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!

This may be my favorite new month

May I share with you how amazing the past 9 days have been for me through pictures...

B hooked me up with great seats to the Chicago Cubs v. Cincinnati Reds game at Wrigley Field.

Sadly, the Cubs didn't take the W but thankfully the weather was amazing and I got to spend my Sunday with some of my favs.

It's incredible how alive this city becomes once the weather is  more tolerable enjoyable. In an attempt to brighten my day and embrace spring/summer,  I decided to paint my nails coral. I'm in love with this color and have a feeling it may be hot and trendy this summer. 

My colleague Joe hooked me up with tickets to The Book of Mormon.  The acting and singing was impressive, but the overall story line definitely pushed some boundaries. I guess that's what you can expect from a production by the creators of South Park? Check out the reviews here. 

I've stayed true to my new year resolution to improve my health. However, I've recently ditched the gym and started to run outside, by the lake.  I joined the club of folks who aren't a fan of running on the treadmill because the the invigorating feeling of being one with nature is unreal.  

I finally got to eat dinner at Big Star in Wicker Park. Just an FYI, be prepared to wait a long time to be seated and make sure to bring cash. My friends and I had mix reviews about the food (I personally LOVED it) but the ambiance is definitely "a place to be seen" in the city.

It's only been 9 days and I've already decided that this may be my favorite month this year because of the amount of time I've spent outside, appreciating the city with everyone that came out of hibernation from winter.  The best part is that there is more fun on deck for me. For instance, make sure to check out my blog in a few days because I am going to Jillian Michel's tour tomorrow evening and our friends are celebrating B and SM's birthday on Saturday!

A Pinterest inspired purchase

To all of y'all who have been following my blog for a while, you know that I am pretty much obsessed with Pinterest. In fact, I often tell my close friends that I wish I could live 1/2 of the life that I pin. I'd be the world's best cook, best dressed, and most inspirational gal with a killer body. I'd have unlimited funds that would allow me to design a house that every home and garden magazine would feature on their front cover and I'd have a lot of free time to volunteer and attempt DIY projects.

Although this is clearly not my reality, lately I have been telling people that I want to take action and re-create the multiple images that I pin and like on the website. I thought I was going to start off with a new recipe but there was a slight change of plans because my friend V hooked me up with a legit coupon to Macy's this morning. It was too good to pass and I instantly asked myself, "Why not get the white Michael Kor's watch you pinned a few weeks ago!?"

Source

I am not one to spend money on myself but I couldn't get the phrase "treat yo self" out of my mind all day. (PLUS I had a coupon). I'm glad I listened to my inner voice and headed straight to the store after work. Not going to lie- pretty excited about my new Pinterest-inspired addition to my watch collection! What do y'all think of my new purchase?

Thanks, V!

P.S.- If you are totally confused about what Pinterest is (cough... Mama), feel free check our this website so you can get down with the lingo.

The power of being gentle

I swear the universe was on my side today when I encountered a friend's tweet about "A love letter for anyone who needs some calm and kindness in their life." He shared a link to Sarah Lillian O'Connell's powerful words that could not have come at a better time for me. I hope her message also resonates with you because I've discovered that too often it's easy to forget the importance of being gentle.

Be Gentle

Be gentle with yourself.

Walk with purpose and poise.

A stubbed toe can bring down the best of us.

Be kind to yourself.

Mistakes do not define us.

A typo in an email or missed appointment is not representative of our character.

Be aware of your environment.

Surround yourself with beauty.

If you can’t afford beauty, find a park, a free museum, a clear sky.

Be in touch with yourself.

Release your pain with physical acts.

Run fast or run slow, cry hard or cry loud – how else can one feel alive?

Be mindful of yourself.

Allow a screenless silence into your day.

Put away the phone, the laptop; turn off the TV, the radio.

Be present to those around you.

Loved ones reflect the best in ourselves and in the world.

Walk your dog, hug your cat; kiss your partner, your mom, your best friend.

Be gracious for what you have.

Physical objects are temporal; they cannot define you.

Don’t buy the curtains or new purse; find joy in a clean home and a favorite shirt.

Be trusting of the future.

Worry cannot create a new reality.

Put your faith in God, the universe, your family, yourself – whoever speaks to you.

Be gentle with yourself.