Making-A-ComeUP :: part 1

I remember it like yesterday...It was June, the summer of 2000 and New Orleans was sticky and hot - just the way I like it. My friends and I had finally made our way back to the only co-ed dorm on Xavier University's campus, and we were ready to shower after a day of exploring the city's French Market, taking pictures in the Quarters (and of course we snuck to Bourbon St.).

We were a part of Xavier's Super Scholar EXCEL program, well known for preparing high school students for their upcoming college career in a 4-week intensive academic environment complete with no-nonsense college professors, 10-page papers, off-campus limitations, and a curfew. If the Dean of the program knew that we'd been off of Xavier's holy grounds (the school was founded by a saint), we'd be expelled. Though I'd earned a scholarship to go, my 17-year old brain was convinced that since mom didn't have to pay for it, she wouldn't be that mad if I got kicked out.......Right. So it was important that we hurry inside, without bumping into our group leaders, and wash up to get ready for the major fair that night.

Every academic program would be present at the fair and would spend time talking to each of us about our interests and what we wanted to major in. I already knew! I was great with children (had even formed my own BabySitters Club), and my junior year in high school I'd looked most forward to taking Psychology, because I found it fascinating to learn the "why" behind people's actions. So put the two together and voila! A career in Child Pyschology! Or so I thought. But the moment I walked into the fair, I became completely mesmerized by this beautiful poster...it had a lot of cool designs and different colors...red, green, yellow...and in huge font at the top it read: "What can I do with a Mass Comm degree?" And very similar to this, it listed every career you could pursue after majoring in Communications. I was in awe!

I remember standing there, not talking to anyone, for about 15 minutes as I read each job title and imagined myself in that position. I could be a reporter, or an actress, or a speaker, or a writer, or this, or that...I couldn't believe that there was an organized program to study all the things that I just naturally loved to do! And all this time, (coming from a family of doctors, and educators - not to mention both of my parents are attorneys), I thought I had to do something similar. I thought that I too, had to major in Poli Sci, go to law school and then become a lawyer; or major in biology for pre-pharm or pre-med or study psychology and ultimately become a PHD with my own practice.

But THIS....this was what I truly wanted - and it was called Mass Communications. My heart was thumping! I wanted the next year to fly by because now I couldn't wait to start college and find out more about this Mass Communications thing....

TO BE CONTINUED

*ps. I have some hilarious pictures from this summer program!! Y'all would get kick out of seeing what I looked like at 17. I'll have to post them if I get a chance to scan them.

“Know this America….”

My President is BLACK.

This morning has been incredible. I am fortunate that my employer provided Live CNN coverage on a projector for everyone to watch the Inauguration Ceremony.

I took notes as Barack delivered his first speech as President of the United States, and I want to share a few of his words that stood out to me:

"Know this America…."

We remain a young nation, but the time has come to set aside childish things….to choose our better history….

All are equal. All are free; and all deserve a
chance to pursue their full measure of happiness…

Greatness is never a gift, it must be earned…

The risk takers, the doers, ….[it is them]who have
carried us…

Starting today we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America…

At this moment, a moment that will define a generation…..it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people…it’s when the levees break….[ it is how people act in those moments] that
decide our fate…

A new era of responsibility and recognition,….duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but cease gladly….this is the source of our confidence…the meaning of our liberty and creed….and why a man whose father just 60 years ago could not have been served at a restaurant, can stand before you today and take oath…

America…in this winter of our hardship…let us endure
what storms might come… [And let us say to our children and grandchildren] that we did not turn back nor did we falter….

Thank you
God bless you
And God bless the United States of America

Writer Needed

Writer Needed

......a Nola Divine story

My fingers were postured in a typing stance at the keyboard and my eyes darted a mile a minute across my computer screen. My back was even hunched over my desk – as if somehow this position would help me spot typos better. I was busy doing what I found myself doing a lot lately – editing a resume.

“Danielle, have you ever thought about charging people for that” asked my colleague, Mrs. Gaston.

Her question caught me completely off guard. Charging money for reviewing and rewriting resumes? The idea had never occurred to me before. After all, I wasn’t looking for money; I was just doing my friend’s a favor. But it appeared that I had accidentally stumbled across something that I was good at; A business opportunity even.

Like me, Robert Dagnall also stumbled across his knack for resume writing and entrepreneurship. It was an ordinary morning in 1991 when the UC Berkeley graduate sat pouring over the classified ads for employment opportunities. The inquiries about his career goals had been numerous and quite frustrating. The young man was determined to prove that he could do more with his English degree than resort to being a teacher. He had no idea that his entire future as a business owner stared right at him from the pages of the newspaper - in a less than descriptive ad that simply stated, “Writer Needed.”

“Those two words were like holy grail for English majors,” Dagnall told me in an interview. He called the number on the ad, landed an interview and got the job. The new hire was quickly put to work constructing resumes and as they say, they rest is history. Fast forward about 15 years and he’s been writing resumes and changing people’s careers ever since. To say Mr. Dagnall has changed careers is a strong statement, but in talking to him you’ll understand why this is true.

While other resume companies compete for top ranking in this dog-eat-dog business world, it appears they often get caught up in merely cranking out resumes, generic job fact-sheets of sorts – But Robert Dagnall’s ResumeGuru.com has a different approach. As said on ResumeGuru.com, Dagnall feels his clients deserve better, and this is certainly evident in his caring attitude. “I understand that when my clients come to me, it’s not because they need a new resume, it’s because they need a job,” he said. When writing a resume, this guru gets what is really important. Despite popular belief, it’s not all about the type of fancy paper you use, your vocabulary or design. It’s about learning how to say a great deal with few words and making sure that you as a future employee can sell yourself on paper.

“If I can only impress one person,” Dagnall said of the final product, “I want to impress the employer. Ideally you create a resume that serves both parties…the best resumes don’t just land interviews, but it also reminds them [the client] of what they have to offer.”

Dagnall’s years of expertise and compassionate outlook aren’t the only things that make his business so successful. ResumeGuru.com’s consistent delivery of superior service could not be done without the wonders of technology. With a mass number of people who now completely communicate through cell phones, the internet and e-mail, this online business has been able to reach people over a website since 1995. Though each day brings a different adventure in proprietorship, there are a few things Dagnall can always count on – taking several calls and answering e-mails daily. He works alone but shared that “when you run the shop and do all the work, you learn to juggle your responsibilities.” So he’s always prepared to take a phone call or set up an appointment with a client.

But every company has its challenge and to my surprise, the Guru’s challenge is not some other competing resume writing service or internet staple like Monster.com – Instead he told me that his major competitors are people like me and my friends, the do-it-yourself folks who try to write our own resumes. When I asked him to explain this one he said, “It amazes how if you’ve got a leaky faucet, you’ll call a plumber.” But when comes to something as important as a resume, “people will put their career on the line.” He continued to say that he feels the state of the industry is not at its best because “everyone is an expert.”

Interviewing Robert Dagnall, President of ResumeGuru.com has more than enlightened me on building a career, owning a business and investing in a great resume. His advice to aspiring resume writers was simple yet meaningful: “Take it seriously. Do no harm to your client. Read books; learn as much as you can. Join professional associations. But most of all - do the best you can.”

So I hold Mr. Dagnall responsible not only for the stack of library books on my coffee table, but for causing me to reevaluate my own career goals and take resumes much more seriously. As a current MBA graduate student, my future is still uncertain and I can’t say what I’ll be doing a few years from now. But with confidence I’ll tell you that I’ll never be caught hunched over my laptop again, trying to fix my own resume. I’ll leave that to the guru.

Obama picks Yale Poet for Inauguration

"I'm completely thrilled and deeply, deeply honored," said Elizabeth Alexander.

Well I would be too! LOL.

What poet wouldn't be? Of allllll the talented poets, this black woman was hand-picked by President Obama to compose an original piece and read it for his inaguaration on Jan. 20th.

There have only been 3 poets to read at a presidential swearing in - Elizabeth makes the 4th. We all remember when Maya Angelou and Miller Williams read at Clinton's inauguration; and Robert Frost actually read for John F. Kennedy's.

But who is Elizabeth Alexander?

She's an African American Studies Professor at Yale University, 2007 winner of the $50,000 Jackson Poetry Prize, author of several books, and 2005 Pulitzer Prize Finalist. But she's not just an accomplished writer, she's also close friends with our President. Elizabeth and Obama's friendship goes way back to the 90's when they both worked at the University of Chicago together.

"That friendship makes this opportunity all the more special," she said in article from the Associated Press (AP).

Now I love to write, but I can't imagine the pressure of composing a piece for Barack?!?!? Talk about dotting your i's and not forgetting the coma's! In fact, the AP article went on to say,

Alexander acknowledged the challenge before her...

"You're always trying to catch a rhythm," she said. "It's something I will be chipping away at every day."

And I found it interesting that former U.S. poet laureat Billy Collins had something to say about Elizabeth's task......he apparently expressed that she has her work cut out for her.

According to the AP, "I don't envy her," Collins wrote in an e-mail. "Such poems are nearly impossible to bring off. Because of the heaviness of the subject the risk is that you will end up under it rather than on top. I wish her well and I'm certainly glad Obama is making room for a poet."

Right....sounds like hateration to me, Mr. Collins.

But this is exciting! I can't wait to hear what she comes up with and see her on inauguration day!

Love 101 - My crash course

Lately I've been receiving a lot of lessons on what LOVE is really about and what it really means. I always thought Love was a feeling...an emotion that was expressed through affection and kind acts. But I'm starting to realize that Love wears many hats....and the aforementioned characteristics are only two of them. After all of the many times that I thought I'd fallen in (and out) of love, I'm finally able to start defining what Love is for me.

This weekend a good friend of mine asked me to help her host the 25th Anniversary Party of a married couple from her church. I quickly agreed - if ever I have the time to help someone else, I always try to. But I had no idea what I was getting myself into...within minutes of arriving at the home, I was in tears. Moved by a touching prayer said by a family member, I learned through her words, just how significant this anniversary was....this wasn't just any 'ol party or chance to renew vows, this was a true celebration of dedication, commitment, perseverance, patience, sacrifice, and Love...

Mr. and Mrs. Mister (yes, their name is "Mister") have been married for 25 of the 28 years that they have been together. Over the last two decades, these two have built a life together - they have a cozy 2-story home on Chicago's West side with a roomy basement for entertainment and an immaculate yard thats just now starting to be covered with Fall leaves. Their family consists not only of their own children, but that of neighbor's, close friends, church members, and even colleagues. Mr. and Mrs. Mister were that couple - one to rival the Huxtibles - who always had their door open for others, always had a minute to share in someone else's joy, or listen to their pain...shared recipes, lunches, and Godly advice was distributed regularly. And even with all of their constant giving to others, they still had time for each other. Some marriages fizzle out over time, but this couple now in their late 50's/early 60's, still had fire for one another. In fact, Mrs. Mister had plans to retire soon...allowing her even more time to relax. So it was a major blow when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's....her rock, the head of the household...now needed her more than ever as he suffered from this brain disorder which would affect his memory, thinking, and behavior. Life as they knew it would drastically change...

Imagine, all intimacy as you know it with your partner - gone. Picture after a life of 25 years together, going through days when they may not even remember who you are....What could possibly get you through such difficult times? What pushes Mrs. Mister to stick by her husband through this debilitating disease? It's what I now recognize as true Love.

In her crowded living room, Mrs. Mister was overcome with emotion as she spoke to her guests:

"To everybody in here - whether you are married or not! I want you to know that marriage is serious! Through sickness or health, for better or worse...those vows are serious! And you better do right by the people in your life! My husband needs me now more than ever - and what if I chose not to do right by him?!"

The hurt rolled down her cheeks as she described how difficult it's been taking care of husband, but their was strength in her tears - She described how she goes to work everyday to continue to support him, and how dedicated she is to making sure she is there for him every step of the way. As she spoke, she cried, and she simultaneously praised God and thanked him for her husband, their life together, the beautiful 25 years shared, and for holding their hands as they walk boldly into this new and unexpected chapter of their marriage....

I imagine that my definition of Love will continue to evolve over time, just as I continue to mature and change, but here is how I currently put meaning behind this 4-letter word....

Commitment

Completely and wholly pledging your entire self to someone else. Every single part of you....inside, outside, upside, downside.

Dedication
Selflessly devoting your time and energy towards a shared purpose or goal with someone. And then choosing to stay the course, regardless of what happens.

Perseverance
Steady persistence in your actions in spite of complications.

Patience
(Oooh Jesus! Help me with this one!) A willingness to persevere without complaint, or irritation! Remaining diligent and not becoming annoyed...

Sacrifice
(This is a biggie!!) The ability to give up something great for another thing that you consider to be of even greater value! This is hard to do if your heart isn't really in it. You cannot fake the funk when it comes to sacrificing...

Intimacy
An expression of being close, affectionate, warm and familiar with someone....being a friend and a lover, Intimacy for me is being able to talk for hours, laughing until you fall into each others arms, brushing the tears away, or saying volumes without ever uttering a word...letting your actions do the talking.

Now friends, this is just MY opinion of a few things that make up what we all know as "Love". I'm hardly an expert on the matter. Hell, if I was, then maybe....well, never mind that. But this isn't the end of my journey to find out what Love is....and I have an inkling that it's more than just a FeelGood feeling.....

bump

I'll BUMP to that!

Over the summer people went into a frenzy when Michelle and Barack bumped fists just before he claimed victory as the Democratic presidential nominee.

It's a familiar gesture in the black community; and the meaning behind the hand move could be supportive (I've got your back!), celebratory (Awesome! That's whats up!), agreeable (I know that's right!), and more.

But for me, this power couple added new significance to the old-school expression...even looking at these pictures which so perfectly captured the moment, I can see the affection and love connecting these two - and in that fist bump I see values of not only love, but friendship, devotion and loyalty.

You might be thinking, Nola this was so 4 months ago, why are you talking about this now?

Because the fist bump will never be old!! And if you thought the gesture was retired, Michelle Obama just pulled a Justin Timberlake and brought it back!

I realized this when I attended the Chi Town Laugh Fest over the weekend. Comedians from all over Chicago came out to tell their best jokes and pay tribute to Chicagoan Bernie Mac. One of the comics (sorry i forgot his name) told a joke about his quest to find a "real woman".

"Man I had to leave those chickenheads alone...

(laughter)

I was tired of playing around with the ghetto chicks. I wanted a real woman! Like Michelle Obama!

(more laughter)

I'm serious! Y'all remember seeing when she gave Barack a pound?!?!

(the audience cheered - everybody was nodding their heads)

Man! That's what I'm talking about! That's a woman that's ride or die for you - And I know I've got me a good woman now! Yeah I finally got me a good one...and I know it because I was making love to my woman the other day, and I was giving it to her real good....when she turned around, gave me this look and then reeeal slow, she raised her hand... and gave me THE FIST POUND!!!"

Everybody erupted into laughter!! The image of a woman giving her man the fist bump in the middle of sex was quite funny. HA HAaa!

Okay maybe you had to be there to hear the joke.

But my point is, I've developed a new respect for the fist bump. And ever since the comedian brought it up, I've been bumping my fists to everything! It's such a *Feel Good gesture between two people and it can be about anything that means something to you!

I went to the movies this weekend, and the movie was so good that afterwards it totally deserved the bump! The sexy black shoes I just added to my Fall wardrobe? BUMP! My upcoming work evaluation and possible pay raise? Double Bump!! Lol.

So if you see me raising my hand, don't leave me hanging - Go ahead and meet me half way with the Michelle Obama bump!

GUMBO

I affectionately call the mom of one of my BFF's, "Mama Millie". Mama Millie is the business y'all! If you ever call to say you're coming to stay the night, the woman will fix her house up and have you feeling like you are staying in a 5-star hotel! Fresh sheets, soft towels, serve you breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Take your phone calls and messages while you're asleep and her advice would rival any Ann Landers or Dear Abby column! (Though it may be laced with a few expletives and some wild body language) - i LOVE me some Mama Millie!

I recall one weekend trip to Baton Rouge, LA (during my Xavier days), where Mama Millie took me to her stomping grounds in Lake Charles. There, in her mother's kitchen is where she taught me how to make gumbo.

Now I'm not just talking about any old gumbo recipe...I'm talkin 'bout, the real deal, ragin' Cajun, no cookbook in sight, making-your-rue-from-scratch and darn near going in the bayou to catch the shrimp yourself-Gumbo. This was serious business. I'm sure the house had A/C, but it was 'sho hot in that kitchen! Stirring a stock pot the size of the suitcase I'd brought, Mama Millie was talking a mile a minute as she instructed me on what do: "Okae now ya gotta keep stirrin ya flour and when ya see it turnin' brown, that's when you start puttin' ya water in." Her Louisiana accent just as thick as the rue...The hours I spent with her in that kitchen learning how to make Gumbo were priceless...*smile*...oh the good 'ol days!

Funny - I remember thinking how I couldn't wait to impress my husband one day, by having him come home to pot of gumbo simmering on the stove! But I don't even remember how to make it! LMAO! I tried the box of Zatarain's Gumbo Mix once....and let's just say that didn't work out to well...*smile again*...

But what I do remember is that Mama Millie used to put everything in her gumbo! Chicken...Shrimp...Crab...Sausage...Okra...everything! In fact, that's one of the best things about gumbo - it's the perfect mix of a little of *this and a little of *that, plus a whole lot of spice!

You're probably hungry from reading this now - and since I can't whip you up a pot of Zatarain's, I'll give you what I can...A list of my favorite dishes. Try one this weekend!!!

Nola's Top FeelGood Foods:

Fried Catfish and Cheese Grits

Taco Salad with Ground Beef or Chicken
Loaded Fries from Bar Louie
Cajun Turkey Sandwich with Pepper jack cheese
Chili-Cheese Hot Dog with Jalapeño peppers
Steak and a Loaded Baked Potato (well done, no sour cream, please)
Lays Classic Potato Chips with sprinkles of Louisiana Hot Sauce (don't act like you've never tried this...!)
Boiled Crawfish, Red potatoes and Corn
Fried Chicken (tossed in Hooters sauce)

Now don't get me wrong! I may not remember how to make Gumbo, but I still get down in the kitchen!!!And yes, I wear an apron. I got this Louisiana apron right out of the French Market in New Orleans! You won't catch me over the stove without it!



Look at Mama Millie enjoying one of my fav foods: Crawfish, Corn and Potatoes!



Yummmm...Tell me, what is your favorite comfort food?

LOL!!!

"Laughter the say, is the drug for the soul..."
~Unknown

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.
~Woody Allen

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
~Jean Houston

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.
~Yiddish Proverb

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut

Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place.
~Josh Billings

I'M LAUGHING SO HARD IN THIS PICTURE THAT IT LOOKS AS IF I'M GOING TO SPLIT MY FACE IN HALF....! GEEZ!

You ever feel beat up by life? Like you've just been tossed lemon after lemon? And no matter what you do, how hard you try dammit....things just aren't going the way you've planned? I get like that all the time!!! But I've got a solution for it. Works like a charm every time, I pinky swear!! My secret is LAUGHTER!! And more specifically, a small comedy club on the South Side of Chicago called Jokes' N Notes. Anytime that I'm feeling down, laughing always makes me feel better.

So last Wednesday, when my mouth was puckering from all the sour lemons, Yuca and I decided on a complete whim to go hear Chicago comedian, Lil Rel, host "What-That-Do Wednesdays" at Jokes 'N Notes". I laughed so hard that night that my stomach was hurting!! I would be remiss if I didn't share with you why.....so here. Watch this clip of Lil Rel on P.Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy:

Ever since I've seen this clip, I've been saying "Now what THAT do! ALL DAY!" Hahaa! That's some funny stuff. I can't wait to overhear somebody using those phrases in public!! LOL!

ARE YOU IN CHICAGO? Then you MUST check out Jokes 'N Notes!!! Visit thier website for showtimes and featured comedians: http://www.jokesandnotes.com/index2.htm

And just for fun....Here are some pictures of me when I got caught laughing.....hahahaha....



And if you're in Chi city, let me know! I'll take you out for some laughs at Jokes 'N Notes!