New Orleans

So this past weekend, Berto and I were supposed to go to Birmingham, AL and Nashville, TN for a friend's 30th birthday celebration weekend. We both took half days on Friday to catch an early flight. By the time we parked our car, check in, get through security, and get to our gate, our flight's departure time changed. So we went to get something to eat. While eating our flight time changed again. When we got back to our gate we noticed that it was pouring down raining to the point that where you couldn't really see. Needless to say our flight was cancelled. And needless to say we were two very unhappy people since they couldn't put us on another flight until Sunday. So since we couldn't fly and AL/TN was too far to drive for such a quick trip (returning on Monday), we decided to go to New Orleans, LA. When we got to NO on Saturday we checked into our hotel, valet parked our car, and started our walk. Walking along the pier what did we come to??? One of those bungy-trampoline-jumpy thingies. My husband suggested that we give it a whirl. - Now let me say that I tried this once before when my nephew came to visit a couple of summers ago and it did not turn out to pretty for me. - So he paid for both of us and I allowed him to go first.

Most of you know that I am vertically challenged and so this was not going to be all that easy for me since I couldn't really jump without help. One of the workers had to pull me and then let me go so that I could gain momentum. I like to think that I am not afraid of heights but then this reminded me that I probably have a small fear. They also wanted me to flip which scared the mess out of me and made my heart race about 1000x/minute.

My legs were shaking for about 5 minutes after we walked away from that contraption. I am glad I did it, to redeem myself from before, but I have NO plans on doing it again. The next day we went to breakfast and got on the trolley (my husband likes to ride public transportation), and rode to the end of the line in the garden district.

Later that evening we went to eat and then walked the French Quarter. Bourbon Street in the evening is ALWAYS entertaining no matter what time of year. We saw some very interesting things and people. We stopped for some gelato and was sitting outside the cafe watching a parade ride around the Quarter. I heard the Wobble before it even got close. I can't hear that song without going into a full out dance... and that is EXACTLY what I did. I walked -more like jogged- to the end of the sidewalk and proceeded to dance. A black couple was walking in my direction nodding their heads; the lady looked like all she needed was permission to start dancing and seeing me was just that. Next thing I know, I turn around and there's a guy dancing with us. He dances for a while and walks off but then a bunch of people come walking down the street and start dancing with us. At the end of the song and ran back to Berto too excited that I heard my song AND started a dance line in the middle of the sidewalk. Since New Orleans is where my sweetie proposed (Dec 2010), I will always have fun memories when I think about it. This weekend will be added to list, along with my sister's 26th birthday (Nov 2010). I am still really disappointed that we didn't get to make our trip to AL/TN, but I am glad that we did get to go somewhere. I love it ba-be!!! *In my best NO accent.*

#11 Rock Climbing

#11 Rock Climbing Berto and I went rock climbing today at a rock gym (). We had a lot of fun. Rock woke up some muscles that I haven't used in a little while. I am a tad bit afraid of heights so the thought of letting someone else control how I come down was a little nerve racking especially after looking down from the top. There was a few walls that I climbed up without stopping, there were some that I only got half way and told Berto to "let me down", and then there was one or two where I got to the top after the second try. I don't know that I will try the "real" rock climbing (i.e. outdoors) but I'm glad that I had a chance to do it period.

Berto getting ready to climb up the first wall.

Me getting ready to be Berto's belayer. Belayer = person who helps the climber from falling by controlling the rope.

Me getting ready to go up the last wall. (I made it 3/4 of the way. *Don't judge.*)

Berto and I climbing one of the easier walls with no rope needed.

My Hair.. the journey continues

So it's been two weeks since I got my last sew-in. Needless to say, I can't go longer than 2 weeks without getting my hair washed anymore. Didn't have the funds to go to the shop, so I do what I always do... DO IT MYSELF. A friend of mine (Hey Marian!) sent me a recipe for a deep conditioner and also sent me this website (http://Urbanbushbabes.com) that she'd found that posted a video on how they changed their hair regimens. I figured I would give her recipe along with some of their suggestions a try. My hair, what's out, felt soft and I was happy about that. It took a minute because I had to take a break to go somewhere. But it the time it took me to wash my hair from start to finish is any indication of what my future looks like on my hair journey... pray for me that I will have the patience. I only have a little bit of hair out but what is out hasn't been permed since early November (the braided part hasn't been permed since early September). This is what it looks like...

It's a good amount of new growth. But I surely have a long way to go. Berto suggests that I go all out and just do a big chop. But as I told Marian, "I am not my hair... but I kinda am." I don't think I have the confidence to make that big of a decision. I mean I guess I could always just get a wig or a weave or braids (depending on how short I cut) but, um... NOPE!!! That's ok. Here are the two things that I tried on my hair: Marian's deep conditioner: 1 Tbs of Honey and 2 Tbs of Olive Oil (I used extra virgin). Put it in a zip lock back and put the bag in hot water for a few minutes. But a small hole in the corner of the bag and dredge the contents into your hair. Massage and let it sit for an hour. Rinse and shampoo out. The hair clarifying recipe: 1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 C Boiling (or distilled) Water. Use this after you shampoo and before you condition your hair. *** The only thing that I'm don't care for is the lingering smell from the vinegar. Won't be able to tell you how to get rid of that until I try it again. But if you have some suggestions, please feel free to give your girl a holla.

Going Natural...

#7 Go Natural So right before my birthday was officially here, I decided to take the plunge and go ahead and start the process to be natural. I am still nervous about this decision but I am going to ride it out until I can't ride it anymore OR until I'm actually natural. We'll see how it goes. I have a few friends that are already natural so they were more than eager to encourage me to take the road that they have already gone down. One of the encouraging words that I received was "You passed the hardest part! (being in transition on the most gorgeous day of your life). Don't give in!" (Kayla Watkins). So I haven't yet. Here are some pictures of me going through the transition.

Birthday Celebration

On my 30th birthday I woke up feeling really blessed. I knew that this was going to be a great year for me; one definitely filled with highs, lows, and lots of growth. But I was very excited about it nonetheless. So I spent the day doing a couple of things. Initially I was going to work all day, then I changed my mind and was going to take the day off. But I spend my Thursdays (2 1/2 hours in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon) in the Autism unit on my campus and when I miss a day I have to make up the time. I already missed a full day right before the wedding and really didn't want to do it again. So I took a half day.

#14 Go to a Day Spa My birthday gift to myself was an afternoon at the spa. And oh what a joy that was. There is a day spa here in Katy where I live and I've been there before so I really didn't have to do any research to find a place. I scheduled an hour massage with rain drop therapy and a European facial. Both were A-MAZING!!! How do I know??? I fell asleep during both and woke myself with my snoring a number of times. I guess I really needed the sleep. LOL.

My hubby (I love being able to say that) took me to dinner. His gift to me is setting the appointment so that we can go on a helicopter ride. I was so excited, happy, and touched that I cried. He said that when he looked at my list, he realized that we were going to have a hard time really saving this year. I asked him what he wanted for his 30th birthday (which is in August) and he shrugged his shoulders and said that he just come along with me on my ride. I love him to pieces and am so happy that I have him to experience my list with. But it won't be skydiving because he REFUSES to do that with me.

I am thankful for my life, my husband, my family and friends, and for a job/career that I love. I am truly blessed!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

30 years ago today at 3:21pm, I was born. I'm so thankful that God allowed me to see another year of life. I had a great day today. More to come later...

It's Almost Here...

In a couple of days, I turn 30 years old. I never thought that I would be excited about this birthday, as I'm never really excited about any other birthday, but this one seems to be real special. And to commemorate this big birthday, I made a list of 30 things that I wanted to accomplish while I was 30 years old. I know that a lot of people do it in the year leading up to their 30th birthday but I had a lot going on... like planning a wedding. What I plan to accomplish while checking things off my list is learning more about myself and making myself a better woman (and wife, daughter, sister, friend).

My plan is to document my experiences as I check things off my list. I hope that as you read my experiences that you are able to feel the emotion(s) that I feel as I'm doing them. Some of the things on my list are simple things, things that I've always wanted to do, things that will take a little effort and others that will take a lot.

So... I'm sure you want to see what's on my list.
Well, here it is:

1.  Buy a well made paid of shoes
2. *Is a secret until it is completed*
3.  See a Broadway show
4.  Take a dance class
5.  Take a Spanish class
6.   Skydive
7.   Go natural
8.  Sew a skirt/dress to wear
9.    Read the whole bible
10.   Run a 5k
11.   Go rock climbing
12.   Visit a city I’ve never been to
13.   Go horseback riding
14.   Go to a day spa
15.   Bake 3 new desserts from scratch
16.   Join a book club
17.   Take a self defense class
18.   Take a pole dancing class
19.  Volunteer
20.   Go to a Rockets game
21.  Go zip lining
22.  Go wine tasting
23.  Go to a Texans game
24.  Learn how to swim
25.  Go to a water park
26.  Pay off AAMU loan ($325 left)
27.  Take a calligraphy class
28.  Go on a helicopter ride
29.  Sing a solo
30.  Go to a Sip & Strokes


 As you can see my list is quite diverse. I can't wait to get started and bring you along with me on my journey!