New Projects
Posted by: shira85 on: July 16, 2009
I have never mentioned this in my blog but I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON. With his recent sudden passing I have truly been affected. Because of this I started a new blog, www.0ffthewall.wordpress.com Right now its under construction as I figure out my direction. But I plan to write letters to him, post lyrics, and comment on the current media sayings. So I guess I already know my direction, lol. But anyhoo, check it out. And please refrain from bashing Michael, he is gone, let him Rest in Peace. Thank you.
Also, another new blog that I have started is: www.whenisthewedding.wordpress.com This blog will serve as a reality blog, a look into the life of a couple who lives together, has a child, but is not MARRIED. Sound like all of america huh? I think maybe my experiences can help someone else, because there are lots of us out there. From time to time, my significant other will also contribute. So stay tuned, I’m sure this is going to be interesting.
and last but not least FOLLOW ME: www.twitter.com/butterflysings
I’m a SLACKER
Posted by: shira85 on: July 16, 2009
I’m a slacker, this is true. All of those resolutions that I planned, OUT THE WINDOW. Not to mention do I ever blog? NO because I’m either busy or LAZY. That’s just the truth. But I want to do better. I promise. Not only do I need to blog more often, I really need to remove the molasses out my ass on writing this novel. (that’s a reference from The Color Purple, which will be the topic of the post).
So I just wanted to apologize and say I’m BACK!
March: Get a New Job
Posted by: shira85 on: April 28, 2009
Today is April 28, 2009 and I am currently employed at Howard University Hospital Child Development Center….mission failed!
However, I was put into contact with some people about a government job. I was told the process is long so I still have my fingers crossed and I’m still praying. No one is really hiring. If they are hiring you need experience, much more than I currently possess. Can I please catch a break? I have a son to clothe and feed? HIRE ME! Ok, I also need to be more proactive in applying and searching for jobs. So this is still partly my fault. New goal, get job by July! Stay tuned for April 2009.
February: Stick to an exercise routine
Posted by: shira85 on: April 28, 2009
February has came and gone but I figured I should update this blog. I was doing great in February. My friend Monique was my “get in shape” partner and for awhile we were really working it out. We even started a Teacher Fit Club at work. But that was February. The reality is I have fell completely off of my plan. I weigh 200 pounds and I am doing absolutely nothing about it. Shame on you Tashira! I know. It’s hard. Working out requires energy and motivation, I have neither. After working and taking care of this baby, I just want to relax with a book or some crazy reality show. But that’s no excuse because I’m certain plenty of women with just as hectic schedules still find time to stay in shape. So, I just need to jumpstart my routine again. Which will be hard because I will no longer have a fitness center in my building. But still no excuse, because I can do crunches on my living room floor. So yeah….February was a bust…on to March.
25 Random Things About Tashira
Posted by: shira85 on: February 1, 2009
This is a note that began circulating on Facebook and now EVERYONE seems to be doing it. The rules are to list 25 random facts, goals, things, about yourself and then tag 25 people in which you would like to know more about. I had fun doing it and so wanted to share it on my blog. Enjoy!
1. I still say the kiddie grace before eating. “God is great, God is good, now I thank him for my food. AMEN.” I only learned recently from working at my daycare that there is more to that, so scratch the AMEN, continue “By his hands we all are fed, give us Lord our daily bread, AMEN!
2. I like for things to come in odd numbers. It’s a weird habit but I count things like steps, cars in the lot, books on a shelf, if its an odd amount it makes me happy. My favorite number is 7.
3. I could live off of crablegs, shrimp, ice cream, chicken alfredo, waffles, and cheese.
4. My favorite person in the whole wide world is my Grammy. Her name is Sylvia DeGraff and she has got to be the sweetest lady ever. I love her like Ms. Connie loves cake (inside joke for HUHCDC staff).
5. I see in my near future me as a make-up artist and/or wedding planner. Who can I practice on? Who wants to be my first client?
6. Out of 23 years, I have only had 2 boyfriends.
7.I stripped to pay for Howard. My name was Diamond Gypsy. Don’t judge me and don’t tell my mama.
8. Apparently, I’m very good at photography. I enjoy it a lot. But it’s just my HOBBY, not MY CAREER, Darius!
9. I am Auntie Tashira to fifteen nieces and nephews, ages ranging from 1 to 19.
10. As soon as I get over this laziness I’ve been experiencing, I plan to start my own greeting card line, The Butterfly Sings.
11. Speaking of butterflies. I love them. Butterflies (to me) symbolize beauty and absolute freedom. There’s a huge butterfly tattooed on my back.
12. I am addicted to reality TV. I can’t get enough of it even though I know its mindless entertainment. I’m currently waiting to watch Ray of Love and the new Baldwin Hills season. Other favs include: Bad Girls Club, Real Housewives, and the Keyshia Cole show.
13. My fears: death and loneliness and being trapped in a fire
14. Jesus really is my homeboy. Daughter of a pastor grew up in church, it’s a shame I’ve been such a heathen, really need to get it together. NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT!
15. I daydream…A LOT. Guess I’m stuck in my own fantasy world.
16. I do not like to play Spades because I don’t exactly bid right and everyone always yells at me. IT’S JUST A GAME PEOPLE.
17. Growing up in the Bronx made me want to be Puerto Rican, only so I could wet my hair and make it curly like the girls in my class. Some of my friends said I dressed like the Puerto Rican girls so they used to call me “Peter Rican”.
18. Water is gross. Rarely drink it.
19. Dream job for me: Writing novels and movies. I’m going to do it.
20. I could seriously sleep all day. In fact most of my freshman year was spent in the comfort of my cozy bed in the Annex.
21. My biggest celebrities crushes have been Nelly, Boris Kodjoe, Brad Pitt, DMX, Method Man and the current love of my life is Idris Elba.
22. Totally Random: I like to chew on plastic, i.e. straws, pen caps, bottle tops….
23. I have never smoked weed and have no desire to do so, not even once.
24. Every single time my flight takes off, I freak out, I even cry a little.
25. On August 18, 2008, I fell in love. The purpose for my existence is now Xavier Darius Lyles. You never fully understand just how much you can love someone until you have a child.
January: Change My Eating Habits
Posted by: shira85 on: January 31, 2009
January 2009 is officially over. Have I really changed my eating habits??? Not quite. Shameful I know. But I am trying. I haven’t had a lot of ice cream and I have drunk much more water. When I began to realize that January was passing me by, I took a jump start on my February goal. For the past week I have been in the gym for an hour a day work out! See, I’m not entirely a failure. I’ve rotated between the elliptical, treadmill, the bike, and some arm curls. I even take the stairs. My body is nice and sore, but that means its working right? I took a chance and peeked at a scale today. It said 187. That made me sad. SO, I just know that I have to keep doing what I’m doing in order to see results. Gaining weight is easy, losing it is hard, but possible. The other day I found some pictures of me at different weights. The smallest I have ever been was 135lbs in my sophomore year of college. Talk about skinny! My freshman year I was 150, I looked good at that size. Although I remember thinking I was fat then too. My ideal goal would be to go back to 135lbs, but I think the realistic goal should be 150lbs. So here I go again folks. I will post pictures (maybe) of this journey. I have not even attempted any of the other 2009 goals, so don’t ask. I’m on my way to work out now, and you know I actually enjoy it.
My Life in 2009
Posted by: shira85 on: January 19, 2009
This is super late but still necessary.
Happy New Year! 2009 is here and I’m anxious for what this year has in store for me. 2008 was definitely a year to remember. I lost my mother, graduated from college, and became a mom. 2008 was my year of growth and indeed I grew up tremendously in 2008. My vsion for 2009 is to further that growth. I want to transform myself into a better me. Every year we make resolutions, some of us keep them, others not so much. For 2009, I just want to be better. I want to better my health, my mind, my spirit, my life. I want to be a better mother, girlfriend (trying to be a wife soon), sister, friend, daughter, Christian, neighbor, person. I have devised a 12 month plan to aid me in my goal of transformation and betterment. Each month is dedicated to an area of my life that I will focus on although the goal is to do everything continously throughout the year. These are subject to change:
January: I want to change my eating habits.
February: Create an exercise routine, and stick to it.
March: Get a new job!
April: Money Matters: Goal is to save $1000
May: Learn to Drive, Get my License
June: Do some Community Service
July: My Month, I can do whatever makes me happy!
August: Xavier’s first birthday, lots of family fun
September: Get Serious about Grad school!
October: Work on writing my first novel.
November: Develop my interest in being a make-up artist and wedding planner.
December: Random acts of kindness
These are my goals for this year. I encourage you all to ask me how I’m doing, offer suggestions, or even join me (of course, make your own plans). By the way, its the 19th of January and I have yet to eat better. Food is a guilty pleasure. But hey, I’m a work in progress……..
This Christmas
Posted by: shira85 on: December 29, 2008
This year I celebrated Christmas for the first time as a mom. I also celebrated the holiday for the first time with my beau of three years. To sum it all up, I had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas and the whole holiday season has always been my favorite time of the year. I love to dress warmly, sip hot cocoa, spend time with loved ones and be in a joyous mood. Because I live in DC where it doesn’t get that cold, I love to travel home to Pennsylvania or New York, where they have real winters. By real winters I mean, below freezing temperatures and SNOW. It’s not the holiday season with out the snow. My favorite Christmas songs are “The Christmas Song”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Gee, Whiz It’s Christmas”, and Mariah Carey’s version of “O Holy Night”. Christmas gives me a warm feeling in my heart and lights up my face with a smile. This year I received a diamond journey necklace and the new Keyshia Cole cd (thanks babe). For my son we bought him a big exersaucer. It’s basically a swivel seat that allows him to be surrounded by various toys with different textures, colors, shapes and sounds. HE LOVES IT. But of course we all know that Christmas isnt about the gift giving, but rather about the birth of Jesus and spending time with family. So I thank God for blessing me with the gift of my own small family. I thank God for the birth of Jesus and all that HE has done for me. Although I was happy this year I also felt some sadness. The last time I saw my mom Danielle was this time last year. And I would give anything in the world to go back to the last day we saw each other. I really broke down last week and cried hard and stayed to myself for a while. Sometimes the reality sets in at random times and I have to release. I talked to my grandmother and hearing her strength helps me cope.
The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For
Posted by: shira85 on: November 25, 2008
I Need a Job…Like Yesterday!
Posted by: shira85 on: October 28, 2008
I am a Howard University graduate. I recently received my hard earned degree in Journalism in December 2007. Since then I have been working as an Assistant Teacher at a child development center. I accepted this job because I was pregnant and didn’t think I would get hired at a job in my field knowing that I would need time off once the baby arrived. Well now that my precious baby boy is here I am searching hard to get my foot in the door within the communications/publishing field.
I enjoy writing about women’s issues, children and health. I would like to increase my knowledge of the fashion industry and be able to write about that as well. I am not limited to writing and have interest in photography and layout design. If you know of any jobs in Washington DC area, please let me know. Email me at tashira03@yahoo.com Thanks!
Here’s my resume:
Objective: To secure a full time entry level position in communications, publishing, print
Education: Howard University, Washington DC
Major: Print Journalism Minor: English Date of Graduation: December 2007
Experience:
March 2007 - Present
Assistant Teacher, Howard University Hospital Child Development Center
Washington, DC
Duties: Assist head teacher(s) in daily activities with children ages 1-3
August 2007 – Dec. 2007
Health and Science Beat Reporter , www.BlackCollegeView.com
Washington, DC
Duties: Report and write articles pertaining to health and science news. Provide weekly beat memos and updates, generate story ideas for others and serve as online editor
June 2007 - August 2007
Intern, Kiki Rockstar, Sex Sociologist and Novelist
Washington, DC
Duties: Website maintenance, assistance with personal business goals: assist in promotion of book and assist in beginning phases of television show
August 2006 - Dec. 2006
Life and Style Editor & Layout Designer, 101 Magazine
Howard University, Washington DC
Duties: Under the direction of Ingrid Sturgis and Yanick Lamb develop prototype for new college focused magazine. As editor of Life and Style section duties included generating story ideas, assigning stories, editing. As a layout designer, duties included designing feature spreads, magazine covers, and various layouts for magazine
August 2006 - Dec. 2006
Staff Writer, The Hilltop
Howard University, Washington DC
Duties: Nation & World Staff Writer report and write articles pertaining to National/global issues attend weekly critique meetings, compile news briefs
January 2006 – May 2006
Intern, Howard Magazine
Howard University, Washington DC
Duties: Writing short articles/profiles, assisting in editing, small errands, and office tasks
February 2004 – May 2006
Student Office Assistant, Department of Modern Languages
Howard University, Washington DC
Duties: Answering phones, pick-up and delivery to/from university administration and clerical tasks.
Skills: Microsoft Word, InDesign, PowerPoint
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- Belinda: I love your plan... You sound a lot like me. My 2008 was a big year too. I met my husband, got married and had a baby. Big year. This year, I wante
- Jerry Thomas: Hello Howard Grad: I would like to speak with you about request for work. Please give me a call at 312-285-5166.
- Bsquared86: I love Solange's new album! I wasn't sure if I would at first listen, but now I play it all of the time. One of my faves is "Would've Been The One." S
Categories
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- My Life in 2009 (4)
- Ramblings (13)
- The Journalist in Me (6)
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- This is Our World (5)
