The Definition of Determination

If you can watch this without feeling inspired...something is wrong.

This contestant from China's Got Talent lost BOTH of his arms in a tragic accident as a kid, but learned to play piano...with his FEET. If that ain't determination for you, I don't know what is... Not only is he talented, but I love what he says (rough translation aside)...

The Love Poem

I've been so caught up in other stuff, I almost forgot that I was able to cross something else off my list in the last few weeks--twice actually.

About a year ago I said I would perform a love poem on stage.

This is kind of a big deal for me because I don't write love poems. Not that I can't obviously, but it's a topic I don't touch normally and I didn't write my first really good one until last year.

So back in June when I went to Boston and found myself in a 3-2-1 slam. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it means you do three rounds of poetry--the first piece is 3 mins, the second one is 2 mins and the third 1 min. The problem is I didn't realize until about 15 mins before we were set to start that it was a 321. It dawned on me that without cutting or speeding through a piece I had nothing for the middle round so I was forced to change my game plan. I decided to take a gamble with my 2 minute and pull out the only love poem I had memorized --I scored pretty darn good too, if I remember correctly it scored the highest of the 3 that I did and I ended up in 2nd place by about a half point.

After that, I decided I would at least try to rotate it in somewhere and that's where last week came in.

On Monday, I had the best night in awhile--I mean so good, folks in the audience were walking up to me mid set and handing me roses. During a break a girl walked up to me and asked if I would listen to a piece she wrote--she was too scared to do it on stage so I made her a deal. If she agreed to do hers (which I thought was quite good), I would do another one at her request--and wouldn't you know she asked if I had a love poem. I told her my dilemma with the whole love poem thing, but said I would do the one I knew. Next thing you know, she did so I did.

That said--surprisingly enough it went really well. And as such I am officially taking it off the list. In the interim, I have a recording session in about 2-3 weeks and I have been asked to record this piece over music, at which point I'll post it up so you all can hear it. :)

The wedding...

Well again, thank EVERYONE sincerely for the love and support for my friends.

The dream wedding was on Sunday. As promised, I am sharing with you.

Let me say I had an absolutely fabulous weekend. I rode up to New York on Sunday morning and it was pretty much hotter than the third circle of hell. I took a little walk in Central Park since it was across the street and then came back and started helping with some of the last minute stuff.

We started a few minutes late, but all in all it was perfect:













And...

Just when it couldn't get better, the groom surprised everyone, by having Dru Hill perform at the reception. YES... THAT Dru Hill. OMG--they can SANG!! (yes I said SANG not SING)



Which inadvertently allowed me to cross an item off my list:

Item #66: take a picture with a celebrity (check)

That's me with Sisqo. LOL. They actually stayed for a little while at the reception which was really nice--I thought they were super nice.

All in all it was absolutely an amazing day. I know they are so HAPPY!

Bill Clinton's Bucket List

A story about Bill Clinton's bucket list.

Bill Clinton's Bucket List

Item #69- Get Laid in the White House

CHECK.

Just kidding.

100 TTDBYD--Your City Edition

I came across two really great pages on Facebook (gotta love social networking...lol). One is DC 365 and the other is called Things to Do in DC Before you Die.

They both cover really cool things to do in and around the city--I believe 365 has fan pages for other cities as well.

I used both pages as sort of the jumping off point for a class video project. The goal of the project was a create a short video promo for an organization. I wrote a bucket list of sorts for DC of things that everyone should try to do in the city, whether visiting or whether you live here--

so here is a short version of "100 Things to Do in DC" (soundtrack is Welcome to DC by Mambo Sauce)

Never Too Late.

This almost made me cry.

I ran across this story earlier today. A 94 year old woman in Texas. YES 94!!! was told she had 6 months to live. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The nursing home staff where she currently lives asked if there was anything she wanted to do on her bucket list. She said she wanted to waltz. She said she and her husband (who is deceased) went once a week and she believed it kept their marriage alive.

The staff rented a limo and took her to the concert series at the Dallas Arboretum and arranged for her to have dance partners...


Here's the full story. http://cbs11tv.com/local/final.waltz.arboretum.2.1646326.html

How awesome is that!

Dream Wedding Contest Part 2

So...A week or two ago I posted up the info on a wedding contest I was trying to help my friends win...well...

THEY WON!!

How beautiful is that.

The wedding will be sometime between now and July in New York (will definitely post pictures afterwards). But check out what they win:

• Wedding designed by celebrity wedding planner Bronson Van Wyck
• Reception at The Empire Hotel in Manhattan (as seen in "Gossip Girl")
• Designer wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses from Amsale
• CAROLEE jewelry for the entire wedding party
• Bridal hairstyling from Bumble and Bumble
• Bridal make-up from Bobbi Brown
• Collection of tabletop appliances from KitchenAid
• Wedgwood china for eight
• 6-day/5-night honeymoon at Couples Resorts in Jamaica (Travel & Leisure "World's Best" winner)

Total value is over $30,000

Help my friends make a dream come true--CHECK!

Dream Wedding Contest!!

This is the part where I help someone else accomplish a goal, but I need some help.

These are my friends Danielle and Issac:

I've known Danielle since high school. She's one of my best friends! She and Isaac are engaged. They've been chosen as finalist on theknot.com to win an all expense paid wedding in New York--but they need people to vote for their story... Click here to see more of the story and vote for Danielle and Isaac

Now, normally you'd probably be like yeah yeah...boy meets girls,they fall in love blah blah blah, right?

As it happens, Isaac was tragically paralyzed some years ago. He and Danielle met 3 years ago when she worked at the rehab clinic where he was. I've had a chance to get to know him over the last few years and his optimism and sense of humor never cease to amaze me. I can honestly say, if you never ever believed in love and all the things that come with it (and I admit I am quite often skeptical) their story will definitely change your mind.

I want to help two amazing people get the dream wedding they deserve--if you like their story you can vote everyday until April 6! Feel free to grab the link and pass it along!

Very Cool!

Here's an interesting goal for those into photography...

My friend Cat who I've known practically forever posted this on Facebook this morning.

Cat now lives in Pittsburgh--and one of her friends took a cue from a blog and did something called "Project 365" -- where she took and posted 1 picture a day everyday for one year. Here's the link to the set on Flickr (she also includes the link to the blog from which she got the original idea) There are some gorgeous shots in there--but what I like is that you don't have to be a great photographer to pull this off. I think it's an interesting look at the way life moves in a year.

Take a peek--and enjoy!

Life + Life Goals = Life Coach

So...

I'm trying to get back on track with the goals. Oh but life keeps pulling me left when I intend to go right--and things have all gone sideways.

Smh. As it happens however, I have a friend who is awesome and great and has decided to put herself on the career path to become a life coach--so I have agreed to subject myself to being a human guinea pig and let her take me on as one of her first clients.

Now, this is not a blind test exactly. We've been friends long enough for me to know that she'll make a great life coach (she's currently working on certification and training classes)--plus, I get the added bonus of having someone kick me in the butt when it comes to these lofty goals of mine. So I figure it can't hurt!

Meanwhile...I have to come up with a plan as to which goal to knock off next...

Item #2- Get My Novel Published

Ta-dah!

I am soooo excited! I just published my first book. Introducing... Emily, Jacob and Boniqua: What NOT to Name Your Child




How awesome is that!! You can click on the title link to see more details!

Item #2...check

Do Something Unique to Each Season...part 1

Well you can only do this is the winter...

This is what happens when you're snowed in for a week.

7 Interesting Things About Me

Breaking from my regular format for a sec...I think this is an interesting little experiment. It'd be cool to see who else follows suit.

I have a few blogs that I follow and enjoy. This came via one of my favorites A Choice of Weapons http://achoiceofweapons.blogspot.com/ (I definitely recommend, Jaycee has some great topics). I credit the original idea back to Assertive Wit (which is another good one) http://assertivewitwithatouchofsarcasm.blogspot.com/

Here are 7 interesting things about me that you may or may not know...

1. Since this is a blog and you don't get the benefit of my voice...I talk really, really (really!) fast...which is why I think the Guinness Record I'm going to try to break will be for the world's fastest talker (I think the current record is a little over 600 a minute reading from a specific text... I can do almost 450 with no practice)

2. I used to live in London as part of a semester abroad program and worked for the British government doing PR for one of the third parties during the elections.

3. Speaking of jobs...when I lived in Las Vegas I had a second job at a Vegas wedding chapel (you haven't lived until you've seen an Elvis wedding...lol).

4. I was born after a bomb threat--my mom was miltary at the time and someone called in a bomb threat...that's apparently when I decided to jump ship

5. I've had the same best friend for 30 years! That's hard to come by nowadays

6. A few years ago I was in the contestant pool for The Weakest Link

7. I've been told on more than one occassion that I am "not normal" because I don't have a fear of anything...not heights, public speaking, snakes, bugs (not that I am particularly a fan of the last two...lol)--I am slightly clausterphobic though.

New Goals #155-162

You know given everything that's happened within the last year not just to me but to everyone around me and others, I'm really starting to grasp how important it is to just let go of some things and make this list happen. Life is meant to be enjoyed and we should take nothing for granted. So I'm going to be more ambitious with knocking goals off and also setting the bar higher...said I figured out some more things I want to do

Here are my newest list items:

• journal/write or blog everyday for a straight month
• make a "life soundtrack" (this is actually going to be difficult because I am a music junkie)
• name a star after myself or someone else
• put together a book of inspirational and/or funny quotes
• build a house with Habitat
• take a (fun) class I never thought of taking
• win the lottery for over $100

Oh yeah and I'll take a challenge. If you think of anything I should add...comment. Make it fun...make it count. Game on.

Changes!

Six days in...2010...hey that rhymes! lol

Well as you can see a) I'm back! lol

b)I made some minor decor changes to the blog. I may experiment some with the colors/background and such...so heads up.

Change is good.

And speaking of...

I am making a few MAJOR changes to the blog this year...

First...(drumroll)

...

I'm bringing in a new blogger!

TTYBYD will soon become a two (wo)man operation. I will introduce her soon--(I'm helping her get set up in blogger)

So why the new addition? It's simple... accountability. Plus she's absolutely hysterical, but seriously...

We had an interesting discussion today about goals and realized...hey! it's easier when you have someone else to not only motivate you but hold you accountable for reaching the goals. This will also be a huge help to me since I start school again next week.

Change is good right?

and #2...I'm going to (at least when I can) start video blogging. This actually is timed to coincide with one of my grad school courses (I'm taking a class in digital media and content management).

So that's the first round of things I have in store...

I may have some more surprises around the corner.

Hello 2010

Greetings all from:


After literally crisscrossing the country I suppose I should post...

Well, the holidays are over (well almost for me...I have two more days left of vacation). I survived...so I supposed that's one goal accomplished already...lol.

We have a big year ahead of us!

I realize for most (me most definitely included) the last year was very rough, very trying. I didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I would have liked, but some things were done.

Progress is progress I suppose.

To tell the truth I didn't come into 2010 feeling immediately optimistic. Four days in and I'm already feeling eh...

But not to worry...

I didn't make any resolutions this year, because Ive leaned that more often than not, like with most people, they get broken. I had to laugh when my mom told me that she found her list from 2005...and guess what?? same goals as this year. That never ever however precludes us from goal setting. I mean isn't that the whole point here?

So instead of asking what your resolutions are, I want to know what your goals are.

What ONE big thing do you want to accomplish this year?

12 Days of Christmas...Part 1

Yes I have a Christmas wish list. LOL.

I asked for exactly 4 things this year...none of which can be wrapped up and stuck under the tree.

Present #1 (pretends to unwrap gift)

I found out today that I was accepted to graduate school.

Yeah me!!

I think I explained my school situation in a different blog post--it's really convoluted, but basically this is a REALLY good opportunity for me--plus getting my Master's is one of the top 10 things for me to do on my list. Funny part is...I got accepted to my undergrad rival school....oooh who to root for during college basketball season...such a conundrum. LMAO.

*God is GOOD*

New Book--Official Release of "Raw Emotional Lyrics"

So I mentioned this earlier, but now I can make the "official" announcement.

A really good friend of mine named "Poetizer" just got her first book of poetry published. After months and months of hard work--it is DONE! The book is called "Raw Emotional Lyrics."


Proud to say the editing was done by yours truly as well as some of the photos. I took on this project awhile back because the book is truly very good and extremely honest. Here's a slice of the synopsis:

"...My transgressions have been buried in the depths of the earth. The dead skin of life's tribulations has shredded from my thoughts poem by poem leaving a trail of matured wisdom, a vision guided by spiritual reflection and filtered into a soul of purpose. I've carried my cross. My burdens weren't mine to bear. I had to fulfill this task so that others wouldn't have to see themselves in a place of uncertainties, confusion and darkness. I survived life after death…so will you!"

I highly recommend it! Check out the link from the publisher.

Thanksgiving

I wanted to take a second and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. One of my Facebook friends made a good point this morning and said that the things we're thankful for today should be the the things we're thankful for all year...I concur.

This is actually a weird/first for me. This year I will not be with my family. My parents and child are on the West Coast--I won't see them until Christmas. The rest of my family is in the midwest and I won't be making the trip up--I have a recording session this weekend and some projects to tackle.

Since it'll just be me--I am not cooking this year. Instead I've decided to volunteer to serve meals and/or deliver food to people. I can't lie this has been a rough year for me--and for lots of other people I'm sure, but considering it can (and has) been worse, I think I owe it to myself to do for someone else. I encourage anyone else to do the same because you never know when you might find yourself in someone else shoes.

In any case...regardless of my situation, here are 10 quick things I am thankful for:

1. My daughter is healthy and happy--and funny and brilliant!
2. I have some great friends who've pulled me through when I needed them
3. I'm writing again (this is a BIG one--because I was on block status for over a year)
4. I've accomplished more than 3 of my "list" goals this year (I shoot for a minimum of 3 a year)
5. I finished my graduate school application last week
6. I'm not where I want to be but I'm getting there--progress is always good!
7. I've managed to stay healthy this year (so far...cross fingers!) despite several people I know coming down with H1N1 etc etc
8. I found out that I have 2 weeks of vacation at Christmas which means more time with the family than I anticipated
9. I happen to like my job and the people I work with...I'm thankful I'm working--been laid off before (twice as a matter of fact)
10. That despite it all--I'm still standing.

Happy Thanksgiving all! Stay safe. Eat well. Be thankful!

Just do it.

So my last post, I asked what people would do if they didn't have to worry about certain things...I posted the link to this elsewhere and received some interesting responses.

I know with everything that's going on in our daily lives it's really easy to forget to dream about something bigger or even focus on accomplishing even the small things. We have this tendancy sometimes to push things to the back burner for "someday" or "later" or listen to the doubters (who may even be our own selves) who tell us we shouldn't do this, or it's a bad idea to do that.

Today I throw all of that out the window.

1. First...for those that read my baby name blog... I'm finally finishing up the text and the plan is to push a book version to publishers (in theory) by the end of the year. Too many people have asked me for it and I figure I've been sitting on it long enough.

2. Tomorrow I am turning in my application for grad school. Those that know me know I'm actually already in graduate school, however...a really good opportunity presented itself to me and I'd stay kicking myself if I didn't at least try to do this. So cross your fingers for me and I will let you all know how it goes in a few weeks.

3. Speaking of books... I mentioned a few posts back that I helped a friend get her book published--the cover and text have just been approved and are going to print. Hopefully (again, fingers crossed!) I'm thinking that the book will be ready by Christmas or just after the first of the year at which point I will post up all the information so you all can check it out.

No more sitting on stuff. I figure if I can do everything I've been doing in the middle of everything else, you have no excuses...lol. So get moving!

On a sidenote--I think I missed this, but I've been doing TTDBYD for a just over a year! If I haven't said so yet, THANKS you guys for all the support