~Happy New Year~

It's 2012 Happy New Year!!!!! I'm so excited I have so many things planned for this year. I know you do too. I hope this year brings you peace, success, happiness, and wealth!!!!

~Merry Christmas~

I want to wish all of my blogger friends a Merry Christmas. Make sure you save me some candy canes lol. I want to leave you with my favorite Christmas song, sung by the one and only Mariah Carey!

~Life & Death~

I can't believe it has been four years since this young man passed. The young man who is pictured above I seen him the day before he passed. He was a friend, peer, and my sands (we both joined our Greek organizations the same year Spr 07). I still remember that last conversation we had that day before he passed. I seen him in the cafeteria and I ran up to him and went to grab his goat-t. I did that every time I seen him, but this time the goat-t was gone. I said "you cut it off" he said "yeah I been cut it off." I said "I guess I haven't seen you in a long time" he said "yes, you haven't seen me in awhile." Than we hugged and went about our way. I didn't know that was going to be my last time seeing him.

The next day the news of his death hit the student body on campus. I couldn't believe it....I fell to my knees and cried I kept saying "but I just seen him, I just seen him yesterday." It was so surreal even down to our last conversation. We had a conversation about his goat-t that was gone, and next he was gone too. We can't leave life expecting to see someone another day. Life just doesn't work that way. So say what you can to the ones that you love. And do the things that will enhance your life because we just don't know. Me'Shawn was only 23 years old very young and talented. Who would have known? (The truth is only God knows)

What I learned about death with his passing is that "life still goes on....if you are still breathing and your heart is still beating you have another chance. You have to learn how to pick up the pieces and continue to move on. Although it can be hard you can not grieve forever. You're are still living and you are here for a reason! Life is to precious to waste!

One thing I can say about Me'shawn is that he was a very humble & loving person. Everyone that came in contact with him will remember him. So his legacy still lives on today.

Thank you so much Me'Shawn Brown for expressing love daily. You're are truly missed! R.I.P

If you want to know about MeShawn's story click here

~Candy Cane Nails~

I love changing my nails and the holidays gives me an excuse to do so. My nickname isn't candy cane for nothing! If you want to learn how to create this look click here.

~Living in the Moment~

Rory 7lbs 1 oz. 20 in 12/13/11

Yes, I am an aunt now...and it feels kind of weird. I remember when my brother found out he was going to be a father. He said to me "Hey, I am not the only one that will be having a title." he looked at me and said you are going to be an aunt.

It was so amazing walking into the room and seeing my brother hold his child. It was almost like he was in disbelief. I told him he looked like he was in the moment. He said "yes I am."

In life that is what we have to do cherish the moment. The present is so precious there is no need to rush the future. There is no need to send hours reminiscing on the pass when we have the gift of the the present.

Take some time out of your day and reflect and meditate on your present.

~12 Things to do Before 2012~

1. Check your credit report. You can get a free copy once a year by clicking here.
2. Get rid of the old (clothes, shoes, make-up) you can donate these items and get a tax write off too. If you do it before the end of the year.
3. Get started on your 2012 goals. It's never to early to get a head start.
4. Write down all your lifetime successes. So you don't forget you're a winner
5. Forgive yourself for the things you didn't complete in 2011
6. Forgive someone who has hurt you in 2011. This will help you move on to bigger and better things.
7. Express Gratitude for what 2011 has given you
8. Create a vision board. If you keep your eyes on the prize, you will get it.
9. Take a day to treat yourself (self-love)
10. Delete what doesn't belong in 2012 (numbers, people, negative thoughts, jobs/careers)
11. Invest in something new (book, classes, love, workshop)
12. Write down and visualize were you want to be in 2012

Bonus:Tell everyone that you love, that you love them!!

~Dreaming~

I wish I was dreaming

That would be the only way I would feel right

If I was dreaming today, I would not feel like it would be my last night

I said I wish I was Dreaminggggg

So that I could wake up and things will be alright

I wish I did not have an eternal fight

I just might,

Lost it again

It’s like 9 times out of ten

Passion calls back

Takes a relapse

And it feels like I am about to collapse in your spell

I wish the doctor could provide me with medicine and tell

Me that I am dreaming and I’m destined to wake up

That would be my luck

Just tuck me in bed

Before my face turns red

So I can at lease pretend I’m dreaming

~Cheers to the Bun~

It's is something about a bun that is so classic, chic, and cute. I don't think it will ever go out of style.

~Look Both Ways, Even On a One Way Street~

Have you even seen someone go the wrong way down a one way street? Or maybe you were the one that made that mistake before. Whatever the case maybe, I asked that question because in life you have to always look both ways. Somethings in life may look one way but they appear another way.

I can assure you that if you look both ways at ever situation, you will always succeed. And that goes for crossing the street too :)

~You Win Some, You Lose Some~

So I am finally able to give you guys an update on my trip from DC. I had two interview within the last few weeks, so I flew to the east-coast twice. The first interview I had went very well, but I decided after interviewing it was not the job for me. That was due to a number of circumstances out of my control.

The second interview I had was last week and that's the job I wanted the most. It was my 2nd interview, the 1st one was over the phone. I was told I had to prepare a 10 minute presentation for the 2nd interview too. The morning of my interview I walked to the bus stop so I could get to the Metro train. I got on the Green Line and got off at L'Enfant Plaza. I walked about 5-10 minutes to my destination. I looked at this massive building and admired the architectural structure. I entered and checked in with the security guards. I was given a temporary ID and some young lady signed me in. The young lady that would of been my co-worker she had a very pleasant attitude. She greeted me by saying my full government name, the school I graduated from, and the name of my sorority. Than she said "yeah I look over your resume." As we talked I realize we had so much in common. We both graduated from HBCU's, we both had natural hair, and we both were from neighboring states.

During the 15 minutes of down time I decided to walk around the building exploring. I came to my interview early so I had to kill some time. After my self-tour was over we were given the Q to go up stairs for my interview. When I arrived I meet the team that would interview me we shook hands and I sat down. The main lady told me okay Candace you can start with your presentation. I was like okay and I started but my words did not come out right. My mouth was so dry and I was so nervous. I looked at the Dasani water on the table wishing it was mine at that moment. Than I looked at the team of women across from me they had smiles on their faces. I wanted to shake my head like a 2 year old that didn't want to go to sleep. Yes, I was that nervous.

After about 2 minutes of the presentation I pulled myself together. I was breathing regularly and my mouth was not dry anymore. I didn't know were that FEAR came from....all I know was that never happen to me before. Yes, the girl who wants to be a motivational speaker choked up lol. I'm so happy I can laugh at it now since it's all over. After the presentation I had my interview and that part went very well. After it was all over I felt a big relief....and I thanked everyone. They told me I would be hearing the results the next day. There were a total of 4 in the running and only one spot.

The next morning I was sent an email stating basically I didn't get the job. Although, I wanted that job I knew this was only a test. I was tested on my FEAR and my determination. I believe the next couple of months I will be tested on my perseverance. So the next couple of months I am going to focus on only me. That right "ME PHI ME." I believe it's okay to be selfish in current circumstances and this is one of them. Yes, I will try my best to help other in between but my main focus is going to be ______ (you guessed it).

The things I learned from my experience in DC :

• You win some, you lose some
• Failure is a part of life
• I am really, really, really close to success
• I have people in my corner who truly love me
  
• Life is to short celebrate it now....(exploring the sights of the city/Happy Hour for my sorority sister's early b-day)
• Everything that glitter isn't GOLD
• To live in a fast paced city, you have to have a fast paced mind
• Nobody acknowledges the behind the scenes, they only recognize you when the camera is rolling
• Sometimes you have to pick up the pieces, and learn from it and keep on going
  
• I won't stop, and I can't stop, because I love DC!!!
  

At first I wanted to name this post "Every Lesson is a Blessing." Than I said to myself no I want to acknowledge failure. Micheal Jordan once said "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." That is by far one of my favorite quotes.

Failure is a major part of life whether we accept it or not. In order to get to our road of success, we have to bump into failure a couple of times. I know one thing I will treat this experience as a hurdle to make me stronger for the next!

~This is Why I Love Will Smith~

~December Monthly Quotes~

"Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too."
-Will Smith

"I love Christmas. I really do love Christmas. I love being with my family and I love snow. I love the music and the lights and all of it."
-Christina Applegate

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
-Isaiah 7:14

~Friends How Many of Us Have Them?~

http://clombers.com/

My professor's once said "if you say you have more than three friends you are lying." At the time he told my class that, I though he was wrong and I was debating with him. Little did I know, one day he was going to prove me wrong. At that time in my life I was super social and my phone use to ring off the hook. It rang so much that I use to hang up the phone in the middle of a conversation. I felt like superwoman saving everybody from their problems. Saving people who didn't want to change in the first place. It was like I was more worried about their problems than they were. That's when I realized I was caught in a hamster wheel, running miles and getting absolutely nowhere.

As time progressed God revealed their true colors to me. During this faze of my life I got really depressed, the ones who I called my friends were far from it. I would drink a lot during this time because I was so stressed out. What I didn't realize was after the alcohol was gone my problems were still there. I knew I couldn't fight this battle alone...I had to tap into my source which was God. I know that with his strength, I could pull though anything, and I did. I believe this quote can help explain it "I asked God to protect me from my enemies and then I stared losing friends."-unknown

I believe that everything in life happens for a reason. When God releases someone from your life, it's because their season is up. He puts people in your life to teach you lessons, you learn them and move forward. Believe me those lessons will only make you a stronger person. Now I am more content with my life and I choose quality over quantity any day. Now I can truly say I love my friends!

"There is no such thing as fake friends or true friends. However, there is a such thing as a friend no adjectives needed to explain it."-Me

~Happy Turkey Day~

I pray you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?

~I Was Here~

I love this song by Beyonce every time I hear it I get chills. I believe everyone should leave this earth with a legacy. They say "a legend never dies" and that is so true. Take some time out of your day today and think about your legacy. Think of the ones that came before you and change your life for the better. Don't you want to do the same thing for someone else too? You may not know what it is right now, if you don't you better do some soul searching!

What is your Legacy? How will you let the world know you were here?

~Tis the Season to be Receiving~

image:relationshipplaybook.com

I know a lot of people have told you tis the season to be giving, but what is giving without receiving? A lot of people shy away from talking about the receiving side, but me on the other hand not so much. Receiving is not being greedy it about getting what God has for you. I love receiving things, it could be something as simple as a compliment. When I get a compliment I take that expression of praise and thank the person who gave it to me.

Throughout the rest of 2011 I want you to say "I am receiving." That's right say it every morning when you wake up. You will be surprise at what you receive, just wait and watch. It could be money, a compliment, a new job/career, car, love, a free sample, a great deal on something. I really don't know what it is or what you're going to receive, all I know is it is out there. In order to receive you have to be able and willing to receive. Make sure your hands are free so you grab on to something new! Let go of the old to get something new.

When that time comes, let me know what you received :)

~I Was Featured~

I am so excited to announce I had my first interview on Mia Rivel's blog. Please go and check it out and while you're there make sure to follow her blog too!

Mia thank you for featuring me on your blog...I greatly appreciate it!

To check it out click here!

~Decisions~

Which pill red or green?

In life we are faced with making decisions everyday. The decisions one makes today will affect that person tomorrow.

If you want to make a change in your life start today. Begin by writing down were you are right now on paper. And on the other side write were you plan to be. If you plan to transition to the other side of that paper, you have to start making the right decisions now. You will have to do something everyday to get to the goal side. You will have to break bad habits, disconnect from a few people, and look at your goal paper ever single day.

Steve Jobs use to ask himself this every morning "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" I want you to ask yourself the same thing everyday too, it will stop you from making the wrong decisions.

Only YOU can decide the life you want to live, and that begins by make decisions.

What will you decide to do?

Which pill will you take?

I'm Going, I'm Going, I'm Going to DC

I will be going to DC next week for an interview....wish me luck & blessings. I've always wanted to move to DC for a few years now. I always called DC my second home, I've been going there every year since 2008. It's something about this city that has so much energy, something I can't describe. You have to be in the city to feel it. If God feel this job is for me, I will get it! I promise to give you guys updates!!! Stay tuned :)

~Eric Thomas~

Eric Thomas (etthehiphoppreacher) is one of my favorite motivational speakers. I'm posting this video to help you finish this year out with a BANG! I hope you enjoy it, and make sure you watch part 2!

~My Smile is Unique~

I smile a smile that no one else can see

I smile a smile inside of me

I have to remember nine times out of ten that

My past is my past and nobody else can look within

I’ll say it fast I will say it slow, my past is like a Jack in the Box

The more you play with it the more I grow

I smile a smile that no one else can see

I smile a smile inside of me

Sometimes I get mad other times I’m sad

Because of the things I went through

I look at myself in the mirror

And the face looking back is beautiful

I smile a smile that no one else can see

I smile a smile inside of me

Because that person is me

If nobody else loved her who would she be?

A loveless girl

For everyone to see

I smile a smile that no one else can see

I smile a smile inside of me

Every time I wake up I smile and say I love thee

You have to love yourself no matter who you are

Because by the end of the night your that shooting star

You see why I smile a smile that no one else can see?

I smile to myself to say I love thee

~When Life Gives You Lemons~

~When life Gives you lemons, make lemonade~

Today I went to the refrigerator to get something to drink. What I discovered was nothing was there but milk. I didn't have a taste for milk, that's when I seen my lemons in there. I was like, you know what....I'm going to make myself some lemonade. Wow, if that wasn't the best lemonade I ever tasted!! There is going to be a time when life is going to throw you lemons. Those lemon are going to make you a stronger person if you take the right approach on the situation.

~When life gives you lemons, make the best lemonade you ever tasted~

-Me