Instead of writing '30 Things I should have done before 30' I'm going to start my list of '30 things I've done and will do before 30.' With only a few years left I shall get started.

Realizing it was the right decision... much later

I had a little glimmering moment today. My co-worker got into her PhD program which is a major accomplishment plus she got funding and a stipend. We chit chatted about her news and mine and then reflected on how working for our organization really allows us to function in several domains of life. Its a perk. Period.

So I got back to my office and remembered when I was considering the offer for this job. It seemed like a great opportunity, but I didn't really know what the company was all about, not a lot of people do-as evidenced by the o_O looks I get when people ask me what I do or who I work for. I knew it was a good name to have listed among my credentials, but so were the other options. In the end it came down to the exposure I would get here and so I accepted.

I remember the process of looking for jobs that summer. The prayers I prayed. The interviews, and the ultimate offers. The excitement at the numbers. The feeling of knowing after about 8 interviews in one day-that these people wanted to work with me. I also remember my first few days here and wondering if I was the only person who didn't go to Harvard. I also remember meeting with someone and saying "everyone here is like REALLY smart", and that person turning to me and saying "we chose you because you are too, the only difference is that we've got a few more years of experience on you."

Over the past 18 months, there hasn't been a day that I've hated my job, the people I work with, or even the projects I'm on. Sure, there are days when I'd rather be doing something else, or I'd rather NOT be working on yet another Medicare project, but I truly enjoy what I do. Aside from that, I've gained an amazing mentor here who I have learned so much from and been incredibly supported by. THIS was the right choice. 18 months later and I'm excited about recalling information and being seen as an asset to teams. 18 months later and I'm about to start another chapter and journey that will lead me someone that I probably hadn't factored into my life plan five years ago.

Point of this post: One of the greatest parts of this whole experience was learning how to make a plan, pray about it, and be still enough to listen to God. I'm confident that none of this-where I am today- is a result of an accident, rather a result of my work and faith and His ultimate timing and plan. Try trusting him...but know that it will surely required patience!

P.S. I've missed this blog. I should do this more often :)

War.....Again?

After debating for the past 2 weeks what to blog about, while watching Anderson Cooper tonight, I had no choice, but to share AC story on Syria.

http://www.facebook.com/AC360/posts/10151306443085533

All I can hear is, "It's just wrong to kill folks." - Dr. Cornel West

What do you do?

I’m trying on some shoes, with a short summer dress (I know it’s not summer but I’m in Cali), legs positioned like the number 4. I look up and notice a young girl around the age of 8 staring at me. I smile and continue with my shoes. Next thing I know, the little girl has a slip on stocking on her right hand. She is flying her hand in the sky like an airplane, then across the arms of the empty chair on the side of me, and next thing I know she has rubbed her hand across the side of my knee. I paused, looked at her like you little #%@^ &%$$ %&*^(& $%^#@. She took off running. What was I supposed to do? What would you have done?

This is only a test…..for the fifth or sixth time. Have you ever shared your thoughts, dreams, or even opinions with someone and just knew that their response would be identical to your response? Well I did and their opinion was like the other five people I shared with. Normally I care less and say ‘oh well you don’t have to be happy for me because I’m on my own happy trip.’ So I will step back, I want take it personal and see what the future holds. Even though I've done this before and this is let down #3. (Shaking my head)

After trying on $300 Prada shoes, YES only $300! I decided to head to the fitting room, realizing I’ve been in this store for 2.5 hours! Finally I had decided on 2 sweaters by Max Azria for a great price. Then I looked in the mirror, fanned my hair back on the right side and noticed a shine. I moved into the mirror closer and there it was a 2 inch strand of grey hair. I paused; as thoughts ran throw my head a thousand miles per minute. Too quick for me to even comprehend what I was thinking. I started to cry, but could only make a frown. I then started to look for my phone to call beastie, my mom, I don’t know. I needed to talk to someone. Before I knew it I grabbed the clothes, gave to the fitting room attendant and walked swiftly out the store. I sat in my car not sure what to think. But God I did ask you for long grey hair when I got around late 50’s to rock a long French braid with a cat to pat.

Maybe this is just the first stage to my braid, or I’m stressed maybe I have earned my first wisdom strand. Yeah that’s it! Being curious, I knew I had to do research on how and why I have a strand of grey hair at 26, right before a full moon.

After speaking with my father he said “God only knows. He wanted you to have a grey strand at this time.” I decided no need to research it. Just smile, be happy with who I am, what I have, and as more may come no need to dye it, embrace it.

I understand as we age body parts spread and drop, like it’s a new dance move or something. But our mind isn’t always prepared to hit the dance floor, at least my mind isn’t. I wanted to know has anyone in late twenties have developed their wisdom strand(s)? Just like in high school it turns out I wasn’t the only 110 pound teenager that had stretch marks on my buttocks, so comforting to know I wasn’t alone.

So after all that emotion from first finding my wisdom strand, I learned God is doing something and there is no need for me to ponder on it.

This is important to me because I’m talking to you; yes you, the reader about it. I never been the type to have my wedding ceremony and wedding dress all planned before meeting Mr.Right. I just know, I want my significant other to have a say in our ceremony. Same goes for deciding on bearing kids. I used to feel obligated to have a few kiddies, especially since I am my mother’s only daughter. I got pass that because I realized, I would be the one to take care of the kiddies and not my mother.

However, my mother has been blessed with three beautiful intelligent grandkids, by my oldest brother and wife. Just a few weeks ago my youngest brother announced he and his girlfriend, of seven years, were having a baby! Yes my jolly, youngest, big brother is having a baby, not literally, but you know what I mean. I am so happy as if I announced I am carrying a child.

It’s lovely to be an aunt for the fourth time. Now I need to attend to my auntie duties of pondering the style of the baby or babies to come.