Much as I love butterflies, I would pay good money NOT to have them floating around in the pit of my tummy right about now!! LOL

Send positive vibes! I’m off to a speaking engagement & I’m “noirvous” as hell!

My parting prayer: “Jesus be a fence, a clear voice, and a COHERENT speech. Um, book sales would be lovely too.” LOL

Updates later….

Note to self: BREATHE!!

I admit it: I love tea. I LOVE IT. I drink it year round. All day long. Every day. (Matter of fact, I had two cups this morning, two cups of iced tea with lunch and when I get home? Yep. Gonna have some more. Now run tell my Momma THAT! LOL)

Because I happen to love tea so much – hot, cold, in between – I never noticed just how much tea I actually have in my possession.

While tooling around in “WallyWorld” in my hometown, I decided to look for more of one of my favorites – Lipton Mango Herbal Tea. Not a single box on the shelf. Not a one. Doesn’t even look like they sell it anymore. I was beyond hurt.

I bandaged my wounds by picking up a few more flavors. As I was heading out for work Monday, I decided to grab a “few” tea bags for my desk. Sure, they have free coffee and tea BUT…it’s just that “regular” stuff. That will do in a pinch but um…for real? I might be a “tea snob”. LOL

Anywho, as I was pulling tea from my pantry, here’s what I found. You tell me if I need an intervention:

Walmart Purchases:
1. Country Peach Blossom
2. Cranberry Apple Zinger
3. Black Cherry Berry
4. Tangerine Orange Zinger
5. Raspberry Zinger
6. Asian Plum
7. French Vanilla

Last week’s Jazz Festival Purchases:
8. Honeybush Vanilla
9. Coconut Vanilla Chai
10. Sassy Strawberry
11. Caribbean Breeze
12. Nefertiti’s Garden
13. Sweet Apple Pie

What I already had in my stash:
14. Pineapple Ginger
15. Ginger
16. Vanilla Caramel
17. Vanilla Almond
18. MANGO!!!!! (I found 1½ box in the pantry. Whoo-hoo!!)

Oh, and I have some “regular” tea and some “regular green” tea.

What can I say?

I likes what I like….and apparently, I likes tea danggit

*~* MsJayy *~*

Terry McMillian was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement award during Essence Magazine’s first annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. Fitting in that McMillian was the first winner of Essence’s college writing contest in 1974. Interesting in that McMillian has only written six novels.

While we all know about “Waiting to Exhale”, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and for some of us, “Mama”, and “Disappearing Acts”, this next book is sure to garner MUCH interest.

Why? Because…it revisits the ladies of “Waiting to Exhale” 15 years later.

Yep, we get to catch up with Bernadine, Robin, Gloria, and Savannah.

So…tell me…what cha think? Excited? Can’t wait to crack the spine of this book? Gonna pass on it? Need to read an excerpt before you decide?

More importantly, what cha’ll think the ladies have been up to in the last 15 years?

I’m gonna keep my thoughts to myself.

I certainly hope they’ve stopped “Waiting to Exhale” - ya’ll know my mantra: “BREATHE”. LOL

Waiting to Read this Book,
*~* MsJayy *~*

So, last Thursday my niece, “Princess So Fabulous” graduated from elementary school. Because I had such a heavy driving weekend ahead of me, I *almost* didn’t go. ALMOST.

But then…it WAS “Princess So Fabulous” who just *happens* to be one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world. (How diplomatic is THAT statement for a woman with 14+ nieces/nephews? LOL)

I left early enough to get to her house, hang out with her and my other niece/nephew but…would you believe…I got lost? As many times as I’ve traveled that route? It wasn’t my fault. For real. See, what had happened was…there was a car in front of me and an 18-wheeler in front of that car. The truck moved to the right like it was going to take the exit. But you know how you drive behind people and they make a maneuver but don’t fully commit to it? Yep. This big a** truck swerved back into traffic almost clipping the car in front of me. I noticed another 18-wheeler barreling towards me with no signs of slowing down so I moved to the left to get out of the way. As brakes were squealing on the other vehicles and gears shifting in trucks, I realized I’d passed my exit. *Sigh* No matter. I found my way (eventually) and met up with my family at the school.

Anywho…on to the festivities. We were early so we claimed a row of seats behind some of the graduates (actually the Princess…she didn’t want us to sit there but oh well - it was the first row available to visitors). My brother unloaded all these bouquets of flowers - for a couple of teachers, one for the Princess and one for each of her closest friends. We’re joined shortly by a former neighbor & her daughter, Princess So Fab’s godsister & her father, another former neighbor & two of her sons (the Princess’s “big brothers”…BigBrother #1 was still at work).

First award of the night - the President’s GOLD Award of Excellence (complete with a letter signed by your President…) awarded to students who maintained all A’s in grades 3-5. The Princess is the first of 3 students called. She was so surprised - she stood up, and looked at her classmates before realizing she had to walk up front for her certificate, medal and a pin. LOL

After they call the “Silver” Award winners, they move to the second award - for students who maintained all S’/S+ from Kindergarten to 2nd grade AND all A’s from grade 3-5. Yep. The Princess got another one. We were screaming her name by then. And Lawd, I KNOW her “big brothers” embarrassed her cause they were L-O-O-U-U-D!! She got some other awards - outstanding artist, attendance, and a couple more academic awards and we were on our feet for all of them. To the point that, after the graduation, her teachers asked if she paid us to yell for her like that. LOL

Ha! That teacher ain’t seen NOTHING yet. My sister-in-law was stopped and congratulated by so many other parents that she didn’t know.

To say that I was proud of my niece would be an understatement. That chick is soooo focused, so driven. She set her own goals every school year of being on the Principal’s Honor Roll every reporting period (all A’s). And she did it. We try to keep her from putting too much pressure on herself - she’s loved regardless of grades, etc - but she’s very dedicated once she sets a goal. I need some of that to rub off on me. LOL

Anywho, that’s that. Me so proud of that little girl. Definitely worthy of a “Girls Day Out”…movie, bookstore, mall, and a sleepover. I better get to planning cause Princess So Fabulous does NOT accept shortcuts. LOL

Oh, I sent her a silly text message yesterday. Here’s the convo:

Me: “Hey Princess So Fab! Just wanted to say that I’m sooooo proud of you & I’m so glad I came to your graduation. Oh, are you still smart?”

Her: “Thanks Aunt J. I’m glad you came to. And yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m still smart.”

LOL Her plans for the summer? To swim as much as she can, to cut back on snacks, to read alot, and maybe finish her book. You did know she was writing one, right? Yep.

I tell you…me LOVE this kid!!

Happy Monday! I hope the kids in your cirlce have had a successful school year.

*~* MsJayy *~*

I was going to share a story with you about Father’s Day…a Father’s Day meltdown actually but then I decided I wouldn’t infringe upon this day. My “meltdown”…my “then” perspective…my baggage…can wait.

Today, I simply want to celebrate Fatherhood. In whatever form it has shown up in your life, in your family.

The bottom line is this: WE NEED YOU.

For holding it down, for trying to stay in the game, for pushing through, for pressing on, for the words you said…and the ones you didn’t, for tough love & tender moments….for illustrating what to do…and what NOT to do…for life…..Thank you.

To my dad, JS….on this day, I honor you. Why? Simply.Because.I.Am.Here.

Enjoy your day,
*~* MsJayy *~*

I’m tired. Wiped out. Whipped. I can’t for the life of me figure out why. This has been a short work week for me – VERY short…as in 3 days. (Love that part!) And while I’d love nothing better than to be able to go home, curl up with a good book, some soft music, and some of the most delicious tea known to man, I can’t. As a friend of mine says, I’m about to embark on a “world tour”. That’s what he calls it when I’m zipping up and down the highway to different events & family gatherings.

This afternoon, I’m heading for NOVA. Today’s festivities? The “graduation” of Princess So Fabulous from elementary school. You know, this is her “first” graduation which surprises me a little since “graduation” seems to be big in almost every school system in the state. At any rate, you know I’m gonna be front and center for the festivities. Last year, the Princess was selected to attend this math/science thingy in DC. This year, she was selected to attend an art thingy. Both events were a week-long. She didn’t go to either one. On our next “girls night out”, me and the little lady are gonna have a little heart-to-heart about that cause I really want her to make the best of each and every opportunity that comes her way. Even if it means she has to be away from her parents for a week. And ya’ll know that li’l chick ain’t EVEN trying to be away from her daddy.

So, I’ll be there with Princess, Pnut & Pumpkin for a few hours. Then I have to head back to my Mom’s. I’m taking D and his mom to North Carolina tomorrow so he can get registered for classes, etc. Another all-day affair. He had the nerve to grumble and say, “I hope it doesn’t last all day.” Hmph! If he doesn’t watch himself, I’ll sign him up for summer classes and leave him there! We’ll head back to my mom’s around 5pm I guess.

On Saturday, FavCus#1 is hosting a mini-family reunion so I want to get back in time to hang out with some family I haven’t seen in years and others that I don’t know at all.

At some point, I have to finish the “talk” that I’m set to deliver next Tuesday about living your dream. My girlfriend sends me an email yesterday saying, “Oh, by the way…there’s going to be media coverage.” So now, I’m even MORE nervous. Send your good vibes my way please. Thank you.

Whether I make it back in time for the reunion or not, I’m coming home Saturday. I wanna wake up in my own bed for the first time in a couple of weeks. Pad around my house Sunday, sipping tea, listening to music before another friend of mine drops by on the way to Philly.

While family/friends have claimed my last three weekends, I’m hoping (and praying) that the next weekend is mine…all mine. PLEASE let it be so. LOL Now all I need…is a hideout and I’m set. I’m gonna work on that. In the meantime, you enjoy your weekend!

Living Life like it’s Golden,
*~* MsJayy *~*

20 days.

That’s what I *think* I have left on my current 6-month contract with this client. (I say “think” because I’ve been told that, even though it was originally quoted as ‘6mos-temp-to-perm possibly”, this client doesn’t really write in an end date. *shrug* Whateva.)

20 days. Well, actually 19 now.

And then….?????

I don’t know. LOL

I’m a wee bit torn. Do I continue to contract, company to company, maybe even industry to industry? Do I ditch the contracting gig and find permanent employment on my own?

I was asked last week if I would stay with this client either in this department or another area of this subsidiary OR work for the parent company. Personally, giving the raggedy-ness of the current situation, I’d be surprised if an extension was offered. When originally asked, I said I would have to think about it - love the “potential” work/concept of the position but the “reality” of the situation is WAY off. Staying would require them to lay out a whole lot of specifics (which they appear to be allergic to) and me countering with a host of caveats cause I ain’t even trying to be unhappy for one minute longer than I have to be.

Truth be told, I probably need to back it up and move on. Part of the original allure was the potential for this position to encapsulate all the things I love to do. But I have to be honest – part of my coming here was about it being a “comfort zone” of sorts. Ha! God showed me how very quickly a “comfort zone” could become uncomfortable and morph into a rut.

As I look toward the future, I need to decide if I truly want to stay in this industry. And I think I do. If so, I haven’t seen many contracting companies that specialize in this field. (I know they exist - I was contacted by one such firm last December but…they are 100% travel and I’m not sure I want to do that.) Add to that the fact that most contracting firms are looking for straight technical skills and I don’t want to be quite that technical.

Staying in this industry means I need additional certification. I could get that on my own dime but it would be so much sweeter to not only get it on someone else’s dime but also someone else’s time. So…I need a “sponsor” (also known as an employer). One who would cover the costs…and possibly pay ME for being certified on their dime.

Being a business analyst/project manager, my skillset is transferrable across industries. Gathering/writing requirements. Writing/excuting use/test cases. Developing/monitoring a project plan. Those things don’t differ much across industries.

BUT…what I’ve found is that, most BSA jobs are much more technical in nature than I want to be (which is funny since my undergrad degree is “technical”). Personally, I prefer walking that line between business & technical, with my pinky toe over the line on the business side. Looking at what my contracting company has as far as openings, they are heavy on technical offerings. If there’s an option, I’m going to always lean toward the “BUSINESS” side of my BSA skills. Ergo, my quandry.

I’ve been digging through some old papers, trying to find “the perfect job description”. What’s that you ask? Years ago, when I was itching to move up and on, I sat down and made a list of the things that I’d like in my “perfect” job. I need to pull that out, dust if off, and revise it. Once I do that, maybe I’ll have some clarity about what comes next.

I did stumble across three positions that are great fits for me. AND…they’re all telecommuting positions. I’m loving that!! So I’m updating my resume, crafting the perfect cover letters and going to see if I can stir up some interest on behalf of those organizations. I need to have a conversation with my consulting firm too. See what they have available in case my “finds” don’t pan out or take longer than I would like to come through.

We’ll see how it goes as I search for that “near-perfect” fit.

Work Smart,
*~* MsJayy *~* >