Just learned that there is a movement underfoot to make tomorrow National Fist Bump Day. It's to commemorate the fist bump between Barack and Michelle Obama one year ago.
So keep it in mind tomorrow if someone offers you their fist. LOL
http://www.nationalfistbumpday.com/
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
It's Officially Official
Yay me! I received my final grades. I have successfully completed my master's degree in communications management.
I participated in the graduation ceremony, but at that point, I hadn't submitted my thesis.
Now, I'm just waiting on the school to mail me my degree
Here's a picture of me and a classmate that I swiped off the school's Web site. Ha! We were posing with our (empty) degree folders.
Your Tax Dollars At Work
We’ve all seen the signs on the highway when road construction is taking place. Well, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is designed to put lots of tax dollars to work stimulating the economy.
The Act is approximately 800 pages and covers a wide array of topics. There is money for established federal programs, such as unemployment and Medicaid. There is stabilization money to help states balance their budgets and then there are competitive grants that will do things like bring broadband access to rural areas or weatherize houses.
The intent is to get money moving through the economy and create jobs.
In March, I was at my sorority conference when our international president asked how many people in the audience had read the Act. A handful of people raised their hands. I put mine up halfway because I have a copy in my office. I’ve skimmed it because my boss is the “Stimulus Czar” for Missouri.
On my drive home, the wheels in my brain started to turn. I suggested to the sorority that we sponsor a presentation on the Act so that everyday folks could have it broken down into digestible bites. I then approached my boss, who agreed.
We invited the other Greek letter organizations and the NAACP to join us in sponsoring the event. So this Thursday in Jefferson City, Kelvin Simmons, Commissioner of the State of Missouri’s Office of Administration, will give a presentation on how Missouri is using these dollars.
We’ll be in the Teleconference Room of the Inman Page Library on the campus of Lincoln University, a historically black college with a phenomenal story of its own.
Come join us - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and the NAACP. We hope to see you there.
The Act is approximately 800 pages and covers a wide array of topics. There is money for established federal programs, such as unemployment and Medicaid. There is stabilization money to help states balance their budgets and then there are competitive grants that will do things like bring broadband access to rural areas or weatherize houses.
The intent is to get money moving through the economy and create jobs.
In March, I was at my sorority conference when our international president asked how many people in the audience had read the Act. A handful of people raised their hands. I put mine up halfway because I have a copy in my office. I’ve skimmed it because my boss is the “Stimulus Czar” for Missouri.
On my drive home, the wheels in my brain started to turn. I suggested to the sorority that we sponsor a presentation on the Act so that everyday folks could have it broken down into digestible bites. I then approached my boss, who agreed.
We invited the other Greek letter organizations and the NAACP to join us in sponsoring the event. So this Thursday in Jefferson City, Kelvin Simmons, Commissioner of the State of Missouri’s Office of Administration, will give a presentation on how Missouri is using these dollars.
We’ll be in the Teleconference Room of the Inman Page Library on the campus of Lincoln University, a historically black college with a phenomenal story of its own.
Come join us - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and the NAACP. We hope to see you there.
Monday, May 18, 2009
It's Been A While
I haven't shared my thoughts in several months. Quite a bit has happened in that time. I started a new job about three and a half months ago, so tour and travel has not been top of mind.
But, now that I have my feet under me, I'm back. I'll still be sharing some of my great Missouri experiences with you, but now I'll be all over the place, which is how my mind often works.
Oh yeah - I graduated with my master's a couple of weeks ago. I did my degree online through Webster University, and I went to St. Louis for the graduation ceremony, which was at The Muny in Forest Park. What a cool place that was. I'll post the pics tomorrow.
So, I'll try and write more often now. I'm keeping the Missouri Travel Girl moniker, but who knows what I'll say.
It's past my bedtime, so g'nite.
But, now that I have my feet under me, I'm back. I'll still be sharing some of my great Missouri experiences with you, but now I'll be all over the place, which is how my mind often works.
Oh yeah - I graduated with my master's a couple of weeks ago. I did my degree online through Webster University, and I went to St. Louis for the graduation ceremony, which was at The Muny in Forest Park. What a cool place that was. I'll post the pics tomorrow.
So, I'll try and write more often now. I'm keeping the Missouri Travel Girl moniker, but who knows what I'll say.
It's past my bedtime, so g'nite.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Life List
Last week I had an interesting conversation with a girlfriend. She has started her "Things to do before..." list and will be marking a big one off this spring with an international trip.
That got me to thinking about all the things I want to do, think I want to do or have thought about doing. Yet, here I am being the same ole me.
So, my question to you is, "do you have a life list?" If so, what's on it? Of course I know I can't base my life list on anybody else's. Then it's wouldn't be my life list.
BUT - I'm basically a nosy person, so if you want to share, I'm game.
I'm gonna have to start putting my list together. I'll let you know what I come up with and when I start marking them off.
That got me to thinking about all the things I want to do, think I want to do or have thought about doing. Yet, here I am being the same ole me.
So, my question to you is, "do you have a life list?" If so, what's on it? Of course I know I can't base my life list on anybody else's. Then it's wouldn't be my life list.
BUT - I'm basically a nosy person, so if you want to share, I'm game.
I'm gonna have to start putting my list together. I'll let you know what I come up with and when I start marking them off.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My St. Louis Urban Adventure
I recently spent a few days in St. Louis visiting some tried and true tourism attractions and some new spots.
Believe it or not, January is not a bad time to go to the zoo. While it was chilly, the animals were out and about and enjoying themselves. We played peek-a-boo with Sophia, a not quite grown leopard who would run up to the ledge in her enclosure, pop up to the top and then drop back down. We watched the tiger cubs romp in their enclosure with their mother, who wore the world-weary expression of any mom with five kids.
We also visited the Science Center, the Art Museum and the Botanical Garden, all St. Louis icons. We went bowling at a newer attraction, Flamingo Bowl in the loft district on Washington Avenue. Giant screens hung above the lanes tuned to MTV2 and Turner Movie Classics (what a combo, huh?). I can’t bowl to save my life, but it was great fun anyway.
And of course – we ate and drank. We went to Sweetie Pies, a soul food restaurant where you’d think your grandmama was in the kitchen. Generous portions of entrees and sides guarantee you won’t leave hungry. Familiar favorites include fried or baked chicken, greens, mac-n-cheese, cabbage and black-eyed peas. The Riverfront Times ranked it the best place for soul food for 2008.
We stopped for drinks at SubZero on the Central West End. This vodka bar offers more than 250 vodkas and an impressive menu of drinks as well as the some of the city’s best sushi and New American hamburgers.
But the eating didn’t stop there. We lunched at the Historic (and haunted) Lemp Mansion. The Lemps were a prominent St. Louis family in the 1800s who encountered all sorts of tragedy. The mansion is reported to be inhabited by a ghost or two. Who knows, it might be true.
One night I insisted on a Italian and had the best risotto at Bartolinos. We stopped at Modesto on The Hill for drinks first, where I enjoyed sangria for the first time. Yummy.
A good time was had by all. You should try it some time.
Believe it or not, January is not a bad time to go to the zoo. While it was chilly, the animals were out and about and enjoying themselves. We played peek-a-boo with Sophia, a not quite grown leopard who would run up to the ledge in her enclosure, pop up to the top and then drop back down. We watched the tiger cubs romp in their enclosure with their mother, who wore the world-weary expression of any mom with five kids.
We also visited the Science Center, the Art Museum and the Botanical Garden, all St. Louis icons. We went bowling at a newer attraction, Flamingo Bowl in the loft district on Washington Avenue. Giant screens hung above the lanes tuned to MTV2 and Turner Movie Classics (what a combo, huh?). I can’t bowl to save my life, but it was great fun anyway.
And of course – we ate and drank. We went to Sweetie Pies, a soul food restaurant where you’d think your grandmama was in the kitchen. Generous portions of entrees and sides guarantee you won’t leave hungry. Familiar favorites include fried or baked chicken, greens, mac-n-cheese, cabbage and black-eyed peas. The Riverfront Times ranked it the best place for soul food for 2008.
We stopped for drinks at SubZero on the Central West End. This vodka bar offers more than 250 vodkas and an impressive menu of drinks as well as the some of the city’s best sushi and New American hamburgers.
But the eating didn’t stop there. We lunched at the Historic (and haunted) Lemp Mansion. The Lemps were a prominent St. Louis family in the 1800s who encountered all sorts of tragedy. The mansion is reported to be inhabited by a ghost or two. Who knows, it might be true.
One night I insisted on a Italian and had the best risotto at Bartolinos. We stopped at Modesto on The Hill for drinks first, where I enjoyed sangria for the first time. Yummy.
A good time was had by all. You should try it some time.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Out with the old, in with the new. Today, I'm going to get a little sappy. Just deal with it.
What are you going to do to make this year better than the last one? While we're all thinking about our lives, worrying about our 401Ks and listening to the doom and gloom coming from the media, take a moment to count your blessings.
Do you have your health? Your family? A job? A job you like? How about a job you love? Do you have the use of your limbs? Are you in your right mind? Are you making the best use of the talents that God gave you? Think about all you have to be thankful for.
And then, do something for someone else. Volunteer at church, a shelter or other community organization. Give of yourself. Share your time and talents. Believe me, someone out there will be so grateful for you. And you will feel so good at the end.
Take care of yourselves. Eat a little bit better. Exercise a little bit more. Love your family a whole lot harder.
Make 2009 your best year.
What are you going to do to make this year better than the last one? While we're all thinking about our lives, worrying about our 401Ks and listening to the doom and gloom coming from the media, take a moment to count your blessings.
Do you have your health? Your family? A job? A job you like? How about a job you love? Do you have the use of your limbs? Are you in your right mind? Are you making the best use of the talents that God gave you? Think about all you have to be thankful for.
And then, do something for someone else. Volunteer at church, a shelter or other community organization. Give of yourself. Share your time and talents. Believe me, someone out there will be so grateful for you. And you will feel so good at the end.
Take care of yourselves. Eat a little bit better. Exercise a little bit more. Love your family a whole lot harder.
Make 2009 your best year.
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