The arrival of the Three Kings marks the official end of the Christmas season, so I'd really appreciate it if my uber-religious neighbors would take down the blinding lights of historically inaccurate nativity scenes by morning.
In the meantime, the babies and I will be exchanging gifts tonight, and having a yummilicious feast of stuffed shells, turkey meatballs and garlic bread. It's not a traditional celebration at all, just something I like to do for my girls. They're good kids; they deserve it.
Feliz Dia De Los Reyes!
*smooches...just for me, the babies and the homie Melchior* ---------- that dude was straight gangsta wit it. he was all BAM- here's some gold for that ass 'cause I'm RICH, BITCH!!! and made it rain on lil Jesus...
More than anything else I've learned in all my days on this earth, I've learned the power behind the words we say. Like calling a kid stupid or lazy; that shit stays with them for life. Or how saying things like, "I'm fat and lazy" stays in your psyche and keeps you from doing better. I know because I live this everyday.
For a very long time (as in all my life) I was known for being to late to things- work, parties, dates, etc. Was I late because people expected it of me therefore it felt like a free pass to take my time? Or was I late because I was always unprepared, etc? It doesn't matter because I made a conscious effort last year to end all of that lateness BS and be on time to things. If promptness wasn't possible I made sure to alert whomever I was meeting. Courteous shit like that. It was just a matter of saying to myself, "Don't be late. You will not be late. Lateness is not cute. Get moving NOW or you'll be late." I've since improved so much with that mantra. Not 100% but damn near 93% for sure.
I want us all to take this example and roll with it. We're not fat, lazy, broke, incapable, bad people. Well, some of us ARE all these things but there's still time to change it around. We can get active, save our money and do good deeds. It all starts with what you say to yourself and what you allow others to say to or about you.
Words are so powerful, mightier than the sword in fact. What you say matters so much, whether it's to yourself or to someone else. It would be nice if we all took a moment to choose our words wisely.
YOU ARE SOMEBODY. I AM SOMEBODY. And we can all be the greatest WHATEVER we set our minds to be.
Look in the mirror and tell yourself so.
*smooches...sharing some of positive words* ---------- I figured I'd do something like this whenever I'm feeling shitty, to counteract the bluesy blues. but please, someone stop me if I ever add in cutesy videos of kittens frolicking or pandas sneezing!
These aren't resolutions. These are things I'd like to cross off my "If I Have Time And Money One Day" list.
1- Shooting. I've always considered myself a knife gal. It's more personal to get up in there and...um, I mean, I just think knives are pretty. Like metal art. But I've had so many people recommend I try shooting lately that, oh, what the heck. I want to see what the big deal is already.
2- Make Sancocho. Right now, if I want this tasty Dominican stew I have to ask my aunt for a batch or travel way uptown to The Heights to grab a quick bowl of it. I'd like to see if I can make one myself...even if my attempt to make habichuelas con dulce failed miserably *sigh*
3- Go Back To School. This, of course, requires funds and time and a finished MFA degree (although not really because my MFA is a terminal degree, but for sanity's sake let's pretend I need to finish it BEFORE I start school again), but I've been toying with the idea since 2007. I'd like to try that Comparative Lit program at CUNY. It sounds fun!
4- Boxing. When I had a trainer in 2004, he introduced me to kickboxing and I liked it a lot. Go figure- ME, into punching and kicking! And one of my all-time favorite films is "Girlfight" with Michelle Rodriguez. Plus I love to read Bangsy's tweets about her boxing class...it sounds like the type of exercise I can appreciate: beating the shit out of something. I still hate the sport, but for shits and giggles I'd like to give it a go.
5- Conscious Cooking. Sometimes I sit and think about all the shit I feed my kids and get sad. I've always wanted to be more tuned into the foods I prepare for them: from where did they come? Did the farmers use harmful pesticides, etc? What was the carbon footprint of the meal I just made? I think I'll experiment with that occasionally and see if I can sustain it.
6- Write A Novel. The idea is so beyond me. I'm a 100%, bonified short-story girl through and through, but eh, why not? I got some old manuscripts I found in a file a few months ago. Maybe I can turn them into something, without the constraints of a contest or deadline or anything. Just write a lil novel when the mood strikes and see what develops.
7- Attend A Black Tie Event. I want to wear a ballgown and be fancy. Make-up, hair, nails, shoes and a magnificent, red-carpet-worthy dress. Sometimes even us Jaded Gals like to feel like a princess, you know? I'm gonna try for one in 2011.
8- Driving. Maybe. Y'all make suuuuuuuch a big deal about it. "You don't know how to drive? You're such a New Yorker!" Is that an insult? Because I wear that scarlet NY on my chest with pride! Still, same as with shooting, I'd like to see what all the hubbub is with driving. Meh.
9- Detaching From Electronics. This has been on my mind a lot. It probably isn't possible for too long, seeing as I have this blog (and others) to maintain, but I like the idea of being unplugged and off the grid, you know, so that SkyNet doesn't take over my life 100%. I'm going to toy with this from time to time so don't be surprised if you have to send smoke signals to get a message to me.
10- Falling In Love. I want to try it. I hear it's nice even when it doesn't last. The End.
*smooches...wondering how many I can get done in 12 months* ---------- my money's on the shooting and the sancocho...'cause you know I love violence and food!
...and if Hallmark is telling the truth, I guess I lucked out with this crazy heifer right here.
She's my road dog, my #1 cheerleader and frankly, my first baby. I can count on her for anything and I hope she knows that goes both ways.
My dear, lovely, Jaded readers, take a quick moment to wish my Lil Sis and the Marketing and Special Events Manager of The Jaded Empire (a title she EARNED, not one handed down via nepotism), Mari, a fantabulous 27th birthday!!!
I love you, sis. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
In fact, I love you so much, I put together this palylist of songs I hate (except for "Under the Bridge") just for you.
Blech!
*smooches...just for Mari on her special day* ---------- and sorry, fellas, but she's not on the market. keep it moving. nothing to see here.
Read my first published story, Grey Matter, at Blue Lake Review online.
Also, you asked for it so here it is: click below to buy my book, My Ego Likes the Compliments...And Other Musings on Writing, for just $10 plus $2.00 flat shipping rate to anywhere in the continental US.
In the meantime, the babies and I will be exchanging gifts tonight, and having a yummilicious feast of stuffed shells, turkey meatballs and garlic bread. It's not a traditional celebration at all, just something I like to do for my girls. They're good kids; they deserve it.
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