You can find me in the A! (Im on it)

Atlanta, here I come!!!!!!!!!!!

The miracle of life

Alysia, one of my best friends of 11 years just gave birth today to a healthy baby girl. Welcome to the world Amira Charles!

The miracle of birth to me is just one of the many indications that there is a Creator. The time, developmental stages, the end result of two human beings copulating is no accident.

To some the idea of "God" is hard to rationalize. To me, its harder to rationalize that the sweet flavor, succulent juice, and savory aroma of a strawberry (let alone the birth of a child) is the result of a "big bang."

Life events such as these really put things into perspective no matter how much disarray surrounds you. It amplifies the joys of life and brings irrelevance to the negatives.

Births as with deaths are staunch reminders to me that my days are numbered and to make everyone of them count.

So welcome to the world baby girl, and thank you for putting life in perspective for me. I loved you before you took your first breath of air...

All I want for Christmas is...

Howdy!

For those of you that have been living in a cave, Thanksgiving was yesterday. In light of the holiday, im starting a new tradition this year. Since retailers put out all the Christmas stuff right after Thanksgiving, I figured I would put my Christmas list out right after Thanksgiving as well. Feel free to buy any, all or none of what you see on this list. (I know you think im crazy, but its worth a shot right ? I think so)

1. A white West Highland Terrier (A little white dog)
2. A black 2008 Lexus IS250 (A black car)
3. World peace (Quit killing each other! Dayum)
4. "Ambitchous" by Debra Condren (A book)
5. My teeth whitened (pearly whites)
6. The second season of Desperate Housewives on DVD (no smart comment to put here)
7. Perfume (from B, Paris, Mariah or Diddy to name a few)
8. A pair of "Latchh" boots by Steve Madden in Cognac
9. Bluetooth ear piece 1
0. Laptop tote from Tarjay (Target) in brown or red leather
11. Anything from the heart

...feel free to send me your Christmas list as well! Smooches!

XOXO,


AYT

Im back!

Its been a while…I blame it on sheer laziness. Nothing more, nothing less. Well let me get you caught up to speed. I have been on my current engagement almost two weeks. Fortunately, my daily commute to the client site is only 20 minutes on a bad day. So for that, Im greatful.

I have a few trips lined up before the close of 2007: Atlanta (of course), New Orleans, and N. Carolina. Its killing your girl’s pockets! Its all good though, such a small price to pay to spend time with my loved ones.

Im really exicted about the progress of the non-profit I work with (http://www.kopeinc.org/). We have some new members and they all bring their own flair and talents to the table. Welcome to K.O.P.E.!!!

Last week I started a Hip Hop class! I miss performing and learning routines PLUS I need to exercise more, so this was right up my alley. Watch out for me in the next Ciara video =) I am trying to figure out other ways I want to ‘get involved’ during my stay here in D.C. Those of you who know me, know things aren’t right if I don’t have a million things to do at once.

Things have been really slow motion in the social department. But that’s changing slowly but surely. I’ve been meeting some pretty cool cats on this work assignment. The hip hop class is taught by a co-worker and I take the class with another co-worker.

It took over a month, but I can officially admit that I am H-O-M-E-S-I-C-K!!! It happened after I missed my flight to Atlanta. I wouldn’t have missed the fight home had I been home already. Its all good…im coping as well as possible. Please believe that EVERYONE who can make it happen knows that my first priority is coming home. On the same note, I am trying to balance myself and not have tunnel vision. I definitely need to enjoy myself while I’m here.


Well, let me get back to work…lol

TTYL

…XOXO,

AYT

Bye St. Charles

My time at St. Charles has come to an end. It was nice revisiting college one more time. I will say that by the second week I wasnt so outgoing, but overall I still enjoyed myself. This has definitely been the most networking that I have done in my entire life.

Last weekend I had the chance to visit Chicago. Myself and my Atlanta start group stayed at one of their sister's house in Lincoln Park. Beautiful place. I did the touristy thing and hopped on one of those tour busses and rode through the city for 2 hours. That one city has sooo much history. The highlight of my tour was seeing my homegirl, Ms. Oprah Winfrey's residence. After that, I could have ended the tour right there.

I had a deep dish pizza...Fab-u-lous! Definitely got ,my cheese fix from that one.

So now im getting preared for the real world. I have already been staffed on an assignment. Yay me!

Core Analyst School was great. Did I meet tons of new people? Yes! Did I pig out and gain probably 5 lbs.? Yes! Will I take those experiences and memories with me forever and ever? Yes! Would I do it again? Probably not...lol

Peace!

XOXO,


AYT

Core Analyzing

So today is actually day 2 of training. I was too wrapped up in yesterday's festivities to share with the rest of the world. Shame on me again! For me, yesterday was a cornucopia of cultures and cuizine. I met people from Sao Palo, Portugal, Australia, S. Africa, Milan, Caracas, Holland, Chicago,England, Ireland...literally every corner of the globe! The language barriers both frustrated and facinated me. I learned so many interesting cultural differences, similarities, and misunderstandings for a years worth of conversation and debate. I was really in my element.

They divided us into teams of 5 or 6 the people in my group were from the Melbourne, San Francisco, Paris, and Madrid office. Needless to say there were language barriers, but we rocked it anyway winning 1st place in a brick-holding competition (see above for winning design, kudos to our French engineer for the design...man do they know how to build!). My goal is to meet everyone in this session of CAS. Can I meet my goal? I will let you know by the end.

Ive committed to exercising everyday to offset all this free food they are stuffing down our throats. My Brazilian collegue thought otherwise...to him we didnt have a "decent rice" or any beans worth his time...lol. None of the Eurpeaners can understand why and how we eat so much here...hey neither can I!

Day 2 was very different from yesterday. Our activities were more involved. Very insightful activities. Im sure it will be applicable to my duties...whatever they will be...


I've gone on long enough...there will be more to talk about very soon...

You know, despite all the differences we discovered in each other today and yesterday, what was the one thing the majority of us had in common? FACEBOOK!! Absolutely amazing...freaking genuises...Im speechless...


XOXO,


AYT

Chi-Boogie

I left the D dot today for 2 more weeks of training in Chicago. They are really investing in your girl! From the travel accomodations, to the 1hr limo ride, to the huge campus in the "Middile of Nowhere", Illinois. (45 mins outside of Chicago to be exact). I guess youre like "Duh, thats Corporate America for you. Where have you been?" Cut me some slack, im new to the game.

Within 15 minutes, I met a girl from France by way of Ivory Coast and a group who came all the way from Italy for the training. If you know anything about me, you know im other-worldly and just love learning about new cultures and meeting people from all over the world.

I met up with my start group out of Atlanta and we all ate in the dining facilities...reminded me of life back in Snelling dinning hall (good times). Im going to try and excercise self control and not gain the dreaded 5lbs but its definintely going to be hard.

On the plane ride over, I had to sit by an older gentleman who was aksing about the Bear's score every 10 minutes. He admonished me for having attended the UofGa and not being a sports fan. Shame on me! Ah well...lol.

Yesterday I went to a party given by a co-worker of mine with my cousin. I was definitely out of my element, but I managed to have a very good time. Who says you cant have fun outside your box?

Im away from everything I know, but I can actually feel myself growing as a person. Insane! I really hope everyone takes notice to the improved me. I've even found my inner photographer with the new digi-cam.

Well, goodnight all. I need to be rested for "Day 1."


XOXO,


AYT