This Lenten Season...

God has a sense of humor... what type depends on you as an individual. This past week I couldn't help but laugh at all the obstacles I am now faced with. I've been given the opportunity to reflect on me, instead of relfecting on others. Being without a personal computer has been pretty challenging. I have to wait till I get to work to have any time on it. I have to find other ways to pass my time which has become more essential to me achieving my goals.


I have lived a life filled with technology and it wasn't by choice. It is just that it is part of my generation. I have taken this obstacle as a challenge from God... he wants me to be without.


This Lenten season I will pray more (or be aware that I am praying). I will fast once a week (most likely on Friday). I will exclude Red meat, eat less chicken and eat more fish. I will beaware of my actions and eleviate as much negativeness as possible. But, if my spirit jars me then you are just gonna have to take it. I will try to keep my spirit at bay, but what peace is that for me. Gosh, no one can win.

Let this Lenten season be a reminder of ourselves. Let us be aware of what is going on outside and inside.

Inauguration Thoughts

Coming from a background where keeping up to date with the government wasn't the Forte, you start to wonder what you missed.  Honestly, I feel as if I haven't missed anything.  Today, marked a big jump in history.  It is the fire and the gasoline that burns the negativeness that has happened in our past.  To bringing a new foundation in which we as a community can grow a better future.  

Obama knows what is expected of him and he knows he isn't superman.  People heed to his words:  It may not happen over night or month or a year from now, but I promise that it will happen.  I hope that we as citizens of America can take these words and internalize them for our own individual selves.  Maybe we would be able to get that degree or go on that trip that we wanted.  Nothing can happen unless we will ourselves to do something.  

Obama also said that to see change we need to work with him.  things won't get done faster if we just sit and watch a leader do it.  That is why they are leaders, they gather all those that have the will in order to lead them to the way.  

May all of you take heed to what Obama had to say, coming from a non-political personality it is serious.  If I had to talk politics, what is written here is what I would say.  God Bless everyone and God Speed America.

2 Weeks Into The New Year

It has been exactly 14 days into the new year and I believe I am ready to achieve my goals.  Today (1/14/09), Gwen and I activated our YMCA account.  I am feeling pumped for this new year.  Life seems to have a funny way of showing you how to live and so does GOD.  On the way back home from working out at the YMCA, we passed by a young girl carrying a child.  I was like "SHE HAS A BABY!"  Gwen was like, "Should we go back?"  and I said "YES!"  

We went back and picked her up.  I was relieved that she took our offer because I couldn't allow her to walk with that child in below 10 degree weather.  We got to learn that her child was 3 months old and named Jeremiah.  

Living and working here in Detroit has built a guard and wealth of understanding of the world we live in.  It has helped me to maintain my seeing the beauty in ugly and getting to know God's people on a personal level.  I have gotten to hear many stories and want to hear more.  I hope to be the ear of listening for all those that have the need to share.

A New Year Equals New Routes

I believe I am starting this New Year off right… I got 7 hours of sleep and had money on me at the stroke of midnight (a family tradition). It feels great to be in this year of 2009. With all the negative things that is happening in our country, I can’t help but feel joyous and happy with where I am at. With every New Year comes what our society calls “Resolutions”. 

Ahhhh, that infamous list of taking away and barely gaining. “I want to lose weight”… “I want to stop smoking”… “I want to find love”. We focus so much on the things we hate/ dislike about our life at that moment that we don’t focus on the good that we are. Why get rid of all your nasty habits when you can focus on making the good ones BETTER! 

This year I choose to resolve the following:

1. Walk for 30 min. 4 days a week (build up to a run)
   
2. Go to the YMCA for strength and cardio on the weekdays (if I miss one make it up on the weekend)
   
3. Call my family once a week (twice would be a miracle)
   
4. Share my story with others (those who know me, knows that this is very hard for me)
   
5. Commit to my community for 6 hours a week (and strive for more each week)
   
6. Eat vegetables for all meals and meat for 2 meals a week.
   

I believe this will do for now, the one thing about resolutions is that they are meant to be revised and I know for sure I will be coming back to this list. May your journey to better yourself this year be successful. Let’s make the change we need happen. GODSPEED!!!

A path worth taking...

Gosh, who would have thought that I would doing one of these things.  First, I would like to thank Mark for blogging his journey I guess I need a bit of push in this direction. 

I hope everyone's year has been good and their holiday was grand.  These two days are going to be a great time to reflect on how this past year has gone and I encourage you all to do so.  As for me, I will do it right now.  The following things are what I am thankful for this 2008 year:

1.  Friends who understood my absence.

2. Friends who understood why I chose to return to that job.

3. My family who I rarely saw, but always felt near me.

4. Adam Barry, Brenda Beyers, Billy Kostenbader, Kristopher Cole, Sarah Lim, and Jerry a.k.a Hommie for sharing yourselves Fall 2007; It was an awesome semester of craziness.

5. Ryan Lebre and Angie Carlton for being great Campus Ministers, you may not have felt or seen it, but your work was greatly appreciated.  

6. The Family Resource department for making it a major.... I learned so much about life through them that it has prepped me for the worst.

7. Newmanites (you all know who you are) for making my church time a fun time; it was a roller coaster at first, but ended as smooth sailing.  Thanks for the ride.

8. Shamara Brown for being a super supporter of my decision.  I can see why we are blood related.  Remember, your dreams can come true too :)

9. Kennith for always keeping me in your thoughts.  Your random 'Hi's' has helped me in sad situations.  Please continue...

10.  Natasha Soriano for being an older sister to me.  It is always a relief to have someone is willing to take care of you.  I haven't had that type of relationship, When I think or it ever.  

11.  Alex Everson for being my Yang.  We are like opposite twins and I promise you 2009 holds more visits.

12.  Gwen Meyer and Derek Lehecka for being supportive roommates as I go on this journey of simple living.  I know that we all have our own interpretations, but somewhere in all of our ideas there is one that the 3 of us do agree with.  Let's travel in 2009, o.k.?

13.  Shelly Roder for seeing potential in me.  I thank God everyday for our meeting.  You have done so much to get me to where I am at and I greatly thank you for that.

14.  Lastly, I would like to thank GOD for keeping me sane and not allowing me to give up when I wanted to soooooo badly.  Without His constant pep-talk, I wouldn't be here.  He truly makes me happy and deserves a vacation or break :)

It has been a hard year and I am greatful for the challenge that it brought.  My mother smiles down from heaven everyday and though her physical self cannot be seen by all she is still beautiful.  I can say that she had to do something with where I am at....

2008 was a fun, loving, sad, happy, and crazy year.  I don't expect less from 2009 :)