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.

Geez talk about wiping the dust off something so valuable! That’s how I feel as I return to the 2browngirls25project. I know it has been a while & a lot has happen since my last post. A quick update:

• I’m assisting one of L.A. fashion scene’s rising stars, more to come.

• I have found love for, not so expensive, Prada shoes. In my size!

• I’m trusting God, when everyone else doubted.

• Loving west coast life!

I promise, as I did before, I’m back to blogging! So you know my saying, “Sit back, buckle your seatbelt, and enjoy a Martini.” This journey call life will be bumpy.

F.E.A.R. and why Hawaii mattered

F.E.A.R.- false evidence appearing real.

I took a quick trip to Ohau a couple weeks ago for work. While I was excited and super blessed by the opportunity, there was a piece of me that was really uncomfortable with the situation. Thankfully, when you are going through something and battling it out within yourself, God places people and messages and situations in your path to help you move past it-as long as you are willing to take chance.

Backstory: I've been flying since I was about...6 months old. As a kid, I flew cross-country alone to visit my dad all of the time. It was no biggie. Fast forward to college- that young and dumb carefree life where you take trips to just to have drinks at a different bar. Yeah. That. All was good but I started feeling antsy during take-off. Eventually turbulence would be the thing that would leave my tummy in knots- sweaty palms- the whole nine. It's gotten better over time for sure. At some point (I don't remember when) I'd begun really praying about the whole flying thing because it was silly and there was no reason that I should get worked up about a few pockets of air. Even as that part subsided, I was still a bit hesitant to take long flights and flights over water. I'd created this irrational fear in my own mind about flying over water and not being able to see land (kind of like the reason I don't want to take a cruise).

I'd accepted the trip to Hawaii, because it's HAWAII and how many times do you have the chance to go there-at no cost (note: this would make the second time. the first time a friend invited me and I was too afraid to take the trip). I'd made up my mind that it would be ok. But I did schedule a few stops on each leg of my flight to avoid having to sit for hours on end. The week before the trip I was still a bit nervous but trying to work through it. I had to fly to Washington state for a few days and then back to DC and then to Hawaii all in the same week, but was really only concerned about flying over the ocean for like 5 hours straight to Hawaii. The sunday before all of these flights we had a guest speaker at church. I allllmost didn't go that morning (opting for Bedside Baptist) but I pressed my way in. The message was about fear. And Deborah Smith Pegues talked about her own irrational fear of flying. I sobbed the entire time because I felt like God was talking to me and letting me know that it would be OK! She talked about how turbulence discouraged her from flying and how she'd missed out on opportunities because of her fear. She then talked about how she researched turbulence to learn more about it and was able to overcome her fear. She did it and so could I. She pointed to two things to do to address a fear (1) analysis and (2) action. She researched the thing that she feared and then took action to overcome it.

The message really hit home for me as I realized all of the things that I'd missed out on because of my own fear. A few weeks prior, ILYT asked me when I was going to stop letting fear keep me from experiencing life. That question was spot on and made me realize that I'd have to make a decision to overcome this or continue to settle for less than all I could have. I flew to Hawaii and back...by myself...over the ocean and it felt great to do. Plus I learned that planes can actually make a water landing. Analysis.

That's not the only reason that HI mattered though. Spending time on the beach and kind of on a solo vacation gave me much needed "me" time. I ended the trip in See's Candy store where I was buying a box of chocolates for my mom. I didn't realize how much that would take out of me. See, my uncle passed away last spring. This was someone who my mom was extremely close to, and one of those people that I'd always pictured at my wedding one day. He was one of my biggest supporters and my mom's too. Every year when I was little he used to send us See's candy. Since his passing, I've been meaning to get my mom a box and when I saw the store in HI, I just pranced right on in. As I began going through the choices and giving my order to the lady at the counter, I just started crying. Yup, like a baby. I had no idea the memories that something so trivial would bring back. BUT I also realized in that moment that I hadn't really had time to mourn my uncle's death. I was more concerned about being there for my mother and hadn't taken some time for myself. The saleslady was very patient with me and so sweet. I finished up the selection and packed it away in my suitcase. But those few moment and few tears were cleansing and apparently much needed.

OK, I know this was A LOT, but considering we only update this blog every other blue moon, I think its ok. Moral of the story here...conquer your fears and take time for yourself to heal a bit. Fear doesn't have to be so extreme that it consumes you, but if it keeps you from experiencing all of the great things that God has for you, it might be time to do something about it. Analyze it- figure out what it is you are afraid of and why. Then take action and do something about it. I promise it will feel great!.

"Protect yourself at all times."

What Floyd said.

Though referring to the reaction to his low blows to Ortiz in Saturday's fight, Mayweather's words resonated on another level with me.

So many of us (women and men) carry these words in our heads and our hearts as a result of something in our past (breakup, disappointment, failure, and the like). We all react to situations differently, but lessons and experiences from past relationships can put us in a place where we feel the need to always protect ourselves- to be guarded so that we can't get hurt. The issue? Well there's a few. One- hurt can be super uncomfortable, especially in the moment but once you've dried up tears and diffused a little anger, there is usually a lesson, moment, or experience that presents clarity to you and allows you to grow a little. Two- if we are "protecting ourselves at all times" with our hands up and on guard...then we never get a punch in. Translation- being guarded at every moment doesn't allow you to fight,err, experience life. Who wants to watch a fight where one guy throws all the punches and the other just has his hands up the whole time? NO ONE. It's boring, there's no action. It's dead. The same is for life, if you've always got your hands up, you are never getting into life and all it has to offer, in the end your story isn't worth remembering or retelling, it's boring...and you've merely existed.

Mayweather was right,we do have to protect ourselves, its natural and its healthy to do so. But, in that, we've also got to allow ourselves to be open (and dare I say vulnerable) to life. Your life is a sum of your experiences, encounters, and imprints of influence that you leave behind. Standing in one place-on guard- hardly allows for any memorable moments...so toe the line with this. Find the happy medium between protecting yourself (and your heart) while remaining open to the experiences of life, the joy of laughter, and the passion of love.

DELET

Ahh...."DELET" (like delete but a hard "t" at the end) reminds me of my young and dumb college days...

I've never really been one to go through my phone deleting numbers and such. Either numbers weren't transferred when I got a new phone or they just live on eternally. I literally have a phone full of numbers that I will never use, but eh, never know when you might be stuck somewhere random. You just might need that number....(ok maybe not). It's just never been a conscious thing to do, though I realize that this is quite normal for most people.

About a week ago, this all changed. I was literally tired of seeing people's names who don't serve any real purpose in my life-popping up in my phone randomly due to a pointless text or phone call. Now of course, this has more to do with me basically being "over" said people for one reason or another, but to keep from continued annoyance...I deleted the numbers...the past text messages- EVERYTHING (because we live in an age where if the number isn't stored, it isn't recalled, and therefore does not exist) . I literally felt like I'd dumped off some weight. It may sound silly, but it really felt good to get rid of the extra. Now not to be free of coincidence, literally within a day (and a few hours in one case) the contacts either called or texted. Meh...i'm done. So those calls and texts got the DELET too. But perhaps I should have responded with an open invitation for said persons to lose my number...hmmmm....

So I'm sure reading this you're like, 'man she's a bit angry' but its actually quite the contrary. People that know me know that my tolerance for BS is fairly low...or I will tolerate it until I'm tiiired and then I'm done. And I simply reached that point with a few people. Instead of continuing engage in random convo and failed attempts at 'getting up', I just won't. And since these people are no longer 'contacts' in my book, they now get the treatment that every other unknown number gets. Fair? I think so :)

Im not even close to being thirsty.... Im too hydrated for that.

Growing up in the south I realized men really take charge, they are go getter's, they actually use their God given 'manpower' in pursuing a lady. I'm now at the stage of life maybe I should put a little effort, but that seems like I'm being thirsty. Even after showing a clear interest. It's like ANY effort is thirsty, to me at least. Then I wonder about Jacob (Genesis 29-30) and how he worked (14 years) for the wife he wanted, Rachel. Man was created first for many reasons, I believe they should put effort out in pursuing a lady first, at least work for her (not literally, but literally).
I understand some men may be intimidated or even shy starting off, but to keep her he needs to return phone calls and text messages in a timely matter. If not she will write you off (period).

After writing the first part, I realized God doesn't want me to question who should say hi first. Like I'm in 4th grade, instead I'll be the mature adult and take lead. However understanding the reason God created woman and understanding my positioning in different circumstances is what I'll concentrate on. With that being said, what's meant to be will be.

Giving "good" a chance

There comes at time when you realize that your mom was right, and though you hate to admit it, you must. So, mom, you were right though the edgy guys won't be boring, they will have a dash-too-much of selfishness, and being someone that doesn't deal well with selfish people-that will not work. Even casually dating someone who is a bit too selfish won't work because they will eventually like many other people just annoy the hell out of me. Thankfully, I've managed to keep a good balance of good and evil around, but maybe it's time to get back to the basics and stop attributing to that whole "nice guys finish last" bit. Now....how do I keep from getting bored? That's another question for another day, but I'm sure consciously trying not to will help so we'll start there. This is me, giving good a chance.

And speaking of giving chances....I've been wanting to write a post about how my awful ordeal with Comcast changed for the better. BUT IT HASN'T. As of today we are at 5 appointments/3 NO-SHOWs after the tech calling my roomate at 10:17PM last night to announce his arrival. I think Ocho Cinco says "Chile Please". Who's letting some rando Comcast tech in their house that late at night. Meanwhile back at the ranch, the cable blinks out every few minutes. I literally watched the first 9 minutes of Chelsea Lately and observed 3 blanks in that time period. I wonder if the Comcast CEO knows that they are this terrible at providing technical service. Perhaps they should contract less and direct hire more. Oh and another fun fact-Comcast owns Fandango...so I might have to stop using that service too. Ugh. Dear Comcast, you are the worst and I am confident that the only reason that people continue pay for your service is because there are no other options...monopoly is a bish, aint it?

When words to actually trump actions...

We are all familiar with the idea that "actions speak louder than words" and tend to use this whenever it is convenient to prove our point or make a case. The fact is, however, that while actions may speak louder than words-sometimes-there are occasions when you should take what is said to be what the person means...like your parent's say, "do as I say and not as I do."

Living in a major city, I hear the same dating woes from ladies about how tough dating is. They talk about how men aren't ready to commit meanwhile they aren't given any reason to since y'all are more than willing to dress it up, serve it on a platter, and play house without committment , how men are chasing their careers and aren't interested in making time for a relationship, and how they'd rather just enjoy this time in their lives without being attached to any one person. All of this may be (read: probably is) true, but I know for a fact that there are some great guys out there looking for a relationship but instead are probably somewhere lost in the "friend zone".

Thinking that they have the ability to change a man's mind, many women pursue these 'unavailable' men anyway in hopes that it will lead to a relationship. Guys go along with the dating, but they've already told her that they aren't looking for a relationship...but she keeps on pushing along because they spend so much time together, he texts her throughout the day, they talk on the phone once a month, and the like. For her, he's showing all the signs of being in a relationship so surely its inevitable, right? NO. Were you listening to what he said (and notice the fact that story hasn't changed)? Boo, he's single. This is one of those moments where actions aren't speaking louder to nobody but you. He said his piece, and that's what he has in his mind. And until he speaks otherwise, you can safely assume that is what he means despite his actions. Truthfully, its easy to get caught up in seeing the same person repeatedly if you enjoy their company, but it doesn't mean that the part of you that isn't seeking committment has changed. So ladies, please stop getting all in your feelings and start using your ears to hear what is being said (yes, I know this isn't natural). It will work out easier in the end.

You cant really take that back, Or can you?

I never shared this with anyone, but I never actually felt like I was a MPA graduate. Didn’t get to excited, I was having doubts that after all the research I did on turnover rates at the university, even walking in the ceremony. I had a feeling I would get a call or letter saying we have made a mistake and I would need to complete one class. After I finally moved from AR to CA I was thinking surely that wouldn’t happen. Well today I received a DO NOT BEND envelope in the mail, of course I ignored it and toss it on the floor. Then I walked by it four hours later and thought what’s this mess the school has sent now. I opened it and pulled out my DIPLOMA!!!!!! Of course some tears felled. I was thinking now its official I have worked hard, even cutting my hair off, to receive my Masters in Public Administration. Now it’s time to really celebrate or see how this sheet of paper will work for me.

Live WHOLISTICALLY!

http://www.herbsistah.com/

I promise her homegrown herbs worked for me the first time around. Everyone is different and may have more of a build up of certain toxin in their system, but she is my go to herb sistah when I have any herbal questions and she teaches me how to live wholistic! EMAIL CALL herbsistah, she is your personal herbalist.

I'm Pretty Sure my Mirror didn't Break.....Atleast I hope NOT!

Tuesday night I was conversing with one of my male associates, we got on the topic of being a 30 year old female and looking for love. He mentions many of my associates that are 30 is wondering why they haven’t found MR. Right4HER. He says they need to look in the mirror and examine some flaws…….she may not even realize they are flaws, but on the outside looking in, big turnoff for a marriage. I told him I agree, but its not my place to point that out to them (He agreed).
Since its not my place to tell my female associates, you’re not finding MR. Right4u bc XYZ…. Instead I hope one day they will look in the mirror and examine who they are looking at in the mirror.

My ACTUAL birthday

I wake up each morning and give thanks for yet another day. Yesterday was no different, but of course, had to be extra thankful for another year. 25 was a blast and brought SO much to my life. I learned a lot, experienced so many new things (intended and unintended), and most importantly (ref: Work out plan) I grew more. I think one of the biggest things I realized is that the people I thought would be there for certain parts of my journey might not be, to cherish the relationships I have when I have them, and to not be afraid to let them go when it it time to do so. Now that all that is out of the way...let's talk about my yesterday...

I waited on Comcast ALL.DAY.LONG. Seriously my 8-11 appointment came and went and since I didn't get a phone call, I thought they were a no show. But apparently- Tech 3252 came and went and never dialed my nimba (ref: Plies). So after several conversations with them, I made it known that they killed my day and that I really did hate them. But on the brightside I got some things done that I've been meaning to work on since the move. I spruced up my bathroom with a little design and I hacked my dresser. Ok, so I was going to toss out these drawers I'd bought from Ikea some time ago because I was really tired of them. But then I got introduced to Ikea Hacking which is basically when people turn Ikea things into DIY projects. I loved the white and dark wood contrast look and the yellow knobs match the yellow accents in my bedroom. I love it. I am also making it a nightstand instead of a dresser. I'm pretty proud of myself, and now that I can work the drill, I'm unstoppable.


I finished the evening at Happy Hour with a small group. As always it was entertaining. And as I left, I ran into a familiar face which solidifed my suspicion that God was pulling an Ashton for the past few days who treated me to birthday cupcakes from my fav cupcakery.

Minus the comcast situation- I had an AWESOME BIRTHDAY! And since there are still some gifts to come, I know it isn't over. 26 is starting off fabulously...can't wait to see what's next.

REMEMBER:

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)

My super-awesome birthday weekend

Deviled Eggs. Lemon Drop Martinis. Yellow Knobs.Rooftops. Familiar Faces. Rum Punch. Neck Tats. Misspelled Neck Tats. Arm Tats. 16th and Minnesota SE. Young Boys. New Friends. The Right People. Green Pants. Bandages. The General and his Blondie. The Woods. Peace. God. MexiCAN. Winery. Chocolat.

I had an awesome pre-birthday weekend. After consciously making a decision not to "freak out" about birthday plans (though that wasn't 100% the case), I've had the BEST birthday I've had since moving to DC and it isn't even my birthday yet!

This weekend was really great. I started Friday night with deviled eggs and a couple lemon drop martinis yes, I am aware of now disgusting that sounds . We hit a rooftop party for someone's birthday to indulge in the finest of bow ties, seersucker suits, and rainbow stripes that DC has to offer. We ventured to Dupont to Current sushi. Ok, so I'm not really one down for paying to get into lounges/clubs unless I'm 1) on vacation, 2) venturing to a new venue, or 3) really interested in what's going on inside the spot and since Current wasn't fitting the descrip of any of the above....I was good with rolling on when the "owner" wanted to charge for entry and his bouncer suggested a table. Hello, this is a sushi spot, the crowd is "Fayetteville" as CR described it, and I'm just not that pressed. Anyway I was asked to remain silent after I told the bouncer he could roll on with the table talk, but my method worked...I mean we were let in no charge-no problem after that. Anyway after what seemed like an eternity of MJ hits, girls with their arms in the air wearing flip flops and getting sloppy drunk disgusted....we left and trekked to the next spot. Now, I'm wearing the highest heels in the group (being one of only two ladies in the entourage), but the guys were the ones whining about the walk lol. Anywho, we got there and *cough* made a decision not to enter, at that point we piled into a cab and went home BUT it was still a pretty great night, not to mention that the lemon drop martinis made by Jason at the Liaison Hotel Bar were absolute perfection!

FF to Saturday. I scored a few really pretty knobs for my DIY dresser project that I'll start tomorrow on my day off. Then we hit not one but two day parties. The first the more typical bougie "DC" crowd. Full of familiar faces, flowing weaves, men who are more interested in talking to other men, and the one guy who referred to himself as Collective Bargaining or Soul or some foolish name he gave himself. He was probably the highlight of my experience though, donning lime green khakis and a tangerine and white plaid shirt WITH suspenders and braided leather loafers. He had the sporadic Anthony Hamilton facial hair going and was grooving and rapping along to EVERY SONG. Yes, I gave him my number! Why not, he was much more amusing than the guys walking around with misspelled neck tattoos and those who were too perfectly groomed to touch in 90+ degree weather. So being the person that never forgets a face, I looked up and saw I guy I was pretty sure I'd met like 6 years ago at a random party in Atlanta, and sure enough it was him. Turns out he just moved here like everyone else on earth because DC is the new Atlanta and we know some of the same people because DC is the size of the pupil of my eye.

So we blew that joint and decided to hit the second party. Now, before we went there, I asked LWW who was hosting this party. He didn't know but said that one of his phrat brothers was spinning. So that PLUS the fact that it was a bar in Dupont led me to believe it would be more along the lines of the first party we went to. I. Was. Wrong. The guys went ahead of us and by the time we arrived, we were greeted by two groups of three 'rats who were literally about to fight over a parking spot. Seeking to escape that, we rolled up to the rooftop where we were greeted by the stench of purp, mariJUWANNA, or whatever you kids call it these days. Walked in and I was in the middle of the hood.I literally felt as if we were in on a video set. There's baby daddy tats, strippers, Kelly Rowlands, hood dudes with good hair, brothas who obviously got jumped-went to the hospital-and then came straight to the party, keloids, gel, weaves, stilettos, pumps- ALLL OF THAT. The funny thing is that the DJ was awesome (S/O To DJ Schemes) and we had a really good time. I felt a little under-tatted considering that I have none and there was apparently a 4 tat minimum that I skirted when I entered. But the crew I was with made the whole thing worth while. We stayed for a couple hours and then had dinner. I even tried to go back out that night but once prompted to pay a $20 cover for a place that didn't meet the aforementioned criteria, I sashayed back to my car and drove home but not before seeing a familiar face in the line. I spoke, mentioned my birthday, and then got hit with the "well I'm off Tuesday" line, to which I'm sure my reply looked something like o_O. Did this brotha just invite himself to celebrate my birthday with me on my day off? (SN this is probably why so many women are single-just turning down people who make an effort to be polite, but I'll take my chances on this one).

Sunday was the big day. I'd sent out cute little invites, found a cute and appropriate 'fit, and was ready for my birthday celebration at the Mariott Ranch. Yup, last year it was guns, this year it is horses for the official bday celebration. I met up with the boys and we headed out to western Virgina where the deer and the antelope play to do a trail ride. Ok, so as we were driving I was feeling a little bit of a punk out coming. I don't really like the outdoors and this looked to be like uncivilized land...but I was there, I'd committed, and I manged to get five men out of bed pretty early in the morning to drive 1.5 hours west to do this. So we did it. OMG it was amazing (aside from my horse's need to smell his girlfriend's butt the entire ride, the random pit stops for potty breaks, and the fact that my butt hurts now). We got there in this open land. The first four guys of our party got on their horses with no problem. The last, however, when to get on and his horse walked off. Her name was Goldie and she had other plans. So I thought they took her away since she was being uncooperative, but apparently they only had ME fooled with the walk around and brought Goldie right back for him to mount. Second go round wasn't so bad. Then it was my turn. I got "The General" (not the first I've encountered, and like the first-this one was pretty sweet). And that's when my punk out really kicked in. I was legit scared once I got on the horse but after a few moments, I settled down. I pleaded not to be put in the back but of course I was the last one followed by two of the ranchers and their horses "Ricky Bobby" (cuz he likes to go fast) and Aislyn, this super cute newbie who was wearing boots because she hadn't gotten her shoes yet. The ride was so peaceful. Really quiet and just relaxing. I spent a little time talking to God and being thankful for (almost) another year and taking in the scenery. And after a little more than an hour, it was over.

We left the ranch which is situated in VA wine country, so we headed to a winery and did a tasting. The last wine was paired with a piece of chocolate which was really good. We left, I ran off the road, we had a three hour lunch/dinner. It was perfect. What I really appreciated was that all the right people were there. Everyone I spent this weekend with was relatively "new" in my life and it was stress and drama free, I didn't have to make special accommodations, and we had genuinely good times. That was just the weekend. My actual birthday is tomorrow and I'm not sure what is in store (other than finally getting cable and Internet in the new place) but I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!