Bluejay Basketball

Creighton v. Depaul 1/7

Although it's been a bit challenging transitioning back to work after a long (and much appreciated) break, there was no better way to end my first day back to "the real world" than being part of the crowd in the picture above. I got to cheer on my alma mater against Depaul in good ol' Illinois. It was great to reunite with sorority sisters, upperclass students that I always admired, and fellow Creighton alumni and  friends of alumni who share the same love for the Bluejays as I do. Thankfully Creighton, once again, showed Depaul what Bluejay basketball is all about and pulled off the W!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

If I were a betting woman, I think it would be safe to assume that a lot of people in the midwest are currently scheming about their escape plan to the west coast or down south. If you haven't heard... baby it's cold outside! It's the kind of cold that makes your bones hurt and pledge to never want to go outside again. It's the kind of cold that hurts your heart because you can't help but think about all those who don't have heat or shelter at this time. You can read about how severe the weather is by visiting the following website.

Thankfully, I was able to work from home today but will need to build up some courage because my colleagues and I are expected to return to work tomorrow despite the weather(wo)men's strong encouragement to stay inside. Until then, I am going to be thankful for my heated apartment and mean Crock-Pot 3 Bean Turkey Chili inspired by this Gina Skinnytaste recipe.

Love waking up to the smell of my chili brewing in the crock-pot!

Gina really outdid herself with this recipe because it's Weight Watcher friendly and allows 12 servings for only 206 calories. In addition to what the recipe calls for, I spice it up by making sure that I use grass-fed ground turkey (click here to see why), a can of corn, and 1 tbsp of cumin and garlic salt. If you are vegetarian or like to participate in "Meatless Mondays," feel free to  cut out your grass-fed ground turkey or swap it with something else that makes sense to you. As the Burger King saying goes, you can have it your way! Share your altered recipes with me because I am sure it will be a winter treat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just wanted to stop by to say....

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friends! Cheers to getting everything you want and deserve out of your beautiful life. How did you ring in the new year? I was lucky to help cheer on my favorite Creighton Bluejays basketball team.

Creighton v. Marquette, 12/31

This game got a lot of hype because it was the Big East opener for my good ol' alma mater. Additionally, just like Creighton, Marquette is a Jesuit school that many people in Omaha attended or are affiliated with so some may say that game was "personal."I tend to really get invested in sports, especially college basketball and football, so I made a pact to myself that I'd remember the "good sportsmanship" rules I learned in grade school. For example, check out this picture of one of my closest friends from high school that went to Marquette and me.

Friends divided for a night- my girl, ET, and me before the game

Sorry, ET and all Marquette fans, but I am THRILLED that Creighton pulled off the W- talk about starting off the new year on a high! Hopefully this will be the first of many wins for my Jays. Although I could have spent the rest of the night/morning celebrating the game and the new year, I decided to keep it low key, hang out with good friends, and call it an early night. Some people may call this decision "weak" or "responsible" (it's all about perspective), but I couldn't have been more happy with the way my night turned out. I hope that y'all were also pleased with your night or at least have a funny story to share! Regardless if this post finds you trying to recover from last night's events, reflecting on your resolutions, or soaking up the last few minutes before you have to return to work, sleep well tonight because as I mentioned in a previous post- 2014 will be your best year yet!

An Unexpected Holiday Cheer

I know...it's been 5 months. But I didn't feel that it would be right to count down to 2014 without reaching out to y'all to let you know that I am alive and wish you holiday cheer. How did you spend your holiday this year? Hopefully you were lucky to be surrounded by the things that matter the most during this time of the year-- family, friends, laughter, love, and my main man, JC.

Long story short, my family and I planned to spend Christmas in the Congo, DRC this year, per my sweet grandma's request. Although my family, friends, colleagues, and students were probably annoyed by how often I mentioned my trip, I don't think I need to can apologize because there is no better feeling than knowing that you are going back home to a continent that you left over 20 years ago. Additionally, it was an added bonus that I tricked someone at CVS to let me smile in my passport picture because it accurately displays my joy of being Congolese-American.

However, my family and I, sadly, had to postpone our trip at the last minute due to visa issues. (Insert brief moment of stress and disappointment). For a quick second I thought that I'd have to spend my first Christmas alone because flights were outrageous. A flight to Omaha should never be in the same price range as one to Europe! Homaha, je t'aime (I love you) but you are no Paris, France. Does anyone else remember the good ol' days when you could get a last minute RT ticket from Southwest for less than $100? I started to accept my unfortunate circumstances but thankfully the universe was on my side and hooked me up with a reduced flight that seemed to good to be true...

...which it kind of was because Delta delayed my flights  for over 24 hours due to maintenance issues 

But I have to count my blessings because I made it back Homaha and to my pleasant surprise, a piece of the Congo was waiting for me!

My sisters and me with our cousins from the Congo that we've never met in person. Just missing my wise, older brother

In the end, everything happens for a reason because I had a wonderful Christmas and am enjoying my extended trip/vaca back home.

My beautiful sister K and me

I pledge to make more time to blog and keep up with y'all in 2014 because I've genuinely missed you the past few months. 2013, you have been a great and growing year. You've allowed me to become financially savvy, improve my health, broaden my potential, prioritize my relationships, and grow in faith.  But most importantly, you've kindly reminded me who I am and what this blog is all about--A Work in Progress. 

Therefore, my resolutions for 2014 are a continuation of this New Year, New Natu

"Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right," Oprah.

Happy YOU year, y'all. Let's raise a glass to 2014 being your best year yet. Get yours!

Checking in

I can't believe that we are half way through the year although it feels like it was just yesterday that some of you may have set New Year resolutions in January. How's your progress going? Cheers to the ones that are headed on a great path(s) to self improvement. And for the rest of you who had to review your list to see what you initially wanted to accomplish in 2013, you are in luck because you have 6 more months to live the best life possible.

Regardless of your status, below are a few words that I hope will inspire you:

All images courtesy of Pinterest

Keep me posted on your status!

Too Busy Living

Goodness. How is it possible that it's already July 5 and my last post was on June 3?

I'm not going to waste your time and apologize for being MIA from the virtual world because I've appreciated living in the present these past few days months.

What can I say...I guess that I've been too busy living my life to write about my life.

Despite traveling in and out of Midway airport for weddings and putting in extra hours at work, I've been able to enjoy summer in Chicago. I'm soaking up patio hangs, grilling out with my roomies, the beach, neighborhood festivals, the energy behind the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup, my Thursday night dodgeball league, Dabble classes (highly encourage), outdoor concerts, book club, dinner club, etc. However, one summer activity that's especially exciting to me is my participation in the Chicago Women's half and 5k.

Staying true to my new year goal to improve my health

I've caught the running bug and am ready to commit to a further distance. Anyone in for the Chicago marathon in 2014 or 2015? Please let me know if you've heard of or plan to participate in any fun races before then. I swear I should send this picture to my junior high gym coach because he'd be proud to see that I've come a long way from the good ol' days of complaining about running the timed mile.

Y'all know that I have so much love for my new home in Chicago, however, I've taken a vaca from the big city to return to my first love... Homaha, Nebraska for an extended 4th of July weekend and to go to a high school friend's wedding.  It's been absolutely wonderful catching up with my family and friends, relaxing, enjoying good summer reads by the pool and lake, and soaking up the sun on a boat.

Please share your thoughts on the controversial book, Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg.

I get so much joy from sitting on my parents' porch!

A perfect 4th is not complete without a boat ride.

I know this is so cliché, but I'm truly having the time of my life (yeah, I said it)! Now it's your time to update me on your life and let me know how your summer is going.

On the go

"Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer," Anonymous.
(Proud to share that I took this picture).  

I feel like my life has been on the go lately. I think it's fair to say that I haven't been bored or had time to lounge between my work, social, and wedding season responsibilities. Although some may call it crazy or financially irresponsible, I'd have it no other way because I think there's so much truth in my statement above on traveling.

"Anonymous," you had it right, my friend, because  I get so much joy from traveling! In fact, I have 2 more days before I once again board Southwest Airlines and travel back to the Twin Cities to see one of my best friends get married. I swear to blog with more details once things settle down for me.

In the meantime- get up, get going, and get yours if it's even the slightest possibility in your life right now!