Cakes of the Week!!

THESE ARE NOT OUR CAKES.

But these cakes are our aspiration! Enjoy these aesthetically pleasing masterpieces!!!!




Miss Muffin (Memphis) Design













Pink Cake Box (NJ) Design

Wilton's Finest

Great news!

I, Carmelle, have SUCCESSFULLY completed my Course 1 Wilton Cake Decorating Class!! Whoo-hoo!! I'm enrolling in Course 2 next month, so look forward to pics of more elaborate cake decorations! I'm super excited about it!!

Kemica and I are well on our way to becoming Wilton's Finest! ;)

More Practice

I had to bake 2 cakes for my final class (yay) this past Friday. I had extra batter and baked a 1 layer cake for the office.

Chocolate cake with Creme flavored buttercream frosting

Side note: We've baked several cakes for various events; however, we sometimes forget to take pics of the cakes!!! :( Our bad! We're promising to do better!

Pineapple Surprise

I baked this white, coconut cake with pineapple buttercream frosting for my co-workers. Major hit!




















I've also master the original Monique Harris "Crownie" recipe!!! :)









Fudgey goodness!!!!!!

Practice Makes Perfect!!

These were done just for practice!

Practicing basketweaving

My co-workers LOVEDDD this strawberry cake!!

Wedding Bells

Here Comes the Bride!

These cakes were done for my aunt's wedding!!! This was my first time making a wedding cake (Kemica's a veteran at it!) and boy was it a lot of work!!! We had a blast making the cakes for her perfect day! :) Enjoy the pictures! (The entire cake was edible too!)

Beverly and Charles Johnson's Cake (fondant)

Charles' Chocolate Tuxedo Groom's Cake w/ Tuxedo Strawberries (chocolate "mask")

Oreo Truffles (Yum!!! Thanks Maria!! ;)

The wedding party nicknamed these truffles,"Blue Balls." Go figure! No pun intended when I drizzled blue chocolate on the truffles, lol.

Just Starting

Here are a few pics of Kemica's cakes from different events in Knoxville.

India's Graduation Party (Buttercream Frosting)

Marissa's 22nd Birthday Cake (Fondant)

Birthday Cake (Buttercream Frosting)

Sweet Dreams ARE Made of This!!

As mentioned in my blog, Kemica and I are excited about our new event planning/cake decorating business venture! Until we get our site up and running, we will be using this blog as a means of sharing photos and communication.

Above is our business card. (Click the picture to enlarge) Feel free to contact us for your event planning and cake decorating needs!!! We appreciate your business and we love referrals!!!

~C & K~

SweetDreamsEvents@gmail.com

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

Kemica and I are starting our own event planning busine$$! We’ve been talking and praying about it for a while and the time is finally here!!! We will specialize in event planning, but more specially weddings. And I mean ALL aspects of event planning!!! From the invitations, to the music, to the photography, to the food! We do it all!!! Kemica has been planning/working/baking for events for most of the new year. Now that I’m back in Memphis, I can be more “hands on.” I actually helped with my first wedding cake this past weekend. My aunt married the love of her life and Kemica and I crafted the wedding and groom’s cake. I also made an extra delicious treat stolen from my twin Maria’s blog, Oreo Truffles. I dipped the truffles in blue colored chocolate with white coconut and chocolate drizzle. The “Blue Balls” were the joke of the evening. ;) NO pun initially intended!! LoL.

The truffles and the cakes went over VERY well. Everyone was raving about our delightful desserts. This is just the start of something of sweet!!! Yay for us!

The name of our business is “Sweet Dreams.” Check out our blog here.

Below are pictures of our dainty desserts.



Bachelor Truffles and Chocolate-Covered Tuxedo Strawberries

The Wedding Cake! :)

The Groom's Cake

Need event planning assistance?? Email us at SweetDreamsEvents@gmail.com

Happyness!

Well, well, well...here we are again. A month and 1/2 later...I'm posting another blog. I reallllly need to get it together, lol. I've just been so busy with work, my social life, and a very very very special someone who recently entered my fabulous world. What can I say, I'm a pretty busy woman! :) THe next couple blogs will be updates for all my Cali ppl! I miss you ALL dearly, and I apologize sincerely for not keeping in touch like I said I would.


The last blog I posted was me venting about how badly I hated Memphis. Well, this isn't true. Memphis, like every city in the US, has it's cons; but overall, I'm pleased. :) I have a great family and even better friends and loved ones in my life to make my time spent here worthwhile. Now, granted, I still don't plan to live in Memphis for the rest of my life, but I do enjoy my city and I'm looking forward to exploring and taking advantage of all the beauty, uniqueness, and possibilities Memphis has to offer! "CHeaaaaaa!!!" (lmao)


As far as my mother, we had a long, mature conversation about what's expected from one another and we are getting along very well! I am informing her of my whereabouts (her main concern) and she isn't ridin' my a** about EVERYTHING. :) We're happily coexisting. Thank you Jesus. I prayed and he delivered...once again! :)

Memphis, Tennessee is NOT for ME!

You guys! I'm in such a somber, pensive mood! Ugh!!! Since I've been back in Memphis (only 1 week) I realize I CAN'T STAY HERE!!! I'm not fit to live in Memphis or with my mother! I have to get away!

I'm going to have to seriously buckle down and GET THE HELL OUTTA MEMPHIS!!! Come back to Cali?? Very likely. I wish I had a partner in crime...but at this point, it looks like I'll be going at this alone. I pray for the energy, strength, and courage to make this move. I know remaining here will drive me uppppp the wall.

My Eyes are Green...

Cuz I eat a lot of vegetables/ It don't have nothing to do with your new friend/ I don't care/ I swear/ I'm too through with you/ I am/ You don't mean nothing/ To me/ So go ahead and be with your friend/ My eyes are green/ Cuz I eat a lot of vegetables/ it don't have nothingggg to do with your new friend...

~Erykah Badu "Green Eyes"

It's so HOTTT in the T!

First of all, let me say that it is HOT AS HELL in my room! I mean, really Pepperdine?!? With all this money we're paying, you would think that we'd have air condition by now. Quite the contrary. :( I have 3 (about to be 4) fans running, lights off, covers off, shit clothes off. Still hot. :( Only 2 more weeks of this madness.

On to more important info...MY LIFE! What am I to do with it?!?! I will become a part of the elite group of college graduates come May 2nd and I have so many plans in motion. Only one little problem, not all the plans can be carried out in the coming year! Ugh! This is gonna be a difficult decision. Ok so...

1. Cal State Fullerton

I was approached by a scholar in Higher Education about the M.Ed. Program at CSUF (abbrev???). I considered the opportunity, and many of my Cali ppl were THRILLED about the opportunity. Attending CSUF would buy me another 2 years in California! Yea! Right??... Wrong. It would buy me another 2 years in Cali, but I'll also be pretty far from my Pepp ppl. Not to mention, the cost of living is RIDIC in California and quite frankly, i can't afford it right now. I just can't. I need to live within my means. I'm tired of being out here and low-key broke. Yea, I would be working and attending school at the same time, but still...rent would be up the ying-yang and I would probably be all lonely and ish in Fullerton by my-damn-self. AND CSUF isn't the BEST school in the nation. Not saying that Pepperdine is...but its name definitely carries weight. I would want to attend a graduate school with the same or better reputation. To be honest, I don't know MUCH about CSUF...like at all. I've looked on the website, but it didn't tell me much. I've gotten tons of mixed reviews from my fellow classmates too...

I just don't want to jump into this too soon and regret it later. I mean, it wasn't in my plans to move BACK to California 3 months after I've moved back to Memphis. I would much rather work, SAVE, and try to figure things out.

Now if CSUF was giving up a little dough...it would be a different story. But they aren't! I would be paying for the school and my living expenses and my moving expenses. And i don't have it. For this reason, plus the fact that the main contact person is not knowledgeable at ALL about their program/benefits, I don't think I'll be attending CSUF in the Fall. Maybe 2010...but I doubt it.

2. 1 year off

It has also crossed my mind to take a full year off and work and save. Couple probs with this idea...1. I have to start repaying loans in 6 months if I don't enroll in grad school. 2. My mom would drive me up the wall if I stayed in Memphis for a year. 3. I don't want to fall into the slump of working and never enroll in graduate school. 4. I don't want to get too settled, then have to pack all my ish and move to [*insert location here*]. (*sigh*)

I mean, grad school in the Spring is always an option...

3. Master's in [*insert concentration here*]

I don't even know WHAT I would get a Master's in! An MBA($$$) would look GREAT on a resume', but I don't really like business as much as I thought I did. I've thought about a Master's in Education, but I don't want to be limited to just Education.

Man! IDK!! IDK anything anymore! I DO know that I'm ready to GET OUT OF THIS PLACE!!

It's hot. I'm homesick. I'm mentally kaput. :(

10 more days people! 10 MORE DAYS!!!!!!

Pol-Luh-See

Ugh! I hate group projects!

It's my LAST semester at Pepperdine and I'm TRYING my best to finish on top but....once again....group projects are working my nerves!!! My Policy class is such bullshyt! The teacher is full of it and so are the students! Ahhhhh! I'm so ready to graduate from this institution of higher education!

Mr. 4LC is officially no more. He was "Mr. Right Now," not necessarily "Mr. Right." I knew I would bounce back to reality soon enough! :) Just a small relapse. But hey! It was definitely fun while it lasted! NO COMPLAINTS/REGRETS OVER HERE!! :)

(Some come in your life for a week, some a season, but all for a reason!)

Back to reality: I'm locked in now and focused on ME and my BRIGHT future.

God is great and I KNOW I will get through this Policy storm. After the storm, comes the light. :) And that light is coming May 2nd!!! Eeeeee! So excited! :)

Follow me on Twitter folks! twitter.com/ClassyInCali I must say, I'm already kinda addicted...damn it! ;)

Now back to Policy... :(

Facebook Junkie

I really need to stay off Facebook.

1. It is a hugeeee thief of time and,

2. Lately I've been getting my feelings hurt every time I log on. I can't seem to stop looking at the "Recent Activity" on a certain person's page...and they are making it their business to showcase their...business via Facebook. Maybe for reaffirmation or validation or self-persuasion... Who knows? But what I do know is that I'm feeling a little jealousy and envy about the situation...and that's not my style. At ALL!! I need to get myself together-LIKE FORREAL!!

I'm not in deep, but I'm in too deep for what it was supposed to be. I think a little FB deactivation is necessary. Yep.

Thank God for the Cross-Good Friday

Something was going on with my Blogger account so I apologize for the delayed devotionals.

"God...reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV

Tim Miller writes: "My 9 year old daughter Jennifer was looking forward to our family vacation. But she became ill, and a long-anticipated day at Sea World was replaced by an all-night series of CT scans, X-rays and blood work at the hospital. As morning approached the doctor told my exhausted little girl that she would need one more test, a spinal tap. the procedure would be painful, they said. The doctor then asked me if I planned to stay in the room. I nodded, knowing I couldn't leave Jennifer alone during the ordeal. The doctor gently asked Jennifer to remove her clothing. She looked at me with child-like modesty as if to ask if it were alright. They had her curl up into a tiny ball. I buried my face in hers and hugged her. When the needle went in, Jennifer cried. As the searing pain increased, her sobbing repeatedly, 'Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," her voice becoming more earnest with each word. It was as if she were saying, 'Oh Daddy, please, can't you do something?' My tears mingled with hers. My heart was broken, I felt nauseated. Because i loved her, I was allowing her to go through the most agonizing experience in her life. In the middle of that spinal tap my thoughts went to the Cross. What unspeakable pain both the Son and the Father went through- for OUR sake."

But because of the Cross of Christ we have: (1) Reconciliation. "God...reconciled us to Himself." (2) Regeneration. "Having been born again" (1 Pe 1:23 NKJV). (3) Resurrection. "Everyone who...believes...I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn 6:40 NKJV). Thank God for the Cross!

"Catch a 4 Leaf Clover..."

Just reiterating how amazing Mr. 4 Leaf Clover is... :)

All smiles over here!

Seeing Yourself the Right Way

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?" Galatians 1:10 NIV

Too many of us have made it our life's work to change somebody else's opinion of us. We're determined to prove to them that we're valuable. Now, you can't be like the guy who quipped, "I like talking to myself, because I like dealing with a better class of people." But neither can you base your worth on the opinions of those who put you down. When Harry Truman was thrust into the presidency by the death of Franklin Roosevelt, Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House, took him aside and said, "You're going to have lots of people around you. And they will tell you what a great man you are, Harry. But you and I both know you ain't." As it turned out, Truman became a truly great president.

Until you quit agreeing with those who've mistreated you, or bowing to the events that crippled you emotionally, you'll remain locked in a prison of your own making. When your critic's opinion becomes your opinion, you've built a prison inside your soul with only one prisoner--you. Are you prepared to accept that some of the people you've spent your life trying to impress, may never be impressed? And can you accept that from God's perspective--it doesn't matter? To succeed in life you must be able to work alongside people without allowing yourself to be controlled by their moods or governed by their opinions. This is what Paul was talking about when he said, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?...If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Mary Mary- "You Will Know" (originally done by the LEGENDARY Stevland "Stevie Wonder" Morris)

He'll Never Put More On You...

I've decided to post gospel songs in addition to the devotionals so you can have a mini praise party every day! :)

The 2 selections today are from Kirk Franklin's "God's Property" CD (1997). This is specifically dedicated to all of the college students out there!!! This is the final stretch of school (for the Seniors...this is the final final stretch!!) and many are feelings stressed, overwhelmed, and discouraged. I know I'm personally having trouble seeing the finish line because of all the papers, projects, and presentations coming up. Remember to have faith. He'll never put more on you than you can bear. If you believe it, you can achieve it! Enjoy.

More Than I Can Bear


I've gone through the fire
And I've been through the flood
I've been broken into pieces
Seen lightnin' flashin' from above
But through it all I remember
That He loves me
And He cares
And He'll never put more on me
Than I can bear
(Repeat)

His word said He won't
I believe it
I recieve it
I claim it
It's mine
No he'll never
Put more on me
Than I can bear

Faith

I can do the impossible
I can see the invisible
Because I got faith
Cause I know I got faith
Yeah yeah

I can climb a mountain
Said I can reach my goal
I'm more than a conqueror
Down in my soul
The devil is a liar
I've won the race
Said I got victory
All because I got faith

Yes I can
Yes I can can
I can
Why can't I
If I wanna yes I can can

Be A Blessing!

I have created a new blog strictly for daily devotionals. ---> http://beablessing3.blogspot.com/

Visit it today! Follow it! Be encouraged!

And please remember the "3" for the trinity! ;)



Be blessed! :)

mCn

How to resolve the old issue

"The Lord has taken away your sin." 2 Samuel 12:13 NIV

There's no point asking God for other things when you haven't made right with those you need to forgive, or ask forgiveness from. Jesus said, "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary" (Mt 5:23-25 NIV). Don't be led by your wounded ego, be led by God's Word.

You say, "But the person I had the issue with is no longer around. I can't get a hearing, yet in my heart I'm still troubled about it." In this case the Bible says, "Confess your faults one to another, availeth much" (Jas 5:16). Share your feelings with someone worthy of your trust. Pray with them, openly confessing your wrongs and the guilt you feel. You'll be surprised how prayer and the presence of an affirming friend can provide you with the peace of mind you seek.

After David murder Uriah, his lover's husband, his guilt was overwhelming. It just about wiped him out. When he could take no more, he broke his silence and sought God's forgiveness. But Uriah wasn't around to hear his confession; he'd been dead almost a year. So he turned to Nathan the prophet and poured out his heart saying, "I have sinned." Nathan listened patiently, then said, "The Lord has taken away your sin." Follow David's example, and then move forward with confidence.

System Overload

4:53a...and I'm still awake.

So what's on my mind??

Well there is special someone (Mr. 4 Leaf Clover) that reentered my life in a major way, like 3-4 weeks ago. Let me tell ya! This dude is soooo the shit! Everything I've complained about and settled for with other guys isn't a problem with him. The fraction of a man that I've seen in others has been placed together beautifully to form HIM.

But take heed...all that glitters is not gold.....

I'm turning to the big guy on this one. We didn't want to fall, but I've unconsciously slipped... I hope Jesus will catch me in mid-air...

.

A Word For You Today

Last summer I started reading a daily devotional from Golden Gate Cathedral (Memphis, TN) entitled, "A Word For You Today." It is amazing how the Lord has spoken to me through the short readings in this devotional. My prayer is that you too will be encouraged by my sharing of "The Word."

"As we walk in the authority of the Word of God, we must be equipped to handle the challenge of daily living. We must read the Bible daily to prepare for this life. In addition, this devotional will give you an in-depth look at the Word. It gives a more practical application for daily living. It is another tool used to sharpen our knowledge of out Lord, Jesus Christ..."
~Bishop Edward H. Stephens, Jr. (Senior Pastor)


Be Blessed and Encouraged,

mCn

Jerkin'

Today I caught up with a friend of mine before my International Finance class. She was telling me about this new dance that goes with the whole male "skinny jeans, big shoes" craze. It's called "Jerkin'." It's Ho-larious!!! Enjoy.

15 Randoms

1. I'd rather talk than text. Text messaging is so impersonal. Flirting through techonology is NOT the business. (Well...in some cases.) But still! What can I say? I'm traditional.

2. I can convinced I will marry a musician. And have very beautiful, super talented babies!

3. I love that my cousin thinks the solution to all my problems is "A Morehouse Man." LoL. "The 8th one is for you!" Awwww Travell! :)

4. I love Chick-fil-A!

5. Building relationships is important man. I'm a firm believer that everybody needs somebody! Whether it's a friend or lover.

6. I will never understand the whole casual sex thing... I mean, who thought that was a good idea? No ma'am.

7. I am so anxious to see what awaits me in 2009, post-graduation.

8. I will be the first to graduate from college in my family. Go me!

9. If one more guy asks me WHY I'm single... Grrrrr!

10. Facebook is a thief of time! And focus!

11. I love love love love music and I hate I stop playing instruments in HS. Piecuch really did it for me. :(

12. The only person that knows me almost better than I know myself is Kemica. I love her dearly. We're pratically the same person... but I'm nicer. :)

13. Speaking of Kemica, once she was/is dating a guy that has the same bday as me(1/8), and I was dating a fellow that has the same bday as her (5/7). Double the presents, double the fun! Weird. :)

14. I don't think non-DCers will ever understand how significant DC was in the MACKN Coalition members' lives. We will never be the same. Hadouken! ;) Mao! You so pret-ty!

15. Monique is also one of my favs. We're both Capricorns, so we bump heads a LOT. But I'm so grateful for her and our great friendship. Even though I am a WAY better friend than she is, lol. ;)

2:22

:(

I need to get it together...I know. I slick forgot about my blog fans...SORRY! Well I'm back now (hopefully) and I won't be letting you all down again (hopefully) LOL

I am on Spring Break in.....Malibu. Yep. I didn't leave. Thanks to a very special friend of mine, I got stuck in California for Spring Break. But no worries! It's not all bad. I've been relaxing, regrouping, and rethinking some things and people in my life. I've enjoyed the weather, freedom, and QUIET! For once, my phone hasn't been jumping off the hook with calls and texts and I don't have constant knocks on my door. I definitely needed this break. :)

Well......since my last blog I've:
1. Revamped my 101....which I will post SOON! Promise!
2. Spent time with Maria :)
3. Gone swimming!!!! :) :) :)
4. Bought an iPod Touch (totally obssessed!!)
5. Vowed to not shop...forreal this time
6. Broken a heart....or two :(
7. Figured out WHAT I wanna do with my life and applied for post-grad jobs (Kinda excited about this!)
8. and a host of other random ish that I can't think of right now because it's 2:22a!


I love you all. I love God. I love my friends. I love my family. I love the son of a preacher man. I love the "delinkquent." I love my life. I love me!

Besitos!!

Business

I'm sitting in class....bored as hell. I think it's hilarious that I can think of 1,000,001 things to do/work on while in class, but as soon as class is dismissed.....I can't think of anything to do. LOL. I took this "Are you a Bad Student" online quiz the other day, and I scored an F. Needless to say, I'm kinda over school and I am sooooo ready for a break! Maybe I'll get rejuvenated over spring break.



Side note: The guy sitting next to me breath smells like...UGHJDSAIUDSGD. OMGN! I'm about to pass out. :(



I know Maria, my twin from Freshman year, reads my blog so the following message is for her!!

One of my main goals for this semester is to "make it count!!" We keep saying that we're gonna hang out, have dinner, workout, meet, etc. and we haven't! :( We only have 10 weeks left of school, and I can't guarantee when I'll be back to Cali post-grad. IF I come back. I really want us to spend some QT together. I understand that you're married and usually really busy, but make time for your twin! I'll soon be long gone, and I don't want to leave California without us reconnecting...even if it's just ONCE before I leave. I'll stop here and send you the rest in an email...but you get my point. :(



I miss you Maria!!! =( (*tear tear*)

He She Me We

i like he

he likes me

we can't be

why? is it me?

it is he

he likes she

she's easy

she's not me

me not she

not so easy

-

Well, take it like a G

take it like a g?

Yea. E F G

E fs Gs?

He like he?

Shit, maybe.

Oh f*ck me.

Not literally...

-

moving on to she

she likes me

too much see

she is me

well trying to be

i can't see

she is me?
she is she?

who IS she?
she is her

her is me?

she's not me.

stop trying to be

-

you do you

i do me

me is me

can't you see?!?

you are you

and me are me

me me me me

-

moving on to 3

she left me

sad to see

no cheers for me

she should be

but where is she

she's with he

she loves her

her loves she

clearly no room for me

-

where is me

no b f 3

we can't be

too moody

plus for me

no credit see

just some free choreography

-

it's cool see

He sees me

i see you

you see he

he does not matter to me

what about me?

for get he!

what about we?

what about me?

true story

-

and then there's she

she likes he

he likes she

she loves he

he loves she

she sucks he

he f*cks she

he likes her

we like she

he not like we

her so gone

he so wrong

too bad see

he's conve

inent- mad is he

who? at we?

we hate he

he hates me

but we love she

she loves he

meant to be?

we shall see

-

Ok i'm done.

i'm sleepy

.....zzzzz.......zzzzzzz....zzzzzzz......

"Just keep swimming"

You know...I'm sooooooooo overwhelmed right now...but I'm smiling. =)

God has a way of sending special people in your life at just the right moment.

Thank you.

;)

The morning after...

I wrote this Friday, January 30 while in my 8am class...

It was really hard for me to get up for class this morning. Dealing with this BS at Pepperdine (see last entry) really is discouraging. It makes me question, why am I even here? Why am I getting in debt to finance my education at a school that only sees me as a statistical benefit? Only helping them reach their admission quotas. I had full rides almost EVERYWHERE else…but I wanted to come to Pepperdine. Hmph.

Once you get here, you’re hit with soooo many adversities. From day one, I’ve felt like I had to prove myself to my peers, teachers, and administrators. I was stereotyped big time, and only recently am I climbing out of the boxes they placed me in. Students at other universities around the nation just don’t realized how blessed they are to be able to freely embrace their cultures without constant justification. EVERY idea we (BSA) have, every program we plan, EVERYTHING we do- we’re asked how we think the campus will react. Administrators want to be careful not to upset the trust fund kids, the Board of Directors’ grandchildren, the wealthy, spoiled, out-of-touch with reality students that make up the majority at this institution. Do they ever stop to think how we (the minority) might react/benefit/suffer from their decisions? NO! That’s why the Student Programming Board (SPB) plans events catering to the interest of the majority….always! Even for Black History Month, we didn’t get a culturally inspired/specific event on the calendar. OK. Maybe the 2 black movies... But that’s it. Pepp keeps saying they want to do better….but it’s all lies man.

I do believe that my steps are ordered, and that I was placed at Pepperdine for a reason. I just can’t see what that reason is at this point. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m tired of being trampled and looked over…in programming, in funding, in the classroom, in Housing.

May 2nd can’t come fast enough!!!!!

Bamboozled!

Oh my God...Pepperdine has done it again!

I am so frustrated with my Christian institution of higher education! As Kanye said Bush doesn't care about black people, Pepperdine doesn't either! They're always talking this diversity BS...blah...blah...blah, but actions speak wayyyyy louder than words. Cases in point:

1. Last year we had an incident where a black student's notebook, bedroom door, and other personal items were vandalized by another student. The culprit wrote every racial slur known to man on this student's property. Some of the stuff I had never heard of. (i.e. N.A.A.C.P. Now Apes Are Considered People) The issue was brought to Pepperdine's attention and they assured us black students the problem would be handled appropiately. What happened?... The student whose property was defaced is no longer at Pepperdine, while the culprit is running around happy-go-lucky after Daddy Warbuck$ handled the situation. But this is a Christian school???

2. Currently, Pepperdine does not have any of the Historically African-American Greek Letter Organizations on campus. Never has. I know it's hard to believe, seeing that it IS 2009 and Pepperdine IS in liberal California....but it is true. Pepperdine is one of the ONLY universities in Southern California without at least ONE of these organizations. Frustrated with this, a few friends and myself strove to change this. It was like pulling teeth to get the school to agree to the idea of having these organizations on campus. After the word got out that this was a work in progress, the white Greeks cried out in dissent. "These organizations will segregate Pepp's Greek life...blah...blah." The reality of the situation is Pepperdine's Greek Life is ALREADY SEGREGATED!!! (and not just racially segregated) They were just afraid of the black organizations taking their "tokens." Our student body needs to wake up!!!

The hard work and energy put into that project seems in vain now. After so many complaints and "concerns," many of our interested candidates backed out in fear of being ostracized from the Pepperdine community. Too many of our black students are 1. struggling with an identity crisis and 2. apathetic when it comes to racial inequalities on campus, leaving the weight to be carried by the Black Student Association, of which Kendria and myself are the Co-Presidents.

3. The College Republicans (a student group) definitely receives preferential treatment by the University! Other student clubs and organizations have to fight to receive funding for events and programs. The CR received with ease, on numerous occasions, 100s of $$ to buy expensive plaques and other miscellaneous items for their celebrity/political guest speakers. It gets better…

The icing on the cake??? The Director of Intercultural Affairs was attacked on conservative bloggers site after refusing to allow the College Republicans to post an anti-Obama poster (in an unauthorized location) that read “Obama ‘08: Socialism.” The president of the CR went to the media whining about the Pepperdine’s censorship of the poster. The main blog, written by Mike S. Adams, has received over 150 comments regarding the “once-great (and once-conservative) Pepperdine University.” Read the school’s newspaper article about the blog here. Read the blog here.

Needless to say, the CR got away with this injustice. I wonder how Pepperdine would have responded if BSA had gone to the NAACP, CNN, or any other media outlet when that student’s property was vandalized. I’m sure they would have gotten rid of us too…

4. I’m sure my frustration is evident by this point. I’m tired of typing. Let’s sum up everything else. November 4th…Pepperdine was DEAD silent after the elections. You could hear a gnat bump his head on the carpet…it was THAT quiet. No parades. No rejoicing. No pandemonium. Nothing. The following day at our weekly mandatory Chapel service, NOTHING was mentioned of our new President-elect. Nothing.

That was definitely one night I wanted to be anywhere else BUT Pepperdine. A hand-full of us were celebrating…alone.

The mood on campus for the next week was weird. The school’s true colors were surfacing. I’ve never felt more “black” in my life. Everyone helped make it more obvious. Students and professors alike had their little racist-ass comments to make about President Obama. Like FB users across the nation, they also expressed their frustrations in their FB statuses. It was disheartening because I lost so much respect for my friends, professors, and the SCHOOL as a whole that week. But of course they used his policies as the scapegoat for their disapproval.

The University apologized for their flub and promised to acknowledge the Inauguration in January.

5. Pepperdine smoothed the situation over by having an inspirational MLK/ Inauguration Celebration. The celebration was actually very nice and BSA/ Ken and I had an essential role in the planning and execution of the event. It was a great way to kick off the semester and the student body responded positively. We were left feeling good about the semester, our new President, Pepperdine, and Black History Month.

But of course, the next day we were knocked off of our wave of hope when we saw the Gonzaga/ Pepperdine t-shirts. The t-shirts said “Yes We Can” [beat Gonzaga] with a picture a male that resembled President Obama…but it wasn’t him. It was Pepperdine’s Bball head coach. WTF? It’s known that Pepperdine is a pretty conservative school and that t-shirt was a mockery of our new President.

6. Today we received the February Student Life Calendar that the school issues to the entire student body. I just KNEW that the calendar would display Black History Month graphics, MLK, President Obama, ya know…the basics. NO ma’am. The calendar had hearts and more hearts allll over the cover. Are you serious Pepperdine? Is ONE day more important than the ENTIRE month?? Apparently it is. I do not feel at home here. Why did I even come to this school?? The students are wack and so is Administration. Kendria is writing a letter to the President of the school…I’m doing the same, but I had to come vent first.

I’ve had enough of this ish...

In my head...

texas.
i need to read for class.
BSA meeting tonight...shoot
DIF
101 in 1001....DO BETTER!
$$$
boys are stupid
God is amazing.
my friends are selfish.
he's just a thug in love.
maybe he has dementia.
I'll be hurt if/ when he ends up with someone else.
I can't believe I was so vunerable...
I might be going to Argentina after all!
I miss my daddy.
I wish I was on the beach right now....but I have class in 38 min...shoot....I haven't read for it.
resume and cover letter please.
freakin' Goukasian!
these flowers just need to die already...
why is she so unprofessional?
i'll be glad when this ish is over....
Ok. Maybe I should read forreal now...

This is so random. Don't judge me.

Dream Team

It's funny. The older you get, the smaller your circle of friends become.

I'm sure everyone can relate to having 586 BFFs in elementary school. Those friendship would "end" over the smallest tiff, and 15 minutes later...you're BFFs again. Well...things are way more complicated now and I am definitely learning the hard way.

"Be careful what you ask for...because you just might get it." I've been praying and praying and praying and asking God for the courage, strength, and wisdom to accomplish the goals I've set for myself and he has been revealing things to me daily. Now that I have answers, I don't know if I'm prepared to take action and make such bold decisions in my life. One thing that God has revealed is that I have to eliminate certain individuals in my life before I can receive the blessings he has for me. It's hard for me to accept the fact that everyone in my circle shouldn't have that privilege...

I have quite a few friends here (at Pepperdine) that I label my BFF, BFFF (Mo, lol), etc. But recently, my BFFs have not been acting like such. If I didn't know any better, I would mistake some of them for haters, imitators, or just plain enemies. These ppl do not have my best interest at heart and I'm sick of the fake BS. I could go on and on and on and give tons of examples of my "friends" acting selfishly, deviously, and spitefully but none of those details matter. I'm in the process of rebuilding my Dream Team from the ground up.

Will you make the cut??

C.R.E.A.M.

Ok.

So, I'm like REALLY anxious right now about my post-grad employment status. I did not get accepted to Teach For America (boo!) and the nation's unemployment is rising daily. Employers are hiring the BEST of the BEST of the BEST (of the BEST). Am I good enough?? If not, can I get "good enough" by graduation???

Right now (like this very second) I am looking for a j-o-b for the remainder of the semester. I would like to have a fancy internship...but they want me to work for free and right now....I can't afford NOT to get paid! My funds are slowing depleting and I NEED CASH! Bills are no fun and I can't wait to shred these damn credit cards.

Prayer will get me through these tough times.

It's Been A Long Time...Shouldn't have left you.

...Without a dope blog to step to--lol

Whew!

It has been over 4 weeks since my last blog!!! Needless to say, SOOOO much has happened. I've been happy, sad, pissed, glad, cried, celebrated, drunk, praised, worshipped, danced, argued, partied, and laughed. Let's start by recapping my Christmas Break..

When I wrote the last entry I was trapped in the 4 pink walls of my bedroom, without wheels--BORED OUT OF MY MIND. (I will admit though...it was nice to have nothing to do for once.) The following day my aunt rented a cute little Chevy Aveo for me!! Yay!!! I hit the ground running...or driving! I visited several loved ones and hung out with long, lost church members and classmates. It was great. I even got a chance to see Mr. Toxic himself... [He was definitely left in 2008.] The car explains why I didn't blog the last 2 weeks of my Winter Vacay.

I returned to my ultra busy life in California on the 3rd of January. Since then I have been RA'ing, planning events for BSA, meeting, meeting, meeting, preparing for Dance In Flight, searching for post-graduation jobs, dealing with BS from guys, enjoying/taking advantage of my last semester in California, and let's not forget being a student!

I live a crazy life y'all!

To make this reader friendly, I will write individual posts for EVERYTHING I have to bring you all up-to-date on!

Happy reading!

mCn

P.S. Don't worry...I won't be leaving you again anytime soon! ;)

Gerontology

No words...

Late Night Thoughts...

It's 5:17a, and I'm still awake...

There is soooooo much on my mind! Ahhhh!

1. **Post-Grad Location**- The longer I stay in Memphis, the more I realize this is NOT the place for me. Now don't get me wrong, I love my city and Memphis is a great "hometown," but I definitely can't see myself living here post-grad. At least not immediately. I used to say I was "flexible" and could probably live ANYWHERE. Ok...let's be serious and realistic, I can't. So recently I've been doing my research and I've narrowed it down to 5-7 cities (not in a particular order):

• Charlotte, NC
• Atlanta, GA
• Houston, TX
• Nashville, TN
  
• Dallas, TX
• Minneapolis, MN
• Chicago, IL (least likely)
  

I am seriously considering all of these locations; however, some more than others.

• Charlotte is probably #1 on my list. Close to home, great opportunities for young, black professionals, affordable, not tooooo far from a beach ;), TFA location, and the list goes on...
• Ok, ATL is probably tied with Charlotte! I mean, what's not to love about ATL?!? Morehouse men, great nightlife, great opportunities, TFA location, family there, closer to Memphis than Malibu, did I mention Morehouse men (lol, jkjk).
• Houston is the #1 city in America to get the 'best bang for your buck.' I have "family" there as well. Not to mention my BFF is from "H-Town." =)
• Nashville, Nashville, Nashville...mane. I was STRONGLY considering Nashville until I stopped to think about the REAL reasons why Nashville was #1 on my list. All I have to say is there is DEFINITELY a conflict of interest moving to Nashville... I LOVE that Nashville is only a 2-3 hour drive from Memphis, but...yea...Nashville should probably be removed from my list all together, lol. (Unless TFA places me there......)
  
• Minneapolis is strictly because of Target. :)
• The others are just great cities for young professionals.

2. I had a visitor today. Sometimes I hate seeing him because he makes me feel like crap. I mean, I can't help the way I feel...right?... I love him, but I'm not in love with him. And I KNOW that hurts. It sucks being in love alone... Honestly, I don't know if there will ever be an "us" again... and that's a hard pill for both of us to swallow.

3. My dear mother is getting on my dear NERVES! Ahhh! Shoot me already.


4. I've been debating whether I should make New Year's resolutions or not... Probably not because I usually don't stick to them when I do. :( One thing's for certain, I'm gonna be wayyy more low-key next year than I was this year. I see the benefits of not always being the center of attention. hehe. I'm also gonna take a much needed vacay from the male species (*GaSp*) to let my wound heal and refocus all attention on the One that really matters. With him first, everything else falls into place. :)


Ok. It's 6:09a. I think I need to start counting sheep now.

....zzzz........zzzz........zzzz.....


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