I did something I've NEVER done before...

Over the weekend I did something that I’ve NEVER done before… I went to the movies by myself. Since moving to Va. I’ve become sooo independent. I usually go out to eat by myself all the time but I’ve NEVER gone to the movies alone. If you follow me on Twitter, then you know how hype I’ve been over the movie Rio. As soon as I saw the previews with the enticing colors and music, I knew I had to see it. I am totally a big kid at heart when it comes to cartoons. I chose my DirectTV package based on the Boomerang channel.  When I started college my undergraduate major was early childhood education (before I changed it) and what I enjoyed most was the color and creativity. So you can see why I just had to get out and see the movie, even if that meant going alone.

The movie was sooo sweet, in the end a true love story. There was also a lot of humor for kids and adults too. There were music was awesome there were selections by Jaime Foxx, will.i.am, Taio Cruz, Este Dean, and many more. Some of the songs made me want to create a Zumba routine, LoL!!! My FAV part or thing about the movie is that there were so many women and men with natural hair. Once they arrived in Rio there was a woman on the beach with an afro puff so you know I was super excited!!! And one of the bad guys had dreds too. My only wish is that I were able to enjoy the movie with my favorite kid. If you all haven't seen it, it's such a great movie to see (especially if you're a big kid like me)!!! After seeing this movie I definitely want to vacation next year in beautiful Rio de Janeiro (on to look for a payment plan, LoL).

I'll Be Missing You

Last night (I should say this morning around 1ish) I was very emotional. I felt like I was missing something, not sure if it was my moma but just missing something. Fast forward to later on today and I realized (thanks to cuzzo's FB) that today is the 6 year anniversary of my Granddaddy's death. I'm not sure if I've ever spoke about this on my blog or not but #Godeeper. When my Granddaddy passed it was a Tuesday morning, I was away in college so I forgot who called to tell me, but that was the day when I lost a piece of me. I actually knew a couple of weeks that he was going to pass but I just didn't know when. I remember being at home the Sunday prior to his death and even though he wasn't feeling well he was still trying to take care of me. He had already given me gas money but he called me again to give me some extra money. As I think about my grandaddy I see so many characteristics of him that I'd like my future husband to have:

* Honest
* Hardworking
* Family oriented
* God-fearing
* Loving
* Giving
* A real man
* Fair

I learned sooo much on how a woman should be treated through his grandaddy's actions as well as his response to my boyfriends. Although I wasn't my grandaddy's biological child I always knew I had a special place in his heart. He even told my line sister that I was his granddaughter, but he thought of me as his child. Every time I think of that story I get super emotional.

I'll be the first to tell you that after my grandaddy passed I was an emotional wreck. The following weeks were more than enough proof that I needed grief counseling (still do). It was the first death in  my immediate family that I'd encountered as an adult. Devastated doesn't come close to the overwhelming amount of emotions I experienced. I was trying my best to hold it together for everyone else, all along, losing it on the inside. To this day I have trouble being at my house (grandparents house) alone and I definitely can't stay overnight by myself.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to have one last day to savor with ALL of my family. I know that I have tangible memories but its #notthesame. Because I LOVE and miss my grandaddy sooo much I've vowed to name my #future son after him.

52 Week Savings Update 5

So I totally missed the mark in regard to posting about the 52 week challenge for update 5. Let me be the first to tell ya THIS IS HARD (yes that's me yelling)!!! What I was told once is that you should pay yourself first. For me this should be quite easy considering that I have two jobs and technically means I get paid every week. However this is definitely a challenge. I think next week I'm going to withdraw the set amount I need first (AKA before shopping) and put in my 52 Week savings account.

I honestly have no issue with you all following this blog to hold me accountable (trust me, I need this)!!! As for this week, on April the 11th (my lil sister b-day), the amount that we all are supposed to have is (drum roll please) $276.00 that translates to $23 for this week. Let's just say ya girl is s-h-o-r-t!!! On a brighter note I did open up an additional savings account for this challenge and at the end of the month $25 automatically transfers over however I'm only at $195 (you do the math since I'm not good at it). Actyally, I just did the math (on my calculator of course), I'm $81 short. Not too bad, huh? Not sure how I'm going to catch up since I'm moving and finally have an Ipad 2 on the way (can you say priorities). Long story short, I could hold off on that pair of Tom's I wanna order sooo freak'n bad!!! All in all I want to have exactly what I need to correlate with the amount for April 25th (the next time I post).

                                  I would like to end this post with a special

 17th Birthday shout-out to the BEST, PRETTIEST, MOST STYLISH sister in the world

                                            HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAMILLE LOVE YA!!!

                                                 Kamille and I last year when she turned 16

                                                  Can you tell... I really LOVE my sister!!!

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates...

WOW... we're 7 days into a new month and as I look at my blog I've only written twice now ya'll know that's a d*mn shame!!! Sooo much has been going on with me!!! Please believe I've had topics on my mind and have even typed a few and saved them to my work desktop (yes it's that serious). When I don't write I feel like my mind is just consumed with sooo many words/feelings. I really hate the fact that I was unable to update you all on the 52 week savings. I'll be sure to do a post on that Monday!!!

Sooo... I've been super stressed due to the fact that I'm going to have to move soon. No, it is not something that I'm looking forward too. I actually received a rent notice on my door about 2 weeks ago (I knew it was coming, but not that soon). When I opened it I saw the increase to $1375... What The F*CK (yes an acronym was not appropriate)!!! My rent now is already high as heck and seeing this I was just super annoyed. Like it totally ruined my night. Oh wait... that's not the last of it, that's only the fee without my additional monthly pet fee of $25, bringing my total to a whopping $1400 a month. No need to ask... that does not include water, lights, or gas. Oops, I forgot about cable. I already know that I can't afford to pay that amount on my measly salary (that's a whole 'nother blog of pisstivity).

So my lease isn't actually up until the 27th of June and I'm required to give a 60 day notice to vacate. I typed it to put in along with my rent but took it out only to see if my lease has a maximum amount they could increase by. I'll probably have time to handle that on Saturday. After I got the news I started apartment hunting. No need to wait. I would LOVE to stay closer to my job but I like living in a 2br. apartment and I know that I wouldn't be able to afford that near my job (why do people say work in place of job? It just doesn't sound grammatically correct, I digress all in these parenthesis). I also considered getting a roommate to save on fund$ but I know that ain't hardly me!!! I haven't had a roommate since my first senior year of college #dontjudgeme!!!

Looking for a place has been sooo time consuming. There are certain things that I have to have like... a washing machine in my apartment, and the place must accept pets. Oh... I forgot the most important thing... be within my price range. I really, really LOVE my current apartment, it is sooo KRISTIN. I feel like in the area that I live in, my complex would definitely be considered in the top 3. I'm really not willing to move to something less (no I'm not fancy huh). I just have to keep in mind that the place I live in has to be safe and astetically correct. That last statement alone puts a whole lot of places out of the running. So I decided to look at townhouses and condos. Then I started to rethink townhouses just because I can see the utilities being high since I'd have to heat the top and bottom. So condos it is, because usually you'll get water included (knocks down one bill). I actually saw a condo that I likes and visited last weekend. I'm going to look again with my cousin Pam and after that I think it just may be the one. There are a couple of things that I dislike but I guess I can learn to get over them.

Please believe this is still a constant stressor for me. It's certainly putting a dent in my summer plans and my freaking birthday in regard to fun(d$)!!! I hope and pray that everything works out smoothly and I don't spend over $2000 (pray for me). To end on a positive... what God has for me it is for me (so no doubt it'll work out)!!!

I Want, I Want, I Want

If you all follow me on twitter, then you should already know the type of LOVE that I have for the new Ipad2. I want it, I want it, I want it!!! The funny thing is... when the first generation Ipad came out I was like why would they make this. I really didn't get the whole idea f an tablet. To me, it looked like a big Ipad. But now I see the bigger picture. The whole conveniency of an Ipad is really what attracts me. When I first moved to Va and traveled home I would take my laptop, but after while that got a bit lackluster. Pulling out my laptop and having the laptop bag count as a carryon item became so annoying that I stopped traveling with my computer. With my new Ipad2 (wishful thinking) it'll be a breeze staying connected.

I'll definitely let you all know if (when) I get my Ipad2. I mean it will definitely be a big chunk of change out of my pockets but I think it'll be something that I put to use very well.

P.S- I am #Gadgetgirl!!!

A Week of Opportunity

Last week at this time I was having a ball at my company's annual party. Each year they rent out a local bar and have food catered for us as well as karaoke and give aways. This year they rented out a larger bar which included a bull. Long story short your girl got on the karaoke and did the d*mn thing. I song about 3 songs, Emotion (gotta be on them notes), Tyrone (I sing this every year) and Try a Little Tenderness (did this with another chick). I won't lie I was feeling myself, my outfit was super cute, and I had caliente latina cutie by my side (that's another post soon to come). Well as I was leaving the guy that hosted the karaoke came up to me and told me to apply, that I'd be great at it. I was pretty boosted because I'm always down for a 'new' hustle, especially something that I enjoy doing!!! The real Kristin does not want a traditional 9-5 job. I think of myself as a free spirit and think that life would be sooo much better if I could get up and do what trully made me happy each day. Of course this all would be done with a sleeve of some sort (yes, I'm a tattoo chick) and a possible lip ring ( I sooo want one). Anyways, I digress. I don't know what will turn up of it but I'm definitely willing to try if it works with my schedule.

You all already know about Zumba. If you're not following me on twitter (im'ma need you to do that), then you don't know I secured a mentor. I'm really trying to take this Zumba thing one step at a time, so that I can really learn and be successful (since I'm not a natural born dancer). After I asked my old instructor to be my mentor she basically offered me a job to teach when I'm ready. I am Uber excited. I definitely have a plan for this one. Gotta get started!!!

Lastly, a good friend of mine hit me up on FB with an opportunity to style a model for a photo shoot. I can't lie, I was totally nervous and excited about this one. I know that a lot of stylist have networked and have ways of getting merchandise for free or on loan. Basically... I have NO connections, totally SUCKS. I was blown by that mere fact that I put my friend off for a day cause my thoughts were like where am I gonna get the funds to make this work. After speaking to him, it was confirmation, why not use the skills that I have to get what I need. Thrift, enough said. The shoot isn't going to be until the summer so that gives me plenty of time to start thinking about looks and getting it together.

So this has been an awesome week that gave me insight as to what can happen. I truly believe that God has something BIGGER and better than a 9-5. I know that he will give me (and you) the desires of heart and that Faith without works is dead. My daily prayer is that God puts me in the right place, at the right time, to meet the right people, so that I can do what I love. Ultimately whatever his will is for me I want him to make me ready!!!

52 week Savings Update 4

We're at the end of yet another month and yep its that time again. If you're also doing the savings plan, today you should have $156. What I plan on doing this week is pulling that amount of money out of my savings and opening up an account that's separate and only for that reason. As I type I keep the goal of what I'm going to use my money for. Although the end result will be a big pay off I really want to see if I can be disciplined to really save over a period of time that it may eventually become a lifestyle.

It's Official !!!

Over the weekend your girl got certified to become a Zumba instructor (insert applause). This was actually on my goal list last year but fell off (there's a upcoming blog about goals soon). I started doing Zumba as soon as I joined my local gym here in '08 I believe. I'll be the first to tell ya that I'm-no-dancer!!! What I LOVE about myself is that I may start out as the underdog. But once I see what it is that I want, I aim for it and achieve it.  I remember not being the best at drill team in highschool, but the next year I was captain and won local and state championship. I also remember not being the best at stepping (at all, thin line from being cut) but one year we competed with just 3 people, I was one of them and we came in first place (Charlie's Angel's). In a nutshell, I'm saying that if I put my mind into accomplishing it I'm sure that I will succeed. I don't have an issue catching on to the routine in Zumba, it just takes a minute for me to have that flawless finish (since I'm not a dancer).

 As soon as I took the class I just knew that it was something that I'd enjoy and began to tell my family members as well as friends about the class. The Zumba instructor that I had I really enjoyed her positive upbeat attitude. For me the thing with Zumba is to have an awesome instructor. After my previous instructor left without warning the wasn't the same (sad face). Every instructor's background is different so there are certain styles of teaching.

So you may be thinking... what is Zumba? Zumba is the only Latin-inspired fitness program that blends red-hot international music, and contagious steps to form a 'fitness party'. If you're looking for a class click here . There are actually 6 types of classes: Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumbatomic, and Zumba in the Circuit. I'm definitely looking at getting more certifications under my belt, but I'll take it a step at a time.

Although I'm certified to teach, my plans are to see if I can find my previous instructor and see if she'll be my mentor (crosses fingers). I'm going to study my material (music) as well as continue to attend classes and see if I can get on a sub list. I've spoken with a guy at this gym in my neighborhood specifically for Zumba but I think his operation might be a lil 'suspect'. If he opens a new time slot I wouldn't mind it. But being the hustler that I am, I'm  going to try to work out a lil something something at the 40. Special shout out to my cousin Dmitri for congratulating me on my 'hustlers ambition'.

I am super excited about this fitness program (like ecstatic). I'll definitely keep you all informed especially when I get my own class, as for now its learn, learn, learn. If you all are in my area and interested in attending a class, I plan on taking a 3 hr. class on Sunday. Two piece will be on deck and fitting right (minus a lil booty meat) for Viva Las Vegas!!!

BTW- do any of you have the Zumba game? I bought it last week but haven't had the time to play it. What are your thoughts?

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope that everyone had an awesome Valentine's Day. I knew before hand that there would be no #boo in my future and fully accepted that. I found a very interesting read this morning and posted it to Facebook:

Today is a day to celebrate Love. Love of yourself, love for life, for struggles, for everyone in your life, for who is IN your life as well as love for who is OUT of your life. If you're single, today is a great day to celebrate your freedom and embrace even more courage to be more open, more loving and more curious about love.


I felt like that was something that everyone could use. I remember last year being pressed to have a Valentine/date, etc. But this year I was totally opposite, I was just like blah. Honestly, the few text that I received this morning were enough for me. Valentine's Day is a great day to show people that you love them but I'd rather that your love be shown everyday!!! In the words of 3000- Everyday's the 14th!!!


OAN- Sweet Dreams Beautiful Nightmare asked me out to dinner and I obliged but there's no going back!!!

I'll Always Love My Mama

5 years ago I lost my mama to a car accident. I wrote about my mom on my blog in 2008, however 5 years marks a huge milestone. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her or wish that she was here with me. Over the past 5 years I truly know the meaning of feeling like a 'motherless child'. There are times when I want to talk to her about nothing, just random days while I'm sitting in traffic. There are also days when I need to have her support and be my #1 cheerleader.

Her death kind of numbed me in a sense. I have a lot of sparks inside but it definitely took a piece away. I remember getting wearing makeup each day so I wouldn't cry (didn't want to mess it up #vain). I know that I pushed a lot of people away but it was/is sooo much to handle. I developed major anger issues, major. The best advice given to me (that I wasn't open to receive) was to take grief counseling. I passed this advice to one of my closest Sorors and I know it works. At times I feel like I should still take grief counseling for a bit of closure. I still can't go nor drive by the cemetery (I go a total different route).

I dream of my mama all the time. I remember being mad when I first moved to Va because she hadn't come in my dreams for almost a month. But when she did, we acknowledged me being mad. I can say that the dreams certainly make me feel better. It's confirmation that she's always with me.

There were times when I tried to rationalize if I'd feel better had she been sick and died rather than leaving sooo unexpectedly. But death is death is death (I'll have a post on that later). The lesson that I took from my mama's death is forgiveness. I spent sooo many years being mad at her for a choice that she made and never really had a chance to talk about it to move on. Although I've forgiven a lot of people for some f'd up things my biggest challenge is having not forgave my mama. I blame myself because I know at the time she passed I was mature enough to 'have the conversation' and didn't.

5 years later and I won't say it gets easier, but as the song goes everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. I'm not sure how I'll handle other life milestones without her being there but somehow I know I'll manage. To all of my friends/family members that thought about me today I really appreciate it. I keep a lot of feelings/emotions bottled up. Today I tried to avoid the subject in general. I usually won't talk about 'my issues' unless I bring them up. But the words and kind thoughts of others did not go unnoticed.