Friday Ramblings

It's Friday, so you know the deal...

• This Give Me Shelter movie looks pretty good.
• Fruitvale Station was good but not Oscar good.  Ya'll need to calm down with all that mess about it was snubbed.  
• Playing chess with someone who already knows you can't play is no fun.
• I'm ready to watch the last episode of American Horror Story:  Murder House so I can start the next season.  I'm addicted.
• I want a pair of Jordans.  Why?  I don't know.  Probably just to live out that childhood dream but I seriously do need another pair of sneakers.
• Some of these dudes on Tumblr give women a new type of hope with their back and forth "flirting" with folks that ask questions anonymously.  Like seriously ya'll need to chill before random chicks pop up at your doorstep with a bag full of duct tape and rope.  
• After two weeks of straight hair it's back to the twists.  See ya again in a year or two precious flat ironed hair.  
• Shrinkage is a mf'er ya'll!  I had my twists hanging down and looked like a middle school lesbian.
• Speaking of hair, box braids might be the look for the summer or some part of the school year.  Let me start saving up. #PoeticJustice
• Lupita Nyong'o is killing the award show fashion.  Like I've yet to see this chick in anything that doesn't look amazing.
• Why must we continue to push Keke Palmer's singing career?  Just let her act and be pretty.
• My Mom decided to make chitlins for Tuesday's dinner.  She's so wrong for that.  So, so wrong.
• Valentine's Day is slowly but surely approaching.  Let me prepare for the influx of gifts from random admirers.  
• I need new clothes.  
• I just had the sudden urge for some gold hoop earrings.  Let me go to Target.
• Watched the first season of American Horror Story:  Murder House.  That last episode had me and friend were like, "When is this going to end?!"  It was so long and drawn out for no good reason!
• Mary Jane looks like she has a weak <insert what happened at the beginning of the show> game.  She was just chilling.
• Tax Season is upon us.   Just had a student talk about how she's gonna be coming to work with all brand new clothes and shoes next month.  
• I think I might invest in some more running shoes with next month's check.

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Week of Jan. 26-31

• School was canceled for two three days because of this snow "storm"!!!
• The downside of this is my seminar for Friday has also been canceled because of the roads.  *sigh*  So much for a one day work week.
• Watched Captain Phillips with my family.  The entire movie all my Mom could say was, "They need some Black women on this ship."  
• Kudos to all those teachers in Atlanta who were snowed in with their students.  Lord knows what I would have done if I had to stay with my students overnight.  Probably walked home.  #BadTeacher 
• Currently reading Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho.  Pretty good I must say.
• So happy to be done paying this freaking tuition for my program.  That extra money is gonna come in handy.
• The dress that I ordered on like January 11 is finally in the country.  It's took forever and a day just for the order to go from "processing" to "packaged."  It better fit when it gets here too.
• Just realized my package has to go through Atlanta.  Let me prepare for another month of not having this dress.
• This new heating system in my house is making me sick.  It gets so freaking hot like it's the summer time and it's like no matter what we put the temperature on the upstairs is like a hot summer day.  I just end up sitting here with my fan on sweating bullets.
• I need to go to Washington D.C. to try some of this jumbo sized pizza from Pizza Mart and Jumbo Slice.  Yes, I want to travel that far simply for some pizza.  Don't judge me.  
• Wasn't really feeling Beyonce's performance or hair at The Grammy's but oh well.  Her dress was beautiful though.  Let me find one like that.
• All these engaged people are making me want to vomit.  Too much lovely dovey stuff for me, the girl with no emotions.
• Ready to go see The Monuments Men.  #HistoryNerd
• Dad bought me some new boots for my late birthday gift.  Now I have something to wear with those sweater tights.  God is good!
• I have been having some of the  weirdest dreams lately.  I'll leave it at that.
• When is Hit The Floor coming back on?!  That was good quality television right there.
• Bought a new pair of a oxfords from DSW...with a coupon...plus I had free shipping.  I'm just trying to make myself feel better about the money I just spent.
• My county has called me THREE times to remind me that work resumes Friday.  One call is enough.  The only reason you need to be calling me more than once is to tell me there's no work or you passed a little extra money my way this month.
• The clips of this Bernice chick from that towing show are so fake to me but oh so funny.

Technically this assignment is a 100.  I'm just saying.

Dating Misadventures of a Black Chick: The Beginning {Guest Blog}

Soooo I’ve been single for a while now and decided it was time to jump back in the game. Not because I needed a boyfriend but because I wanted one. It may have had something to do with moving or wanting someone to wax the… or heaven forbid, male companionship, lots of laughs, good times, and a partner in crime.

Let me paint a picture, I’m not very receptive to men that approach me when out mainly because men do not know how to approach a women. I don’t know about you but “aye, yo, let me holler, and you got a man”, are not acceptable approaches. I don’t give my phone number out to the few that dare approach me in the bar or club because they are only looking for some quick hit it and quit it pussy and I’ll have you know, I’m not a train station. 

After months, yea, we’ll say months, of not dating I meet someone who belongs to the same organization that I do. Very clean cut gentleman, articulate, intelligent— a few of the important characteristics I look for. We’re going places uncommitted… just feeling each other out. After a while, we say lets make it official. We begin dating but in the short month of dating little things began to irk me— mainly his inability to stop talking long enough to let me get a word in, lateness with no courtesy call or text, and he fell asleep during a movie date we had. What really got me was when I realized he was cheap. He said “I’d rather rent a redbox or walk around the park over paying for this $4.00 movie ticket.”

Needless to say it didn’t last. I didn’t care to hang out with him anymore because even a text from him was annoying. We broke it off and that was that.  

Anyway, fast forward I decided what the hell, I’ll sign up for a dating website. After terrible luck and a bunch of men that looked like they lived in their mamma’s basement or kept their money in a rubberband I had a friend help me rewrite my profile. It seemed to help a little and the first date came. First, problem I had was what to wear— flannel, flannel, flannel, striped button down, colored khakis, colored khakis, converse but that ain’t the point.

We grab coffee and let me tell you! When I say the conversation was dull, it was dull. I get through it, convinced he isn’t interested anymore, which is fine and go about my day. About a month later I get a message from him inviting me to another date. I go. Why? For the free meal, duh! And because I wanted to give him a second chance. What a mistake the conversation was still dull and I struggled not to check my watch. The chemistry just wasn’t there. He’s invited me out again but its time I break it off. 

At this point I have 3 other prospects and a date with one of them in a week. Hopefully I won’t struggle to check my watch.

-MyStrengthFlows

Friday Ramblings

It's Friday, so you know the deal...

• Everyone keeps asking about my "wedding."  "When you get married can I be in your wedding?"  "Will you invite me to your wedding?"  Am I the only person who doesn't know about what's going on in my life right now?
• I pray that this dress I ordered online fits me like a glove.  That way my first dress of the spring/summer will be ready.  Ya'll ain't ready...I ordered this dang dress from Rowme last Saturday and the thing is still listed as "processing."  Like seriously, how long does it take to put a dress in a box and slap a UPS label on it?  Like seriously, this thing better fit and look good on me because I can only imagine trying to send it back for another size then having to wait on it to process again.  Romwe ain't ready...
• Sophia from The Color Purple was the original boss chick.  She wasn't dealing with any of Harpo's wannabe Alpha male BS.
• The GRE cost too much.  I think I'll create one of those profiles were people can donate money to me.  I mean this is a worthy cause.  Plus it's $185 so it's not asking for much.
• I need to go to a concert.  Lauryn Hill is performing at The Tabernacle but I don't have time to take such a risk with my time or my money.
• I HATE these dogs next door.  Like with a passion.
• Students at my school are a perfect form of birth control.  The only cost is my health and good looks from all the stress they cause me.
• Ready to hit the batting cages up.  Whose down?
• Is it "whose" or "who's?"  Pretty sure it's "whose."
• Shug had Miss. Celia looking a hot mess in that red sequin dress.  We all know it's true.  
• My obituary simply needs to say, "She wasted most of her time on the internet."
• Student told me today that I should have gone to one of the more hood high schools and I would have found a "hood n*gga."  Without thinking my reply was, "I can find one without going there."  *sigh*  Of course he announced it to the whole class with his big mouth.
• Ciara is pregnant.  There goes all hope for that comeback she was wishing for.  Plus she's like baby mama three for Future I think.
• The Nae Nae dance is following me everywhere I swear.  I went to the basketball game...it was played.  I went to Walmart...someone was singing.  I went to work...a student was doing it.  It won't stop.
• Mary Janee's life is just all types of messed up.  Her man even though he's married still is gonna propose and then next thing you know he's kissing all up on his wife's back ready to let her surfboard all on him.  Meanwhile Mary Jane is going to sleep and waking up...alone.  #IWokeUpLikeThis #Single  #LifeOfASideChick
• My Mom is coming at me with these, "you're dating heavily" comments now.  
• I was reminded as to why I don't flat iron my hair.  I decided to touch my roots up and ended up screwing my ends up.  Dear Lord please don't let the damage be extreme.  #JesusBeASplitEndProtector #JesusBeAHeatProtectant 
• Just learned what "Bye Felicia" means.  Let me start saying that to more kids at my job when they start saying they can't stand the teachers at the school and want to go somewhere else.
• How in the hell does Kathy Bates's character STAB Angela Bassett and the chick just pulls the knife out of her chest like a G, but ol' creepy doll loving guy knocks her in the back of the head and chick passes out while gracefully tumbling down the stairs?  Like seriously?!
• Is it summer yet?  Like seriously?
• We got a new heater in my house.  I came home and hit my praise dance.  Winters have been mighty cold in this house for past few years but no more!
•  Next American Horror Story will be set in the 1950s!!!  
• Gave a post test out to my students on exponents.  One girl went from like 22% (pre-test) to 100% (post-test).  These are the little moments that I appreciate and feel like I'm doing my job right.
• Like seriously is it summer yet?

Friday Ramblings

It's Friday, so you know the deal...

• School was delayed by two hours this week.  The Lord answered my prayer from Monday in his own way.  Thank yah Jesus!
• Gabrielle Union is allegedly pregnant.  I'm hoping this isn't true seeing how D. Wade was running around sticking his penis in other women all unprotected and ish.  
• Speaking of D. Wade, what would possess him and Ludacris to go and just get these chicks pregnant simply because they were "on a break?"  Like if we've been together for a year and we take a break it does not mean go raw in these "longtime" friends of yours.  I wish my boyfriend would be that stupid.
• Had a student tell me I smelled like soap.  Ummmmm...I'll take that one as a compliment.
• Terrell Owens is in a Hardy's commercial with his man boobs.  Make that money boo!
• Let us take a moment and thank Beyonce for all this sex kitten music that she came out with.  #Surfboard #HeLikeToCallMePeaches #Rocket #Blow
• Let us give a shout out to Angela Basset for her awesome acting on American Horror Story:  Coven.  "Whose baby is that?"  "Mine!  Check the skin tone."  
• I was thinking long and hard about some stuff and realized if I were a jelly bean flavor I'd be Juicy Peach because it's the best tasting one.  That flavor is from the Jelly Belly company.  You know the ones who make the gourmet jelly beans?  Even when I'm picking minor stuff out like that I'm still bougie.
• My family and I went to see Mandela during Christmas Break.  It was a great movie I must say.  Idris Elba looked like an old pug when they showed him as the aged Mandela though.  I highly recommend this movie.
• Speaking of Mr. Elba, did you all see his tweet about what his bow tie does to him when he smiles?!  I may never look at a bow tie on an attractive man the same again.  
• This "Her" movie seems...creepy.  Like developing a romantic relationship with your computer is just...yeahhhhhh.
• I still wouldn't mind dying my hair blonde but like I always say I prefer not to wake up with a bunch of blonde hair laying on my bed unattached to my scalp.
• It's time for me to go on a trip.  Like I want to go to New Orleans or Miami really bad this summer and take tons of pictures with this camera my boo thang got me for Christmas in awesome clothes.
• I'm ready to buy a new summer wardrobe.  I'm thinking of lots of pattern shorts, wedges, and just bright colors.  Maybe a turban or two.  I want to do the cut off jean shorts look but I don't think it would be smart to wear that in my city with my job.  Might have to save them for that summer trip.
• I still have a life goal to develop an Erykah Badu effect on men.  
• Ruby Woo is like the greatest red lipstick ever minus the fact that it's so drying.
• Just watched a video for this #NaeNae dance.  Where's Terio?  

Strip tease gone wrong.

Goals For 2014

As 2013 comes to an end the beginning of a new year for even more success and happiness comes with 2014.  Because I don't believe in making "resolutions" too much but I do like making "goals" for the New Year.  So here are my goals for 2014.

• Get into a Master's program for either speech pathology or educational leadership.
• Take the GRE (I need this for goal 1 to happen).
• Take the time out to do something nice for myself at least once a month.
• Take more pictures.
• Write more in my journal and on my blog!  Ever since I started teaching I've neglected doing this.
• Go to church more (I was doing well until the summer hit and my schedule got packed.)
• Save more money.
• Spend more time with my friends and family.
• Go on a nice trip.
• Exercise more.
• Participate in another 5k and actually run this time.
• Don't let the little things get to me.
• Actually cook more...the goal for every year!!!
• Leave work at work.
• Try to attend at least one concert and play.
• Read more!!!

Pizza, Pizza, Pizza!!!!

Dough Ingredients 
1 3/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Envelope Pizza Yeast
1 1/2 Teaspoons Sugar
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
2/3 Cup Very Warm Tap Water
3 Tablesppons Oil

Pizza Toppings
Butter
Pizza Seasoning
Pizza Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni

The Ingredients 

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit

Step 2:  Combine one (1) cup flour, package of yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Followed by water and oil.  

Step 3:  When it comes time to mix it all together you're going to need to set 1/2 cup of flour aside.  You're going to use this as you blend everything together.  So as you blend slowly pour in that 1/2 cup of flour.  Be careful with this because pizza dough becomes sticky and has a tendency to get stuck on the stirrers and slowly work its way up.  I've learned the best thing to do is to barely let the stirrers touch the bottom of the mixing bowl.

After you have mixed your ingredients you should have something like what you see in the middle.  I guess you can say it's a "ball."

Step 4:  Put a nice handful of flour on a clean counter top and place dough ball out.

Step 5:  You're going to knead the dough out so when it's time to place it on a pizza pan you're not having to stretch it out too much.

Step 6:  With floured hands you're going to spread the dough out on a greased pan.

Spreading the dough out.  Sometimes the dough will start to "snap back"  from the edges so you may have to spread it over the edge of the pan.

Step 7:  I like to some butter and pizza seasoning mix to spread on my dough.  Then evenly distribute a jar of pizza sauce*, package of mozzarella cheese, and pepperonis on my dough .

* I added some Sriracha Sauce to my pizza sauce for a little kick.  Try it out if you like spicy food.

Add water ingredients you like but I keep it simple.

Step 8:  Place your pizza on the bottom rack and let it cook for about 13 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is brown.

Finished Product

Until next time!!!!

Friday Ramblings: Hope You Missed Me When I Was Gone

It's Friday so you know the deal...

• Teaching is like two full time jobs!  I have never been more drained than I have in the past two months!  These kids are like dementors when it comes to the energy they suck out from you.  Now I understand why so many of my lady teachers were unmarried with no kids.
• My "boo thang" just asked me if I miss receiving flowers from him.  That would be a hell yes!  I didn't realize it until now but sometimes those little gifts helped energize me into the next week.  Seems like the kids are just getting worse as time goes by.
• For some reason these kids are shocked when I know modern music.  I finished the lyrics to that "23" song and it was such a shocker to so many.  I even mentioned Chief Keef (I guess that's how you spell it) and it was amazing.
• My cohort member/coworker/boo had her baby.  She's so freakin' adorable and when I see her she barely cries.  She just eats, cries for a second, then falls out.  My type of child.
• God Bless my parents for raising me.  Even though they get on my nerves, working in the school system has made my appreciation greater for them.
• I'm seriously struggling to write this.  My life revolves around school now!
• I hate when I go out and people just constantly ask me if I want something to "drink" and I tell them I'm fine with my little bottle of water.  Let a girl breathe!
• This dude at what I guess was a "party" told me that he wouldn't bite...unless I wanted him to.  Negro...who do I look like to you?!
• Some people are just plain idiots.  Point.  Blank.  Period.
• I've yet to see the perks of me joining the PTA.  I've also yet to be invited to any PTA meetings.
• God grant me the serenity not to call anyone's child out of their name.  I will not succumb to the Devil's games.
• I seriously need to become a vegetarian.  This meat is not working with my body anymore.
• American Horror Story:  Coven is like the greatest show ever.  Funny how I never wanted to watch this show because scary stuff freaks me out but just hearing that Angela was in...
• One of my students said he bets I curse up a storm once I get in my car.  I just stared at him like get out of my face.  He knows the real deal though.
• Wendy's chili is the devil but I say this all the time and still eat it when it gets cold out.
• Another Halloween has gone by and I didn't dress up. *sigh*
• I need to go to church.  I will make that my mission for this upcoming Sunday.
• I miss going cycling.  It was my peace of mind for a long time when I came back to Augusta following a lot of stuff.  I'd love to get a personal trainer but money is tight.  Time to get back in that gym.
• I miss my dance classes.
• I miss my friends...even when they aggravate me with those, "You don't text me anymore" messages.
• Why does Jason Derulo still have a career?!?!?!?!  Like seriously!
• I'd love to dye my hair blonde...but I also want to have hair on my head.  Priorities...
• Yeezy had the nerve to say that Kim K is more influential than the first lady and could never post a picture like she did in that one swimsuit.  This dude has lost it.  She's the First Lady...of course she wouldn't post a picture like that.
• Ooooohhhhh kill 'em!!!