Nails!!

Well, I am addicted to nail polish, and therefore addicted to painting my nails.  I've been changing colors just about every day, unless the polish looks great.  I just recently started painting my nails, so I'm not that good.  Practice makes perfect right??

Here's a collage of some I've done in the past week!

Top Right: Sinful Colors - Dream On
Top Left: Orly - Spark
Bottom Right: China Glaze - Not sure what the colors name is, it's my best friends and that stingy heffa took it back :-)...
Bottom Left: Sinful Colors - Happy Ending

Of these, I would have to say the Happy Ending was my favorite.  Sinful Colors is a cheap nail polish, but I don't have any complaints about it.  The Orly on the other hand, which is more expensive, was very streaky. 

Challenge: Day 30

Who Am I???

I am a 30 year old black woman.  An aunt, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.  The only black Software Engineer that I work with, and even see on some days.  A black woman trying to figure out my path in life.  What my passion in life is.  What I want to be when I grow up.  I knit, I eat (too much sometimes), I write (not that well), I exercise (not consistently enough), and I work.  I work at being the best me that I can be.  I am not always successful but I am always striving.  I am strong, and proud.  I am Danielle!!!

Whew, I made it through this challenge!!!

Challenge: Day 29

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned


I have learned how to paint my nails so that it doesn't look like my 8 year old niece did it!!  I have learned that I can stick with something, if I make it a priority.  I have learned that 30 day challenges can get kind of boring.  Eh, that's all I have!!

Challenge: Day28

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

 Last Year

 This Year

How I have changed, from last year to this year???  I feel like I'm more confident, I'm more accepting of who I am as a person.  I'm not too concerned about other peoples opinion of me.  I try to do what I think is right, and after that, I don't have much energy to people please.  I'm much more responsible with money.  I'm in love with an awesome man!!  

Challenge: Day 27

Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

I started doing this challenge, because I had lost my desire to blog, and I wanted to get back into it.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could stick with it.  30 days is kind of a long time, especially for me.  That's really the only reason I did it :-).

Challenge: Day 26

Day 26- What you think about your friends
I don't have very many friends, and the ones I have, are very near and dear to me.  They are all very different.


La - She's the most loving person I know.  She wants those close to her to be happy, and will do anything in her power to make it happen.  She's kind of selfish with her friendship, she does not like to share those close to her :-).  


Michael - Does not show any type of emotion what so ever.  But you simply know when he cares for you.  He does not have to tell you how he feels.  It's in the things that he is willing to do for you (like fly to this town for a ridiculously priced plane ticket just to be here to celebrate my 30th birthday with me.).  


My Sister - Like Michael, doesn't show any emotion (but will cry at the drop of a dime).  But I know if I needed anything, she beg borrow or steal to get it for me.  And please don't talk bad about me to her, she will let you know something real quick!!


Simone - The most sarcastic person I know.  Always guaranteed to laugh when she's around.  And like the rest of my friends, if I need something, she has my back for sure.  She's a rock, does not complain about anything.  Rarely lets anything get her down.  Always finds the good in people.


My circle is not large, but it is strong.  These are the people that will ALWAYS be around no matter who comes and goes!!

Challenge: Day 25

Day 25- What I would find in your bag

In my bag:

• An old school phone book and small spiral notebook...
• Makeup bag with personals in it...
• My cell phone (which I used to take the picture)...
• My wallet...
• Checkbook...
• A few pens...
• Random Mail
• Gum, chapstick
  

Challenge: Day 24

Day 24- A letter to your parents
Well, I would have to write two totally different letters.  You see my mom, she is my rock, but my dad, I call him my sperm donor.  So, rather than be negative, I will just write a letter to my mom!!


Dear Mama (you are appreciated :-)),

As a child, I feel like I kind of grew up fast.  You having to work nights to support us, and me always being around people that were older than me.  But I never felt as though you were a bad mom because you weren't home with us at night.  You see, I knew that we had to have food on the table, we had to have clothes on our back, and you made sure we had nothing but the best.  I know you hated leaving us home alone, 17, 13, and 6.  But not working was not an option for you.  Most people would think that we would be out of control, home alone, no adult supervision.  But, back then, we feared you.  We knew that the consequences to most things were not worth the risk.  When I became a teenager, it was just you and I.  I thought I would love it when my brother and sister moved out.  But, you were there to keep a closer eye on me.  During high school, all I could think about was going away to college, so that I could finally be out of your house!  Now, we have a wonderful relationship.  I understand the way you raised us, and I know it was necessary.  I understand that there are consequences to all of my actions.  I understand that no one is going to take care of me, except me.  I understand that anything that I want is attainable, through hard work and perseverance.  I appreciate all that you sacrificed so that we would have a great childhood.  Words cannot express how much I appreciate you!!


I love you mom!!

Challenge: Day 23

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot



I am always craving Mountain Dew and Snicker's.  I do pretty well with not giving in, but I feel like I always want one or both of these!

Challenge: Day 22

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else

Hmmm, I honestly don't think I have any 1 thing that makes me so much different than anyone else.  So, I'll use this as an opportunity to say what makes me, me!

I am black (not mixed) with hazel eyes.  I wear my hair in it's natural state, not because I'm making a statement.  But because I'm not that fond of straight hair.  I can be nice, but I can also be the biggest b***h you've ever met.  I am ALWAYS ready to snap (I seriously need to work on this one). I am spoiled, but I'm not a brat.  I have a very laid back, comfy, cute style (at least I think so).  I recently became addicted to nail polish.  I have never played a sport that I wasn't decent at.  

Overall, I'm pretty dope.  Just kidding.  While I am confident, I know I am not perfect!

Challenge: Day 21

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy


There's a place here called Painting Fun Spot and I told Poetry that I wanted to go there in conversation one day as we rode by it.  He didn't really say anything about it, and I didn't really think anything else about it.  Well, last Wednesday (on my birthday), he asked me to go in the room because he had a surprise for me.  When I came out, this setup was sitting on the table:

We spent the evening painting, talking, laughing,  and listening to music.  I really appreciated the thought he put into it.  It's a local business, and they normally only have customers come to their location and paint.  So Poetry talked them into coming up with a way for him to purchase the supplies, and take them with him.  It made sense to them, and we painted.  It was the perfect evening.

Above is the finished product.  Well, one of the finished products.  He bought a few other pieces for us to paint, but we haven't had time yet.

 

This is where it lives in the kitchen!!

Challenge: Day 20

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future


Well, I see myself marrying Poetry.  We have been together for 11 months, and I am looking forward to the day that we take the next step in our relationship.  I am not in a rush to do so.  But I know when we do, it will be perfect!!  I love him more than I thought I would ever love a guy.  Before we started dating, I was starting to believe that I would be by myself forever.  Not that I didn't date, because I did.  There was always something about the guys, I didn't trust them for one reason or another, they didn't want to be in a relationship, they didn't work, they didn't take care of themselves.  I could go on and on.  I just didn't think I would find someone that I had chemistry with, that wanted the same things I wanted, and that had their stuff together.  Poetry has all that and more!!  He makes me want to be the best person I can be!!

Minted!!

I have been a nail painting machine.  Not really, but I've been buying nail polish, and therefore, have been painting my nails, a few times a week even!!  I'm getting better with painting (meaning my nails don't look like a 4 year old painted them).  I am not looking for storage ideas.  While I don't have too much polish right now, I can see my collection expanding drastically.  I've purchased about 8 bottles in the past 2 - 3 weeks.

Don't look too closely!! 

Challenge: Day 19

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
 
Dan - This is the name that only my closest family members use.  Not all of the time even, but they use it.  It actually sounds weird when people, not in my family call me this.


Baby D - My cousin/friend calls me this.  It is hilarious to me, I think she got it from a movie.  My aunt, her mother calls me this from time to time as well.


Dani - My best friend calls me this.  And I think other people that hear her call me this, also call me this!


D - Random people call me this, obviously because my name starts with a D.


Dumpling - That's what Poetry calls me.  I have no idea where it came from.

Debo - I wasn't a bully, but I had a bad habit of hitting guys to show them that I was tough when I was in high school.  So, that's what they called me.  I think my cousing (see Baby D above) calls me this from time to time as well.

That's all I can think of, lol.

Challenge: Day 18

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have 


Lately, I've been trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  Yes, I'm 30, but I still do not know what it is I want to do with this life of mine.  Working everyday in corporate america doing what I'm doing, isn't making me happy.  I look at my career as a job, which for me, means I won't excel very well.  There was a brief time that I did enjoy my job.  It was stressful, but I didn't mind it.  That was when I was not really doing much technical work, more leadership.  So, I definitely know I need to be some type of leader, but I'm not sure in what capacity.  


I absolutely love to travel, and I've been to the different places in the Caribbean a lot!!  I would love to be able to do some real traveling.  To places that are not mostly tourist locations.  I KNOW I will be able to do this, it's just a matter of making the plans!!


A short term goal that I am working on right now, is getting out of debt.  I've made some very bad decisions with credit, and I am digging myself out.  Another goal, is losing some weight.  I don't have an exact number in mind, but when my body is where I am happy, that will be the number.  Working out is something I tend to do, eating right, is another story!! 

Challenge: Day 17

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

I've never really even thought about switching lives with someone.  But, off the top of my head, I would want to switch lives with my best friend.  The stories she tells me about the people that come into the library range from being hilarious, sad, and just plain unbelievable.  I think being there for one day, would make me appreciate my job much more than I do!

Challenge: Day 16

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

My best friends sister took some pictures of me, I had a ball!  I loved my hair too!!

Challenge: Day 15

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

1. Vivian Green - Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)
2. John Legend - She Don't Have To Know
3. Amy Whinehouse - (There Is) No Greater Love
4. Anthony Hamilton - Do You Feel Me
5. Anita Baker - Body And Soul
6. Keri Hilson Feat. Kanye West - Knock You Down
7. Me'Shell Ndegeocello - Beautiful
8. Jonny Lang - One Person At A Time
9. Eve - Gotta Man
10. Pretty Ricky - Nothin But A Number (Can you say guilty pleasure????)
    

Challenge: Day 14

This is me (orange), my brother, my mom, and my sister!!

Challenge: Day 13

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently



Hmmm, I can't think of anyone that has hurt me personally recently.  But, I have a letter to a company that is pissed me off recently, Me.nards.


Back Story: I was in Menards on Sunday, looking for wire molding.  Well, we found an employee to lead us in the right direction.  As we were walking, an abandoned cart was sitting in the middle of the aisle, I saw the cart, but I did see the huge arse piece of metal sticking out of the cart, I ran into it, I thought I scraped my arm, no biggie.  Until Poetry looks at my arm in horror and starts leading me towards the door and says we are going to the hospital.  Six stitches later, I figured out that he wasn't joking.  So, their insurance company called me on Monday, letting me know they would pay my doctor bills, but not for my time off of work.  So, here's my letter to Menard's.


Dear Menards,


As a frequent customer of your stores, I am very disappointed in the way your insurance company handled my claim.  The phone call started off calm enough, she explained to me that she wanted to record my statement, I agreed, I gave my statement, she let me know that she was no longer recording.  THEN, she goes on to say that Menard's would not be responsible for me missing work.  They are not liable, because the object was stationary, and it was in a customers cart.  The arguments made no sense whatsoever to me, and I promptly let the insurance representative know that.  The cost of one day of work to me, means more to me than it would to a company of your size.  I'm sure your insurance agents are well aware that it's not worth me getting a lawyer and fighting.  I am extremely disappointed that you are willing to lose me as a customer over one day of wages.  Truth be told, if you were no liable, you would not be covering my medical bills.  Rather than lose sleep, or be upset, I simply will never shop at your store again.  I'm sure the loss is minute to you.  Either way, I will spend my hard earned money elsewhere.

 

Challenge: Day 12

Happy Birthday To ME!!!!

I am 30 today!!!

But anyway, back to the challenge :-).

Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one

I found out about blogger about 6 years ago, and thought, I can write, lol.  Really, I just wanted a space, I could write random things, and go back, and see what was going on with me at certain points in my life.  I've gone through long droughts of not writing.  I started other blogs, that I no longer update. 

Challenge: Day 11

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
 

Blurry because it's a picture of a picture.  This was after my sister's nuptials with some of my family and my sisters friends.  Well, technically, my best friend is in here, but she's family, and my honey is in here too!

Challenge: Day 10

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

This is a tough one for me, I listen to music so much, I can't pin-point exactly what I listen to based on my mood.

But, I can possibly think of some songs that I listen to that may put me in a certain mood.

Happy 
Chrisette Michele - Like a Dream
I love this song, and it does put me in a happy mood!
I had to add this song too!!

Sad
Train - Drops of Jupiter 

I have no idea why I listen to this song when I'm sad, but anytime I'm sad, it is the first song I go to...

Bored
Tweet - Caught Up
I'm not really bored when I listen to this song, but if I'm sitting at home not doing anything, this song will probably be played!!

Hyped
B.o.B - So So
Right now anyway, whenever I'm going out, or just hype for whatever reason, I listen to this song.  I know every single word, lol.

Mad 
Jazmine Sullivan - 10 seconds
It depends on what I'm mad at I guess.  I can imagine this would be a song I would listen to if I were upset about, well, about what she's talking about in the song!!

Challenge: Day 9

Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days

I am proud that I have been really focused on eating healthy.  Not perfect, but definitely making healthier decisions overall.  Not eating out simply because it's convenient.  Not making frozen pizza when I can simply make a turkey sandwich and be just as fulfilled, without the guilt afterwards.  My approach is no longer, I can't eat this right now, but I can eat whatever I want, I'm simply choosing not to eat the junk.  I've realized that the way I think about food needs to change.  I've had some extremely bad eating habits, and I can't expect that it's not going to take work to change them!  One decision at a time!

Challenge: Day 8

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

This month, I want to workout, for at least 30 minutes, EVERY DAY!!!  I don't have anything going on where I can't get outside and walk/jog, or hit the gym for at least 30 minutes.

I have been feeling down about my weight.  I feel like I look fat in every single picture that I take.  So, rather than continue to feel depressed about my weight, I need to do something about it.  I am also eating healthier, but I find that if I'm working out, I automatically make healthier choices. 

 

Challenge: Day 7

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

 This is a picture of myself and most of my cousins after my Grandmother's funeral.  My Grandmother owned 2 beauty salons, owned a home, and retired as a beautician.  She did so with a lot of money.  She was divorced from my Grandfather before I was born, and married again when she was retired, so she did all of the above, on her own, with 8 children.  I learned so much from her, without her ever talking about any of the above.  Words cannot express how much I miss that lady.  I don't have any digital photos of her, which is why I chose the above photo.

Challenge: Day 6

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why

This is a tough one, I don't really have a favorite super hero.  So, I'll just go with something similar.  I absolutely love X-Men - Wolverine.  

I thought Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber were extremely sexy (I can be a little shallow).  The move also had good action, and I like all of the X-Men movies!!!

Challenge: Day 5

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

 Cleveland vs. Miami in December of 2010

I LOVE Lebron James, and this was his first game back in Cleveland after he left!!

Challenge: Day 4

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn't have

Hmm, I'm pretty much perfect, so this is tough.

Bwwaahhhhaaaahhhahhaa- just kidding, choosing a blog appropriate habit is what's tough...

I have a habit of procrastinating...I'm getting better, but it is still frustrating.  If it can be put off, I will put it off.  Cleaning up, certain things at work, working out, cooking, you name it, I will put it off!

Challenge: Day 3

Day 03-A picture of you and your friends

 I don't have very many friends, as you can tell.

The top picture, is me and my best friend!!

The bottom picture, is my sister, me, my boyfriend, and my cousin!!

My sister and my cousin are my friends too.  I'm pretty close with another one of my cousins, but I couldn't find a picture readily, maybe I'll update.