Las Vegas 2k16

So it's the week after my trip to Vegas. I started summer school on Wednesday and I spent the majority of my day doing homework! :(

JB and I left early Wednesday morning heading to Dallas to catch our 11 am flight to Las Vegas. Got to Vegas, got bags, and caught the shuttle to the hotel. Once we got in the room we changed clothes and went in search of some lunch. We came across Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen and Bar. I ordered The Orignal Ringer Burger; while JB stepped on the wild side and tried the Bacon Mac-N-Cheese Burger. Both were really good. We walked around and later that night we linked up with my brother and his then fiancée (now wife).

 We went to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

He had his eyes closed, I started snapping he opened and
when I finished he closed his eyes and laid his head down. lol

 Rode the High Roller and  witnessed a Las Vegas Wedding gambled, ate good (Maggiano's Little Italy, Brooklyn Bowl, Gillys, Grimaldi's Coal Brick Oven Pizzeria , saw the water show, got a caricature drawn, shopped at The Fashion Show Mall.

 

 The highlight of the trip would have to be when we went to McDonald and purchased 5 hamburgers and gave them away to the homeless people we saw on the strip. That was the most fulfilling part. It felt good to see the smiles on their faces because they received something that we may think is so simple.

JB and I enjoyed ourselves. On the last day he continued to talk about how he either wanted to move to Vegas or how he had to come back out here soon. He clearly really enjoyed himself  Below are some extra pictures that I took:
                        
These waterfalls are my favorite pics from the weekend. I love the way my camera captured them.
                        
                        

    

                    

Friday Fave: Las Vegas 12 Days Away

LAS VEGAS BABYYYYYY!!!!!

I am SOOOO excited because in a few days I will be on a flight headed to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Going to Las Vegas is on everyone's bucket list (at least everyone that I know). I had planned to take the trip for my 21st Birthday, but things didn't work out right for the people I had planned the trip with. So it was a no go.

My brother called  me a few months ago telling  me that he and his fiancée were going to Las Vegas and asked if JB and I wanted to go. At the time JB and I were considering going to Florida with a group of his friends. We talked about it and decided that Vegas was a better trip. We started looking at flights and purchased our tickets in March through Expedia. This trip is like my vacation before school starts. I will be coming back home from Vegas on the 22nd and summer session I of graduate school starts the 24th.

One of the qualities that I love about JB is that he has the same mindset about traveling as I do. We both want to do it. There is no reason to NOT travel. As long as you plan and save vacationing and enjoying life can be easy.The money you are using to travel is money that you probably spend frivolously everyday. Money on fast food when you have groceries at home, purchasing shoes and clothes (and even purses), etc. Don't get me wrong have fun but do so on a budget and not everyday. My bucketlist is overflowing with places that I want to visit. Don't allow things such as bills to hold you back from making some of the best memories of your life. You won't regret playing the slots in Vegas, walking the streets of New York while eating a hot dog, or taking a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower. If you haven't make a bucketlist and start planning (and saving). If you have one, well start checking off a few locations.

Have any of you been to Las Vegas? Do you have any suggestions of places I must see and things I must do? I have searched and found a few things, but I would love to know of any great places we should check out.

May Goals

C/O Google

Is it just me or did it seem like April really flew by? I didn't get a chance to do April Goals *slap me* but I am here for the May goals. I did accomplish a few big things in April. I got accepted into the Advanced Standing Program for the School of Social Work, got an internship for graduate school, and ended the month by going to a comedy show, JB and I attended the Katt Williams: Conspiracy Theory (marked off on 101 in 1001).

Spring time and summer school. I start summer school at the end of May right after I come back from my trip. I am already dreading these long nights I know that are sure to come. My relationship with the Public Library and Starbucks will get even better knowing how much time I will be spending there.

MAY GOALS:

1. Graduate school necessities. I feel like I haven't been to school in a while and honestly, it has only been a couple of months. Not only do I need to look into what books I will be needing for class (so I can purchase them on Amazon), but I also need to get new notebooks and I really want to get a great planner for this new school year.

2. Finish The Wait. This is the book by Meagan Good and her husband Devon Franklin. The book actually came out the first week of February. My book was late coming to me because I got the autographed copy and they ran out of books. So when the book finally came I was already reading The Gentlewoman and moving and trying to straighten out my room. Sooo I technically didn't start reading until the end of April.

3. Pack for trip. JB, my brother, my brother's fiance, and I are all going to _____. I post will be up talking about where we are going and the things I hope to do in ______.

4. Organize iTunes Library. It just needs a lot of TLC to put it mildly.

5. Running..Walking...Treadmill. I was doing pretty good when I would go walking with my mother in the evening times. However, when I got sick back in March I didn't start back. I need to motivate myself more. I am hoping to start it back up.

6. EpicBlogPlanner.. I purchased this planner from Amazon. I'm not sure how this has worked for other bloggers, but I am hoping that it does something for this novice over here (ME).

What are you May Goals?

Beyonce's Lemonade

“You know you that b***h when you cause all this conversation.” She spoke it.

Are these issues with Beyoncé and Jay Z's relationship real? I mean let us look back shall we, Ring the Alarm, Irreplaceable, and let us not forget my ultimate favorite Resentment. Beyoncé has been speaking of infidelity in her relationship or simply giving women a song to relate to.With these songs Beyoncé shows that just like us regular folks she gets her heart broken, she is human, and she can be hurt by love.

Not too long ago my little sister and I had a conversation about Beyoncé. I’m not an overzealous fan or a member of the hive, but I enjoy Beyoncé’s music. I had the opportunity to attend her On the Run Tour in New Orleans, and I was pleased with the performance. I would love to see her on tour again. In all of her albums there are few songs that I can honestly say that I dislike. The 2013 Beyoncé album was one that played in my car for a few months and I would listen to the entire thing only skipping when I was in need to hear my favorites.

                                    

Music these days is a beat and deadbeat lyrics. Some of it has no meaning nor substance. Listen to the lyrics that Beyoncé brings above the beat. Personally, I love the narratives at the beginning of each song. I think that her music is relateable which is what matters to an audience. Music is supposed to make you feel, make you heal, and make you think that you are not alone. That’s what this album is meant to do. This music can speak to the mother who was cheated on by the father that you adore, while it also speaks to you while you are trapped in a relationship of infidelity. This album is more than just Jay Z “cheating scandals” its about love, family, faith, justice (politics), and the process that one goes through and so forth.

Talk of her adding the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown are going around. Pier Morgan spoke on this issue stating that, “. . . But I felt very uneasy watching these women being used in this way to sell an album. It smacks of shameless exploitation.” That’s an idea if I've ever heard one. My first thought is that Beyoncé does not need to “use” them to sell an album. She drops an album with no promotion. My second thought was that people talk about how much influence celebrities have, and how they sometimes do not take advantage of it. Why is her placing mothers who had to bury their sons not being proactive in trying to bring awareness? What is the difference in Beyoncé’s approach as opposed to J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar bringing awareness in their songs. Beyoncé has the status to make a story with in depth meaning. A story that you may have to watch more than once to get the full meaning. For him to insinuate that Beyoncé used these mothers to “sell an album” is ludicrous to me. Beyoncé drops an album when no one is expecting it and it she blows up social media. Another way to look at it (and the way I personally see it) is to see the publicity these mothers get to shine on what happened to their sons.

The album is not meant to for the closed minded. This album is not meant for everyone. What people have to understand is that even if this is not your favorite artist it does not mean that you cannot respect her art. We should be happy that Beyoncé has the platform and has taken the initiative to push the issue like she did. Beyoncé is not going to be liked by everyone. More importantly like you and me and everyone else, she won’t be understood by everyone.

On that note…. When life gives you lemons… make lemonade.

Friday Favorites #8

Let me tell you, the Lord has really been blessing me. For today, Instead of Friday Favorites, I want to do my Friday Blessings. Not that the Lord hasn't been blessing me, but... here are a few blessings


1. Graduate school. I will be in the Advanced Standing Program to receive my Masters degree in Social Work. This program is a year long. We have to do applications, essay, recommendations  and an interview. Then the stress comes when summer school starts.

2. Internship. I got confirmation that I would be able to do my internship at the place where I am currently working. My supervisor put in a good word for me and that sealed the deal.

3.Las Vegas. Did I mention that JB, my brother, his fiancée  and I are all going to Vegas.... *jumps up and down*

4. I got a call back from my old job (School Board Office) telling me that when school starts if I need a job to call them. They asked if I could come back now, but I had to tell them I was already currently working.

5. A blessing that we sometimes take for granted. My life. I was able to wake up, walk to the bathroom, brush my teeth, shower, put clothes on, get in my car with gas and go, buy lunch, talk with family and friends. See where I'm going with this? I'm blessed beyond measure and sometimes it is the little things that we take for granted.

Thank you Lord.

These blessings my seem small to you, but to know that the faculty had faith in me that I would be able to handle the work of the Advanced Standing Program means everything. I am so nervous about succeeding in this program. The internship is a place where 1) I know that I possibly have a job once I graduate and 2) unlike most internships, it's paid. So knowing that I don't have to work and I am still making a little money is music to my ears. My Las Vegas trip is really sneaking up. I'm so excited. I get to mark something off on my bucket-list and my 101in1001.It's a great break right before summer schools starts. As I stated above I am blessed beyond measure. Blessings 1-4 aren't the only blessings I have received, they just all came at once and to me were really big blessings. I know I don't always see the beauty or the blessings in everyday activities, because I have been blessed with them for so long. But I never want to get so caught up that I forget to tell the Lord "thank you".

So tell me, what blessings have you received lately?

Secondly. if anyone has been to Las Vegas before..... I know it is a lot of everything and the choices can be hard to narrow, but I would love to know what are some spots you think I should hit or the best places to shop and eat.

Yummy Deep Fried Oreos

When I think about the fair I think about all the different mouth watering foods I get to eat. One of the treats that comes to mind is of course fried Oreos. Yes, *wipes drool* I know sounds delicious right. There are no fairs around right now. But, the great thing about fried Oreos is that you can make them right in your own kitchen. Don't know how.. Keep reading...

Ingredients:

18 Oreos

1 cup pancake mix

2/3 cup of milk

1 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil

1 egg

oil to fry Oreos

Confectioner's sugar

Instructions:

1. Add oil to a large skillet or fryer. Line a plate or cookie sheet with paper towels.

2. In a bowl mix together the pancake mix, milk, egg, and vegatable oil. Stir until all lumps are gone and batter has formed.

3. Dip a few Oreos into the batter making sure to cover the entire oreo. Place teh Oreo into the hot grease and fry for 2-3 minutes or until the batter is golden.

4. Remove from grease with slotted spoon or tongs and transfer to paper towel-lined plate or cookie sheet. 

5. Add Confectioner's sugar to your liking.

6. Enjoy :)

I made these a few years back. I haven't made them in forever until this past Sunday. They were so good I had to share with you guys. I hope you guys like it. Tell me what you think of it.

The Perfect Match Review

JB and I went to see The Perfect Match this past weekend. I had been seeing Terrance J and Lauren London and a few others advertise it on their Instagram pages a while back and added it to my list of movies to watch. Did I like the movie? Yes I actually did. Not that I thought I wouldn't, but I enjoyed it. I must admit certain scenes were a little awkward, but overall it was a good movie.

The movie has a pretty great cast. Here is a quick summary. Charlie (Terrance J) is the ultimate playboy. He is doing everything he has ever wanted, or in his words he is succeeding because he is "making money, driving a fast car, and hooking up with models." Charlie is a successful celebrity agent and on the side he has a passion for photography.

Charlie's sister Sherry (Paula Patton) feels that he is emotionally closed off due to the unresolved issues he has with the death of their parents. He has four friends who are all in relationships; Victor (Robert Riley) and Ginger (Lauren London) are childhood sweethearts and are planning their long awaited wedding, while Victor (Donald Faison) and his wife Pressie (Dascha Polanco) are trying to get pregnant. These gentleman have been friends since they were young. Although the fellas love Charlie they are ready to see their friend put his playboy ways behind and try a committed relationship. So whats the best way to do this, a bet of course.

They bet Charlie that he has to date a single woman exclusively until Victor's wedding. Charlie easily takes the best because he thinks that he won't get attached. Eva (Cassie) overhears Charlie discussing her and the bet with his friends. She leaves without giving him any play. However, the next day she calls him to meet for lunch. They are complete opposites and they agree to a no strings attached relationship. This wouldn't be a real romance movie if someone didn't fall for the other right.

Well, Eva and Charlie begin to spend time together and Charlie  begins to develop feelings for her. We see Charlie develop as an all around character because of his relationship with Eva. He begins to grow at his work place. We start to see that although he is the most valuable agent at his job, he actually hates it. Eva makes him promise to get his work published instead of only showing it through his Instagram. Charlie is at a fitting when he sees Eva trying on a wedding dress. He is stunned. He leaves and goes to a bar to drink his sorrows away. Eva meets him at his house to try to apologize and at that moment Charlie tells her he loves her. She tells him that its lust and that she is getting married. Charlie becomes miserable. His friends are waiting at his house for him to surprise him for his 30th birthday. Instead of being happy, Charlie snaps. He calls out his friends for the rough patches in their lives and tells them to leave. The next scene shows his sister coming to talk to him about what happened. He pushes her away as well. Eventually Charlie grows up and faces reality. He goes to his sister's job and apologizes to her for his rude behavior and they attempt to talk about his pain; he then shows up at the wedding rehearsal and his friends forgive him.

Charlie quits his job and pursues his passion of photography. He has a showing of his work. After everyone leaves, Eva walks in. She tells her that she heard about it through her husband and she came to check it out. They talk and she leaves. The movie ends with Charlie bumping into Ginger's friend who we saw at the beginning of the movie. This time Charlie isn't the playboy that he was at the beginning so we see them sitting down talking.

After the movie, JB and I were talking and he states that although he liked it he hated how it ended. We differ there. He felt that with the title being "The Perfect Match" it only made sense for Charlie and Eva to fall in love make a commitment and have a happily ever after.... I on the otherhand disagree. I don't mind the ending. I liked how the title "tricked" you.

This is why, I do think that they were the Perfect Match. Eva was perfect for Charlie because she made him love. She evoked feelings from him that he has alwasy been to afraid to show. She allowed him to be hurt. Why is this a good thing. I'm glad you asked, simply becuase from his hurt he grew. He was finally able to go visit his parents' grave and talk about what was bothering him and his feelings with his sister. He grew up and saw that his "rules" really weren't good at all and that they were only walls to protect him. She opened his eyes to see that he needed to step up and do what he wanted hence his career change and stepping up and speaking his mind (which got him fired). His hurt shows us viewers that karma is real. It happens to the best of us in ways that make us ache. It makes you fell like crap and it matures you when you let the process go. He grew because she was The Perfect Match.


Would I recommend the movie. I definitely would. So if you have seen it, tell me what did you think about the movie.

March Goals

So I am about 11 days late with posting my March goals. However, better late than never. So this month my goals are simple. But before I get into the goals of this month; I sadly have to say that I did pretty horrible on my February goals. When I fall off, I fall off.
Quick review of February's goals:       Work/Education:

1. Have someone review app - I had my mother review my application a few times

2. Submit Graduation Application- I didn't submit when I intended but before the deadline.

3. Find work- I do have a job!

Personal:

1. Continue to Workout/Exercise- My mother has a treadmill so I try to work out a few times a week.

2. Finish The Gentlewoman

3. Move out of my apartment- Did and made my mother's house a mess in the process 

4. Work on pages- I added a little to it here and there

5. Save money 

6. Play around with camera more

Blog:

1. Grow Bloglovin' Instagram and Facebook account

2. Post 1-2 per week

As I stated this month my goals are simple...

1. Try to take a trip before graduate school starts

2. Continue to exercise/workout

3. Blog... Blog... Blog...

4. Prepare myself mentally for graduate school.

5. Read Read Read.

What are your goals for this month??/

March Update and Friday Favorites # 7

For those that read my blog.... I apologize... I'll be the first to say that I have done a HORRIBLE job of being a consistent blogger. No excuses.. and it is definitely something that I plan to improve on, but let me update you..

I had an interview for a job and thankfully I got it. The same day as the interview I became sick for a few days. I moved back home with my mother. Initially, I didn't plan on living with her for a long period of time. However,  now things may be a little different. My sister booted me out of my room so I am in a smaller room with a smaller closet. It sucks, but I am making the best of it. I have storage bins and bookshelf galore in the room. I won't go into too much detail about the move back to my home (at least at this point). Just know it is an adjustment. I am waiting to hear back from graduate school as well as trying to see what adventures I can come up on this year. Thats pretty much a small update..... 

So today's Friday Favorites are coming from

There are so many shows and movies that I want to watch on here. There are really a lot of TV shows it just seems I just never have the time. I mean really there is not enough time in the day even to do simple stuff like sit down and watch a few hours of Netflix without messing with the number of hours needed to sleep.

Anyway,

1. If your an old reader then you prolly remember when I started Grey's Anatomy. This is really a series that you cannot get enough of. All the characters all have drama going on. They all in some shape form depend on the others and let me not forget all the love birds. Although I would like to think that I am pretty far, I know I have a long way to go before completing the series.

2. One Tree Hill is the show that I started randomly one day when I wanted a change from Grey's Anatomy. I used to watch this show when I was in high school and Peyton, Brooke, Lucas, Nathan and Hailey were all grown with kids and careers. So it is really interesting to see it from the beginning and how they grew up into their adult characters.

3. Jane The Virgin... Not really sure how or exactly at what point I started watching this series. But I did. I believe season 3 is currently on TV; however, I haven't finished the 2 seasons on Netflix soo I'm of course behind. The seasons are short and I think I am really close to finishing.

4. Scandal... Let me just say I am sooooooooooooooo far behind on Scandal it is ridiculous. They are showing a new season on TV now and I swear I am like 2 seasons behind. Two seasons ago school and social activities got in the way of me catching it on Thursday nights and I told myself I would catch up soon. The bad thing is soon never came and now I am here 2 (maybe 3 i dunno) seasons behind. I know I am just misisng so much action and scandal it is ridiculous.

5. Orange is the New Black... I have seen season 1 and most of season 2. So I just need to attempt to watch season 3. When the new season aired, it wasn't something that I just had to see which is why I haven't even resumed watching from way back when.

There are wayyy more TV series that I would like to watch on Netflix which is why I really need to buckle down and finish at least 3 of the above series that I have already started. I hear people talking about so many good series and I get upset becuase I know I really don't have the time to watch and complete.

 That is going to change. I'm not sure when exactly but at some point it will. It just has too.

So tell me what are your favorite series on Netflix right now?  If they aren't added to my list of "To Watch" I'm sure they will be.....