Beautiful Happenings

Whirlwind type of week for me, I didn't even have time to breath. I hit the ground running on Monday, just meeting with a new employer (i.e. One Economy) for a briefing on my role as Independent Consultant for training a group of youth in West Haven (Chicago's west side just near United Center). It was MLK's day and just reminded me briefly of what God has assigned me to do - be an advocate for youth, inspire and challenge them, so it felt so befitting to be entrusted with their care and development (sorry to be so deep, but after the fire last week my thoughts are even deepa than before). Tuesday brought a cool, crazy day! Now, it's really cold outside in Chicago and Mocha has no hat on, freezing, on the way to class, almost got there late because sometimes in the morning, I get a little lazy, because I don't work a regular job. And the traffic was back to back on South Shore Drive, but God got me there on time. My students wrote Haikus, some darn good ones, I might add. The lovely part of the class/school is the teachers and there support. Best class, it's hard to say, but I'd say Pettis' fifth and sixth grade class, because he also helps with the poetry programming. The third class wasn't able to fully get into the Haiku exercise, because there was a fire drill, and there was a substitute in my regular class - can you say, kids on "crack" cause they cracked jokes, acting all disrespectful, and I had a lot of "please listen". Trying to be calm, cause ya'll know I have a lot of fire in me, ha ha ha. But they were better after the drill, but it's nearly impossible to think you're gonna get a wonderful haiku poem in less than 20 minutes. Haiku, for those who don't know is a Japanese poetry format, 3 lines, with 17 syllables. It's a very focused writing activity that you have to critically think about the words you use and how many syllables that are used in each line. After class, I traveled through downtown, got my bus pass, yes, I"m still on the bus. Ya'll know I"m a regular woman. After that I grabbed a quick lunch at McD's (a salad and diet coke); and got to Parker Community, where I tutor third graders. By 4 pm, I'd be on my way home, to chill for a few hours, lay my head, check some emails, and get back in the poetry spot. My best friend, Steph. B is a doctor and she been taking me around to a few spots, so I read two pieces at the Touch of the Past, a nice spot in Bellwood. Dusted out some non-teaching material (a piece called, "nappy headed black gurl" and one sensual piece that was very appreciated by the brothers...) Just testing my waters. Quiet as it's kept, the last time I read was in St. Louis in August 2005. Thursday night I ended up supporting fellow writer, Nikki Woods, as she rolled out her new book, "Easier Said Than Done", at the Dusable Museum in Hyde Park. We had a good time (me and Steph.) Music was by the hot female deejay on the ones and twos, WGCI's, Sundance and nice positive energy. I'm glad we got there early because it got packed real quick. The funny thing about the event is that Nikki Woods, is also a radio personality on WGCI and on my writing list serve for Prolific Writers Network. She knows my name, but never got to meet me, and it was nice to see her, and support her. She's inspired me to drag out one of my novels and get it done, cause like she says, "I can do it, cause I want to!" Life is so short and precious, why wait? Like Queen Writer, I want to be able to push out my story asap, so more of it can be consumed by others! As you see, there's never a dull moment with me. I have a few books to format for publication (not mines); a couple of journals to type, but some fun on the plate for the weekend. It's snowing, but who cares! I love snow. I'll be on way again Saturday to a party and Sunday hopefully to recharge my batteries. Much love and peace to you all. May you continue to stay in the light.