Currently The Blueprint 3 By Jay-Z see related

Hey guys…its been a [long] while.  I’ve been around, just haven’t been able to blog as much due to this intense schedule I’ve got now.  I’ve been on travel pretty much since May…and it looks like it will persist for the rest of the year.  Although I wish I could be home more, I can’t complain bc I’m compensated for the extra time away.  Who doesn’t love thatJ.  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what’s next…and to be honest, I don’t really know, lol.  I’ve put school on the shelf for at least another semester, but decided to move forward with one of my ideas in the meantime.  Would offer more detail, but it’s still in the development phases…

The past few months I’ve been in self-evaluation mode and its gotta be one of the hardest things to do.  After going to my friend’s wedding in New Orleans last month, it seems like there’s been this influx of guys…unfortunately, not one that I can say I’m into like that.  And although people say that you should just be honest about how you feel, I’m having the HARDEST time doing that.  Its strange bc it seems like guys have no problem being blunt and to the point about how they feel where we are concerned…but we seem to take the “handle with care” approach regarding guys we don’t really know or owe anything to.  I feel like with the influx, my preferences are becoming more and more specific.  And even though they say that there are more of us than there are qualified guys, call me crazy, but I don’t think that puts me in the “beggars can’t be choosers” category.  I don’t expect perfection, but I don’t plan on settling either…

As we speak, I’m getting myself ready for a girl’s weekend in ATL.  It’s Atlanta Classic weekend where FAMU plays TSU…but I’m not even sure I’ll be at the game, lol.  It’ll just be good to kick it w/my best girls and get a small break.  And my parents will be down there, so I’ll get to hug and kiss them.  I’ve been loading up on sleep bc I know that come Monday I’ll be hurting for it…

Y’all have a good one

Currently BLACKsummers'night By Maxwell Stop This World see related

Hey guys!!  Yes, its been eons since I last updated.  I figured since I have a few minutes before I get up outta here, I would update.  (Forgive the spelling if necessary...in a hurry).

I was looking back over my blogs from when I first started til now and I can hardly believe the changes that have occurred in my life.  It’s definitely a drastic (and of course progressive) change from where it was when I started.  And yet, there’s still so much left to do.  I was thinking the other day that if my life had gone according to plans, it would look nothing like it does now, lol.  But at the same time, life’s challenges have grown me and I feel like I have a great life.  I was talking to one of my close girlfriends last night about where we are headed.  We are both in that stage of having a lot of grand ideas, but not sure exactly what we want to do.  It seems like the hard part isn’t putting your vision out in front of you…but moreso leveling with yourself about who you really are and how it matches what you’re trying to accomplish.  For instance…when I went to school, my plan was to graduate with my MBA and then apply for med school.  I genuinely had a desire to be a doctor, but that desire was largely enhanced by the salary.  But in reality, the only hard part about this portion of life is trusting God.  Because honestly, between me and Him, He’s the most knowledgeable about this journey and where it leads to.  He knows for what purpose I was created…and His word says that it will make a living for me (so I don’t have to worry about anything financially).  It would take forever to list the things I want to accomplish in this life (and the lives of many others)…but He’s got it all in my blueprint.  Guess I’m just waiting on Him then…

Well, that’s all I have time for bc I gotta get ready to head back to D.C.  Y’all have a great weekend…I know I will:). 

Currently Leave It All Behind By The Foreign Exchange see related

I can't believe its been almost four months since my last update.  The intention has definitely been there...I guess you could say that the words have not, lol.  Things have been great here on my end.  I just began a 90 day challenge with some former classmates of mine (from FAMU).  The idea is that one can change their life in 90 days if they focus on a set of goals (individually created) and are given a deadline.  I'm already a week into it and I'm feeling pretty great about the progress i'm making towards achieving my goals:). 

Seems like i've been kind of stuck lately (in life)...trying to figure out what's next and find a happy medium between making "now" work for me and chasing after my dreams.  I have SO many things I want to do, but i'm still working on the plans and implementing.  I just want to live a life that pleases God...nothing less, all the more.  Hopefully I can become more consistent w/my posts...especially since i've got about four months on travel coming up.

Gotta get myself ready for church.  Y'all have a good one!

Currently The Point Of It All By Anthony Hamilton see related

Yesterday morning I was in an exit meeting with the management of this bank I’m examining.  About halfway through the meeting, the Chairman of the Board began to question another examiner.  And he was so sure of what he knew because his family “had been in banking since 1944, had been through 10 recessions, and that his father had drilled into he and his brothers how to manage a bank during these times.”  Although he is a lawyer and a retired U.S. Senator, he has always had a strong foundation in banking.  His training was obviously beneficial because he and his brothers are chairmen of their own banks and hold ownership in each other’s banks.  His success is definitely notable, but the most striking thing, to me, was what his father did for he and his family. 

It astounds me every time I sit in a board meeting…because after a year and a half of being on this job and examining countless banks, I have yet to see a person of color on any one board of directors.  Yesterday’s meeting kind of helped me to get a slight understand as to why (I know there are plenty of other factors).  They sit around the dinner table and discuss the principles of financial management, the kids read and discuss the “Financial Times” and “Wall Street Journal,” instead of summers off, they work in the bank w/dad, etc.  I know this stuff makes a huge difference. 

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Legacy building…we need to pay so much more attention to it.  It really made me think about what our generation is doing (or not).  It used to be that kids could count on great advice from their elders regarding many things…love, choosing friends wisely, integrity, how to treat people, etc.  But that’s not even the case anymore…there appears to be a blaring disconnect.  Maybe its because what people say isn’t matching with what they do.  Observation is taking much more precedence over words, being emulated, and perpetuated.  Leaving a legacy for your children and those who look up to you is like having a stage all to yourself with a captive audience.  We should make the most of this opportunity and really think through how our “performance” shapes those who come after us. 

Just some random thoughts.  I’ve got tons of work to do, so I’m gonna get on it.  Thinking about making BBQ chicken flatbread pizza later…we shall see.

Y’all have a good one.

Currently Ryan Leslie By Ryan Leslie see related

Hey guys...

Due to the randomness of my thoughts right now, i'm thinking this post will follow suit, lol.  So I recently made a decision...well, i'm about 95% there to go back to school.  The plan is to get my masters and doctorate (possibly concurrently) in human sexuality.  I know it seems like the most random choice, but i've always wanted to be a sex therapist, advice columnist, educator, etc. when it comes to this topic.  The only accredited graduate program for human sexuality is in Philly and it offers a weekend program that will allow me to still work my full time job and attend classes about six weekends out of the semester.  I am TOO excited about it:).  I just have to make sure that it will fit in with what i'm trying to do.  I know it'll be tough, but I'm sure i can handle it.  Just gotta make sure its what God wants...

Speaking of which...I was talking to a friend on my way home from work today and he was telling me that he had decided to stop having sex and wait until he is married.  I think part of it is spiritual and also to stay clean and healthy.  So after further discussion, he said that he still plans to keep and utilize his extensive porn collection...that its necessary during these times.  I know how I feel, but i'm curious guys...how necessary is porn?  Is it idealistic to think that we can use the creativity that God has given us to enhance our sex lives rather than observe and emulate mindless sex between two people who don't know each other?  Thoughts?

Anyways...i'm gonna try to whip up this cabbage lasagna in an hour (good luck to me, lol) and hit it. 

Y'all have a good night:).