Long overdo......Hallelujiah

I am not even sure how to spell that word but I am feeling it. I am sitting in my yard at 4pm on a Thursday working from my laptop - because yes, I am cool and now have wireless anc can about drive around my block and still get the internet. I am finishing up work and enjoying the sunshine. And I am enjoying it more than I have in a long time. Let's skip the last few weeks because bluntly - they have sucked. I havent been able to sleep. I have been anxious about God knows what. I have been so busy that I can barely find time to pee. I have been down for obvious reasons nd frustrated that I couldnt find my way out. So let's just skip it all because I can say Thank God for that terrible time today. I feel alive again. Finally!
God totally used the last few miserable weeks to steal my heart again. I wsant being very reluctant with it and I was holding onto things of the past that werent good for me. I finally feel like I can breathe again.
Tonight I am going to my 3 dance classes that I am now a superstar in. This is the best - yes, really - the best feeling I have felt in a while to go hide out at my little dance studio for ungraceful people like myself. Last week I turned off my phone for maybe the first time ever and didnt think about anything but me and the happiness I felt from just doing something solely for me.
And this weekend the weather is to be sunny and 70 - all weekend. Hallelujiah again. Tomorrow night I am going to one of my favorite performers - Keb Mo with my buddy Gray. I have been looking forward to this for 2 months ever since we heard he was coming. It'll be a great start to a great weekend. I can predict it.

Back to work now from my front yard. But if not for my ownself, I wanted the world to know how God really works foir the good of those who love Him! I am constantly amazed by His contant pursuit of me even when no one else would want to be around me.
And that is the perfect picture of Grace.

Dance 101

This place is for the grace-impaired, wishful dancers like myself. What a briliant idea! These two girls got together a year ago and created this studio over on Miami Circle. Dance 101 opened to the public where folks like myself who may not have any professional experience other than booty dancin on the spot - can go to get a good workout for an hour or so but also get some real dance instruction. Let's be honest. I was born to dance. I may never reach my full potential - you know....dancing in the streets with my leg warmers on to Flashdance's What a Feeling - but I love to dance and don't mind to shake a leg anywhere and everywhere...in my house, in the shower, in the car, nude in the bedroom when I think no one is home (oops), at the office, at the gym, Friday nights - heck - Wednesday nights at the Bamboo bar - (another fave!)
So, last night in my quest to do things this month that I really want to do I signed up to go to any dance classes I want at this studio for a whole month. I signed up for other things too -Stuff only for me and my pleasure - well, for the time being....like cooking classes, salsa lessons, and fishing lessons. All to be done in the next few months on my quest to find me and my self-satisfaction again. Honestly, for a while - I didnt even know how I liked my cheeseburger cooked. Nor for that matter if I even liked cheese. I want to know what I like again because I like it and for no other reason. Never before have I been so easily influenced. It's almost like lately I have been too worn out and exhausted to really have an opinion. I am done with that.
Anyway, a little soap box as you can see.
I'll let you know how Hip Hop, Salsa and the strip tease classes are (can you believe it - that is really a class and supposedly one of the more populars). With this month's adventures I may even be able to cook you a real meal too! This is big news for those of you daredevils who have experience my culinary concotions (sp?) before!

Grey's Anatomy

I am officially obsessed. My new favorite thing is this ABC show on Sunday nights following Desperate Housewives. I was super tired yesterday because my terrible sleep patterns are back in action. I thought I would TIVO the new episode and casually watch it this week as time permits but as soon as the recap from last week came on I couldnt move from the couch. (Yes, Charlsie, this is not like me to be addicted to the t.v screen. )
The show reminds me of my sweet friend Ashley Abide. Ashley is my soul mate from 4 years ago. We meet at Greystone. She is a 2nd year Med student in Jackson, MS. No, she probably isnt kissing doctors in the elevators like Merdith Grey is but I wouldnt put it past her. I think there will be some hospital drama this summer when she goes to start her rotations.
Grey's Anatomy has a twist of ER hospital drama with an entertaining plot line that explores the thought process of anyone in our age group right now trying to figure things out and make a name for yourself.
We now have TIVo season passed this show which means I'll never miss an episode. Maybe I should go to med school. Only to kiss doctors in elevators. Ashley, are the 8 years of prison worth a little hospital drama?

Viva a Mexico

Pronounced 'Me-hico'.....That is where I am heading late this summer but yes, I am already planning on it and already going to talk it up to you folk. I was accepted to go on the Buckhead Church mission trip to Merida, Mexico....no, not the ends of the earth but yes, a foreign country (though I hear there is an Applebee's and a HomeDepot.) And do you think it is odd that I had to be 'accepted' to go on a church trip. My church is a pretty popular Atlanta venue so I understnad it ...but still oxymoronic. I like oxymorons. I dont like morons.
So we leave the 1st of August and head down there for 8 days I think. Lots os planing to be done and lots of dollars to be found in order to make this happen but I know that when you believe it - you can receive it...says my book (yep -the one I have been reading for just the past 3 months.) I look forward to seeing what God can do through the group. Moreso, I am looking forward to getting the team over the next few months. Y mas.....I get to reignite my second language. I studied Spanish for 8 years. I graduated with a minor in Spanish ( I think- i never actually saw anything that said I had a minor....I think minor's are irrelevant). Dad took me to Spain after I graduated to test what his funds had done the last 8 years and I dont think he was too impressed. I nodded my head like I understood most of what I heard but to be honest - me no comprende' until a few hours later when I had time to process the fast speech. I'll tell you about Spain sometime soon - it was one of my most treasured times ever. Yes - ever!
Anyway, so I am thinking that my skills will come back to me overnight when my subconcious realizes that I will be heading to a Spanish speaking country. I have also tried to freshen up with the sweet locker room keepers at my gym. Put it this way - I remember how to tell them that I am tired, cold, hot or happy. Any other emotion goes unconveyed.
No worries though - I have few months and like a good song...I think it will come back. Your opportunity to help: yes, prayers and financial support will be asked for soon but for now - only speak to me in Spanish. If you don't know any - just dont let me respond to you in English. Yes, this conversation may not go too far but you will be helping a greater cause. You'll feel good about your contributions to world peace.

Buenos noches mis amigos!

KATIE AND BRAD ROCK

Yes, I know, I promised a few words earlier this week. Then, my cellphone dies - again.....I left my sunroof open-twice- on two stormy evenings....Which resululted in a broken IPOD (don't tell APPLE it was due to rain)....then, 2 days later - another broken Ipod. Let's pause on that note. So, my ipod..aka: my boyfriend died on Thursday morning. I got up - as I always intend to do at 5:30am to workout (Note: 'intend'). I opened the car door to complete and utter devastation. "George", the soul mate who literally works out with me, walks with me, dampens the noise at the office during work hours, entertains me on the weekends, blares in my car with the windows down on perfect sunny days, and even sleeps with me on those sleepless nights was gone. Completely. No flash of life whatsoever. None. Needless to say, I tried to proceed with the workout and was too upset to focus on anything. I got nothing accomplished that day. I missed my companion. I wasnt able to do anything else until George was back to life. The ending of this story goes that George was replaced with "Max." No, not the same tunes and not the same set up but atleast the same comfort. I'm happy.
That was a sampling of my week and why, as you can assume, I never got around to highlighting these two superstars.
Brad- after sending Catie and I on our little fright fest lat Wednesday night you deserve a little praise and a little scolding. Praise - thank you for the sweet card (ladies: this boy has a sentimental side that any young lady would fancy....can I say that Brad?). Thanks too, for so thoughtfully bringing by the check to our house. Personal delivery is definitely our preference and we appreciate your intentions. Now to the scolding: 4 single - I would say attractive females live alarmless, guard dog less and boyless in a quaint neighborhood in swanky Buckhead. For the record: we do not usually expect/receive male visitors past the hours of 10pm - as our parents taught us to be ladies. Nor, if by chance we do receive a male visitor - but lets call you an intruder - do we expect him to walk around to the back of the house, in the dark , at night. We forgive you this time and do expect to have you over again in the near future. In the meantime, we are looking into an alarm system, maybe a protective dog (Katie's fish isnt too threatening) or yes, maybe a watch-boy. And, yes, we will allow you to apply.

As to Katie.....we have been celebrating her monumental - quarter century birthday this week. Monday night we went to Tu Tu Tango for some tapas, sangrias and a little sweaty Puerto Rican boy. He didnt come with the birthday but quickly attached himself to our party. He taught Katie a little salsa dancing and gave her a blow job -shot that is. She mastered the shot and even looked good taking it. 2 points for Katie! Katie had a great birthday. Actually, I think she did but if she didnt - I had fun celebrating. Catie got her a shirt that reads 'Tan girls have more fun.' Very fitting I think you would agree.
Thank you Katie for having a birthday. Thank you for being born and thank you for being one of my oldest friends (not in age but in tenure). I have lived with Katie 3.5 of the last 5 years which is a record for me. She has taught me how to watch t.v., wear accessories, do succesful boy-drive by's, relax, and pose for a picture. Yes, these are the little things but very vital to everyday life. I am envious of the year of life that she has on me because she seems to be much more at peace with herself and her surroundings than I'll ever be. She is constant and I admire that.

Hooray for Katie's 25th birthday! Tan girls do have more fun!