2013: 6 Lessons Learned

I truly believes that God will send you the same test over and over again until you truly learn the lesson and pass. Kind of like Super Nintendo's Mario World, you have to beat the current level in order to advance to the next. 

I am sharing Six of my biggest lessons learned in 2013. I hope you will share yours as well. 

1. Time and space heals all. Let's be honest. All of us could stand to work on our patience. When I am hurt, I want to wake up the next day and forget what happened. However, I've learned that the heart attack symptoms that we experience during times of disappointment and betrayal, the loss of a loved one, a missed opportunity, and deferred dreams does not go away over night. Go through the motions. Be angry. Cry your heart out. It will pass. Troubles don't last always. Give it time and space. 
2. Eating Healthy and Working Out makes a world of a difference. Not only in your appearance, but your mood/stress levels as well. Being that I am a Black Woman and we are statistically on the short end of every stick, I have to get my health in order. Your health matters. I am happy to say that my gym membership did not go to waste, lol. This year I pretty much committed to eating healthier (I'm a beast during the week; still struggling during the weekend), working out (at least 3/4 days a week, trying to get up to 6 days) and having fun while doing it. I am definitely a group fitness type of girl. Zumba, Kickboxing, Body Works plus Abs, and occasionally a boot camp class. I hate the treadmill and stair-master and will avoid them at all cost. A staircase to nowhere. 3 miles of jogging and you're still in the same place. I can't be bothered. Shout out to my gym buddy JP. You're the best! 
3. Be selective with your extra credit. Everyone doesn't deserve your extra credit. I am that girl and have always been. It's my Achilles heel. I go above and beyond for people. Your extra credit should be reserved for your home team, your cheerleaders, your ride or dies, your peeps. Don't kid yourself into believing that people will be for you what you are and have been for them. Have an accurate count of the members of your fan-club. They are your biggest supporters. They think of you and are considerate of your feelings. They will give you the shirt off their backs. They will answer your 1AM calls. They will pick you up from the airport at 6AM. They should get the extra credit. The home cook meals, the just because gifts, the late night conversations, the care packages, your emergency funds. They should get your free time and attention. "At some point you have to stop crossing oceans for people that wouldn't jump puddles for you." 
4. Have Tough Conversations. Nothing sucks more than being vulnerable with your thoughts and feelings and getting rejected, not being validated, and/or heard. Have tough conversations even when fear creeps up and steals your voice. Clarity is a breath of fresh air, we need it. Ladies and Gentlemen, before you go and make any excuses as to why you won't be having that overdue conversation with your friend, your spouse, and your coworker remember, you are entitled to your feelings and shouldn't apologize for them. Be true to yourself. Trust your instincts. Ask tough questions. Set boundaries. Get clarity. Evaluate. Is it worth it? Are you getting a return on your investment? Has the reason or season for this person/situation expired? Make informed decisions. It's all for the best. 
5. God is in Control. South Florida: Stay or Go? This had been the question for the last 3 years. One thing that I knew for sure is that I had to make a career move back into Public Health. It's really where my heart is. I had been applying for jobs here in there for the last two years without any "real" response. Can you say worried and anxious? Recently, I was sitting in my office and was having a random conversation with my supervisor and the CEO and happened to mention my case management experience. They mentioned an opening for a Community Health Director. Long story short, I am the new Community Health Director. Stressed and anxious for absolutely nothing. He has been working it out the entire time. God is in control. He promised: exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask or think. Trust him. Even when it's hard. Even if you're tired. Even if you don't understand. Trust Him, he's in control. 
6. Focus on you. Love you. Choose you. Prioritize You. I often feel pulled in many directions with so many obligations and commitments. It can be a little overwhelming. Set aside time to do and spend time with whatever/whoever makes you happy. I traveled. I read. I shopped. I visited friends & family. I splurged. I was adventurous. I sponsored a child (Children International). I was good to myself. 

VH1 has a show called best week ever. Well I just had the best year ever. It definitely wasn't perfect but after considering it all, 2013 you rock and I will not complain!

Signed,

Pieces of Me

You Belong

You belong, you are worthy, and you deserve it.

More now than ever I find myself being placed in uncomfortable environments. Environments very different from my norm. Environments where I am often the youngest and the darkest. Environments where I am the only representative for so many. 

If you're not careful you will start to believe fear. Fear's voice is loud and clear. I can hear it screaming, "you don't belong, you can't do it, and you're not smart enough."Don't let fear have you question what you know to be true. Don't let it weight down on you. Silence fear with confidence. Take a minute, ground yourself. Find your voice. Have courage. Believe. Represent!

Represent in your classrooms, at your workplaces, churches, and professional networks. Show up! Check fear at the door. You belong. 

I belong and I hope you know you do as well! 

Signed,

Pieces of Me

2013: VISION BOARD

Everyone morning I wake up and stand in front of this Vision Board I made in February. This year and every year I make goals and promises to myself.  Here are a few of the things I wanted to work on this year. 

Round of applause for the discipline I had this year...

If I had to grade myself I would give myself the following:

Worry free: B

New Job: A

Travel: A+

Let it Be: B 

Smile: A+

Healthy=Sexy: B-

Budget: C-

Hoping to bring those B's and that C up to an A in the months to come. 

Be Blessed my friends and loved one!

Signed

-Pieces of Me

The List: UPDATE 2

"SELF, YOU ROCK! Santra D., you rock!" With this being said, I have so much I want to accomplish and I'm going to use processes and systems thinking to do just that. I know God has the ultimate say so in the happenings of my life (I'm working on fully allowing him to lead), but I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I have made my list. What list you ask? My 30 things to accomplish before 30.

1. Family trip to Haiti.
2. Travel to Europe, Africa, and more Islands of the Caribbean
3. Get a promotion.
4. Start Scholarship Fund in honor of the Late Mona B. Denis.
5. Take a Mission Trip
6. Read 30 New Books
7. Cook/Bake 30 New Meals
8. Learn 30 New Hymns
9. Memorize 30 New Scriptures
10. Learn to speak conversational Spanish and french
11. Learn to swim and go Snorkeling, Jet-Skiing, and Para-Sailing.
12. Write a will.
13. Run a marathon, I repeat RUN
14. Go on a Cross-Country- All American Road Trip: to include camping (yes camping, thinking grand canyon) and resorts (California)
15. Invest, buy stock
16. Go apple everything. I have an I-Phone, just need an I-PAD and a mac book.
17. Buy my first home (townhouse). Moved on my own
18. Romantic Hot Air balloon with champagne date
19. Register and take a Ballroom dancing class.
20. Move to a new city: Maryland, Atlanta, Houston, or another city in Florida.
21. Ride a motorcycle (moped doesn't count).
22. Attend the Kentucky Derby wearing a Huge Hat.
23. Go vegetarian for a month.
24. Garden: Grow my own herbs, fruits, and veggie (small scale).
25. Master a 5-Course Gourmet Meal
26. Learn to drive a manual car (stick shift).
27. Enjoy the Arts: Museums, Galleries, Theatres, Concerts, Gardens: Essence Music Festival (New Orleans), Art Bazzle (Miami), Wine and Food Festival (Miami), Japanese Garden, just to name a few.
28. Mail a card to someone different every month telling them how much they mean to me (family and close friends).
29. Receive and Demand Love at the Level that I give it and Take Risks with Love... LOVE, ENGAGEMENT, MARRIAGE
30. Extravagant 30th Birthday Party (MTV's Sweet 16 doesn't have nothing on me, ohh except money: operation marry a millionaire is in full affect).

Wish me luck! I will keep you all updated.

Signed, Pieces of Me,

-Santra Denis

I Hate You

I hate death. No one really likes it, but I can say with everything that's in me I hate it and I wish no one had to experience it. I wish Jesus would come back already so that we could be done with all this heartache, pain and suffering...

This weekend the Haitian Adventist community was hit hard. While headed to a conference youth program a van carrying 14 passengers back tire blew and the van flipped over twice. Two young men have died and many others sustained injuries.

My heart has been hurting because I was/am a youth director and I have taken this kind of trip numerous times with my church kids. It could have easily been my raggedy church bus that flipped and two of my kids dead. What do you say to young people who are trying to do the right thing? Young people who watched their friends die in route to a CHURCH PROGRAM! How do they continue to have faith? My uncle is the first elder of that church and I swear he feels like his own child died. It's hard to see/hear your loved one's hurting. 

I am really sick of it all. I hate it.  But his grace is sufficient for us. God help our unbelief, help our lack of faith and most of all heal our broken hearts.

Signed,

Pieces of Me

This Time

The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result.

A different result... Just this time

John Legend's This Time has been on repeat all week: "This time I want it all. This time I want it all. Showing you all the cards, giving you all my heart. This time I'll take the chance. This time it's all of me" 

I hope I'll take the chance, just this time. 

All or Nothing!

-Pieces of Me

Happy Birthday KJ

This evening I helped a childhood friend turned one of my favorite guys on this planet celebrate his birthday.

KJ is such an amazing person. He is loyal and dependable. He has a warm and caring spirit. Most of all I am an awe of the man he has become over the years. He is a man of integrity, extremely ambitious, a hardworker, and true to his words. I am blessed to know him and to call him friend. 

Happy Birthday Kevin! Love you tons!

xoxo

Santra

Unanswered Prayers

Have you ever heard a song, a message, a quote that you knew was just for you and your current situation. This evening I attended my church's summer evangelistic meeting. The title of the message was, "Why our prayers go unanswered." The message was just for me. Shout out to the Holy Spirit that kept pushing me to get up and go to church while the flesh gave me every reason to keep sleeping. 

The pastor gave several reasons. The two that stood out to me were:

1. Lack of Faith

2. Lack of Consistency

FAITH! The size of a mustard seed they say. Many people are honest enough to reveal that they have trust issues. What happens when your trust issues include not fully trusting God? How do you trust and believe when you can't see the pathways for the next steps. Do you turn left, right, u-turn, stand still?

Something that I've been struggling with for years is a consistent prayer life. When I read the bible and realize how much Jesus prayed to his father, I start to understand why I haven't had some of the breakthroughs that I'm looking for. It's sad how I seem to be able to get everything done for everyone all the time, but the very thing that I want the most I refuse to make time for, a solid spiritual walk. 

So many of us are going through the motions, hurting, disappointed, having had set back after set back, just trying to figure it (life) out. Yet, we refuse to pray. I refuse to pray. 

Today, I was reminded that I have a Father that loves loves love me. I must remain in constant communication with him in order to have real success and experience real love and happiness. 

Consistent Prayer and Faith, that's what I'm working on for the remainder of the year. I hope that you will join me on the journey to a solid spiritual life as well. 

Prayer = Power

Signed

-Pieces of Me

Our Beloved America

I stand in solidarity with Trayvon Martin's family as they continue to mourn the loss of their son. I stand in the gap for my community that is heart broken and hurting on so many levels, in particular our Men of Color. What do we say to them now? How are they to believe that their lives are valued in our beloved America? How do we say to our brothers that no matter how successful you are, no matter how much of a positive impact you are trying to have in this society, even if you are just a teenager doing teenage things, testing the waters as they often do, to be careful but non-confrontational, and try not to look so suspicious. Don't carry weapons, don't run, AND don't defend yourself even if you're being pursued. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of advice do we give to our fathers, uncles, husbands, and sons?  

When you go after a kid because you don't like how he looks and what you think he represents and he ends up dead, IT'S WRONG! But, George Zimmerman was found not guilty. He is now a free man. Free to do as he pleases and begin his life again, while Trayvon is dead, laying in the ground, robbed of a future. 

Sadly, in our courtrooms its not about truth, it's about proof. I get it, but I don't. 

Let's go there. The underlying issue is America  has a race issue, always has, always will. People of color are seen as an aggressive, violent prone people! Even when we are the victims, we are some how the aggressors as well. It's not all in our heads. Yes, we are followed in the shopping malls. Yes, the moment we seem to disagree in the workplace we are automatically deemed "The Angry Black Man/Woman" and our workers feel threatened. Yes, we are stopped by police officers for no apparent reason. 

Might I add that the Miami Dade Police Department is currently under investigation by The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice after learning that Miami police officers had shot and killed 17 people during the 2010-2011 period -- including seven young black men, two of whom were unarmed, over the course of eight months. I'm so disgusted!

Lets be honest, it's called racial profiling. A few years ago one of my best friend's husband was profiled while driving his Infinity in Boca Raton, FL (South Florida). The police officers pulled him over because he fit the description. He was a black man driving a black infinity. The officers (there were four of them) had him get out of his car and lay out, face first in the middle of a busy street in his suit in tie with their guns pulled out on him. He was finally able to show the officers his state badge, as he is a child protective investigator. They offered him an apology and wished him well...  This is our beloved America.

On some level I want this world to be a better place for my future son or daughter, my nephews & nieces,  my godson, the kids at my church, and for children all over the world.  But, I know that it wont. It will get worst. As believers, we were never to believe in the world's false sense of safety. There's no real peace here for us. Earth is temporary, with a false sense of security, God is real and only in him will we find true peace. 

Allow me to share a few lines from actor Mathew McConaughey's closing argument in A Time to Kill... "What is it in us that seeks truth? Is it our minds or is it our hearts? I set out to prove that a black man could get a fair trial in the South and that We are equal in the eyes of the law. Thats not the truth cause the eyes of the law are human eyes, yours and mine. Until we can see each other as equals justice is never going to be even handed. It will remain nothing more than a reflection of our own biases and prejudices. So until that day, we have a duty under God to Seek the truth not with our eyes, not with our minds where fear and hate are commonalities into prejudice, but with our hearts. But we don't know better."

I wish the jurors would have sought the truth with their hearts.

My heart goes out to Trayvon Martin's family. 

Signed,

Pieces of Me

I had an AMAZING Week & Weekend

Besides the fact that my James left for the Army (I'm still a little sad, well more than a little)...

The week picked up and may even go down as one of my 2013 Best Weeks Ever. I had a fabulous fun-filled week and weekend.

Where should I begin...

Haitian Heritage Month

I love Love LOVE being Haitian. The City of Miami declared the month of May Haitian Heritage month and I must say they are doing an amazing job. Last week I attended two events: Edwidge Danticat Book Reading & Signing and Donna Karan's Urban  Zen Discover Haiti's Museum Exhibition.

Renowned Haitian Author Edwidge Danticat is such a beautiful soul. She is humble, full of love, and an excellent writer. She shared experts from her book "My Brother is Dying" and "The Dew Breaker". I had an amazing time.

Edwidge at the Book Reading & Signing

The Discover Haiti Exhibition was more than I thought it would be. I freaking love Donna Karan and the working she is doing through Urban Zen. Sometime Last Year I was watching Oprah and her documentary on Haiti after the Earthquake. Donna Karan and the work she is doing with Haitian artisan was featured. The artist have few resources but you wouldn't be able to tell by their work. At a time where all people can focus on is how Haiti is this, and Haiti is that, and Haiti needs this, and Haiti needs that. It get's to be overwhelming and to be frank disheartening. Let me tell you, it was a breath of fresh air to just sit back and learn about the beautiful Haitian Culture, enjoy Haitian people, eat Haitian food, and dance to Haitian music. Sad that outsiders appreciate and value our culture more than we do. Don't believe the hype, Haiti and Haitians are beautiful, innovative, resilient, and have so much to offer. If you live in Miami and haven't visited the Little Haiti Cultural Center, go check it out. It's a must see.

Time for the weekend! Saturday/Sabbath is the Lord's Day, a well needed day of rest so I went to church and got my praise on. The praise team mixed up praise and worship and included Haitian-Creole Songs. It was awesome. After church one of my best guy friend's unexpectedly stopped by with his daughter. Love them too pieces. 

Sweet Pea and I

On Saturday evening, I went home and thought it was going to be a very dull evening. I actually was going into my this single life is for the birds rant until my girlfriends came over and we actually ended up having an impromptu sleepover that involved a well needed girl talk, a 3AM run to Denny's, a freestyle competition (J. P. was on the one's and two's). I won't post the videos, lol! The following morning we treated ourselves to brunch at YardBBird. I had a blast, I love these ladies. 

Sunday was a fun but crazy day. I had Brunch with the Ladies, attended the Haitian Flag Day Picnic with my church kids, met with my Class Reunion planning committee, and went to my sister Camisha's  B-Day Dinner. I think I'm Superwoman.

Yarbird with the Ladies. 

Haitian Flag Day Celebration with one of my favorites.

Camisha and I. I <3 you sis

You only get one life... Live, Laugh, Love. 

Signed

-Superwoman

Self-Audit: Manage, Measure, Improve

The saying goes a little something like this:

 "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." 

A guy friend of mine said "Santra, put yourself out there. Take your own advice. Do for you as much as you're doing for others. You know how to be there for everyone but do they know how to be there for you?" For the past few years, I felt a great deal of obligation to others: my friends, my family, work, and church. All are really fulfilling and extremely important but it's what I've always done...

Spring is here. It's the season of renewal  and renewed hope. The perfect time to measure, manage, and improve. You can't manage what you don't measure. And unless you're measuring something you don't know if it is getting better or worse. I urge you to measure those activities or results that are important to successfully achieving your personal and professional goals. 

 Make this year different from the rest. This year has been a little different from the norm. I am exploring Miami, hanging out with people that I normally wouldn't, going places that I didn't even know existed. I am encouraging you all to the same. Test the waters. Move On. Give someone a chance that you normally wouldn't <3.   Live it up. Here's to 2013, a little less than 8 months left.

Signed,

Santra D. 

Ode to the Queen of my Heart

It wouldn't be right if I didn't take a moment to reflect on the Queen of my heart today. 

14 years later and it still feels like just yesterday. 

You never really understand why.

You never really get over it.

You just try not to think of it as much.

One of the many things that keep me awake at night 

Hope we're making her proud

Forever in my heart...

-Signed

My mother's daughter

A Few Things All Women Should Learn How to Do

There are a few things that all women should learn how to do, especially women living on their own . A friend and I were chatting and decided to work on the following:

• Change a flat tire.
• Play chess.
• Shuffle a deck of cards all fancy.
• Mix a perfect cocktail.
• Whistle using your fingers.
• Check oil and radiator fluid levels and fill them, if necessary.
• Do basic household repairs, such as minor fixes to the sink, toilet, change the furnace air filter, etc.
• Jump start a car.
• Drive both a stick shift and an automatic.
• Self Defense: Defend myself if I'm being attacked. Please Note: Supposedly knowing how to fight doesn't equal knowing how to defend your self.

Not so bad, right? Hope you ladies and gentlemen will too choose to work on some of these as well. 

-Signed

Independent Woman

It's My Birthday: February 2013

February 2013 was good to me, like really good. February Festivities: I  did say that I would celebrate my 28th Birthday throughout the 28 Days in February and in 28 Ways right? Well, that's exactly what I did! I won't bore you all with the entire month, but I felt my birthday weekend/month was everything I could ever ask for.

I kick-offed the month with lunch with my co-worker at  Beers and Burgers in Miami Beach and later that evening I had dinner with some of my closest friends/family at Village Tavern. The next day, my actual birthday, I took a personal day. I woke up early early early to catch the sunrise, did my devotion, thought about my parents (bittersweet), gave thanks and was off to The Shops at Pembroke Gardens. I love, love, love the Shops at Pembroke Gardens. You haven't had a spa day until you have had a spa day at Cold Water Creek Spa, I did a half spa day including a full body massage, facial, foot soak, etc. I felt good ya'll. I did a little shopping (Girls just wanna have fun right) followed by lunch at Stir Crazy. If you haven't been, check it out, awesome Asian inspired food. I ended the day at one of my favorite places to be in the entire world, the beach. I walked the strip, read, took in the view, and just had some me time. Great Birthday!

The Weekend: My girlfriends treated me to a Weekend Road trip to Orlando. I love love love them. The hotel was fabulous. Islands of Adventure was a blast, definitely got on the Hulk and screamed my lungs out . We found our new favorite brunch spot, First Watch.  Lastly, we made it rain with napkins and danced on tables at a Mediterranean restaurant Tavern Opa. Did I mention, I did not pay for a thing. Thank you so much my loves :)

A few other mentionables...
Superbowl Sunday at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Brunch at Yardbird Miami and shopping at Lincoln Road, Valentine's Day at Soyka (xoxo),  Road trip to see my sisters, brothers in law, nephew, and my nursing student Renae with the ladies: Day and Angie,  Kayaking, camping, flowers, shoes in my favorite colors, got introduced to the Heart Healer mix-tape (I've been changed) and I FINISHED MY VISION BOARD!!! It was a great month.

Food for Thought: Never convince yourself that you're alone in life. I tend to do this. Recently  I have chosen and will continue to choose to magnify the good and to pay less attention to the bad in my life. I choose happiness, joy, and most of all I choose love. I am surrounded by many blessings that come in form of friends and family. I can honestly say with all my heart and soul that I am loved, accepted,and appreciated. Sometimes we allow the fact that we are not loved by the ones we WANT to be loved by in the ways we WANT to be loved to diminish the fact that we are loved by the people we NEED to be loved by in the ways we NEED it the most and that love is sufficient.Thanks for loving me and thanks for helping me celebrate.

Signed,

-Pieces of Me 

President Obama's Second Inauguration: January 21, 2013

I told you all I was going, didn't I? This girl is on fire!

My weekend in Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia was well needed. Fact of the matter is that I need to be around Progressive People! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I need to be around people who want to make a difference in this world. People who are service minded and believe in collective effort for real change. People who find joy in standing in the cold to make history and not for a lil wayne/ rick ross/ jeezy concert.  I need to be around people who ideas of fun incorporates all forms of arts. I love music/bands, I love poetry, I enjoy Broadway productions and museums. I enjoy reading just for fun. I enjoy discussing politics and and the state of the the Haitian diaspora. I love the message of hope in Christ and how we can help to change people's lives through it. These are a few of the things that make me feel the most purposeful and genuinely happy in life.

Visiting DC and Richmond brought this to light for me.... South Florida is not really cutting it for me. I dare to believe that I was born for a greater purpose. I am a do-gooder. I am a natural born leader. I can't help but to get involved. I need to be involved. I need to stay connected. I need to be around like minded people.

On to my weekend of events... On Friday I flew into Richmond, VA and met up with my childhood friend Diana. Diana, Diana!  A woman with a purpose. We are destined to be business partners. This wasn't luck. Reconnecting is part of a master plan.  We will see what the future has and store for two beautiful,  intelligent, task-goal oriented, well spoken, and well mannered Haitian-American Women. Did I mention, I think Richmond is nice as well.

Saturday we left for D.C., checked into the beautiful Hyatt Hotel in Arlington.  We went out for a night on the town. Had a great night :)

On Sunday, we visited the National Mall. It was my first time visit the monument for Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a site to see. There were thousands of people there as well. The monument is absolutely beautiful. The many quotes he used is his speeches surrounds the actual monument. He was a remarkable man.

Monday was the Inauguration. We got up at 5:00am to get ready. It was freezing cold. But Presiden't Obama's speech and the entire ceremony was well worth it. He really has a beautiful family. The girls have grown up so much. Malia is a character, lol.   Beyonce did her thing and so did Kelly Clarkson. The poem was the only part of it that I was like whatever.  President Obama's speech gave me life. WE THE PEOPLE! He spoke about Women's wages, Immigration, Youth and Young Professionals, and just hope for  some sort of decency before Christ returns, at least that was my biggest take away. Biggest crowd I have ever been in. Felt a little nervous on a few occasions.

Final Thoughts: I came across so many positive people while in DC. I thought about the people that I know that live in the area. They are doing great work, impactful work, they are helping to change the lives of people and to leave this world a better place.

Question to myself is: How many Obama's do I know in life? Do I know any Michelle's, Hilary's, Martin Luther King's, Peter's (Biblical Reference), Oprah's, Mother Teresa's?  Do I surround myself with these types of people on a regular basis? This year I will do my best to navigate more towards the do-gooders, the leaders, the active and engaged folks, the CHANGE-MAKERS!

Once in a Lifetime Experience.

Signed,

Pieces of Me

2012: Chucking up the Deuces

2012 In Review

The Majors

Moved in and fully furnished my own place

I took a swimming class and learned to swim (still working on the breathing technique)

MET PRESIDENT OBAMA

Personal

I had a photo-shoot, I'm sexy and I know it

I started blogging (need to be more consistent)

Danced in the rain

Went on a few dates 

Mailed random cards to 10 of my loved ones

Started my 30 before 30 List

Professional
I got a promotion


Health & Fitness
I lost 15 lbs :)
I gained 5 back, Holidays are the death of me :(
Weave no longer controls me, TEAM NATURAL HAIR
Cooked 10 New Meals

The Arts
I saw Lion King the Broadway Production
Jazz in the Gardens featuring Patti Labelle and Mary J Blige (Cloud 9)
Went to the Kings Concert: Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin, & Marvin Sapp
Saw Marc Anthony in Concert
Toured the Wolfsonian Museumen
I can't even count the new restaurants I've tried... Miami has great restaurants

Spirituality
Didn't make as much as progress as I would have liked but me and God had some real heart to hearts this year.

Finances
I'll be better next year :)

Travel
Spent my 27th Birthday in New York City, New York
Cozumel, Mexico
Baltimore, Maryland
Key Largo, FL
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Atlanta, Georgia
Huntsville, Alabama
And the usual's: Tallahassee, Orlando, Gainesville, and Tampa

Heartaches
I lost my Sr. Ana
Cried this year more than ever (Eyes be sweating)

What a year 2012 was! I accomplished a whole lot. I won some, lost some, had some failures, and even more successes. God is AMAZING!