Save Me From Social Media

I have NEVER, I repeat never had a Facebook page or uploaded a video to YouTube, yet I am strangely addicted to Twitter. Yes, you have 144 characters, that's it, that's all. 144 characters to "tweet" your innermost thoughts about everything from Michael Vick's impending release from house arrest, Ron McNair's deathly affair, Usher's impending divorce from Tameka Raymond, Chris Brown's apology to Rihanna, Tiger Woods absence from Turnberry and even the deaths of legends Walter Cronkite, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I even came across a scholarship contest in which applicants are asked to submit an entry no longer than an average "tweet".

Initially, Twitter was identified as the social media outlet for celebrities such as John Mayer, Ashton Kutcher, Diddy and Oprah. However, Twitter has quickly become a premiere means of marketing any and everything...including oneself. A couple of weeks ago, I actually "tweeted" a response to a question and was rewarded with a prize. Having never won anything before in an online contest, I was a bit skeptical, but I received a direct message on my twitter from the contest sponsor asking for my address. Hmmm??? I wasn't really sure about it, but unlike other media means, there was some comfort in knowing that I wasn't posting my personal information out in the open for the whole, wide world to see. Then it happened. About three days after receiving notice that I won, a package arrived.

Woohoo! Wonder what I won? Well, respond to my post and I'll tell you. Come on, I need some followers.

I've been addicted to Twitter since that day and it has royally paid off. In addition to my Twitter win, I won a Best Buy gift card and several other small items. Have you ever won anything? Tell me about it, I'd love to hear all about it.

~~Tomi

It's So Hot

My niece is pregnant and due to deliver any day now. The first few months were grand as she had the comfort of the Northern California San Francisco Bay Area cool winter rains and warm spring breezes. However, these last couple of weeks have unseasonably warm. Like many S.F. Bay Area apartment dwellers, my niece does not have air conditioning. I mean seriously you don't need it. The temperature is fairly consistent and often times you have to turn on the heater to quell those breezes from the Pacific Ocean. I imagine the mercury rising partnered with a growing baby in your belly are quite uncomfortable for my niece but she's hanging in there.

Unlike my niece, I ain't pregnant but let me tell you that with temperatures hovering in the mid-90s I can definitely relate to being uncomfortable this summer. Is it me or is it unseasonably warm all over. Over the last three weeks, I have traveled from the West Coast to the Midwest from the North to the Durtee South and it's hot all over this nation of ours. However, last night we had a rain shower, albeit brief, there was a rain shower.

That wonderful light rain cooled the summer night so much that there was no need to turn on my A/C last night. This morning when I woke, my hair wasn't all frizzy and unkempt. My skin didn't glisten with the sweat of late night heat. This morning when I rose, I couldn't help but think of how refreshing that cool shower of rain was.

We all need a cool shower of rain from time to time. Just as the plants, grasses, flowers and weeds need to be refreshed, so do each of us.

Michael Jackson

Hard to believe that a legend has passed. Some equate the loss of Michael Jackson to that of legendary artists such as Elvis and John Lennon. I am not writing to debate or dispute the definition of a legend; however, I am writing to simply state the power of one. One. One of which there will never be another. One of which will never be forgotten. One who changed the lives of so many.

Never would I imagine that I would be so taken by the loss of dear Michael. I never met him. In fact, I only went to one of his concerts. I only owned one of his albums and had just recently purchased the "Bad" CD. Seriously, my hubby bought the "Bad" CD about a month ago and it sat on my shelf until 3 weeks ago when one of my kids asked me why I always teased them when they got a boo-boo interjecting their name into "Smooth Criminal". Singing, their name "Are you okay? ____ are you okay? It always lessened the pain. My kids thought it was just another one of mommy's silly songs. However, 3 weeks ago, I remembered that CD on my chest of drawers in my bedroom and unwrapped the package, grabbed my car keys, packed kids in car and played track #10. My youngest son's eyes lit up so. Insert AHA moment here.

Yes, Michael Joseph Jackson I loved you dearly but I am angry that you left us so soon. If only you believed in all those things you inspired us to believe in then you would not have left us to deal with this angst in our hearts. My heart aches so. Knowing that you left us with enough music to last a lifetime again and again is not enough. I can't cry because the emotions range from sadness to anger to hurt to a total lack of emotion.

Heaven gained an angel. I just wish that God left you here a bit longer, it seemed unfinished but He said otherwise. So, my anger is unwarranted for His calling supersedes all. I just wish you were here for one last song, one last dance, one last.

God bless you, Michael Jackson and thank you God for showing the world what angels are like. He must've been an angel...he must have been.

~~Mika

Is Ignorance So Blissful?

Over the course of the last few years, I've learned a very important lesson...IGNORANCE IS BLISS. Okay, before you get all huffy-puffy, let me explain. I am not an expert. I am a jack of many trades, expert of none and finally at ease with that. There are experts and there are those who know just a tad bit more than you and those that know absolutely nothing --or at least they want you to believe that they know absolutely nothing. The experts are those that are not deemed experts merely based on the education, but their experience and in some cases a coupling of the two. Those who know just a tad bit more than you have probably been doing it just a little bit longer than you.

Of the three, it is the last group, those that know absolutely nothing --or at least they want you to believe that they know absolutely nothing, that are the most dangerous. Oftentimes these individuals have been working in the industry for many years and are hanging on by God's grace.

Which are you? Which one do you want to be?

What's on Your List?

Recently I shared some pics of the Africa with some of my co-workers. I guess I should not have been surprised when one stated that she never realized how beautiful Africa was. Funny...people fail to recognize that Africa is a CONTINENT...not a country. Although, I have never been...or shall I say I have not been yet, I have always longed to visit the country.

I am living vicariously through my acquaintance's travels and thanks to his blogspot on www.blogger.com I am able to see the country as he sees it. I was a bit appalled by co-worker's ignorance, yet, I understand. You see when your world consists of your trek to work and back and your friends are those you work with and no one else...you are truly not living life to the fullest. When do people stop aspiring for more...stop dreaming. What is going on? I don't want become devoid of life. I want something...I want something more.

I use to keep a list of the "Ten Things I Wanted to Do Before I Die". Oh, I wish I could find that list and compare it to those things I'd desire to do now. I wonder what changed. Besides me of course. I wonder what things I would change. What's on your list?

Jus' Churchin'

I have been attending another church for the last 3 months and the pastor at my church is like "We miss you", "We miss you". When I'm there I wonder why. Yeah, I know, I am there to serve the Lord and do His will and to fellowship with others who share my belief. However, I believe that I have a higher calling to serve than the four walls of my church will allow. The new church has a ministry for everything and everyone is encouraged to try and find their place to serve. You're not appointed to a place...you are called. The minister welcomes participation and does not discourage new ideas for spreading the Word.

I want to join but my husband's family has been a part of this church since the 1800's. Tradition, tradition, tradition...what an evil thing it is. I long for something more...something that stirs my soul and makes me want to go out and share...I long...

Summer Wrap-up

Summer has been awesome!!! It started with a visit to the S.F. Bay Area. It was my kids' 1st visit since we left in 2001. The boys really enjoyed playing in the ocean and were amazed that water was everywhere. They weren't as excited about the focal point of the Berkeley Marina where you can see the Bay, Golden Gate and Richmond/San Rafael Bridges. Ikea, they loved it. Being that only one of them was old enough to go to the playroom, the other two felt like big boys and got a kick out of being able to shop while eating a hot dog. I went to Ikea and spent a whopping...get this...$7 and came back w/ 2 pillows, 26 magnets, 2 photo albums, 4 hot dogs and potato chips.

It was great visiting my sister in her beautifully-unfurnished 1/2 million+ dollar home. My hubby and I wondered where we'd be if we hadn't left Cali when we did. The townhomes we lived in are renting for $1500-2500 now. We whined and cried when it went up to $1000 and now that's like our mortgage. Hmmmm.go figure.

I didn't enroll in any courses this summer. I really needed the break. I am looking forward to Aug. 21 - 1st day of classes and even more so Aug. 11 the boy's 1st day of classes.

Well, I'm already thinking of my next post. I've gotta tell you about my church.