Jewels From My Life

Should I Keep Watching?

2011-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

So, I was thoroughly disappointed with the season premiere of “The Game,” which aired on BET last night at 10pm PST. It opened with a warning that there were sexual themes and language, and this wasn’t even an accurate precursor to what was about to unfold…

It began with Derwin walking through a barrage of photogs snapping pictures of him on his way to his photo shoot with his wife Melanie for the cover of a magazine. So I’m assuming after two years Derwin is now the “big man on campus,” oh gah. Anywho, Melanie and Derwin’s baby mama seem to be getting along just fine, even though at the end of the last season, Melanie didn’t seem to like the idea of Derwin having a child with another woman one bit. We soon find that this is a front that Melanie has put up for Derwin, and that she secretly thinks the other woman is out for what he and Melanie have (i.e., fame, fortune, the perfect life).

Then, we have Malik who is banging the the team owner’s wife, with no regard to when or where they, aheem, get it on, may it be the mens bathroom sink at a club, or the hot tub at Malik’s ridiculously lavish crib. It only gets worse from there people!

Kelly and Jason are at each others throats the entire episode, with each one trying to sabotage the others career, character, life, you name it. Kelly has some ridiculous reality television series about life after her divorce from her overbearing and frugal husband. By the way, they’ve also changed the daughter Brittney, or Brit Brit, to some skanky looking teenager with an attitude. Jason is trying his hand at sports casting, but is so cynical and irritating that I see that won’t last long. Oh, but it gets worse.

Tee Tee, Malik’s cousin/b**ch, has his own, wait for it…wait for it…chicken wang restaurant on wheels, whom he co-owns with his new love interest. The love interest, who seems interested in TeeTee, eventually falls for Malik after, oh maybe, one day in sitcom time, and ends up in Malik’s hot tub.

Oh wait, there’s more, Tasha, the new cougar on the block, has fallen for 106 & Parks own Terrence J, who may well be 15 years her junior, if not more.

The show is rounded out by the lie of the century, told be Melanie, who has given baby DJ a secret paternity test. After Melanie’s friend tells her the baby isn’t Derwin’s, she doesn’t really hesitate to tell Derwin the truth, and causes a rift in their relationship. When she finds out that the test is inaccurate, she decides to spare Derwin the details, in hopes of keeping the baby mama at bay. Oh Melanie, when we will learn, lying never helped anyone.

Well, all in all, I wasn’t surprised that the creators took the show in a more raunchy direction, but I am surprised at the great lengths they went to, to make blacks look even more ignorant than they are already portrayed on other television shows (i.e., Cops, America’s Most Wanted, The First 48… I could go on for days). Mara and Salim, I am hoping that you turn this show around, and fast, or you may lose a long time viewer.

TTFN

To Bake Or Not To Bake?

2011-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching lately and have come to the distinct realization that I need an outlet for all these ideas pinned up inside of my head. Sitting idly by and using “being a mommy” as a reason to put a few of my dreams on hold is not going to cut it anymore. My dad sent me a large box of goodies over the weekend (I was really touched, to say the least). It consisted of tons of baking equipment (i.e., spatulas, serving spoons, mixing bowls, baking cook books, baking pans, etc.), literally, all the things needed to bake until you drop.
I’ve enjoyed baking and cooking, ever since childhood; I have fond memories of licking the spoon while my mom poured the cake batter. Cookies and cakes for my family have been the norm, but I end up being the one who eats the better half of it, but nothing gets me going like being in the kitchen, mixing up something good for everyone. I’m sort of a food connoisseur, yummy food gets me excited, and I really want to find a way to put my passion for food to good use, while sharing my talents with others.
Writing about it is probably the only way that I am going to be able to quiet this idea in my head. So, get ready for it, Coming Soon to “jensjewels” a recipe sharing page for new and old recipes from my kitchen . Being up in the middle of the night thinking about what I want to cook has caused many restless nights, and I just want to get some sleep.

It's A New Year

2011-01-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

It’s a new year, and new day, and I am ready to start actively posting about my journey through this life. I have taken the, Chris Brogan, three word challenge, and decided that they will be Fitness, Focus and Fun.
Fitness: I will dedicate myself to losing 15 pounds and toning up my baggy, flabby arm and thigh muscles. I will force myself to give up soda, and start to drink more water. I will also give up beef and pork, and stick with chicken, turkey and fish. This will be hard at first, and it has proven to be just that, but I know the end result is totally worth it; I am ready and willing to devote myself whole-heartedly into this regime of diet and exercise.
Focus: It’s time for me to start thinking about where I want my career path to take me. I already own a home, but is it really the home I dream of living in forever?, absolutely not! I want a bigger home, with granite counter tops and crown molding, but who doesn’t? In order for me to do this I need to grab life by the horns and try to get my career started. I have taken enough classes to sit for the RE exam, but I need to get some studying done. As soon as I am ready, I am going to pay that $60 fee and get my Real Estate license. It’s time to make grown-up money.
Fun: I always say this every year…I’m going to do something fun, adventurous even, but I always spend the whole year sitting at home on my bum, not getting out and experiencing life. Well, you know what, I’m tired of sitting on my bum. This year I am going to travel. I know it’s a little cliché, but the first stop is Las Vegas baby! Once that’s out of my system, it’s off to bigger and better things. I already have a trip to Virginia in the works for May and who knows, maybe I’ll end up in Europe this year.
In essence these words are the three pillars that I am going to try, and I do mean try, to live by, whether I succeed is up to me, but if I don’t, it won’t be for lack of dedication.
TTFN

Oh The Holidays

2010-11-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I realized how much I love my kids, I mean, I already know I love them unconditionally, but I went above and beyond yesterday. I decided to go to Toys'R'Us to purchase some toys for Christmas, which just happens to be one of my favorite holidays, since I came into some extra money. My daughter has been asking me for all types of electronics, so I figure she's at the age now where she wants to start experimenting with video games. I couldn't for the life of me remember where the store was, so I looked it up on my iPhone, and if you have one, you know it has this neat little feature that maps the location of your search destination. So, naturally, I did that, and started to drive. This has never failed me before, and it seemed to be leading me in the right direction, so I kept going. Once I got close to the destination, everything started to look familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on the exact location, I needed the last coordinates to pinpoint Toy'R'Us. This is where my iPhone hit an epic #fail. It kept telling me to get on the 215 heading towards Riverside, which I found out was not what I was supposed to do. I jumped on the 215 and hit traffic, but my little dot on the screen was telling me I was driving away from the store. I got off on the next exit and headed back towards the location where the store was on my screen, but I couldn't figure out where it was. If you live out here in the boonies, you know that some things are just really hard to find, because these are new developments, and haven't been mapped out correctly on GPS. After about 15 minutes of searching, and searching, and searching...I remembered that instead of getting on the freeway, there is a street that takes you along the side of the freeway to some hidden stores. I actually think I cut someone off when I realized where it was, just so I could turn before getting on the freeway. I was so happy to have finally found it, that I didn't even care how long it took me. Happy to report that I purchased a Leapster2 and a video game to go with. Despite the grueling journey, I think my daughter will be happy this Christmas. Jewel of the story...sometimes the iPhone really #sucks.

I Need A Vacation

2010-11-22T17:44:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to figure out something to write here for the past week and I couldn't seem to come up with anything and that means that I probably need a mental vacation. I have been working on a mind-numbing assignment for the past couple of days now, and I think that it has caused my brain to shrivel up a little. My friend invited me to a weekend get away in San Francisco for her birthday in January, and all I can say right now is "halleluyer." That got me to thinking about International travel too, because I've always wanted to go on vacation outside of the US, and I want to go while I'm still young. I printed out a passport application and filled it out, but it asked what my proposed destination overseas would be, and I drew a blank. So I started doing some research on prices of travel to several places like London, France, Australia, or Germany. I think after thorough pricing and investigation London then to France is the most economical choice and I wont have to stay for more than a week to see all that London and France has to offer. Also, I'll be killing two birds with one stone and crossing off an item on my bucket list, it just can't get any better than that. I just haven't decided if I am going to make this a family or solo excursion, I love my family, but my husband has been a real pain lately and I just can't imagine letting him ruin this for me. Jewel of the story...everyone needs a vacation sometimes.

Be yourself

2010-11-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just sit back and watch others self-destruct because they are so concerned with trying to be someone they are not, and they try to keep up the facade, but deep down inside they know they are living a lie. It must be real hard to not be genuine, I wouldn't know, but it seems like it would take a lot if energy and effort. Working that hard to be someone else has to be painful, because you essentially have to really hate who you are, to want to be someone else. What has the world done to people to make them feel like they can't be anything like their true selves, to gain friendship and love. I don't want to put myself on a pedestal, but I try really hard to be true to me and no one else, because in the end all you have is who you really are. When the people you are trying to impress aren't around, who are you really? When I smile at you, it is because I truly mean it, and the same when I frown. When I laugh at your jokes, it's because I think they're funny, and the same when I don't laugh. When I hug you, it's because I love you or I am trying to comfort, when I don't it's because I need a hug. When I yell it's because I'm angry, and when I don't it's because I am truly hurt. I love all the emotions that embody me and make me the person I am and I wouldn't change for the world, or the promise of more friends. Jewel of the story...are you really who you want to be?

Feeling Very Unproductive

2010-11-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

So, it has been one tough couple of days, I've been trying to come up with material for my book, but I have come up quite short lately. I usually let words run off my lips freely throughout the day, despite the fact that it annoys my husband, but for some reason I am drawing a blank lately. It could be that I can't seem to focus when I am at home, but even when I try to sneak in a chapter or two at work, I get a big fat nothing. I got discouraged last week when I realized how much research this book was going to require, so I have been trying to come up with fillers until I can take a trip and get some authentic material first hand. I would have to actually travel to Louisiana if I want my book to have any shred of credibility once I start sending it to agents or even publishers. Considering traveling right now is completely out of the question due to finances, I am left to my own devices, my vivid imagination, dreams and accounts from what I see on TV and the internet. That just isn't going to cut it though, because I am somewhat type-A and would be rather embarrassed to let anyone read anything that I wasn't 100% satisfied with. So I shall truck on in the hopes of finding more material for my book, minus travel to the southern part of the US. Jewel of the story...don't let yourself get discouraged, because it will affect your ability to get things done.

Is it just me...

2010-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does it seem like the longer you procrastinate on something the harder it is to get back to finishing it. Whenever I take a break from one activity and move on to another, it's like I have ADD and can't get back to that other thing looming over my head. When you have kids it's real easy to get off track, and in order to stay on track I essentially have to ignore everything around me, even my child's screams for attention. It is really hard to do this considering my two year old has quite the set of lungs on him and uses the word "no" frequently. Also, when 'The Wiggles' is played repetitively throughout the day, it's kind of hard to focus on anything that doesn't have to do with 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' or 'Captain Feathersword'. Despite all this, I have managed to make a little more progress tonight on my sci-fi novel. Albeit only about 600 words more than what I've had for the past couple of days, it's progress nonetheless. I have learned that even though you really want to get something done without interruptions, having children will always prevent this, unless it's nap time. Jewel of the story...through the screams there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is called bed time.

I said I wouldn't do this...

2010-11-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about writing this book that I just can't help myself, so here is an excerpt from chapter 2...

My door was adorned with 'Stay Out', and 'Enter at Your Own Risk' signs. I opened my door and literally fell into my room. I kicked the door closed with my foot as I laid there on the floor, head in the crook of my elbow. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and spaced out for a minute, I kept replaying the scene over and over again in my head and began to seethe with anger. Who the hell was trying to kill me? I snapped myself out of it and pulled my limp body off the floor with the little strength I had left and dragged my feet to the bathroom.

It was a small excuse for a bathroom, with no tub, just a shower stuck in the wall, with a mirror and sink adjacent, and a porcelain toilet on the opposing flowered wallpaper. I flicked on the light and almost vomited at the sight of the hideous bruise that the tranquilizer dart had left on my neck. It looked like I had a boyfriend with a vacuum for a mouth. There was no way I was going to school tomorrow looking like this. I would just fake it, like I always did, and try to convince my mom to let me stay home.

I will probably start posting the rest on my other blog after the design is finished, more details to follow. Jewel of the story...this is in honor of NaNoWriMo: check it out...www.nanowrimo.org/

Blazing away

2010-10-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

I am chipping away at writing my novel bit by bit. I never thought that I would get so serious about getting my book finished, but despite how time consuming it is, I am really excited about how it is coming along. I doubt myself sometimes, because I think, "who's going to want to read about this?" I just have to push myself to get it done. I have finally made it to chapter 4, despite constant interruptions and dawdling. This is quite the milestone for me, since it sat at chapter 1, for almost a year. I have been doing lots of research and realize that I am not the only one who experiences lengthy set backs, even the best of them take a long break. Hopefully it will mean that I am seasoned enough to finish it within the next year. There are various sites that have been giving me excellent information, including http://fictionwriting.about.com/. Ginny Wiehardt is amazing and I have already consumed several of her informative articles on fiction writing. Believe me, if you have the kind of descriptive dreams I do, you'd want to put them down on paper too, who knows, maybe they'll become a bestseller one day. Jewel of the story...don't put off your dreams, literally.

Grumpy daddy

2010-10-28T15:35:00.001-07:00

So, this morning, I was already feeling like I didn't want to get up, I just wanted to stay in my cozy little bed and snuggle with my two year old. Despite this, I got up, showered, got dressed and went through the morning ritual. Got my daughter ready, made breakfast for the kids and was ready to hit the door. My husband usually makes my daughter's lunch in the morning, so when it was time to go, I looked in the freezer and, no lunch. I could have done it myself, I do everything else in the morning while he sits in front of the t.v. or the computer, but I figured he had already done it, since that's the only thing required of him in the morning. He usually puts it in the fridge in a little pile, but I did not see it, so I asked. He bombards his way to the kitchen, grabs the freezer door and swings it open, snags the lunch pail and throws a lunchables, gogurt and juice in it, all the while explaining to me like I'm an idiot, how to pack a lunch. I don't know about you, but if I had a frying pan, it would have been lights out for daddy. I think I am going to go on a shopping spree today, I have some Kohl's cash leftover from this weeekend. Jewel of the story...don't piss your wife off, when she has money at her disposal.

Swamped

2010-10-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

So I'm excited about all the new things that could potentially be happening at my job, but that also means more work for me. I never complain about more work, because that usually means more money, and trust me, I will never complain about more money. I just wish I knew how to maintain a mental balance while trying to complete all the new tasks at my job. I work as an executive assistant for a very busy man, who runs a very popular new media trade show. I am also assistant to the Director of Business Development, when she can steal me away from my other responsibilities, which is usually never. I REALLY enjoy my job and am actually pretty lucky to have snagged a gig so close to home. It gives me more time with my kids and easy access to go home whenever I need to. I am also enrolled in two Real Estate classes at my local community college, because let's face it, the future is having something to fall back on, if your 9 to 5 doesn't work out. I actually don't see that being the case, because I have staying power at work, and usually prefer a job with longevity. You just never know now-a-days. Of course, homework every week, and tending to the family, and my job are starting to become a little overwhelming, but I keep telling myself that taking on more responsibility at work is job security. That's one of the main things that is keeping me afloat right now, but when I come home and see my kids and husband, I realize I am doing it for them too. Jewel of the story...it's worth it.

A thief in the night

2010-10-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful weekend...my mother stayed over on Saturday night and watched the kids while my husband and I had a lovely date night. We had dinner at Chili's, which isn't usual for us, but they closed our favorite steak place, Lone Star, due to the recession. So we opted to try something close and out of the ordinary for us. I must say that it was some of the best ribs that I have had in quite some time. After the dinner and dessert we headed to our local casino to play some $2 black jack. I'm not a huge fan of gambling, but I knew my hubby would enjoy it, and heck, we might win some money. Sad to say, that after three hours, my husband and I had lost $60, I decided to call it quits. My husband always wins when I'm not around, I think I'm bad luck or something. The next day I went to Kohl's with my mom and daughter and shopped for winter clothes and boots for school. I must say that the $10 Kohl's Cash for every $50 that you spend is quite the draw for a recessionista like myself. Then of course there was the birthday party that we attended for my daughter's school friend, because let's face it, my husband and I need to make some adult friend's in the neighborhood. I can do without the cake, but having an adult conversation outside of talking to my husband every night is nice. After that it was home to do homework with "the girl" and cartoons with "the boy" and get ready for another glorious week at work. All in all, I'd say that my weekend was rather enjoyable. I get to work this morning, happy that I planned ahead, and left a TV dinner in the freezer for lunch so that I wouldn't have to leave work. I go to get ice for my sweet tea and discover that someone has stolen my lunch, and left no note for ridicule and persecution. I tell you, what a way to ruin my morning. Jewel of the story...even though you had a great weekend, doesn't mean someone wont find a way to ruin your week.

My First Jewel

2010-10-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

I've been secretly trying to write a teen drama about super powers and strange beings for quite some time now, but I can't seem to finish it because of the chaos that is my home. I have small children who tug my coat tails every chance they get and wouldn't allow me to finish chapter two even if I told them they could have cookies for dinner for two weeks...well maybe if I told them three weeks, but that will never happen in my house. So I am stuck with my first juicy chapter of content that no one will ever read except for my husband, and he can give a rat's tail if it's good or not. He's not really in to teen angst and super powers. He likes Sci-Fi, but he's more of the watch a movie type. He wouldn't read a sci-fi novel if someone paid him. I realize that I can just post it here, but I think I will create another blog for that purpose, I want to share little jewels from my everyday life here. This way the two will not intermingle with the other and begin to confuse my followers. Though that would be interesting, you could read a blog post about my son's runny faucet nose, then the next post will be about Swift (a character from my novel) using his laser sharp wing to cut a hole through concrete to escape from the diabolical Mr...well you get the point. So sit back and relax and enjoy my little jewels.