~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