Hello Again!

It has been a number of weeks since my last posting, and to anyone who regularly checks in, I apologize. I have been in the midst of what I call "the semester from hell"!
Now you might wonder why I would call an opportunity to expand my horizons, and keep the mental thought process flowing - hell, but that is what it turned out to be for a number of reasons.
First, I signed up for two classes because over the last six years, the winter and early spring months are fairly slow for me at work so I felt I would not be taxed on both ends -WRONG!!!! Add to this equation family illness and the stress and guilt that comes with trying to make sure you are giving your loved one all of the attention and support they need and you have HELL!!!!
I picked today to write about this because I just returned home from a class that I basically really enjoyed, feeling pretty bummed because I did not receive a very favorable grade on my project. Now, I could blame the professor and all of the stress in my life, but really the only blame should be placed with me. One of the problems I had with this project was that I continued to over think it, up until the very last hour. Have you ever done that? I know I'm not alone with that, so I'm sure someone out there is cyberspace can relate.
Problem number two, and oh this is the biggie, I attempted to do something I had never really done before as my project. Now, many will say that's good, because you pushed yourself, you went outside the proverbial box, yada yada! Normally I would agree, but not when your grade rests on it.
In short, the semester will end in a few days, and despite my less than stellar performance on this project if all goes well with my remaining scores I should come away with a 'B' in the class. That will be the prayer of hope for this evening.
So, you might ask what was good about the semester? Well let me tell you! I really found that I have a much great appreciation for learning. I have always loved the academic arena, because I really believe that your mind is a sponge and the more you put in there, the more you can absorb. In the past however, I was not the type of student who really freaked out about grades, or stopped midway through to see where I stood and then attempted to do extra, or more work in order to achieve a higher grade. I basically did the work and hoped and prayed for the best. If I gave it my all I was satisfied with the grade, because I had completed the task.
As a more mature student I am really looking to ace my classes, which is why I was so depressed when I got home. I feel better already having said all of this, so to those of you reading - thanks for being that shoulder I needed to cry on.

~Peace

My first 2009 Tulips!

Spring has arrived in Cleveland! Yay! The photo to the right is one of my first blooms this year. Isn't it pretty? Too bad the rest of the yard doesn't look like this. Boy, do I have my work cut out for me, but I can't get to it for another couple of weeks. Once the semester ends I'll be able to clean out the beds and hopefully salvage some of the flowers I planted last year!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!
Go CAVS!!!!!!!!!

Good Couple of Weeks

Over the last two weeks I have ventured out of my routine. No longer work, go to school and come home. It's been a long time since I did this, and it felt good. Oh, I'm a little behind in a couple of things, but you have to have a little fun in life don't you?!

Last Friday I met up with some friends for lunch. Just the girls hanging out sharing a meal and lots of laughter. Laughter is good for the soul and good company is even better. The interesting thing about this gathering was the fact that it gave a lot of credence to the whole six degrees of separation theory. I was invited to lunch by one of my dearest friends - we've known each other over twenty years, and years ago we found out that she went to elementary and junior high school with some of my first cousins. Later still we learned that she and one of the ladies joining us for lunch were friends from church, and this friend and I graduated from high school together.

The more mature I get (who gets older) I find instances like this with a higher frequency. All-in-all Friday afternoon lunch was great!

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Not to be outdone with lunch, Friday evening I helped a friend celebrate her 40th Birthday with a Pole Dancing party! Talk about walking on the wild side! I did not, but it was a lot of fun and something that I would attend again!

Once again just a group of ladies having a good time and learning a few things at the same time. I look forward to learning more about the healthy aspects of Pole Dancing. They actually have workouts, and after listening to the instructor - if you follow directions, it could really help with strengthening the abs and other parts.

It's March Madness Baby!

The countdown is on! The first tip-off for the 2009 Road to the Final Four is about 63 minutes away!

As a northeast Ohioan I am proud to root on Cleveland State University - Go Vikes, and the University of Akron - Go Zips! Each of these teams has earned a berth to the dance for the first time in 23 years! The irony here is that I had allegedly just completed my studies at CSU the last time they made it into the NCAA tournament and here again, I am a student definitely on the brink of completing my studies.

We Ohioans have even more to cheer about with the entry of the Ohio State Buckeyes, University of Dayton Flyers, and the Xavier University Musketeers each winning a bid to the tournament.

So to the entire state - Let's go Ohio! Make us proud!

What's Missing in your life

The daily joys of life are missing in my life and I am desperately trying to find them. Those are the days when you awaken to sun streaming into the windows and the cares in your life are minimal. It also that point at which you say farewell to cares and just go with the flow.
Tomorrow I will have a carefree day!
My contribution to the One Minute Writer.

Spring! I need it now!

Today was a rough day! How I wish for bright sun filled days and the opportunity to smell the flowers. These tulips are from my garden last year, let's hope I'm as lucky this year! I hope your days are filled with more sunshine!

So Much to talk about!

I have been away for a few weeks trying to wrap my arms around Spring Semester. So much has gone on that I've wanted to talk about but I just couldn't squeeze the time out to do it, so here it is in an abbreviated version.

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Madea Goes To Jail

As I mentioned in a previous post I was unable to support Tyler Perry during opening weekend. The sell-out crowds were more than I could handle. I have finally seen the movie, and unfortunately I have to agree with many of my friends who suggested I wait for the DVD version.

I have to say this was probably TP's worst film. From dialogue to forced acting I was left wondering why I had taken two hours out of my day to watch. As an example, the story lines were very predictable from the out of touch black socialite to the wounded college student turned prostitute. Early in the movie Candy, played by Keisha Knight Pulliam, is released on bail and on the steps of the courtroom she is met by college friend, now Assistant Prosecutor Josh (Derek Luke) and Ellen, (Viola Davis) the Minister fighting to get prostitutes off the streets. The dialogue between Candy and Ellen is just so unbelievable and almost juvenile.
Candy - "I ain't got time for no Jesus jokers!"
Ellen - "Fine, I ain't got time for you either - Sucker"
It was just so laughable to me, really "Sucker" - I'm sure Tyler could of come up with something a little better.

The cliches were evident and the story lines were just so overdone in a lot of ways. As with all of Perry's movies there was a message, and a good one that was timely for a lot of people as we grapple with unemployment, foreclosure etc. We must all hold ourselves accountable for our circumstances in life, and stop holding on to the past. If a redo is needed, let it begin with you, don't point at someone else.

As I continue to ponder the problems I had with this film I think it might boil down to - rushed product. Perry is putting out beau coup work and this film may have suffered because of it.

So in my humble opinion, Perry raked in the cash the first two opening weekends and if you haven't made it to the movies support him on the back end -rent the DVD!