She Tagged Me!

Four Jobs I've Had

1. Cashier at Bengal Burger- my first job in College, i worked 3 hours a week at $5 an hour...and dont think i wasnt excited to cash my $15 check every week. I guess i got more than that $15 though cause me and all my friends had free lunch whenever I was at work!
2. Seamstress- Made fancy dresses for all those fatermity and sorority balls. Freshman year everyone wore thier prom dress but after that they realized they need to have new formal gowns. my sister and I made a killing ever year...thanks to the Alpha & Sigma balls
3. Letter of Credit Processor- ok so after I moved back to Brooklyn I temped at IBJ- Industrial bank of Japan ....i wonder if they are still around. learned to process letters of credit. who said you'll never use HS math again? My first job making over $18 an hour, they offered to make me permanant...turned them down to move back to buffalo (long story)
4. Mommy- So 9 years ago I took on a job that is never ending....I became a Mom, it is most definately the hardest of all the jobs I have ever had. I had my son at 21 and felt that it was my duty to raise a respectful, loving, intelligent, spiritual, aware African Male. I wanted to raise the man that every woman want for her daughter. It is a struggle but I am doing my best...and my co-parent (his dad) definately makes the task easier.

Four Movies I can watch over and over

1. Roman Holiday- I must have seen this movie at least 100 times
2. Matrix - I act like parts 2 and 3 never happened.. u got that never happened
3. Brown Sugar- I love this movie..
4. Imitation of Life- If you havent seen it, add it to your netflix list

Four Places I Have Lived

1. Bedstuy, Brooklyn
2. East Flatbush, Brooklyn
3. Park Slope, Brooklyn
4. Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Ok so all my places are Brooklyn but if you know the planet of brooklyn you know that each of these neighborhoods is a city unto itself!

Four TV Shows I Love

1. Sex in the City- no explanation neccessary.
2. Living Single- I love watching this still. it is in reruns on the oxegen channel....if ya didn't know the orignal Sex in the City peep it !
3. Law & Order- I like SVU the best the others are ok, and will do in a time of need but i LOVE SVU!
4. Different World- Need I even explain this one? go back and watch this one as an adult. They were way ahead of thier time. Comes on right before Living Single!

Four Places I've Been on Vacation

1. Costa Rica- 10 days using bootleg HS spanish to get around
2. Paris- 7 days using bootleg French to get around
3. Jamaica- 10 days using bootleg patois to get deals from the natives
4. Mexico- 6 days using Lesley's legit spanish to get around

Four Favorite Foods

1. SUSHI- I love it all eel is my favorite!
2. AvacadosI can eat them 7 days a week with ANYTHING! eggs, rice, cheese, sandwich, salad, fish.............anything
3. Wintergreen Altoids-The blue can
4. Heuvos Ranchos- I said my spanish was bootleg..anyway they make this at Beso one of my favorite brunch spots.

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now

1. The Beach- I havent been on vaction in 2years...count 'em 1 ...2
2. Sleep- I love to sleep...i love those days when its raining and you just stay in bed all day.. get up to eat, use the bathroom, & make love or fu*k , then u go back to sleep, cuddle and repeat! yeah i love those days and still get up the next day tired!
3. Shopping- Hello my name is Oyo and I am a shopaholic
4. In the Corner Office....yeah I'll make it there one day soon!

Four Web Sites I Visit Daily

1. gmail
2. mandtbank.com
3. my.yahoo.com
4. hotwire.com

Four Bloggers Who Are Now IT!

1. Destiny
2. Willette
3. russatta stole enilolobo....so that all folks!

Hard Decisions....

So do you make a move to a new company for more $$$ but less power? that was my dilema. As much as I wanted the money something was pulling me back from accepting the offer. I was really hoping that my company would make a good enough offer to make me want to stay. There was so much doubt too many questions and I honestly feel that when the universe speaks to me her voice is loud and clear and not muddled. So i tossed and turned all night and still didnt know what I was going to say to WAMU about thier offer. As the day began to progress I had pretty much made my decision... I had asked them to bring me in as an officer and was told that they were not going to be able to.
My current employer made a great counter offer...not as much $$$ but this is want they are giving me:

First a 16% raise effective immediately
Second I am going to be the Regional CRA officer for a new market that is coming online
Third I am being promoted to Banking Officer, and my job and pay grade is being restructured
and a 9% bonus...

So I am grabbing my bootstraps and moving right on up that corporate ladder! More money, More power, more face time in front of Senior Managment, but most importantly more leadership opportunites and the ability to postively affect our communites on a daily basis.

They Want Me....

So I got an offer last night... That's right ladies and gentlemen, after a flurry of calls yesterday WAMU made me an offer. I get the offical offer today when Seattle wakes up cause thats where HQ are. Old girl will see if there is any wiggle room to find a few more incentives cause my manager is trying to come up with a counter offer! I feel so wanted, so needed! That's all for now will update later today!

No Women Allowed

So one of my good friends tells me that he is having a Brunch and that it is for Men only. Doesnt he know that that just means I HAVE to be there. Dont tell me I cant cause that just makes me want it more! So I immediately hatch a plan to crash this guys only brunch, I mean I can be one of the guys...I'm that chick that will buy you a lap dance a the strip club cause your my homie.

Ok ....
1. I know its Sunday and football season so that means anytime between 2pm-5pm and I am good to be in the thick of things.
2. Offer to show up with grub or cold beer
3. Talk mad trash before hand about how I am gonna show up anyway cause "I know where u live!"
4. Show up bearing gifts, talk trash, push a little and talk more trash

So all in all I had a good time... I love male company. I always insist on being one of the guys and hate being left out just cause I look good in booty jeans ;o) My boy is mad cool and i love him like a brother. Oh yeah I almost forgot these dudes could COOK! They all made a dish.....I'm talking rice & peas, mac & cheese, grilled chicken breast, veggie curry beef, peach pie, chilli something Eternal insists on calling ho' cakes (really fried cornbread), salad and my humble salmon cakes.....I'm gonna have to make one of them my wifey so I can come home to a hot meal after a long day at the job! Speaking of jobs.....I may have news on the interview soon!

Ode to my Baby Mama!

My Baby Mama...I dont even remember how, when or where the title came from. But if you know me well, then when I say I gotta call my Baby Mama cause it's been to long (we haven't spoken since yesterday!) you know what the deal is. My Baby mama is fine as hell, with an atititude to boot! Mama dont take no mess.

She knows every little dirty deed I have done and loves me in spite of or because of....depending on the view. She was there when I had the pregnancy test my junior year of college and held my hand thru the pains and joys of parenthood. She was there when i thought I was in love and made me realize that, that is not love. She was there when I fell so hard it hurt to breathe, when I meet the man who renewed my faith in relationships. Yeah my baby mama knows all my drama, how easily I fall in and out of love. How my ego can be too big at times, and wither away to nothing at others. She knows and reminds me of things I have forgotten when I should have remembered. She took the time to let me have a good long cry over a major loss in my life the night before HER WEDDING. She knows me...the quiet me that you dont always meet and may never meet. The me that cries herself to sleep sometimes, or has an all out "why me" tantrum (floor rolling and all). I love my baby mama...we chose each other, the Most High brought her into my life. And when we are old with gray locks, grandchildren and great grands, you'll recognize us by the fire in our eyes as we smile and show the youngsters what living life and true friendship is really all about. Love you much Woo.

Grabbing my bootstraps

"pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps," meaning to leverage yourself to success from a small beginning.

I am a bootstrapper, and so are most of my tribe. We have the desire to be winners and a willingness to do the necessary work to get there. When you think of me.....I am that runner that may have gotten of to a slow start because I didnt have all the advantages like an expensive trainer or the sneakers of choice. My trainer was sheer determination and my kicks were more than likely hand me downs. But I come from behind slowly and surely picking up speed and learning tricks along the way. When people have written me off to statistics and socio-economic hurdles...my hand me downs carry me to victory. I refuse to be a victim and I know that when obstacles are presented I leap over them, and when opportunities dont come knocking ... I create them. When you see me sailing past all those fancy sneakers and spectators look on in awe... know that is was determination and willpower, and my bootstrapper ways!

Interview drama

Ok ...so i had a job interview today, and the day started off a mess but ended just fine.
1. I couldn't find my black pantyhose that i just brought, and anyone who buys pantyhose knows that you cant just pick up a pair from the bodega on the corner.
2. I found a pair of brown pantyhose still in the wrapper.....now where the hell is my brown pinstripesuit? Crap it is in the cleaners. Ok...brown pantyhose with my black suit new, pantyhose once i get into the city.
3. Had to stop in Ann Taylor to get pantyhose....only the best you know. So why is the lady in front of me unaware of how to sign her name on the screen to make her purchase. i want to grab the pen and sign for her. Almost threw the money on the counter, instead i decide to put the pantyhose on and pay after. The lady gave me a funny look but what the hell.
4. 1 min late for interview, raining like crazy and I have a shopping bag with me....ok... so there was a sweater on sale that i had to have.
5. Things start looking up! The guy is running late himself so I can stash my bag in the closet with my coat and not look like i was late because of my little $$$ habit.
6. Interview goes great... we run over the time. He says he'll speak to HR about $$$$.... actually $$$ cause he is offering a little less than i want but still more than i make. That is a good sign.
7. I am back in the office and should be returning phone calls but updating my blog instead! Cross your fingers for me! If i get the gig i am going to do something really indulgent...any suggestions?

Sunday Brunch

Today I hosted the first YBB Brunch....What is YBB? It stands for Young Black and Beautiful! I like that classification much better than Buppie or any of the other terms that are floating around for young Black professionals that are making it happen. The other term that I like is bootstrapper... But for now we will stick with YBB! We are going to meet the 3rd Sunday of every month, each month a different member gets to host. Next month is Russatta's turn. I am looking forward to it, cause she made a great quiche for today.
So, I had about 10 folks over and we had a great time just enjoying each others company and energy. I would really like for this to evolve into a small community of motivated individuals who can support each other and give feedback on ideas and topics. I have heard it described as a tribe in some trendy magazine and I liked that term also. This is my tribe! We get to choose each other and be a part of each others lives. I really miss that sense of community.... a group of people who value you and you are accountable to. I want that, I need that in my life. The photo above is the tribe I was born into...that's me in the right corner! Now I get to belong to a new one.