My Mother's Love

I owe everything that I have to my mother.  If it were not for her I would have surely been dead or in jail.  I know this because I have seen what has happened to fellow friends without a strong presence from their mother.  Although having both parents around is ideal, having been raised in a single-parent household, I feel that if you have at least one strong and loving guardian it is indeed possible that you can become a well-functioning, successful adult. 

I came up in a neighborhood full of black people and our particular area was low income.  I saw the police ride through my neighborhood a lot, but I never accredited it to drugs or crime.  I only saw a couple acts of violence and some people smoked weed, but that was about it.  For our place of rest to be classified as the ‘hood, according to popular culture standards, it was pretty quiet and safe.  Temptation was still around though, but my mother taught me at a young age the importance of gaining a sound education and staying out of trouble.  She was strict at times, but it paid off.

I remember getting outfits on my bed when I would come home from school and all of the sleepovers with my many friends, pizza and snacks.  I remember the beautiful Christmases and how my mother would let me stay up a little later on Tuesday nights so we could watch Real World together.  I remember that she told me she loved me every single time we spoke and how she still does to this day. 

I never once felt that my Mother did not love me because she made it very clear through her words and actions just how much she really did.  Whenever I was punished she would always make it clear that she was not mad or disappointed in me, but rather the behavior or action I had or was committing. 

She took me out on my first date in the 5^th grade to see the movie “soul food” with whom I thought was my very first serious girlfriend.  And while on the subject of girlfriends, she never pressured me, but never hesitated to let me know her impression of them.  She was frank to say the least, and I was careful to only bring the girls that I thought highly of around her.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that my mother cooks the best meals.  I have lost nearly 50 pounds since I moved out of state.  My mother’s food is literally like edible crack and I just can’t get enough. 

My mother is an incredible woman and I know she is the reason I was able to know what to look for in a wife.  She is the reason I travel the world, aspire to be my own boss and love unconditionally.  My mother taught me how to love, and ironically, how to be a man too.  I love her to death and on this day, her birthday, I thought I’d speak on it a bit.  I love you Mom!

What do you love and remember most about your Mother?

Las Vegas for First Timers

After viewing countless movies that overwhelmingly succeeded in making Las Vegas for me, synonymous with extreme and intense fun, I finally got the opportunity to see for myself.   Long story short, I agree whole-heartedly.  I had an absolute blast.  Let me point out; however, that I went with my fiancé and another couple so the concept of Las Vegas being a city strictly for bachelor parties and the “what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas” mantra did not apply.  Not to say that it never does, it just didn’t’ in my case.

Now let us move on to Las Vegas and the immense fun that lies within.  We stayed for three days and went towards the end of April so “it was hot” is a pretty bad understatement, but it was a nice change from the cold weather that I’m used to and besides, who goes to Vegas to wear a bunch of clothes, anyway? 

The strip was packed.  I mean people literally everywhere.  I was a little surprised to see so many older people, but considering Vegas is kind of expensive it made sense.  The nice thing about going to Vegas is that it’s almost like going to a number of places all at once.  There are mini-replicas of many of the major attractions in the world like the Sistine Chapel and the Taj Mahal. 

Exploration of the strip took the entirety of our first day.  Between the massive amount of people and that you have to take escalators, elevators and cross bridges to get to most places due to the lack of crosswalks, it is very difficult to get anywhere fast.  However, the first day was awesome because I was able to see most of the strip and I would suggest anyone do this.  One just taking a simple stroll down the strip receives a large spoon full of what Vegas is all about: unapologetic entertainment.

The second night, we attended a show in the New York New York Hotel called Zumanity.  Now as I said before, I am an amateur traveler so this was my first show of this caliber.  I won’t go into detail, but I will say if you get a chance to see a Vegas show, especially Zumanity, take it!  During the day we gambled, laid out by the pool, but the heat was intense so be sure to apply sunscreen and carefully monitor your body heat.  The temperature ranged from 100 to 105 degrees the entire time we were there.  Gambling was awesome though.  Although we didn’t win any money, we didn’t lose much either and we were gambling for hours.  As long as you’re gambling you receive free drinks.  It was a really great time.

The third and final day, I have to admit we were exhausted.  The heat combined with such a massive amount of fun can really take a lot out of you.  We rode an incredible roller-coaster, did a little more gambling and spent the rest of the day drinking by the pool.   Las Vegas: spectacular.

Getting a New Job in a New Place

So you’re moving, and you need a new job. No big deal (I know you’re going, “yeah right,” but hear, or in this case, read me out). Rest assured you will find one. There are hundreds of thousands of success stories. It can be done and it will be done, by you. I tell you that confidently because I did it, and I assure you that if I did it with hardly any money, job experience or a car, you can do the same thing. The purpose of this post is not so much to provide a regimented check-list as it is to provide my most humble, experienced-through-trial-and-error advice on the subject. Through this post, I desire to provide you with my relevant perspective, as I have just recently moved to Denver, CO from Raleigh, NC.

First of all, as I mentioned before: do not worry, you will find something. Secondly, really figure out and decide what it is that you want. Do you want a job as soon as possible; do you want to make lots of money; travel; would you rather do something you’re passionate about? It may be all four or more even and that’s completely fine, but don’t fail to contemplate how these desires hold up side by side in case you ultimately have to make that tough decision. Once you figure it out, maybe you already have, immediately develop tunnel vision, that, “it’s this or nothing attitude.” This will draw on your poise and assertiveness so that you may more effectively communicate to employers why it’s you and not those other guys, who ought to have the job.

Before I moved to Denver, I applied on Craigslist, Indeed and many other job websites for hours, daily. I received few call backs, which resulted in my looking in the mirror. What I came to realize was that I hadn’t been advertising my best self. Would I want to hire me? I re-did my resume, began writing job-specific cover letters, sending thank you emails to those that turned me down and thank you cards following all interviews, good or bad. In other words, I stepped it up. I eventually ended up accepting another job in another city, and although it wasn’t Denver, the position led me to finding my passion and ultimately the job I have now, which is in Denver.

Lastly, I would email people in your desired field directly by running a Google search and contacting relevant staff on each relevant site that pops up. Email them with your resume attached and see what happens. If they have an internship, take it. Please, please spell check and obsess over your grammar. Many people overlook this crucial step, but it could be, and most of the time is, the difference between consideration and the trash. My transition was not easy and regardless of whether yours is or not, I would still suggest that you too, step it up. We can always be improving. Hope this helps!

Turning 26: An Age of Freedom

Happy Birthday! Apologies if it is not your birthday, but considering that I always do a quick Google search of what other people are doing at the dawn of my new age, I assume there are others who do the same. If it makes you feel any better, I too am guilty of doing a Google search on my age, mid-year. Whatever, it doesn’t matter why you‘re here; I’m just glad that you came. Welcome.

The purpose of this post is to provide some information about what it feels like to be 26 from a perspective other than your own. Perhaps you are curious about new inspirations or epiphanies that occur at this age. Or maybe you are considering writing a blog post about this age yourself because most of the writers inspired to contribute on this topic are Debbie Downers at best. Like I said; whatever!

Currently, I am a new resident of Denver, Colorado. I just moved here from Raleigh, North Carolina with my fiancé in December of last year. Coming from the south, moving across the country is no small feat, but I did it, just like I did many things that I hadn’t imagined doing. This is not to say that I had low expectations for myself, but I admittedly have been draped in the cloak of youth, and although I am capable of envisioning myself basking in a sea of money, I realize that my mind does not yet conceive forethought nor does it fully grasp the correct formula for acquiring financial increase. With this new age it does, however, recognize the power of desire, and I strongly believe this desire coupled with learned and applied persistence will result in my success of all feats fathomable.

Last year, I rode a plane for the first time, quit a job for the first time (there were lots of firsts), made yet another attempt at learning how to swim, picked up smoking once again (also lots of agains), and made the decision to follow my career goals no matter what (another again; life knocks you down, but you get back up). At the end of the day, or in this case, year, you live and you learn. I still like to have a good time, but past experiences have taught me what and what not to risk in exchange. For instance, I still like sex, but I have made the decision to narrow it down to one person. I still like to dance, be irrational, spend/eat irresponsibly, listen to insensible music, scream out my age as if I’m seven, exhibit over optimism and argue like it’s the last argument of my life. I’m 26, baby!

What I mean to say is I am not where I thought I’d be, but I find comfort in the fact that I am alive, and at this age I can literally do whatever I want: more school, start a business, family, club, whatever. The choice is mine. 26: an age of freedom.