Military may be the way to go!

I have been considering joining the military recently as a civilian officer. The pay grade is out of this world and the benefits are incomparable plus I would be able to retire before I'm 50 years old! Wow! The only thing that kills me is that I would have to wear a stinking uniform. yuck lol I'd have to save my fashionista wardrobe til the weekends or after work. I think I will speak with a recruiter this coming week and find out more about it. I don't want to make a hasty decision but just using this time of unemployment as a means to reinvent myself and to come out better than I was before!

Minique~

Ageless Beauty

Ok so I'm driving along to the subdivison just now and as I passed this young thug on the sidewalk I thought to myself now he really needs a make over! I was laughing at him to myself while he bopped down the street in his oversized clothing and fake chain thinking that he is tough or something. lol I looked up in my rearview mirror to see him throwing up his hands as if he thought my stare was a look of lust or something and he wanted to signal to me to holler at him. lmao Then as I entered the first street I passed two more young and impressionable high school males who eyed me til I pulled up in the driveway. One of them shouted out hey you must be about 18 huh lol I blushed and yelled back "um no" and he said well you look like it. Well that just made my day! I sure hope he wasn't lying lol

I am all WOMAN

"You are a delicate flower, soft & warm, feminine in every way, nothing less than a lady... My lady" These are the poetic words I received in a text from my man yesterday and they brought a smile to my face! Awww how sweet it is to be loved. I love being a woman. I was just thinking the other day how great it is to be female. We rule the world and bring life and comfort to all. I just love doing my make up, wearing different fashions, indulging myself with a new recipe or making a mess of something in the kitchen, changing up my hairstyles, smelling like a "japanese cherryblossom", and most of all having a vagina lol I know I know so lude but it is the one thing that all women have and can use to our advantage. I'm not talking about selling it just 'using what yo momma gave ya.' lol Like S.Harvey said in his book, "ya'll women just don't know how good you have it and how much power you give to men when you give away that cookie to one that is undeserving."

On another note...
I love that the weather is breaking here now because sunshine is my favorite kind of weather. I wish it could be sunny always but I do appreciate the life that rain brings to the earth.

Minique~

Harlem Heights Review

So this past Monday the new BET show "Harlem Heights" debuted. Living in Harlem, I must say, I can appreciate the show for the way it shines light on various boutiques, lounges, and other hot spots throughout the Harlem neighborhood. I mean who knew there was a wine bar or a high end mens suit store literally 5 blocks away from my house. The show delves into the lives of these 8, 20something, positive men and woman living, loving, partying, working, and pursuing their dreams, but it also delves into the great neighborhood of Harlem. It lets people see what Harlem does have to offer, what makes it unique, and why its a Mecca for many African Americans today. Thats what i enjoyed most about the show...

~J. Genese

I WANT Her HAIR!!!

Ok....I dont know what that is, how I find it, where I put it, or what to do with it....but I want her hair! OMG!, how I do love Rihanna so! I love a woman about style, a woman with her own style, and a woman strong enough to pull of a variety of looks...and that she is! Having just acquired a new short do of my own, Im just getting comfortable with showing it off and styling it myself. I cant wait for it to grow out a little more so I can rock the Rihanna-esque look.....tre' fabulous!!!!:)

~J. Genese

Time for Whats on My Mind...

All my good morning texts and emails were met with replies of how wonderful my girl friends nights were, meaning, how wonderful the sex was last night! I guess everyone took it being "Hump" day to heart:) I must say my favorite good morning reply today was from my...ummm..."special friend", "significant other", whatever the term is for someone you've been "dating" for almost 2 years but doesnt want to technically be in a relationship (??, I know)...anywho, it was my absolute favorite because he just got "tested", after I did last week, and Im proud to say that we're both NEGATIVE. You can practice safe sex, and try to hopefully remain in a monogamous relationship with whoever your with, but those 20 minutes of wait can be the most nerve racking of a person's life. Just imagine, in one instant your life is changed, FOREVER...

So tomorrow is one of my bestest friends birthday party and I cant wait! Since getting older, birthdays seem to be the only time when EVERYONE comes out to party now, and her birthday and my birthday are like the two highlights of the year, her's kicks it off and mines ends it, lol. I bought a dress like 3 weeks ago in anticipation and even shoes to match, I dont have a bag though, which means im going to have to make a mad dash to 34th street after work tomorrow and hope theres a grey clutch with my name on it out there!...he he he, im so excited!, I better have fun too:)
And my hair looks so cute today too, of course cause im just at work doing nothing, now watch tomorrow when im trying to achieve this look its gonna look like anything but!...

I found a new lunch spot that im going to try out today. Ive been stalking this place for weeks now, casually trying to peak through the window as I'd walk by, lol. Yesterday I finally took the time to stop and read the menu I saw posted on the door, and they seem to have pretty good food selections and prices. The winner for me was the "create your own salad" with 4 toppings starting at $3.95!!!, the place I go to now for my create your own salad is freakin $6.50!!! Its so expensive to eat healthy...he he he, speaking of healthy...last night I was laying in bed and an old Tyra show came on and it was about obese teens. They started showing the guests, 15, 16, and 17 year olds that weighed like 200, 300, and even 400 pounds! As soon as I saw them why did I get out of bed, at 12:30am, and did like 50 crunches!!!, lol...

And speaking of Tyra, I watched the new season of America's Next Top Model last night. I must say, they'll never be another Eva Diva!, she was the most gorgeous Top Model to come from that show...I had her pegged from the moment I saw her on the commercials. This new crop of model "wanna-be's" is so so, I dont see any stand out winners like with Eva, but I see some with potential. I liked a girl who goes by the name of Fo. She's Black and Mexican and has the most cutest freckles ever...I want freckles!, lol. Oh!, they showed a commercial for applicants for next season of the show (already?, I know right), and there suprisingly looking for girls who are 5'7 and under!! I think the age range is up to 24 or 25 though...man if I was...2 years younger!!!...he he he....

...stay tuned for next thoughts!

~J. Genese

The rock of Love.

I am truly touched by my 'boyfriend' Jason's recent showing of affection and love in my most trying time of need and support. I hate to use the term boyfriend because he has truly shown me just how endearing a real man can be. Although we have gone through some rough spots as any other couple usually does. I think with tenancity, goodwill and determination love can conquer all. I greatly appreciate how he's opened up to me and shared some of his personal life experiences which has helped me to see the bigger picture. It always helps to seek advice from those who've already 'gone through the fire.' Thanks Jason for being there and for being YOU. ;0) I really do feel loved.

SAVE SAVE SAVE AND SAVE SOME DAMN MORE!

This picture speaks volumes for millions now and even louder for me. I was recently laid off from my job and even with one of my best friends losing his job not but 8 months ago it didn't send off a blaring alarm in my head or wallet to save more and buckle down. Today while standing in line to apply for unemployment and foodstamps I found myself mentally kicking my own ass for not preparing for such a time. I've always heard before "Plan for the worst and hope for the best!" but I guess I thought my life was just fine until Tuesday February 24th at 8:33 AM when I was delivered the lethal blow of lay off. I always like to think very highly of myself but I have to tell you that standing amongst what society deems as the 'low income' and welfare receipients today was a truly humbling experience. If you don't learn anything from my message learn this, "Tomorrow is NOT promised to be as grand as you think today is so SAVE FOR THAT RAINY DAY cause it will come."

Minique~

My new office is at the Library

My new office is at the library. Yesterday morning I awoke as usual, got dressed in my fashionable navy blue pin striped suit with matching pearl accessories and I was off to work. I arrived at approximately 8:33 and only had a brief moment to clock in and set my purse down when my supervisor stepped into my cube and almost whispered "Can I see you in my office when you have a sec?" I already knew what what going on when I walked down the hallway. I braced myself for the inevitable and sat down next to the Regional Vice President and across from my supervisor. There was an envelope on her desk with my name on it and she started to read off a paper. Her first words were "Unfortunately due to the nature of the economy....." I think I went deaf for a brief moment afterwards and all I heard next was ""We are going to have to lay you off." I looked up from my clasped hands at her and she looked like she was trying to muster up her most empathetic facial expression but it felt ingenuine all the same to me. After I read over the terms of my separation notice and my severance package I retrieved my hard copies, blotted my eyes from a few tears and headed to my desk to retrieve my belongings. I opted for them to mail me most of my things since it was now nearing 9 AM and I didn't want to be faced with anyone in the hallway duirng my departure. Although after heading straight to the library afterwards and signing myself into one of the private study rooms so that I could collect my thoughts and start applying for my new future I can't help but feel somewhat relieved. I didn't like my job at all but I can't say that I hated it. I moreso tolerated it for the 2.5 years I worked in that cube. I like to think highly of myself and I needed to be doing something more challenging and creative. Times are definitely hard out here and I'm a homeowner. You'd think that would be a good thing but in the midst of being unemployed you have to learn to live off of your savings, whatever that may be, and your Uncle Sam check just to keep your home. I was a bit disheartened when I went online last night to watch a video about homeowners fighting the banks and it started with a woman who lost her 40K a year accounting position and is now living in the dark without utilities just to pay her mortgage. This is only day one for me and I am here at my new office, the library, because I figure if I got up and spent 8 plus hours doing a job I didn't like I could atleast spend half the time planning for my new future.

~Minique

What Is In YOUR Bag??!@$%!???...

My bag is "out of control!!" lol. I mean literally, it must weigh at least 7 pounds, and Im just being nice. After lugging it all the way to work this morning, and knocking into numerous things and people with it, Ive finally decided to actually take a look and see what 7 pounds of importance looks like, cause clearly I cant live without this stuff!

Now off the top I know I have my essentials, my comb and brush, my umbrella and hat, since I actually did my hair this morning and decided just to throw the hat in the bag since I hear there's a chance of rain later, and the ever important cell phone (with charger of course). There's my makeup bag which i TRY to keep to a minimal, checkbook, iPod...my friends iPod, wallet, sunglasses (even though there is not a stitch of sun in the sky...actually, as I glance out the window I see snow flurries), gloves, 2 hand sanitizers, and my bag of candy!:) I have 2 bottles of nail polish, cause you never know when you may chip a nail and need to reapply with a top coat, oh and with that my little handy mini manicure set, you know, mini file, cutters and so forth. I see my camera...for emergency pictures. I see a not so travel size bottle of Victoria's Secret Coconut Sugar body lotion, and body spray. There's a spare set of earrings, Tweezerman eye brow tweezers (the best tweezers ever!), keys, dental floss, and the ever important Excedrin. Ive got 2 notepads, an appointment/calendar book, and the book ive been carrying around since Christmas that Im fake reading, "Who Moved My Cheese?", which I do hear is very good. Finally there's a headband, 2 packs of tissue which I can never find, thats why Im always adding yet another, and last but not least, my taxes!, that Ive been carrying around since January 31!!!!

...yes yes....all things I can't seem to live without! Alright, maybe one hand sanitizer is good enough!, lol

~J. Genese