. I'm starting to wonder why so many people are cheering, especially people in the media who typically eschew violence and are asking people to remain peaceful in the midst of the chaos. Do people think Black kids are inherently deserving of physical punishment? Research shows that Black children are generally exposed to harsher punishments (even our <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/03/21/292456211/black-preschoolers-far-more-likely-to-be-suspended" target="_blank">babies</a>), particularly at school, so has society just come to the conclusion that Black children need to be handled in tougher ways. Would the pundits who are cheering beat their children? Are they cheering due to the context of the situation? Would they cheer her on if she was beating him for some other infraction?<br />
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I don't have any answers, just questions.<br />
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Until next time . . . I'll be over here trying to do the hardest job in the world - parenting. I'll also be lifting all of the mothers and fathers in Baltimore. I have no idea what it feels like to be in their shoes.TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-72547822624706375062015-02-12T01:14:00.000-05:002015-02-12T01:14:31.240-05:00Me, My Angels, and My Laptop: A Random Rant on RenewalA little music to accompany this post, <i>Private Party</i> by India Arie<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ain't nobody here but me, my angels, and my <strike>guitar</strike> laptop, singing "Baby, look how far we've come!"</span></i> </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Celebrating the woman I've become. </span></i></div>
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I am away from my husband and the baby on a work trip. It is midnight. I should be asleep.<br />
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While sleep is a commodity these days, so is the ability to just lie in the bed and think and dream and strategize and plan. So while I have nothing pressing on tomorrow morning's agenda, I'll use my favorite space on the web to think aloud with you all and do a little sleeping in tomorrow.<br />
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Let's go back to the first sentence of this post.<br />
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<i>I am away from my husband and the baby on a work trip. </i></div>
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This is my first time being away from my little peanut, and while I've been crying off and on today, I'm also realizing that when I signed up to speak at this conference at 7 months pregnant, I didn't realize that I'd be giving myself a gift: some solitude and quiet. Some time to think about being a better wife, mom, and academic. I'd be giving myself a space to renew my mind and spirit.* And, of course, this wouldn't be possible without a husband who gladly jumped at the opportunity for some daddy & daughter time. He balked at the idea of getting some help while I'm gone, and our daycare provider has christened him the Patron Saint of Daddyhood. He rocks.<br />
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Back to me: I have never been more exhausted in my life. I am burning the candle at both ends and then some. Being far away from my extended family makes rearing Little Miss TJ a mostly 2-person job. Her daddy and I juggle her and two very demanding jobs. We live by a calendar and work closely with her daycare provider. Sometimes that isn't enough. Thank God for a job where I can (occasionally) give a talk while bouncing a baby on my hip. A little daycare snafu found me presenting to a group of prospective students the other night with the baby in tow. Y'all know she stole the show, right?!?<br />
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Anyway, getting back to my point: exhaustion. I was telling my friends the other day that sleep deprivation makes me hopeless. You should hear me on a tough night with the baby. I slip into despair and begin replaying over and over everything that is wrong with me, my mothering, and my career. It's a slippery slope that leads me to be frozen in fear of the unknown. This isn't going to work, because <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2014/12/38.html" target="_blank">I told y'all Year 38 is all about regaining my footing and balance.</a> <br />
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Sometimes I forget that in the midst of feeling like there is no certainty, the uncertainty can be a gift if I allow it to be. Uncertainty and the willingness to delve into the unknown led me to quit a great job and jump into <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/01/giving-birthto-my-ideas.html" target="_blank">being a full-time student</a>. Uncertainty and embracing the unknown led me down this career path. Dancing with the unknown and unfamiliar gave us <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2014/11/on-bodies-and-babies-part-1.html" target="_blank">our baby</a>. I have to remind myself that being open to not having it all mapped out leaves room for the unexpected, and the unexpected is often better than what we plan.<br />
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So while I have some time to myself, in the midst of working and networking, I'm going to use some time to <a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/12-2.htm" target="_blank">renew my mind</a>. I'm going to meditate on being open to the uncertainty of new motherhood and a new career. I'm going to spend some time celebrating in the midst of what sometimes feels like upheaval. I'm going to spend some time rethinking how I spend my time. I'm going to SLEEP, dammit! I'm going to enjoy the company of good friends who live in the area - folks who knew me before the degrees and the husband and the baby.<br />
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And when I board the plan to go back to my favorite folks, I know that I won't have it all together, but I'm promising myself that I'll have taken a little time to refuel to keep on fighting the good fight.<br />
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Until next time . . . I'll be missing my family but focusing on me!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*The body is still up for debate. I brought my gym clothes, but see the way my fatigue is set up . . . </span>TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-46616979221351663542015-01-13T23:19:00.000-05:002015-01-13T23:19:25.462-05:00Her LaughHey y'all.<br />
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I'm drained. The baby is asleep (hallelu!!!), and I'm about to join her in doing so, but I wanted to just put this here for your enjoyment. It's poor quality but all cuteness. Pardon my bathrobe!<br />
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I am so fascinated by Little Miss TJ's sense of humor. I am always amused by what makes her laugh. In an effort to make sure she and Tyson have quality bonding time, I've started letting her feed him snacks (with my assistance of course). Well who knew feeding the doggy could be so much fun!<br />
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I live for that little snort in between her giggles. She makes everything brand new. Even feeding the dog.<br />
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Until next time . . . I'll be watching this video over and over.TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-24312699892230837712014-12-04T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-04T00:00:07.130-05:0038<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at about 2 years old #nofilter<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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38 is an even number. Its only divisors are 2 and 19.</div>
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It's the birthday year I'm celebrating today!!! </div>
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Last year, I believed <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/12/37.html" target="_blank">37 </a>would be a year of greatness, and it delivered! It was odd and prime, just as it was supposed to be. Here's a little of what I had to say last year:</div>
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<i>Y'all, 37 is about to be a big one. I'm bout to get it! Don't know what exactly "it" is yet, but I'm on a mission to find out. I believe God is about to get loose all over my life. I mean, look at 36. He loves to show out! I'm about to make my inner-10-year-old proud as I grow in fearlessness.</i></blockquote>
Well, I hope I did her proud. I tried. The big highlight of 37: <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/search/label/pregnancy" target="_blank">I HAD A BABY, Y'ALL! </a> Yup, a whole little person. I'm still in awe. Birthing Little Miss TJ took all the courage I had. I'm afraid of hospitals, needles, hard drugs, etc... So let's just say the emergency C-section didn't help. My doctor called me a "splash & dash" patient, which means she made the split-second decision to operate (more on that in a later post). While I lamented for quite awhile about not having the labor and delivery I'd planned, I have to say there's something rewarding about coming out on the other side and having a story to tell. I survived, and Little Miss TJ is thriving.<br />
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In last year's birthday post, I discussed how I wanted to work on being fearless. I believe I did just that. There was something empowering about carrying and birthing a baby. While lying in the hospital feeling incredibly vulnerable, I simultaneously felt really strong. All throughout the pregnancy I remembered that I had another set of ears listening, so I tried to be sure that I stood up for myself to teach her (even while in-vitro) that we have to stand in what we believe. Whether fighting for some semblance of maternity leave or reminding a student to be respectful, I felt a sense of fearlessness that I hadn't felt in a long time. Not to mention that pregnancy did a number on my brain to mouth filter, so I found myself <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2014/07/on-releasing.html" target="_blank">releasing and expressing </a>a little more than usual. It felt good, and I don't plan to give it up any time soon. </div>
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I spoke a big year 37 into existence. God showed out, just as he always does, but I won't say that it didn't come with some bumps and bruises. Motherhood has increased my selflessness, which means that there have been many sleepless nights, unwritten journal articles, forgotten appointments, and extensions for meetings and assignments. </div>
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So since 37 was an odd, prime year, here's to 38 being an even one. A year of recalibration and renewal. A year of trying to find some semblance of balance. A year of teaching Little Miss TJ that while she and her daddy are my greatest gifts, I also have to take some time for self-care if I'm going to be my best for them. A year of reclaiming my health <strike>and fitting back into my get 'em girl jeans. </strike> A year of pursuing my research which I LOVE. A year of <strike>getting to the money</strike> finding grants to fuel my passions. </div>
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May I be fearless enough to place the metaphorical mask over my own mouth before I breathe life into everyone else's endeavors.</div>
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Yep, 38 is even, and I like it! </div>
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Until next time . . . I'll be over here having a date day with the hubby while rocking out to my birthday song. </div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-24400516722990622052014-11-13T21:46:00.000-05:002014-11-13T21:46:26.314-05:00On Bodies and Babies (Part 1)First a little theme music: Donnie's Beautiful Me, an ode to loving our bodies.<br />
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I posted here and there about pregnancy, but I finally feel like I have enough distance to really talk about it. Little Miss TJ 3.5 months (yikes!!! It's happening too fast!!!), and I'm finally ready to start losing some weight.<br />
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While signing up for Weight Watchers the other day, I started thinking about all of the changes my body has been through in the last year and a half. I'm in awe of the body's ability to heal and repair itself. I am a true testament to this. </div>
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This blog post started getting really long (and heavy), so we'll just call this Part 1. </div>
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I've never had any major health issues, so the journey to pregnancy and birth introduced me to the world of hospitals and needles and doctors. After trying for over a year to conceive, my husband and I decided to try <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/in-vitro-fertilization/" target="_blank">IVF</a>. </div>
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I have gone back and forth and forth and back about whether I would disclose this information. I've finally decided to share because I know that hearing my story will bless someone. I've been shocked by the number of women who have emailed or called me to ask questions once I mention that we used IVF to conceive. Infertility brings about shame and stigma that it shouldn't. I'm telling my story to encourage others. Ok, I digress...</div>
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I don't like needles. AT. ALL. So the poking and prodding associated with IVF took it's toll. I can remember going for blood draws/hormone level checks every other day on top of the daily injections of drugs I had to administer at home. One particular morning, my vein just wouldn't cooperate as the nurse tried to draw blood, and I just lost it. The tears wouldn't stop. I had just finished my <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/08/thats-dr-tj-to-you.html" target="_blank">dissertation </a>and <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/08/all-day-workin.html" target="_blank">started a new job</a>, and there I was staring another huge life change in the face. I'm so grateful for the love of my husband. In the beginning, I was so afraid I wouldn't allow him to give me any injections. I thought that my hand was the most steady, and that I knew best how not to make the injections hurt. Boy was I wrong. My husband took the sting, literally and figuratively, out of daily injections. The more I write about this, the more it's coming back to me. I would mix the prescriptions while he would dim the lights and put on some relaxing sounds like ocean waves or the rain forest. He would ice my tummy, say some encouraging words, help me breathe and encourage me to close my eyes. He would be done before I even realized it. </div>
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IVF happens in stages. First we had extensive health exams. We were tested for everything under the sun. At the conclusion of it all, we learned that we had unexplained infertility. Once all of the testing was done, the next phases involved hormone injections to develop healthy eggs, harvesting the eggs, and fertilizing them. Well, we got through all of those phases with a lot of prayer and deep breaths. The next phase would be to transfer the embryo(s) and wait to see if we were pregnant. Given my age and health, my doctor suggested that we try to conceive using only one embryo for the first round. In some cases, doctors transfer two or more embryos, which sometimes leads to multiples.<br />
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Once we had embryos, it was time for the waiting game. The fertility clinic continued to monitor my hormone levels, and to my surprise, I got "the call" a week earlier than I anticipated. I remember the day clearly. My best friend and I were shopping on a Sunday evening around 5pm. I was trying on clothes, but on the fence about buying anything because I knew that a pregnancy could be on the horizon. The fertility clinic called to say that it was time to take what's called a "trigger shot." This is the shot that alerts your body that it's time to prepare for the embryo transfer. I continued to shop and tried to remain cool, but I was having a complete freak out on the inside. It was time. Lord!!! IT WAS TIME!!! So we wrapped up our shopping session. I ended up buying a loose-fitting dress that I knew could take me through the first trimester. I called my husband on the way home to let him know I got "the call."<br />
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Once again, Dr. Hubby came through. I mixed the prescription, and with loving and steady hands, he gave me the injection. Fast forward two additional hormone level checks, and it was time for the actual embryo transfer. I remember trying to draft an email to my students to let them know that class would be canceled. I wanted to write, "Hey y'all. I'm about to embark on motherhood!!!" Instead, I gave a brief and vague explanation for canceling class at short notice and anxiously looked forward to the transfer.<br />
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Transfer Day was rather uneventful. The whole process took about 10 minutes (if that). Once they transferred the embryo, we went home, and though I didn't have to, I decided to rest. <br />
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Then came another waiting game. We had to wait 2 weeks for a pregnancy test. That meant 2 weeks of acting like I was pregnant in the case that I was. I'm sure I got a side eye or two for refusing cocktails at a few parties we attended. We were advised not to take a pregnancy test at home, and though we really wanted to, we didn't. I now laugh at my naiveté. Given my lower back pains and frequent, long naps, I don't know how I didn't know I was pregnant. The day we were to find out, we went to the clinic for a blood test. To kill time, we did a little light shopping, but soon enough fatigue kicked in, and I was on the couch asleep.<br />
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The Big Call woke me up from my nap. We were pregnant. On the first try. With one egg. Ain't God good?!? We were super excited, but we decided to hold off on telling everyone so we could just sit with the news for a while, plus my <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2014/01/cant-nobody-tell-me-nothing-on.html" target="_blank">graduation brunch</a> was on the horizon, so we decided to share the big news with all our friends and family at once.<br />
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Pregnancy took my body on one long a$$ roller coaster ride . . . More on that in another post!<br />
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Until next time . . . I'll be marveling at Little Miss TJ. </div>
TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-12730876911487111392014-10-23T15:07:00.001-04:002014-10-23T21:32:23.918-04:003 Months In (Motherhood Randomness) ...well almost.<br />
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I can't believe my little peanut is almost 3 months old. Time flies, and I now understand why parents say kids grow up so quickly. They do. In a matter of 3 months, Little Miss TJ looks like a totally different baby. I burst into tears looking at her pictures from the hospital because she's growing so quickly. She's literally doubled in weight, and she's cooing and laughing and giving the warmest and gummiest smiles in the world. I still marvel in the fact that my husband and I made her. After a long journey to conceive (which I finally feel ready to share), she's really, really here.<br />
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Over the last few months, I've thought of tons of things to blog about, and I'll write about some of them, but today all I can offer to the blogosphere is some random musings about this new adventure in motherhood.<br />
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~ I've never known this level of exhaustion. Ever. If I could think of a word beyond exhausted, I'd use it, but I'm too tired to think of one.<br />
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~ Despite being exhausted, it's amazing how one big, toothless smile can set you back on course.<br />
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~ Things newborn babies do not understand: "Give me a minute..." "Hold on..." "It's almost ready..."<br />
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~ Mommy ears are amazing. I can hear her smack her lips while she's in another room.<br />
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~ I'm amazed that my body can produce sustenance to grow another human being. Breastfeeding is the most fulfilling, annoying, inconvenient, and intimate thing I've ever done. Shuttling your pump and all its parts to back and forth to work is no joke, but seeing the look of satisfaction on your baby's face makes it all worth it.<br />
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~ I'm a hardcore breast feeder, but I'm not a member of the anti-formula brigade. Let mommies live!!!<br />
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~ Motherhood makes me want to simultaneously love and box my husband.<br />
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~ I have been humbled by motherhood. I just can't do it all. I have to apologize to people. I have to ask for extensions. I have to reach out for help.<br />
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~ Everyone is excited when your little one enters the world. The calls/emails/visits are nonstop. New mommies need people when the newness wears off. Call your girlfriend who has a 4 month old just to check in. See if you can wash a pile of laundry or just watch the little one so she can do her hair in peace.<br />
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~ Speaking of doing hair, my hair LOVED being pregnant. I went from a big chop to a full puff! Now if I could just find the time to style it. It, literally, took me a whole day to twist my hair. It used to take about an hour.<br />
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~ Babies are far smarter and resilient that we acknowledge.<br />
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~ I have a newfound love and respect for my mother that I don't think I'd have if I hadn't become a mother.<br />
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~ With that being said, I have to remind my mother that I'm Little Miss TJ's mother.<br />
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~ I have a newfound love for babies that I didn't have before I had one because I now know how special someone else finds that baby.<br />
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~ My baby is the smartest, prettiest, most amusing baby in the whole wide world. And so are all the other babies whose mommies think so, too.<br />
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~ Dads, grandparents and aunties are probably the only people in the world who want to hear you go on about how special your baby is. "Omigosh, she just blinked!!!!" <--- Only Dad, grandparents, and aunts will appreciate this blow-by-blow, second-to-second analysis of your baby.<br />
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~ Motherhood has left me wondering if women can have it "all" (whatever that means). I am starting to believe that some area of your life has to be slighted in order for the other areas to thrive. We'll see how this unfolds.<br />
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~ Maternity and paternity leave have to become universally instituted in this country, and 6 weeks isn't enough. I felt like just when I was getting the swing of things, it was time to jump right back into work (though I never really stopped working).<br />
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~ I am humbled by the opportunity to be Little Miss TJ's mommy. I'm learning so much about myself through this process. She's an awesome little teacher. Everyday I ask her, "So what are you going to teach me today?" There's so much to learn.<br />
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Until next time . . . I'll be over here mothering, writing, teaching, pumping, kissing, and nursing. Oh yeah, and thriving!<br />
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<br />TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-29093450985284548562014-08-11T21:17:00.001-04:002014-08-11T21:17:54.910-04:00She's Here . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And she's EVERYTHING!</div>
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I can't describe the love. </div>
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I'll be back when I can articulate my thoughts. </div>
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Until next time . . . I'll be kissing and counting baby toes! </div>
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<br />TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-53736345613905382502014-07-09T05:00:00.000-04:002014-07-09T05:00:02.437-04:00On the Cutest Baby Shower EverYup, I'm talking about mine!<br />
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I couldn't have put together a better shower. It's like my family and friends read my mind.<br />
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I have to take my hat off to my sister who planned the entire thing from Houston. Can you say planner extraordinaire! Arranging a swank baby shower for about 45 folks from another city was no easy feat. She took a few pics from my pinterest board, my love for owls (which represent wisdom), clean & modern design, and favorite color teal blue and planned an event that was warm yet sophisticated.<br />
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Everyone who attended made my day so incredibly special, but there were a few folks that really went out of their way to make the day perfect.<br />
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My parents traveled all the way from Houston. Their plane touched down, and they went right to work making sure everything was in place. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHUC2xJ7upg/U7n_5T1cUqI/AAAAAAAAC8c/Uu89CmtAZLw/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHUC2xJ7upg/U7n_5T1cUqI/AAAAAAAAC8c/Uu89CmtAZLw/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe my mom made that beautiful centerpiece? The work she does with her hands is amazing. </td></tr>
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My girlfriend Dr. K. couldn't make the shower, but she touched my heart by making the cutest invites that captured the spirit of the event. </div>
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I also have to thank my bestie for helping with the decor and planning one of the most fun and creative games I've played at a baby shower. It's an original game she created where she took snippets of songs that had the word "baby" in them. Guests had to listen closely to see if they could guess the artists. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bestie and I - COORDINATED! </td></tr>
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My auntie made the yummiest cupcakes. They were a hit, and I still want to know who ate my extra key lime one that I'd stashed away.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxpXnljjYGY/U7n_5XH5H8I/AAAAAAAAC8Q/CU5GiZbWTZ8/s1600/IMG_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxpXnljjYGY/U7n_5XH5H8I/AAAAAAAAC8Q/CU5GiZbWTZ8/s1600/IMG_0558.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I'll leave you with a few more pics, but for more up-close details of our special day, please visit the blog of the florist (and mentee and former student of mine), <a href="http://violetgardensfloral.blogspot.com/2014/07/its-girl-frank-baby-shower.html" target="_blank">Violet Gardens Floral Design</a>, who helped to transform Smith Commons into a venue worthy of hosting the cutest baby shower ever! PUH-LEEZ visit her blog. Her detail shots are so much better than my iPhone shots. While you're there, take a look at all of the beautiful work that she does. I'm so proud of her. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7Ug5fu5jI0/U7oCNIZ6LFI/AAAAAAAAC94/Dpa30i1TOG0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-06+at+10.12.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7Ug5fu5jI0/U7oCNIZ6LFI/AAAAAAAAC94/Dpa30i1TOG0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-06+at+10.12.37+PM.png" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pics of the decor do the space no justice. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PUwCxbFtdw/U7n_9rnfOQI/AAAAAAAAC9o/BIR_14pjC9U/s1600/IMG_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PUwCxbFtdw/U7n_9rnfOQI/AAAAAAAAC9o/BIR_14pjC9U/s1600/IMG_0693.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooches from my babydaddy <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nis0JoIiYw/U7n_6_1TwUI/AAAAAAAAC80/L17Og5_uPPI/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nis0JoIiYw/U7n_6_1TwUI/AAAAAAAAC80/L17Og5_uPPI/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy, cousin, and Auntie responsible for those yummy cupcakes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8juC-oNE2vs/U7n_7Ns_J4I/AAAAAAAAC8s/GPgSHg2wtMU/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8juC-oNE2vs/U7n_7Ns_J4I/AAAAAAAAC8s/GPgSHg2wtMU/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and my father-in-law </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htSUrRgUodg/U7n_7haLw5I/AAAAAAAAC9A/MejDeKGdwKw/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htSUrRgUodg/U7n_7haLw5I/AAAAAAAAC9A/MejDeKGdwKw/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good girlfriends and my cutie-patootie! </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTTtfI8Cy9o/U7n_9H0Hg6I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/oNeYmKeaVpQ/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTTtfI8Cy9o/U7n_9H0Hg6I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/oNeYmKeaVpQ/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some other mommies-to-be in the building! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCQk2MyUFBg/U7n_-YD9QmI/AAAAAAAAC9w/a3b5zvTAxcU/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCQk2MyUFBg/U7n_-YD9QmI/AAAAAAAAC9w/a3b5zvTAxcU/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and I with his mom and grandma</td></tr>
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Until next time, I'll be over here reusing those beautiful paper flowers in the nursery and working on the rest of my thank you cards. </div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-49151066072317322032014-07-07T05:00:00.000-04:002014-07-07T05:00:01.346-04:00On Releasing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABx4h9Eza00/U7nnMFAUHxI/AAAAAAAAC6s/P2NnoWMSxQI/s1600/releasing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABx4h9Eza00/U7nnMFAUHxI/AAAAAAAAC6s/P2NnoWMSxQI/s1600/releasing.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borrowed from <a href="http://affirmyourlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/releasing-affirmations.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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I read this last night and knew I had to share. <br /><br /><div>
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<i>“This being human is a guest house. Every morning is a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor…Welcome and entertain them all. Treat each guest honorably. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” ~Rumi</i></div>
<br />I've been getting little messages here and there about releasing emotion, and they have been right on time. This pregnancy has brought extreme emotional highs and lows, and at first I tried to suppress them; I was afraid that they would "harm" the baby. Then I read <a href="http://mswrightsway.com/dont-hold-it-in-let-it-out/">this</a>. I can't get enough of this blog. She taps right into my crunchy, granola side, and I love it! For those who don't have the time to read, here's my favorite nugget. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Acknowledge how you feel and let it out. It is only when you keep it inside that it will find other avenues and possibly manifest within your baby; it has to go somewhere."</i></div>
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After reading this a few weeks ago, I felt so much freer. And then I began to release!<br />A friend hurt my feelings . . . I let her know. <br />My former landlord was on some shady sh!t . . . I let her know. <br />I missed a family friend who passed away . . . I shed the tears and moved on.</div>
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My husband got under my skin . . . I shared my displeasure and let it go. </div>
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Like the Rumi quote above, I've invited in the emotion, felt it, entertained it, and sent it on its way. </div>
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Happy Monday everybody. Release, woo-sah, cry it out, or do whatever you need to do to kick Monday's a$$! </div>
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Until next time. . . . I'll be enjoying my first work-free day in a while <strike>until someone from work emails me to try and steal my joy</strike>! </div>
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27 days and counting 'til Little Miss TJ makes her arrival! </div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-49618774580994675002014-07-06T20:56:00.000-04:002014-07-06T21:14:14.095-04:0028 Days!!!Yikes!<br />
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I'm 28 days from my due date, and I was going to do this long catch-up post, but I've decided to share a bit about what's happening over here in pictures.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyeNrBFeayY/U7nrSEssGcI/AAAAAAAAC64/WudZWl7I7N8/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyeNrBFeayY/U7nrSEssGcI/AAAAAAAAC64/WudZWl7I7N8/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The picture above pretty much sums up my life these days<br />
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<li>Organizing the baby's room - Have you ever seen a cuter little sock in your life?!?</li>
<li>Watching my belly grow (and drop!)</li>
<li>Finally doing some reading about breastfeeding </li>
<li>Picking out some fun and culturally relevant books for Little Miss TJ. I cant wait for this modern-day Rapunzel (with locs!!!) book to get here. </li>
<li>Trying to do some self-care - One of the moms at my baby shower (more on that in another post) gave me some 3rd trimester tea. Not only is is good for me, but it's good TO me. Yum! I've decided that from here on out, I'll always include a little something for mamas in my baby shower gifts. This is hard work. </li>
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Besides trying to tackle all of the little to-dos before the baby comes and forcing myself to be somewhat productive regarding work, I finally feel like I can catch my breath, slow down, and enjoy these last few days while we wait on our little girl. </div>
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Until next time . . . I'll be over here grooving to the hospital playlist my hubby is putting together. You know two <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/03/our-love-story-in-concert-pictures.html" target="_blank">hardcore music lovers</a> need some music to set the tone for the arrival of Little Miss TJ. Oh yeah, I'll also be sitting at the computer with my fingers itching to turn on my out-of-office message for my work email. . . *sigh* <strike>It NEVER f&cking ends</strike>!!!</div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-77683343353913755992014-06-03T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-04T09:29:02.980-04:00Say Cheese!: Our Maternity ShootLong time, no blog, huh?<br />
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I was on my way to bed, and something told me to check my email. Lo and behold, our photographer, Namsrai, at <a href="http://nabuphotos.com/" target="_blank">Nabu Photography</a> sent me a little treat in the mail. Last weekend we took some maternity photos, and we weren't expecting them until the end of the week, but Namsrai knew this expectant mama was waiting with anticipation. I love when people under-promise and over-deliver. We highly recommend Namsrai and his wife Burt (get it, Na-bu?!?) if you're looking for a photographer in the DC area.<br />
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Where do two <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/03/our-love-story-in-concert-pictures.html" target="_blank">hardcore music lovers</a> go for their maternity shoot? Well, to the record store of course!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hBc-lYVVo4/U41W6TIhYTI/AAAAAAAAC2g/MO6cpk41_fw/s1600/Recordstore1_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hBc-lYVVo4/U41W6TIhYTI/AAAAAAAAC2g/MO6cpk41_fw/s1600/Recordstore1_watermark.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ag3dKaGJIrA/U41W6AvLwSI/AAAAAAAAC2o/DfDXbpj0BLo/s1600/Recordstore2_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ag3dKaGJIrA/U41W6AvLwSI/AAAAAAAAC2o/DfDXbpj0BLo/s1600/Recordstore2_watermark.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorites of the day</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKv187rzfBo/U41W6SeDpWI/AAAAAAAAC24/IGCGm4x0pL0/s1600/Recordstore3_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKv187rzfBo/U41W6SeDpWI/AAAAAAAAC24/IGCGm4x0pL0/s1600/Recordstore3_watermark.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBHjdKDm-ms/U41akKYCOxI/AAAAAAAAC4E/h_w4MK58zvw/s1600/Recordstore10_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBHjdKDm-ms/U41akKYCOxI/AAAAAAAAC4E/h_w4MK58zvw/s1600/Recordstore10_watermark.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WmjKiVBkV4/U41W7LDGhII/AAAAAAAAC28/DvZY1-bgVpE/s1600/Recordstore5_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WmjKiVBkV4/U41W7LDGhII/AAAAAAAAC28/DvZY1-bgVpE/s1600/Recordstore5_watermark.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cHeDmdE3HQ/U41W7ddz9cI/AAAAAAAAC3I/S8nw2QIEths/s1600/Recordstore6_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cHeDmdE3HQ/U41W7ddz9cI/AAAAAAAAC3I/S8nw2QIEths/s1600/Recordstore6_watermark.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He really, really does. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7rAxOeZOzM/U41akCIC1UI/AAAAAAAAC4I/UiE6SPOroeM/s1600/Recordstore11_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7rAxOeZOzM/U41akCIC1UI/AAAAAAAAC4I/UiE6SPOroeM/s1600/Recordstore11_watermark.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course I needed one with The Boss, Ms. Diana Ross</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ze7HiFva_qQ/U41W8Twt5ZI/AAAAAAAAC3k/Gx1H0MLQ-jw/s1600/Recordstore_watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ze7HiFva_qQ/U41W8Twt5ZI/AAAAAAAAC3k/Gx1H0MLQ-jw/s1600/Recordstore_watermark.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has the best taste in music. She always kicks and moves around to songs I love!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby's dad is a veteran in the music industry, and this pic is a nod to him and his work. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before we changed for our fancier shoot, Namsrai took this shot in our basement. <br />This is my favorite picture of the day.</td></tr>
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We had so much fun doing this shoot, and I had such a hard time picking a few pictures to share. We took some more formal, fancy pics (some with the doggy, too!), and hopefully I'll get a chance to come back and share a few of those. </div>
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I'm 31 weeks and counting, y'all! Little Miss TJ is still cooking, but the finish line is in sight. </div>
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Until next time, I'll be obsessing over these pictures! </div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-136285514167880952014-05-02T05:00:00.000-04:002014-05-02T09:15:22.789-04:00I've been . . . Hey y'all! Happy Friday. We survived the week!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bump update - 6.5 months!!! </td></tr>
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I saw this list on some blogs that I follow, and I thought it would be a nice way to share a little bit of what's happening in my world. Lately I've been . . . <br />
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<b>Making:</b> room for baby stuff. We are in the midst of a HUGE purge <br />
<b> Cooking: </b>a roast that melted in my mouth with carrots and potatoes. <br />
<b>Drinking:</b> spa water with lemon, ginger, cucumber, and mint. Yum! <br />
<b> Reading:</b> my students’ papers. Whew! <br />
<b> Wanting:</b> this semester to be totally over. <br />
<b> Looking:</b> at bassinets that expand to cribs. <br />
<b> Playing:</b> some of my favorite songs near my tummy so SHE (yes, SHE) can hear them. <br />
<b> Wasting:</b> time when I should be grading papers.<br />
<b> Wishing:</b> this semester was totally over. <br />
<b> Enjoying:</b> watching my tummy move. She’s a kicker! <br />
<b> Waiting:</b> for all these back-to-back meetings at work to end. Ugh. <br />
<b> Liking: </b>the project I'm working on this summer.<br />
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<b>Wondering:</b> if the US government will intervene and help to bring the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/world/africa/nigeria-abducted-girls/" target="_blank">Nigerian school girls</a> home to safety. <br />
<b> Loving: </b>my husband for picking up some of my slack and being really patient with me. <br />
<b> Hoping:</b> that Tyson (our dog) adjusts to the baby. He’s spoiled. <br />
<b>Marveling: </b>at all that I accomplished this year, while simultaneously lamenting that I didn’t do enough.<br />
<b>Wondering: </b>What our baby will look like. We did the 3-D ultrasound the other week, and I swear she has my nose and my hubby's mouth. <br />
<b>Needing:</b> a deep tissue massage.<br />
<b> Smelling: </b>new perfumes. I need a warm-weather scent.<br />
<b> Wearing:</b> dresses for comfort (when the weather allows. . . smh). <br />
<b> Following:</b> my dreams, even when it doesn’t feel like I thought it would to reach them.<br />
<b> Noticing:</b> all the little changes in my body.<br />
<b>Knowing:</b> that things always works out for my good. <br />
<b> Thinking:</b> when will this semester be over, Lord?!?<br />
<b> Feeling:</b> excited because my sister is on her way to visit this weekend. <br />
<b>Bookmarking:</b> lots of baby advice on Pinterest. <br />
<b> Opening: </b>emails when I should let them wait until the next day. <br />
<b> Giggling</b>: at our dog Tyson. He’s a clown. <br />
<b> Feeling:</b> blessed, overworked, excited, and tired. Did I mention I’m ready for the semester to end? <br />
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What have y'all been up to? What are you thinking, making, marveling? </div>
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Until next time . . . I'll be waddling to the finish line of this semester. . . *sigh.* </div>
TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-36949029009685476692014-04-10T05:00:00.000-04:002014-04-10T05:00:02.772-04:00On Downsizing: Home Is in My Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Thursday! Here's a little mood music for this post. Today I offer <i>Home</i> by Stephanie Mills from the Broadway production <i>The Wiz</i>. </div>
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My husband and I realized early on in our relationship that we have distinct skill sets. Because we acknowledge each other's talents, we try to let each other shine when it comes to our areas of expertise/interest/strength. One of my areas of interest, and dare I say, strength is finance. Maybe it has to do with my love of <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/02/stem-fiereceness-almost-dr-tj.html" target="_blank">mathematics</a>. My sister laughs at my skills to hold onto a dollar and make it stretch and grow. Maybe my knack for money management comes from years of being a teacher and "making somethin' outta nothin'" (shout out to Juvenile, Ha!). On a recent road trip home from Philadelphia, I listened to consecutive episodes of Dave Ramsey with joy (learn more about him <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/" target="_blank">here</a>)! I don't always agree with him; he can get a bit right-wing for my taste, but I love his straightforward talk and conviction. I wouldn't say that finance is an area of my expertise by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a healthy fascination about getting, keeping, and growing our coins. <div>
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Lately we've given our financial state a lot of attention - probably because we have a little one on the way, and realize that the baby is going to hit our pockets HARD. I've been researching childcare, and the rates bring tears to my eyes. We've also made some tough decisions. We've decided to downsize. Downsizing will allow us to reach some big financial goals before our little one is old enough to realize the sacrifice we're making and before we try for Baby #2 (Yup, I want to do this again, God willing.). </div>
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Downsizing for us means moving into a smaller, but really nice, place. I'm fortunate that my job has some great deals on housing. We feel like we're making an even trade - we'll be in a newer, nicer, less expensive space, yet sacrificing some square footage. This move means selling furniture, clothes, and odds & ends that would occupy too much space in our new abode. It means making some decisions about what's important to keep and what needs to be let go. To some, our move probably won't seem that drastic. I was doing some research on downsizing and ran across folks participating in the <a href="http://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/" target="_blank">tiny house movement</a>. They're some soldiers. We ain't built for that. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cool, yet so not for us. Picture borrowed from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_house_movement" target="_blank">here. </a></td></tr>
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I decided to title this post based on a conversation I was having with my girlfriends about our decision to downsize. I was talking about making the transition, and told my girls, "I just told my husband that home is wherever he, <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/05/on-new-pooch.html" target="_blank">Tyson</a>, and the baby are." After stepping back from the comment, I realized that it was <strike>sappy</strike> my deep-down truth. I mean it. As long as I've got them I'm alright. I learned this lesson early in life. When I was young, my family moved around quite a bit. So whenever I would think of home, I would think of people, not necessarily a specific house. Well now I'm extending this same line of thinking to the family we're creating, not just to my family in the South. </div>
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So I've wrapped my mind around this change, and I'm excited. We're already seeing the fruits of our frugal-minded labor. Just before I wrote this post, we paid off two big debts. Dave Ramsey would be proud. So as the financial coordinator of this family, I've decided to organize our money using a few tenets: </div>
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<li>We hate debt. Debt takes money out of our pockets for saving or doing other worthwhile things. </li>
<li>We don't make any purchases that involve exorbitant interest rates. </li>
<li>Less is more - even though I still don't believe this when it comes to shoes. I'm working on it, y'all. </li>
<li>Being debt-free is our goal, and it is possible. </li>
<li>Sacrifice in the short-term is worth it for the long-term. </li>
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I'll be revisiting this post as I start to tag items to sell and as we have heated convos about what stays and what goes. It's hard putting theory into practice, but we're determined to do it. Onward and upward, y'all.!!! </div>
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Until next time, I'll be over here with my mind on my money and my money on my mind (shout out to Dr. Dre!) </div>
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TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186626271946987164.post-1496976737766439922014-03-25T05:00:00.000-04:002014-03-26T16:09:40.054-04:00A Baby Bump Update - 5 MonthsHi all! Long time, no post. Charge it to working too hard <strike>and poor time management.</strike><br />
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I don't have much time, but I wanted to drop by and do a quick baby bump update. <br />
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I'm about 5 and a half months pregnant, and I'm feeling good. The first trimester was ok. I've heard/read the horror stories, so I know it could have been far worse. I had a few food aversions like chicken - weird, right? I could not stomach salads, which was also weird because I used to be a regular salad eater. I also experienced some cravings. My diet consisted of watermelon, carrots, pickles and carbs for the last few weeks of the first trimester, but all of that is behind me, well, except for the carrot craving. I can't get enough of them. I've also really developed a love for red meat, beef tacos in particular, but I try to minimize my intake. I've talked about my love/hate relationship with red meat on here <a href="http://www.writesurvivethrive.com/2013/02/on-consuming-unlimited-amounts-of-meat.html" target="_blank">before</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b-q88HnwMQ/UzDpmj7kpqI/AAAAAAAACuo/svsL-EPCt68/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b-q88HnwMQ/UzDpmj7kpqI/AAAAAAAACuo/svsL-EPCt68/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around week 19 - before a date with my hubby</td></tr>
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The days of all-day fatigue are behind me as well. I was so grateful that the tough part of my first trimester was during my winter break, because I needed a long nap EVERY day, literally, every single day. Now I can make it through most days without a nap, but when it's time for bed, it's time to shut it DOWN! Bless my husband for my <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=snoogle&oq=snoogle&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3846j0j9&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">Snoogle</a> pregnancy pillows. He bought me one for downstairs and one for the bed. The Snoogle has been essential to a good night's rest these days. The days of sleeping on my back and/or stomach are over, which is especially hard because those were my positions of choice, pre-pregnancy. The Snoogle makes sleeping on my side more bearable. God bless the Snoogle makers; they are doing His work. <br />
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I told some friends that I finally feel like myself again, well, minus the ability to comfortably bend over to tie my shoes or paint my nails or sleep on my stomach. I'm trying to keep up a walking routine and some prenatal aerobics and yoga. My bump is growing, y'all!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hotel room selfie, well, "us-ie" during a quick trip to Florida last week (20 weeks, 6 days). </td></tr>
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I was trying to think of a word to describe pregnancy, and when another girlfriend announced hers and I saw her excitement, the word came to me - miraculous. I think that the magnitude of what I'm doing just hit me the other day. I stare at amazement at my growing belly. I could stare at it for hours. I catch myself rubbing my tummy all the time. I just started feeling some movement, and I'm in awe every time I feel it. This baby was a long time coming, and it is a reminder that things happen when they are supposed to. Growing another person is no small feat - I have the occasional back pain, splotchy skin, and random bouts of fatigue to prove it. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world. <br />
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Really wrapping my mind around the blessing of being able to conceive and grow a child has made me less consumed with some of my earlier pregnancy issues, like the unnecessary and unwarranted comments from people about my body<span style="font-size: x-small;">**</span>, the unsolicited belly rubs, and the questions that are way too personal to be coming from virtual strangers. I'm really not up for talking about my girl parts with folks I don't know. Here's the thing - I'm learning that people really mean no harm; most folks are just fascinated and curious. Still, I'm learning how to sidestep the questions and get people together in a nice<strike>/nasty</strike> way. I'm learning that women experience pregnancy differently, and our bodies do as well, so there's no need to panic because I'm looking more pregnant than the other women in my mommy-to-be group. Their bodies, their business, and mine is mine. <br />
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I just wanted to share a quick update about what's happening in my world. I have lots of topics in my cue to discuss about pregnancy and a bunch of other stuff, and I really want to make them happen. Whenever I start to write, I'm reminded of how much I love it.<br />
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Until next time, I'll be over here rubbing my tummy and trying to stay away from online shopping now that we know the gender!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Sidenote: No pregnant woman wants your appraisal of her body. Please keep your <strike>ignorant a$$</strike> comments like, "Oh my gosh you're getting so big!" or "You're HUGE!" to yourself, especially if you are a man who will NEVER understand the sacrifice of carrying/delivering babies. My pot belly is full of baby, what's your excuse, sir??? Whew, it felt good to get that out. </span><br />
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<br />TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076368347418778041noreply@blogger.com1