Payton's Birth

Alas, everything changes in an instant.  My new bundle of joy was set to come on July 11.  She surfaced on the 12th instead.  Everything happened so quickly.  I remember feeling extremely heavy and hoping to avoid a caesarian.  I had the contractions, my water broke and as my health was pretty decent, everything seemed to go as scheduled.  The baby's heartrate began dropping and I was rushed into the operating room to save the baby.


Payton was hungry in the womb too.

 A few minutes passed and around 1:30am, my daughter entered the world. She was unnamed, but Paul and I settled on Payton Sky (later changed to Skii, which is closer to Paul's nickname) while I was in the recovery room.  Although the procedure (my second caesarian) was overwhelming, I was exhilarated.  Tears were already streaming down my face.  Payton, means "Village of the Warrior" with English Origins.



My husband hugs his new bundle.

 Every negative feeling quickly vanished.  I was again looking forward to Payton's development and our adventures.  I enjoyed the instant bonding while in the hospital room.  All babies stayed in the room with mommy, while the nurses strongly encouraged skin to skin contact.  The experience was rewarding.

A few days later, I was back in the swing of successfully nursing Payton and we were scheduled to be discharged.  As much as I like to be a different person outside fo work, my nerdiness always seeps out.  I recall trying to ask the visiting nurse about the time I would be released.  For some reason, I kept asking, "When will Payton and I be out-processed?"  I couldn't understand why the nurse had such a quizzical expression on her face.  Finally, she understood as one of her close friends was also a developer.

Payton is almost 1 month old

Overall, as having delivered at Washington Hospital Center twice, my experience was great.  The nursing staff was phenomenal and the lactation nurses are wonderful.

As I have a 2nd little one, I am truly trying to treasure each day.  I love to see how Phoenix, Tenaj, and Payton interact.  Everyday, I am proud that I can experience another adventure with my family.

Buffet and Karaoke

I am 21 weeks pregnant and craved vegetable stir-fry and sushi in DC during the middle of the week.  Normally, such a request is not odd, but we were not in the downtown area or one of the trendier neighborhoods where everything is open late.  I turned to my wonderful husband Paul, who always has the answers. He whisked me away with a big smile and his classic, "I got this".

Fifteen minutes later, we were near Iverson Mall, at a restaurant called Seafood Palace Buffet in Temple Hills, Maryland.  I am uber-allergic to seafood, but thankfully, the odor does not hit you when you enter the door.  As usual, my husband knew everyone there. The ambience was pleasant and the environment very clean, and family-oriented.  Across from us, sat a group of men discussing their day and lives.  Unfortunately, I didn't speak the language, but they seemed happy.  Behind us sat a small group of military men and women who celebrated a comrade's birthday, while adjacent to us sat a small family who just seemed excited to spend time together.  

Once seated, we headed to the back of the restaurant where fresh sushi was being prepared and the hibachi grill (I hope this is the right term), was turned up for massive fresh stir-fry.  Fresh fruit glistened in the light as delighted children and adults filled their plates.  There was movement everywhere and it was only 8pm.  Cooks were moving swiftly to refill trays with steaming hot food.  I was overwhelmed.

In the midst of the dishes, the fresh sushi and hibachi grill, there were an array of pots filled with soup. In the largest room, I heard Karaoke. Karaoke?  Yes, Karaoke.  Someone was already trying to croon a popular tune.  On top of that, there was a stage with the various Karaoke performers dancing up a storm.  I was in disbelief, Karaoke at a Buffet with a host who introduced the night and the performers. 

I don't do well at buffets.  I usually get my plate, a bit of fruit and call it a day.  But, I was truly mesmerized by the activity in this place.  As we prepared to leave, my husband murmured that the place was filling up.  I peered into the main room and sure enough, there were swarms of people entering the restaurant.  Folks were getting their food and dancing to the rhythms that emanated from the Karaoke Hall.  I smiled as we left.  My darling husband always knows how to pick a place that not only tickles me, but has a great environment and people.

Karaoke at a Buffet...truly a sight to behold.

Freedom and Frustration- Waking Up

Protests.  Chants.  Determination.  Longing for change.  No, this wasn't a demonstration in the United States of America, but in Egypt.  Then the domino effect occurred swiftly.  Other people in usually quiet countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen, and Iran, began to recognize the need to rise up and demand a change in leadership.  Frustration heard around the world has become louder.

I was pretty shocked by the protests in Libya, where Gaddafi has ruled since 1969 with an iron fist.  People are feeling that change will happen.  If Mubarak stepped down in Egypt, after an 30 plus year rule, isn't it possible for other autocrats and dictators to do the same?  However, what has been appalling but inevitable, has been the rapid governmental response in Bahrain.  The government backlash demonstrates common refusal to listen.





People are telling each other to wake up.  If you have ever seen the Spike Lee film school days, there is an iconic scene where Lawrence Fishburne shouts, Wake Up".  Although his message was to the students at the college, the message was clear.  Egypt's process has just started, although Mubarek has supposedly stepped down.  The military has taken the reins and Mubarek controls the military. However, all eyes will be on Egypt to see how the march towards democracy will occur.

Dear Constituents, Just a thought, but I think you forgot...

I live and breathe Washington, DC.  But the most recent elections on November 2010, have been a disappointment, from the typical campaign ads, the rallys and the  testimonials.  Let's keep it real.

This morning, as I turned on NPR, the first article - "GOP Declares a New Morning In America".  Really. Will the GOP or the Tea Party really save us?   Let's turn the clock back pre-President Obama.  The country was run by the GOP.  The deep mire, the issues, corrupt legislation, two wars, and an economic mess were riding the big wave.  We didn't feel all of the effects, but once President Bush Jr. left after serving 2 wasteful terms, boom, many felt and finally understood the results of his Administration's rule. But, yet, my fellow Americans flocked to the polls, asking for change. 

 

It's unfortunate that this country has become more visibly and openly racist since the election of our current President.  While vacationing in West Virginia with my family, we enjoyed kayaking, canoeing, and mountain climbing.  However,whenever you turned on the radio, you heard the "sweet ads".  The ads implored people to see how the changes the President presented on the economy, education, and healthcare, were wasteful.  The words thrown into the ad were entertaining, but in no way were actual facts presented to voters.  West Virginia listened keenly to ads and voted. 

I will never forget that a former school chum of mine declared how she wanted to make her own heathcare choices.  She didn't have healthcare and knew nothing about the bill.

We forget so soon that change comes from us. We have to hold our representatives responsible. Most of all, people should really read the legislation.

Sesame Street - Always Inspirational

Daily, I listen to NPR, watch Telemundo, CNN, the BBC and anything considered news .  I am a true news and political junkie.  So, when I stumbled across NPR's All Things Considered Segment on Sesame Street's Song- "I Love My Hair" I was glued.

Sesame Street  head writer and Muppeteer, Joey Mazzarino, Sesame Street, wrote the song for his 5-year old daughter, Segi. 

The little puppet sings about loving herself and appreciating herself.  The video teaches self-esteem and acceptance.  I was brought to tears of joy (again).  The video reminded me of Carolivia Herron's book, "Nappy Hair".



Tenaj and Phoenix, Fall 2010



Growing up in the midwest, I was blessed to have a mother and father who showered my sister Tasha and I with praises.  Our parents helped us to learn how to love ourselves.   I could always look at my beautiful mom and just love everything she represented.



As a mother, I can see how happy my girls are with themselves.  There are so many external factors that can easily influence a child.  However, like many children, my daughters, Tenaj and Phoenix, are constantly discovering life.  I watch Sesame Street with both girls and am constantly amazed with the segments.  My amazement transcends to my memories as a child.  Thank you Sesame Street!

 

Is that color?

"Tenaj!  Tenaj.  Help me.  I can't find my glasses.  Help me find them."  She would come into the room, chuckle with her dad and then proceed to help me locate my spectacles.  Sometimes, they were right in front of me.  Each year, I felt the world become more bleary.  Every year, I'd ask my optometrist if I was a candidate for Lasik.  He'd reply that with my degree of myopia, that I would be better off going to his specialist- the charge,  definitely out of my price range. 

I can see clearly now

Flash forward a few years and now, every morning, I smile and thank the creator for waking me up.  I can turn over and see my husband sleeping softly or my youngest who has crawled into the bed to snooze. I don't have to call my oldest daughter into our room at odd times to help me find my glasses.  

March 2010, I made a major decision.  After many months of research and interviewing the right centers,  I used my flexible spending account money from work to get Lasik.

The procedure took less than 15 minutes (I had both eyes done) and I was actually able to see the same day.  My husband went with me.  I held onto Paul's arm as we journeyed inside.  He loves watching operations so he took much joy in watching the live feed of my procedure.    Afterwards, we lunched at Ruby Tuesdays.  This experience was memorable.  Paul asked one of the waiters to sing for me (his voice was similar to Ricardo Montalbán) and I was definitely a happy camper. 

I love being able to see.  I can swim without worry (i.e. bumping into people or paying lots of money for prescription goggles).  I can see trees and colors clearly. Details are so much more important to me. Most of all, I enjoy not having to order contacts and wear glasses.  My glasses were so expensive, because of the high prescription. 

I feel as if I have a new lease on life.  The past few years, I have prayed for some remarkable changes to occur.  Slowly, as I stay true to myself and open to the offerings of life, my prayers are materializing.   Everything is possible.

Rushing to Judgement- Shirley Sherrod Saved

Ms. Shirley Sherrod

I love the news.  Any and all news, I want to know what's going locally and globally.  I am a political junkie and living in DC has only deepened this passion. But the recent incident involving Shirley Sherrod made my mind swirl.  When the news initially broke that she was forced to resign (by pulling over and submitting her resignation).  Nothing made sense and the news media did not connect the dots.  

Ode to all news media and major organizations- fact check before publishing any content, hence the full story of Shirley Sherrod. A snippet of her speech was taped by conservative web publisher and Tea Party advocate Andrew Breitbart.  Many major news agencies ran the story and no one bothered to fact check or listen to the entire speech she gave before the NAACP banquet.  No one wondered why the farmer she spoke of highly still regarded her as a heroine.

It is clear that there is something wrong with Andrew Breitbart's politics, especially since he was intentionally running a smear campaign to bring down the NAACP.  The only organization that came out on top was the Black Caucus.  They were the only organization that listened to the speech in its entirety before posting judgement.

In the end, Shirley Sherrod has been vindicated.  Did journalists really learn from this episode?  Why is the tea party not feeling the heat?  Finally, Andrew Breitbart, who started this debacle, should have all of his work re-evaluated.