Weekend At The Holiday Parade

Even a little wind and rain couldn’t stop a perfectly planned staycation and the annual Holiday Parade at the Beach in my city last weekend. It was amazing. The streets were packed with eager residents and visitors to view the holiday fun and cheer as the parade carried on at the local oceanfront. It was beautiful and couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The smiling faces, festive floats, and talented bands and dancers were a wonderful treat to take in. After the parade, I happily retired to my hotel room, filled with delicious treats, and an amazing and peaceful view of the beach from my balcony window. It was one of the most chill staycations I’ve done thus far and a great way to kick off the holidays. Have fun this holiday season and make the most of the final month of this year. You deserve it. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

Early Christmas Present: A Side of Serendipity

I don’t believe in forcing things or dating apps or being thirsty for the attention of guys, but I believe in God and I believe in serendipity. This week I met a charming guy when I was picking up my car from the car dealership. He was picking up his car too. I’d just had my yearly inspection done and couldn’t wait to have my ride back. As I waited for a mechanic to bring my car out front, the charming guy sat down next to me, started talking about the work he got done on his car, mentioned the holidays, and the weather, and said, “You’re really pretty. When I saw you, I was hoping you weren’t leaving.” He was nice and real chill. We chatted for a while and when he asked for my number, I told him, “I don’t give out my number, but I’ll take yours.” After dodging some creepers and indulging some not-so-great guys in the past, it’s been in my best interest as a bachelorette not to provide my number too freely. He was cool about it, though, and gave me his number. I was slightly impressed, and also reminded that you don’t have to force things or hop on a dating app or be thirsty. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, much like I have been anytime I’ve met a chill guy. I wasn’t nervous. And nothing felt forced. And things weren’t awkward. Things were casual and cool. Although our encounter was brief, it was nice. I’ve doubted God and His plans for my dating life and love life, but I’m seeing the benefits of letting things happen naturally. The gift of serendipity is lovely, and I hope you all embrace whatever serendipity may mean for you in this season as well. Especially all you wonderful, eligible, and amazing bachelorettes. Happy Holidays!

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves