I HAVE ARRIVED!!!!!

well 29 hours and 12 states later that is...

If ever you want a road trip buddy...I guess I'm probably not the best person to ask. Out of the entire 29 hour drive, I drove a mere 6 1/2 hours...to my credit they were the hardest 6 1/2 hours of the trip because they were in the middle of the night. My mom and godmother shared the duties for the other 22 1/2 hours. Anywho...I definitely noticed a few things on the way that I thought would make for a great blog (yes I took notes so that I would remember...call me lame if you like).

Louisiana has the most disgusting bathrooms in the entire United States. I don't think I have ever been in something as hideously disgusting as the truck stop/gas station bathroom I was forced to use...ugh!

In Mississippi they had the nerve to charge an additional $1.19 for the LID of the coffee cup...WTF????? It was however the coolest truck stop along the way. It was nice and clean and it even had a washer and dryer in it. Maybe that's why we pay extra for the lid to fund the electricity for the laundry mat...hmmmm idk.

The Virginia countryside is absolutely beautiful...well from what I saw at 5am in the morning. I saw some deer on the road but I'm not sure if it was in Tennessee, Kentucky, or Virginia...it all began to look alike to me after a while. Thank God they stayed on there side of the road. Speaking of deer...there are some in my back yard...how cool is that...along with some corn fields. I feel like I'm back in Texas already...just straight up country.

Seeing as how I slept through most of VA and West Virginia...and come to think of it, Maryland as well, I kinda missed a whole lot of what was going on there. I did however lose an hour of my life by switching time zones (well that's how I like to think of it anyway).

I instantly was able to tell when we were no longer in the South. The people just look at you differently. The ma'ams and sirs stop and people just become super rude. This all happened in Pennsylvania which was also where we encountered our first bit of traffic. People started acting like they didn't know how to drive in a construction area. It seemed as if everyone was trying to be nosey and see what was going on.

So 29 hours and 12 states later I arrived at what we thought would be our final destination...only to find out we couldn't get the key to my apartment because the office was closed...ain't that some BS for you. We ended up spending the night in one of the finest hotels in all of western Massachusetts (total sarcasm on that one). It was more along the lines of pure d trash. Reminds me of the Ocho (super eight) I heard everyone talking about after regionals last year...yeah, that bad!

I am finally settled I guess you can say. I have my furniture, yet I'm sleeping on an air mattress because my mom and godmother have overtaken my room. But I have the tv so that's all fine with me...since everyone knows how I love my space. So far I'm enjoying where I am. I have been to school (it's nice), I found the mall (Hallelujah!), there's a club wal-mart nearby, cheap gas (actually cheaper than when I left Houston), and there is a dairy queen and nail shop (woohoo!).

So there are the basics...Louisiana to Mississippi to Alabama to Georgia to Tennessee to Kentucky to Virginia to West Virginia to Maryland to Pennsylvania to New York to Massachusetts. I'm alive and living (my mom and I haven't strangled each other yet) and happy to say the least. The idea that I'm actually alone in a new city hasn't quite set in yet...but who cares when I have a cute new apartment and an awesome mall to keep me occupied right now.

it's almost that time...

So I just finished packing...well re-packing seeing as how I had to re-organize all of my things from my initial move back from Houston...and I never realized just how much stuff I have accumulated over the last four years. I've been through tons of clothes, shoes, accessories, electronics, and loads of other random things...and no matter how much stuff I give to goodwill, I still seem to have an overflowing amount of things I'll never wear/use but just can't get myself to give them away.

I did however spend quite a bit of time going through pictures and cards which brought back so many memories of my undergraduate life. It once again reinforces to me that I am soon leaving (T-3 days) the greatest people that God has put in my life...outside of my family that is. I re-read EVERYTHING...lol. I have all of these Valentine's day cards from one of my best friends because neither one of us ever had a boyfriend to share that special day with, so we adopted each other as our own special valentine...and for that I am forever grateful seeing as how that is by far my least favorite holiday. (Toy you will always be my valentine at heart seeing as how this year was probably the last one that we will have to share in person). I also had all of these random 'congratulations,' 'it'll work out' or 'just because' type cards from my good ole' Black Barbie. If I never told you how much that made my day...I'm now giving you a public shout out for the world to see. I even ran across some things from high school...poetry that my Bestest and I used to share...she never once bought me a single card for any random occasion. She always made them and the love that she put into each and every one of them still radiates to this day. I found all of these inspirational messages that Des gave me throughout the last four years...and it made me think that my friends are nothing short of MY inspiration. They help me to keep going when I believed that all was lost...and they always tell me to cool it when my mind is going 90 to nothing. They keep it real 100% of the time with me...despite what the outcome may be. There are no greater words to express the way that I feel about them other than to say I LOVE YOU GUYS...Kim, Toy, Britt, Des, Devie, Chan, Smo, Shar, Linds, Mem...and my ENTIRE track team from the last four years. I guess it's true to say you are who you hang with...because I know without a shadow of doubt, I am a reflection of them all, whereas a little piece of them lives within me everyday.

world record galore...what's really going on?

Outside of March Madness, the Olympics is by far my favorite sporting event. It does suck that it only occurs every four years, but that doesn't stop my excitement one tiny bit. I can't wait until track begins on Friday because I get to see not only people I've competed against and/or idolized for the last four years, but my very own teammate is competing for the U.S. in the long jump (shout outs to Fums), and my coach was named the Barbados Olympic Coach this year. Watching the opening ceremony was so incredibly cool. I think I saw my coach, and although I didn't see Funmi in all her Olympic glory, I saw a few other people I know AND I fell in love with my new Olympic hottie. While Chris Paul is my number one...James Blake is running a close second. I had heard about how cute James Blake was...but oh GOD! He is absolutely gorgeous I tell ya.

Ok, so enough of that. Seeing as how track does not make its debut until Friday, I have been soaking up every other sport that has been televised. I have seriously watched everything...rowing, archery, beach volleyball (one of my favs), tennis, handball (had never actually seen that before), badminton (mini-tennis i guess?), softball, cross country equestrian, road cycling, synchronized diving (super cool), swimming, gymnastics (I can't wait until rhythmic gymnastics comes on...yes I'm slightly weird)...there's probably more but that's all I can think of right now. Anywho, swimming is seriously off the chain right now. World record after world record is being broken...prelim, semi-final, final...it doesn't even matter. I must say that Michael Phelps is a beast among all beasts. But in all seriousness, it slightly troubles me at how not one of the swimmers is questioned for doping whereas if this was happening in track and field I honestly think they would be performing urine/blood test on the field at the sight of the event for the entire world to see. Maybe I'm being biased because I'm an athlete (well former athlete I guess), but still...let this world record madness happen over the course of the next week at the Bird's Nest (the track and field venue of the Beijing Olympics), and I promise doping questions are about to explode like no other. So my question is...just how meaningful is the demolition of world record after world record in swimming, when of the 40 or so track and field records that exist, only approximately 10 have been broken in the last decade or so? Maybe swimming is simply still progressing and track and field has hit its peak...but regardless of how far the sport is in its lifespan, is it really the track and field athletes who need to be questioned of continuous steroid scandals?

random questions

***So I borrowed this from another blogger's post...I thought it was cool...hope you do too.

Maybe I should…go just one day without being mean (i.e., no rude comments, no going off on anyone, none of the crazy faces that I make). I've been attempting this for some time now...I'll let you know when I succeed.

I love the smell of…men's cologne. There is nothing like the scent of a sweet smelling man. Sean John's Unforgivable is my absolute favorite...that one always throws me for a loop.

People would say that I…am like burger king - I always have to have things MY way!

I don’t understand why…we as a country have the audacity to help out other countries, by adopting their kids and pets?!?, and sending them food...when we have starving people on every corner, and kids filling up the foster care system. Someone please make me understand what sense that makes.

When I wake up in the morning…I immediately check my phone for missed texts and emails...as if someone really wants to talk to me at 4am in the morning.

I lost my willpower to…resist anything adorable kids ask for and refuse anything chocolate.

Life is wonderful…when you have amazingly wonderful people who love you no matter what.

My past has…shaped me into the person I am today. It's been full of ups and downs...nothing short of a broken road. But I'm still standing and stronger than ever.

I get annoyed when…people spell or pronounce my name wrong. Yes, I know it's not spelled phonetically correct, but get it together people. Plus I am not Spanish or French, so it's not pronounced in either dialect. I'm a regular ole' Black American.

Parties are not…all that when there are too many people involved. Too many opinions...Too many arguments. Track girl parties are however THE BEST!

Dogs are…well it depends on the day. If it's small I can possibly give it a chance, but even then, it's a slight chance. I do however love Nanny's baby, Romeo =) Just please don't lick me...oh how disgusting.

Cats are… disgusting. Ewwwww is all I have to say.

Tomorrow I’m going to…buy my furniture (hopefully).

I have a low tolerance for…bad attitudes. Do not take your issues out on me.

I’m totally terrified of…snakes. When I was 10 it rained really bad while I was taking a bath, my brother walked in and quickly notified me that there was a snake on the floor and I promptly ran out...unclothed, mind you...into the living room, where my mom was entertaining company. So I guess I'm terrified of embarrassment as well because I'll never forget that one.

I wonder why I thought my life would be…fairy tale-ish. It is so far from that. I'm not married, nor starting my family. But I am a college graduate, with amazing friends, family, and loved ones...I guess I cant really ask for much more that that.

Never in my life…AHA! never say never...lol.

High School was something that…is somewhat of a blur even though it was only 4 years ago. Overall it as a great time...the bad didn't start until college.

When I’m nervous…I cry. I make about ten trips to the bathroom. I sweat excessively. And then I dance (kinda weird I know) - mind you this is all on the competition field.

Making my bed…rarely ever happens...unless I'm on a cleaning spree (which is hardly ever, since my housewife skills are still in the making lol)

I’m almost always…hungry. Food is my kryptonite.

I’m addicted to…chocolate. short shorts. royal flush blush OPI polish. mini dresses. stilettos. oversized handbags. my blackberry. sports.

I want someone…who will love me more than I could ever imagine...and who expects nothing less than infinite love in return. someone who's tall, athletic, and has a passion for the same things as myself in life. someone who can handle me with all my faults, but still thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread (ok that one is probably not gonna happen, but a girl can dream right) sounds like I'm describing...well...anyway...lol.

no hurricane after all...

For starters, I didn't even realize there was a storm brewing in the Gulf until a friend of mine's mom so kindly informed me on Sunday evening. Once I actually saw the news (weather) I went into total "freak out" mode. For anyone who knows me, you will totally understand why this actually occurred. 2 years ago when us southern folk encountered the great hurricane madness with Katrina, Rita, and Wilma...I was a product of one and saw the devastating results of another first hand. It absolutely kills me when Houstonians think so lightly of the stronger, more powerful hurricanes that have been recently forming and wrecking havoc about the southern coastal lands. Everyone always thinks 'it'll never happen to me.' But guess what...I thought the same thing and it did in fact happen to me. 12 holes in the roof to be exact...my ceiling sitting on my bedroom set (after walking through mushed carpet just to get to the rooms)...the smell of mildew and mold...definitely something I will never forget. My city was without power for about a month, which was absolutely nothing in comparison to the catastrophe that occurred in New Orleans. I saw first hand the evacuees from New Orleans (and it kills me that President Bush would call someone from our own country refugees) when they made there way into southeast Texas searching for shelter. I later actually visited New Orleans early this year, and it still saddens me to know that this city is nothing as I remembered it from family vacations as a child.

The more recent Tropical Storm Eduoard only brought tons of rain and slight wind damage. It made landfall about 30 miles southwest of my hometown...but I am happy to report that I am sitting in my house WITH electricity, happily typing away on my computer and watching TV. I can only thank GOD for this because yesterday I was somewhat of a nervous wreck as my family and I chose to 'ride' this one out instead of evacuating...besides, it was only a tropical storm right? Yeah well even those can do damage as well.


So I guess the purpose of this blog is simply to serve as a public service announcement: Hurricanes are serious. Whether it's torrential rains that may cause serious floods, or excessive winds that can do unimaginable damage...it might be in your best interest to take it serious. Never underestimate its capabilities because at some point in your life it may make a believer out of you...just like it did to me.