Welcome Home Autumn

When I graduated back in 2008, I sat my eyes on this car and never took them off. If I seen an Infiniti G35/G37 pass by me, everything would stop and I would stare. To me, this car is breathtaking and I just love it soooo much. I would always tell everyone in my path- "THAT'S MY CAR!" It slowly came to the point that when others would see it, they too would say- "That's Aminah's Car!!!" and NOW, FINALLY, It is!!!!!

Shopping for a new car is a tedious process. I believe I visited anywhere from 6 to 10 car lots and viewed dozens of websites looking for the best car, with the best deals, low mileage and high amenities. At each visit I realized specifics about the car that I loved and added those to my long list of demands for the perfect car. The car had to be used, less than $25,000, light interior and fully loaded (sun roof, touch screen, navigation, I finally saw this car Saturday morning at South Motors Infiniti but the character of the employees there and their attitudes turned me off, so I left without it and continued my search. After a few more dealership visits, lots of thought and a decision that the above car was the right car and perfect fit for me, despite my dislike of the dealership, I went back and got my car. We arrived at around 5:00pm and didn't depart with the car til after 8:00pm. Those three hours were the longest ever of price negotiation, transferring of tags and insurance, trading in the old car, cleaning out my old car and moving in to the new one, signing away my life savings and future incoming funds and all the in between. Kinda like pregnancy except this baby won't last the rest of my life!

Anyways, I'm HAPPY. There is very little I ever decided I really want and even less that I actually pursue. This is the first time I've wanted something really bad and went after it and I'm thankful that the outcome was good. Autumn is my blessing and I hope she blesses others :)

All moved in...

So I'm all moved in and finally settled into my place. I expected so much more but I can say that im happy. Living alone in a place you can call your own comes with a peace that's indescribable! I often finish my work days excited to go home to a place I can finally call 'home'. I missed the serenity this provides!!

But let me tell you about the experience... So, remember I was so ecstatic with anticipation of my new place?! I couldn't wait to receive my keys. I went to the office during my lunch break only to find that the office didn't have my move in papers ready- I had to wait almost an hour to see the leasing agent but I forgave them because my happiness far outweighed their lack of preparation. So I got my key and left to go see my apartment carrying my new best friend across the thresh hold: my cookie jar :) I wanted that to be the first thing I brought into the house and situated to make it feel like home instantly!

I opened the door and I immediately was disappointed... something was wrong and felt terribly off. The natural lighting in the place already sucks, so I searched for a light switch to reveal what I was feeling inside and it did. The apartment hadn't been turned over. The carpet was dirty and worn, the sinks, tubs and toilets were dirty, there were dishes in the cabinets and food in the freezer!!! Did they really expect me move into this place??? I began to juggle in my mind was I expecting too much? Was this really what I wanted? are they wrong or should I just clean it and be happy??? What do I do??... I calmed and went right back to the office and told the agent what I saw. Luckily he was VERY apologetic, followed me back to see the place himself and called in the orders to clean it all. The next day I got new carpet, discounted rent and a clean apartment to walk into!!! I took a home decor shopping trip and returned Friday feeling at least happy about the place again.

Saturday, about 8 of my friends kindly helped me move all of my things up 3 flights of stairs into my place! With a newly aqua accented living room and purple bedroom, I'm now finally in my place. And as I said in beginning... I'm just happy about the PEACE it brings :)




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Moving BACK in...

So I'm sitting at work anxious about going to get my key to and sign away my life for my new place today. The hook to one of Kanye's song repeatedly plays in my head "it's so ammmaazzing, so ammmazzzing!!!" because it really is. Who would have ever thought I would feel this way?!!!

Since 2005 I've consistently lived in my own place covering rent, utilities, and other amenities on my own. I had roommates for a few years so the cost was cheaper, but for the last 2 years I've been in a one bedroom apartment carrying the load alone and I've never once thought to myself "This is to expensive." or "Can you really afford this?" and I've also never gone without. So, it worked and I had no reservations-EVER. In fact, I was HAPPY!!! I happy and doing well.

Then life completely turned upside down in May of this year. The uncertain economy somewhat forced me out of my apartment (never mind that I willing gave it up to pursue a new start) and temporarily into a friend's house. I thought I would be relocating in to a new city, but God saw other wise and it's just into a new apartment. But this apartment IS a new place and this transition feels just as foreign as moving to a new city would. There's so much uncertainty, anxiety, and a residual of fear. But also a lot of excitement, possibility and a fresh feel of life anew. This journey is SO AMAZING in it's own way. Mentally I know on the surface, this is "just another apartment" but in my heart I know that this is the beginning of a new life. HUM!

~ARN

High school senior turn college freshmen- complex!!!

There is never a time better than the present!!!

I remember this past year of high school seniors that I work with and the hopeless despair that filled their eyes as they struggled to graduate and eagerly sought after a college career. Novice to the work amidst them, they complained, procrastinated, worked a little and talked a lot. But now they stand as high school diploma holders as they walk the sidewalks of Santa Fe College just proud and gleaming to be a college student.

With their new lives ahead of them, they are trying to reshape their perspective and actions to reflect their new stage in life. Attempting to be more professional and studious, they hit the libraries directly after class and intentionally turn in homework first so that their teachers notice them. Insecure however, they still walk with their heads downs a little as they listen to their iPods and try to remain hidden amongst the crowd. Oh the complexities of being a student, wanting to learn and be acknowledged for their efforts but afraid to shine!!! But as I said in the beginning, there is NEVER a better time than the present because today they are exactly where they need to be- a freshmen at Santa Fe College! I am so proud.

D.C. Reflections- A day of tours

So Friday morning I awoke really early from a bad reoccurring family nightmare. Couldn't shake the feeling or the tears so I showered, planned a day of fun activities and set out with Eric to conquer them all. A metro trip to Union station and $80 later, we were on the top of an open-top tour bus cruising the streets of DC listening to the sounds of history beneath the wind in our ears. It's incredible the way history feels when you're experiencing it and not just learning about it. For the first time ever in life I had the feeling of being a proud American. Riding the bus looking at the capitol, the white house, the botanical gardens, and all the memorials made me feel connected to my country and appreciative of what I have. I really enjoyed it!

I enjoyed even more walking up the seemingly one million flights of stairs towards the Lincoln Memorial. As soon as my eyes beheld him, my first thought was of the movie Transformers when the Decepticons implemented their take over and the leader smashed Lincoln's statue and sat in his chair!!! Great scene... lol- lame- I know- but I'm a movie buff ::shrugs shoulders:: So after I had my movie moment and reeled in on the what was before I was captivated and in wonderment of the site. The articles surrounding him about our country touched me. But more importantly the timelessness of the writings reminded me that our forefathers lived with purposed and my living now isn't futile or hallow. I needed that affirmation!

From there we walked over to the new Martin Luther King Memorial Site that sits beautifully behind 4 rocks that make beautiful entry into the memorial. These rocks symbolize his past "a Mountain of Despair" and our today "a Stone of Hope". As you walk in, you walk towards to the back of his statue that sits before a beautiful body of water and overlooks the D.C and Jefferson Memorial. And then, finally, you see him. Dr. Martin Luther King sitting so poised, confident, intentional, and ready! The site it captivating and breath taking to anyone who knows what he stood for and what his presence represents in America today, especially black America. I stood there before him looking upon him with reverence, admiration, hope, gratefulness and love! Dr. king was a great man and I'm so happy this memorial now exists!

We were one of the first 20 people to walk in at their opening that day and one of the first 5 to behold his face. The rush of people there from all walks of life-young and old, black, white and purple people, rich and poor, established and un-established alike- was overwhelming but delightful. Even reflecting on it makes me marvel at what it means...

But on to the rest, we spent the rest of the day continuing to roam the city by bus and  by foot. We stopped by the Madam Tassaud's wax museum for a little celebrity paparazzi fun, ate at Bar Louie's in China town, watched Colombiana and shopped until we just couldn't go anymore. i loved our day out in the city and I loved DC.

A night in DC

So I realize that single people are everywhere without a perspective of person. I'm in dc, chocolate city! The place where everyone in the south says to go to get a strong hard working man. But I see just as many thirsty women here as any where else and there dates seen more promising than ours ever will in the south, yet they are single too. Why is that?

On another note, Tonight was a great night. We ate dinner at CoCo Sala and came to Marvin's to lounge. I love being able to go from fine dining and a modernized atmosphere to the rugged feeling of wood stairs that creek and a roof top balcony lounge where you can see condominiums and everyday living people. Their social scene is real, balanced and cultured. As I leave Marvin's- a local lounge- I'll forever appreciate that they are playing ' Square Biz' by Tina Marie. Gotta love the culture :)

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Washington DC... Year 26!

It's My Birthday!!!!!!

So I've made it to DC and what an experience it's been already. We arrived about 8:45 and I was drunk with sleepiness… We took a cab over to the hotel and were greeted by minority workers at the concierge booth, check in desk and housekeeping staff on our floor. And if you know me, you know that made me happy! I love to see ALL PEOPLE working in equal settings…. Nonetheless, impressed with our services so far and the amenities of the hotel, we decided to not make a fuss about the small but quaint room. So we settled in and set out for breakfast.

We were referred to the Constitution Cafe off N street (a block a way from our hotel) but stopped by a local Harris and Teeter (a fresh market grocery store) for umbrellas and weekend condiments before we went to eat. On our walk over, we discovered a plethora of other local and chain restaurants surrounding us that were also appealing. So, if we do nothing else this weekend, we'll eat well and that's ALRIGHT with me :) Breakfast at the Constitution Cafe was DELICIOUS. Buffet style southern breakfast, all you can eat and charged by the pound. I loaded my plate with grits, eggs, smoked Georgia sauges, pancakes, fresh fruit, hash browns and more. I loved it!!! And I loved sitting by the window people watching as business men and women came in and out of their high security federal jobs. We ended our morning with a long nap into the late afternoon before heading out to Union Station.

Our trip to Union Station was intriguing, but I think we did well. We had to figure out the purchasing of the metro card, map out where we were going so we didn't end up on the wrong train and navigate our way there. We had no trouble in the application, but we did stand by and watch our train pass us by. We didn't know that was it! lol, But luckily, another came 5 minutes later. Once we arrived at Union Station we shopped a little bit, took photos of the buildings like tourist and scoped out things to do tomorrow. I spent about an hour in my fav store- Barnes and Nobles- and yes I do plan to go back before I leave!!!! And although we were trampled a bit by the many people who actually had places to go, I'm excited about the rest or trip and tours via public transportation. I think our virgin efforts were a "job well done"!