Live.Love.Learn.

This Land Was Made for You and Me

2011-09-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

"Good morn or evening friend/Here's your friendly announcer/I have serious news to/Pass on/To everybody./What I'm about to say/Could bring the world's disaster./Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain./Because love's/In need/Of love today/Don't delay/Send yours in right away..." Stevie Wonder

This is the best way I can think of to express my feelings on the killing of Troy Davis.

I promised myself I would end my day around 10:30 and it's 10:29

2011-09-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

I'm about to start winding down for the day and thought about posting something as it has been far too long since I've been on SHRH.

In my most recent post I shared my interest in film and I while I decided not to move forward in working with the Head Cheese, I did reach out to see about two other local opportunities to get some experience and build relationships. False starts are always frustrating but that makes me that much more prepared and determined to find or create an opportunity to keep it moving.I did meet with the head cheese in person (I can't remember whether I posted about the meeting or not) and decided to KIM because I just had a feeling....I've typed and backspaced trying to describe it...but suffice to say, that wasn't where I was supposed to be.

I followed up with the Nutrition professor I initially met with a few weeks ago and apparently the grad student who is working on a research project in which I am interested will be happy to have my help.We'll see how things move forward.If we do find time to meet, I'll have to see if we have the same ideas of how I can be a resource to the project and I'll have to communicate that I will only be able to do as much as my schedule allows outside of my other priorities.

Still not working so I am taking advantage of the fact that I have more time and I scheduled a second meeting with a small business resource in DC.I don't remember if I blogged about starting the business either.....A few years back I met an artist who went to the Art Institute in Chicago who started his own gallery as a vehicle for his work so he is my model for starting a production company as a vehicle for my own film projects.I have some things I need to prepare for the meeting so we can make the most of our time.I have Once I find a job and get used to what my schedule will be I will have the brain space to think about the different phases of preparing to launch, the relationships I need to build beforehand etc...

Agora,(now), my courses....oh me oh my.I'll post about that another time bc at this point I don't know if I'll be able to continue this semester or not. I would have ideally liked to work and study this semester but I have to put finding a job first. I had been thinking alot about how things will take shape moving forward being that I have an interest in the arts and also healthcare.I do know of at least two examples of folks who pursued their medical training and still had success in their artistic endeavours. Two is not many but at least the path has already been set.

In a lovely and welcome coincidence, I ran into someone I have not seen in years...three times actually.Seu is a word for Mister,that's how I'll refer to him.He's from the south.I think/hope that in a couple of months my life will be settled a bit more and I can actually be someone's other half.If at that time neither one of is attached,and if this man really knows how to court like a true southern gentleman, I am in serious trouble.We did have good conversation.Seu is fiiine lol.Check mark!

Tchau,
KS

Eu sou aluna..I am a student

2011-08-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

The date and location of the shoot have been changed.It hadn't occured to me at first that it might but I guess that is the nature of the beast.I can remember thinking about being a location scout a while ago, I may mention that to the head cheese after we have had a chance to get to know each other somewhat.

My best bet for now is to establish and build relationships and develop a good reputation for myself.Building my skill set, learning as much about video production as possible at every opportunity.All those good things.

I found a free HTML class next weekend so I look forward to having skills in that area.It can only help.

I don't know how long it will be until I start to make videos/commercials/films on my own but it is probably a good idea to write out some of my ideas just to have them ready. Seek fiscal sponsorship opportunities to fund the projects...

My courses start tomorrow so I'll be juggling a couple of things all at once but that's pretty much what I am used to doing anyway. I reached out to an on campus group that provides health outreach services and I also contacted the campus radio station to share with them my intention to run the Philadelphia marathon in November.Of course, that's all predicated upon proper preparation and I wanted to run this morning.Of course, it's raining and so I'll just have to wait and see how long this lasts. I hope it breaks before 8 or 9 so that I can get out and back while it's still early.

The best thing about getting up early is silence.It doesn't last for long and it's not necessarily a complete silence but it still provides a few hours to do whatever I need or want to do even if that means taking that time to just be, without distractions.How am I going to be a parent?! Ay Dios mio. (spelling)

I want to close by sharing a bit of my experience at the Cape Verdean Embassy this last week.It was great to be able to speak in Portuguese;actually having a conversation and being able to listen and learn new words.There are definite differences between the Brazilian Portugues I began with when I first started learning the language and some of the words that are used in Cape Verde.I had been pronouncing it Caboo Vezhee but the person I was meeting with pronounced it Caboo Verd. We are supposed to meet twice a week with a theme for each meeting so next week will,insha Allah bring opportunities to learn more! I love it!

I'm glad I called and followed up.It would have been easy to let the opportunity pass because there were some difficulties in fully understanding each other when we were trying to set up the first meeting.Senhor (Seenoor)and Senhora (Seenoora) Cool (that's my name for them bc I want me and my future husband to be cool like them as we get older)were very nice.I'm sure these folks are wondering what in the world I was thinking when I just called up the Cape Verdean Embassy out of the blue.I guess they figured let's give it a shot and see how it goes.I'm working with Senhora Cool to build on her English and she's working with me to build on my Portuguese.I'm not sure how long it will last but I think it will be benifcial to both of us.I spoke with Senhor Cool on the phone before meeting him, maybe I'll end up having a session with them both, we'll see.

I remember a conversational tutoring session from a while back with a student who brought a friend...I'm not sure if said friend was conscripted or volunteered but I know, after the initial realization of the hard work required to teach a foreign language, that I can teach more than one person at once.

Tchau,
KS

Lights,Camera,Action

2011-08-17T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's been over a week since I blogged and I decided it was about time to put up another post. I may have finally found an opportunity to pursue my interest in film.I'm set to go to a shoot on Monday! I've shared with the head cheese that I am working towards completing my degree,that I will be taking some courses this fall and that I am looking for employment.Based on the feedback I've gotten so far, that doesn't seem to be an obstacle to working with him.

This dream is no longer deferred and that feeling alone has me hyped and looking forward to getting a chance to hit the ground running and learn as much as possible. I've put out some feelers this summer and just now things seem to be moving forward. I am already hopping between DC and Baltimore anyway so although I do have my sights set on moving into DC or one of the (more affordable) MD neighborhoods bordering DC and it will be a hike to get to shoots I'm willing to do it as long as I have a chance to learn about film.During this last haul between the the city of leaders and the city of readers I bumped into one of the folks who helped me move to BK back in spring of 08.That day was delightful right up until it became a disaster.This man is able to laugh about it tho! How great is that?We caught up and he seems to be adjusting to life out here.

I may do a film about food deserts and their relationship to overweight and obesity, who knows? I don't know exactly when that term came into use but I do know that without a car, I have to walk about 10-15 minutes from where I am currently staying to have access to fresh fruits and veggies.There is one corner store near me that may have some healthy food choices...I popped in after a work out one day but don't remember what the deal was in terms of food that actually grew from some-thing some-where. 10-15 minutes is actually not that bad compared to the neighborhood I lived in during Spring of 2008. I'm trying to think what the answer may be.The closest place I could think of that would/could host a farmers market is about a mile away,farther than the grocery store I went to not too long ago.Plus, I think most of the folks in that area probably have cars, maybe multiple cars per household.I think for youngbloods like myself, a mile is no big deal but that's a distance for the kings and queens.Hmmmm. Sounds like this film idea is on it's way to a one page write up.

Live,Love,Learn,
KS

Relaxing.Reading.Running

2011-08-06T03:57:00.000-07:00

Hope all has been well.If it hasn't I hope things are looking up.

Starting next week, I'll be guest blogging about training for a marathon while fasting during Ramadan.I will include a link to the first post.I decided to aim for a weekly submission and I am very much looking forward to it.

I got way more rest last night than I usually do and I can definitely feel a difference.I'll have to put some more time into managing my time so that I can wind down earlier and get more rest.It's oh so sweet to be up and blogging and not feeling groggy.

Ideally, I'll be getting started with my day by about 9:00.Pretty good for a Saturday.Until then,I'll be taking some time for myself until I leave to go for a jog.

Me time is a freeing and wonderful thing.I don't know who came up with that phrase but check mark!I started writing a play, which I plan to submit to a contest.I am also continuing to read for pleasure.

Congressman John Lewis's book Walking With the Wind is proving to be very interesting.From what I can tell thus far, it seems that his major decisions in life have been directed by a sense of being part of something larger than himself.I don't get a feeling of regret.There's a certain satisfation in his ethical and moral beliefs and how they shape his decisions and the way he relates to the people around him.

For all that he went through it's a very matter of fact retelling of significant events in American history from an insiders perspective.One of the benefits of reading is that you have a broader idea of what is possible.That, combined with having access to opportunities to realize whatever goal(s) you set for yourself is healing in a way. It sets the mind at ease that,if nothing else,you are not alone in your journey towards what you want to be.The frustrations along the way are markers, not stop signs.

Tchau,
KS

Beloved Community

2011-08-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Some of MLK's sermons are compiled into a book called Strength to Love. Within these selections MLK shared his views about the idea of a Beloved Community of which all people are a part of.

I don't know a soul in Somalia but I do get that through nothing other than simple circumstance of birth, I am sitting here typing about the famine; on the outside looking in.

I Read over a list of orgs providing aid in Somalia and wondering which one to give to.

If one million people in the US were facing famine, that would be similar to all of Washington,DC and Baltimore combined.

Going back to the collection of MLK sermons, one of the chapters in this book is entitled 'Love In Action'.

Imagine what the world would be like if every prayer for someone's well being was coupled with action.No matter how small it may seem to the person(s) doing the giving.

Signing Off,
KS

Many steps,a few months,two pairs of sneakers and possibly one more

2011-08-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

Tne NYC Marathon has been a vague idea in the back of my mind.I have yet to turn this into a reality but as it's Augsust now and there is ample time to prepare I can start training and see if I can get to a point where I can participate in the race in its entirety without injuring myself.

I'll share some of my experience in SHRH and as I learn more about maintaing optimal health during training, I'll share that as well.There's no way to know at this point how far I'll be able to go but I'm sure it will be interesting,challenging and rewarding.

Usually when I go out I do a combination of jogging/running.I go farily slowly to accommodate my left knee. I've found it most effective to drink a little bit of water about every twenty minutes so that I can avoid getting a stomach cramp.

For anyone wanting to give running or jogging a try, I can suggest a spot called jackrabbit in brooklyn and mnhtn that will video tape you running on a treadmill and then give you suggestions for proper footwear.I pronate when I run, so, in the past I had a shoe that accomodates for this.It's time for me to get some new ones so I can train without injuring myself.

I look forward to being able to run on the mall in DC so that I don't have to run on concrete.

I can attest to the concept of a runners high where you get to a point where you don't feel that you are running.Just having a sense of accomplishment at the start of every day is benefical.I was out in the Clinton Hill neighborhood in BK last year cheering on racers and, if you've ever watched it you know that there are differently abled folks in the marathon.This is motivation for any day when getting up and out seems like a huge task.

I guess I ought to keep track of weight loss as well but I don't think that will be something I have to think about seriously until I start running longer distances and trying to keep up with how much water I need to drink to make uo for what was lost during working out.

We'll see how many pairs of sneakers it takes to get me through this.I'm thinking at the very least, I'll end up buying a new pair of shoes to correct my pronation but we'll see.I'll share my results.

Encouraging any other runners out there to meet your goals whatever they may be.

Shout out to my SHRH reader in Brazil! Bom dia.

Off for first O-fficial training run.
KS

Tchau Mama

2011-07-30T15:09:00.001-07:00

Living in several different places has encouraged culinary endeavors.Seems like every counrty in the world has a community, no matter how small or large,in NYC so there is a chance to see what new combinations can arise.

Plaintains can be served a variety of ways.I especially like the cuban style where they are fried and served up almost like an oversized potato chip.It looks like they are fried for a bit and then flattened out some how.These sort of look like bannanas which are a good snack as well.

I make mine by heating up some oil, slicing them up and letting them cook for a few minutes on each side.Sometimes I add a little salt.

Bananas are very affordable in comparison to some other options in the produce section.Oranges have always been the easiest go to when it comes to getting enough vitamin C but I know I'm paying more for them out here than when I was in the midwest.

Another good snack is rye bread,hummus,fresh sliced tomato and bean sprouts.All of these items can be used in multiple ways.Fresh sliced tomato can be used for tomato salad.You can just add salad dressing and have a light snack.Bean sprouts can also be used as a topping for a sandwich.I've used it on veggie burgers.Hummus adds a nice touch to a breakfast burrito which can be made by cooking up eggs or your favorite tofu scramble recipe, spreading some hummus on a tortilla and there you go.

Rye bread is something I've only recently starting incorporating into my diet.I don't know about this idea of cutting bread out of the diet completely.I use it as a source of fiber.I found a good rye recently but I'm so used to having breads with preservatives in it that until it started to grow some mold on it,it didn't occur to me that perhaps this one didn't and that maybe I needed to find other ways to use it so it wouldn't be wasted.

I have to shout out a place called Little Lad's Basket in NYC.I don't think I've ever spent more than 10 bucks and the food is good, healthy and vegetarian.They have 'rice cream' which I have not tried but would like to.This place is the stuff and I have always had good customer service.They have veggie dishes that are actually comfort food and not shi shi fu fu meals that wouldn't fill up a thimble.

I have some reading to do, meant to do it yesterday but it didn't happen.I'm definitely going to snag some more cornbread before it's all gone.Thinking about that reminds me of my ill fated quest to find a cast iron skillet when I was still in NYC. I wanted to find one and season it so I could do some for real for real cooking but that search didn't yield the desired result.That was a semi lazy search as I only went to one place.Other things were farther ahead on the priority list.

I know my pot is out there somewhere.I don't want one that looks like it was made two weeks ago.I may have to go to a yard sale or something.

Love Peace and Hair Grease,
KS

Save Now

2011-07-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Just lost a great post.Apparently I wasn't signed in.Lesson Learned.

The gist of it was that food sensitivities are no joke and thus I thought it would be beneficial to share some options for non dairy yogurt products including almond yogurt, as well as soy,rice and coconut based yogurt.

Additionally,traveling with food sensitivities can be made a little bit less difficult by taking the time to see what information you can find about where you're going online or at your local bookstores and libraries.I have no illusions about how much the food you eat impacts how you feel and I encourage all those with allergies and sensitivities,(corn,oil,shellfish,dairy or whatever it may be) to learn more about how you can adjust dishes to suit your needs.

A recent eggplant and tofu mix I threw together turned out to be not too shabby.I like to cook and I look forward to doing it for future hubby and spawn. Cooking and preparing food can be meditative. One exception would be working in food service and being in an environment where you are dealing with the occasional rude and ignt customers (did I say that? Must have been a flashback).

Ahem.Yes, planning out what I will make,finding some yummy ways to put together a nutritious meal,adding some color and texture for the sake of presentation,rinsing,chopping,setting up the table,serving up the grub,gathering some good folk around whenver possible.All good things.

I like to play music when I cook.Stevie,Maze,all of that.
The song 'I Think I'll Call It Morning' by Gil Scott-Heron has been on my mind and I hope the R & B inclined have a chance to partake.ASL community, I imagine the equivalent to be peeking out from underneath a comfy cozy comforter while watching the sunrise and spending the next hour in your favorite well worn in pajamas or letting the cool water wash over your feet at the beach.

Be No Rain,
KS

A Moment of Emptiness

2011-07-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

There is a song by Soul/R&B singer Anthony Hamilton where he has a great line, "sharing a moment of emptiness." I know of at least one place in the world where this could happen.My family is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and, at least the last time I was there, you can actually experience the miracle of silence.That is if you can actually turn off the radio, tv, computer and cell phone without missing something that could lead to life changing events.How often does that actually happen though? I suppose you could share a moment of emptiness without complete silence.Hmmm.Have to give myself time to let that idea marinate for a while.

Soul music and soul food go together so I'm using that as a segway to a quote that I want to share.(It's hot and I'm ready to go lay down and read for a while so this post is not winning any awards for sophisteration)

"All this time I thought I liked chicken because it tastes good.Turns out, it cuz I'm Black." People who say things like this are always welcome in my life.Harmless humor makes the day go by in such a lovely way.

Perhaps the indivudual who came up with the idea of Fried Chicken, the way it is prepared in the American South, also had amazing talents in other areas of their life.I hope they had a lot of kids, who in turn had a lot of kids etc... so that eventually someone will come up with a dish for veggie folk that is at least a close second in terms of pure culinary pleasure.I left the land of meat eaters and I have found a select few replacements that are actually enjoyable-for me at least.

I was dealing with pretty bad fatigue and wasn't able to maintain a healthy weight before I went vegetarian.For those of you in the land of the meat eaters who can eat whatever and not carry excess weight, more power to you.
For the rest of us who for whatever reason, health complications, personal decision etc... have cut out meat products,I can think of two veggie burgers that were particularly good.Night of the Cookers in BK (I think they have a location in MD as well) and a grocery/deli located in DUMBO that has a decent sized seating area. DUMBO is pretty small so look for the place that has good sized grocery in addition to the deli counter.

Another substitute I have used is to season spaghetti squash as though it were a pasta salad instead of using actual pasta.

Now that I changed my food choices in favor of fashioning a diet better suited for me,myself and I, there is the matter of incorporating iron and B-12 among other nutrients into my meals.

I have added sunflower seeds to salads as a source of iron and looked to fortified breakfast cerals for B-12.I've also put sunflower seeds in pasta while making a dinner at a friends house and it was delicious.

Fit,fly,fierce and feeling good is the goal!

I'm way late in just finding out about Stevie Wonder's song Saturn.Listening to the words it seems like the perfect soundtrack to anything realted to health, eco friendly, green living and the like.

"We put back all the things we use/On Saturn/people live to be two hundred and five..."These lyrics may be a bit off the mark.

Going Back to Saturn,
KS

Salutations

2011-07-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've lived in a number of cities in the US (have yet to live abroad but that's on the to do list)and I maintain that there is no place like the District.Washington, DC that is. I vaguely remember a conversation where upon telling the person with whom I was speaking that I lived in Washington, DC they kept trying to figure out what exactly I was taking about.Not, a city, not a state.The seat of the Government.Are we not educating our kids to at least that level of basic geographical knowledge?

Moments like that make me want to go the home school route whenever I do have children.

We all slip up every now and again.Spelling errors,forgetfullness, but I try to keep my own 'home school' moments to a minimum or at least catch myself when I do lest I slip into an intellectual equivalent of a landslide.

Protect the intellect.

I've had some pretty creative salutations while in DC. One that stands out was 'Big Legs' followed by a chuckle wrapped in all kinds of carnal implications.Granted, I was heavier in those days.However, such phrases do not serve as a stand in for 'Good Afternoon' or 'Hello'.Perhaps he did not realize that I heard him.

In another instance I was walking down Georgia Avenue and seemed to come up on some type of shadow boxing duet followed by a shameless eyeing over.I'll have to go into eyeing over in another post.In the right time and place this gets a check mark.Same goes for a man who knows how to lead.Check mark!

What else gets a check mark? Taking care of ini body, mind and soul.
In an effort to do so I recently read an article about the relationship between running and electrolytes. There are natural sources of these wondrous gifts from nature.Coconut water is one that I have used.Based on what I have read (I encourage additional searching-protect the intellect) it is important to wait until after your body has had a period of rest before replacing your electrolytes.That way the body can properly absorb them.When I jog/run I like to go.For real. I like to go without thinking about when I have to head back.I'm not sure how my ankles feel about that but my knees, the left one in particular,made it clear that running at a snail's pace is the only way they will participate at all.

Hope life is treating you kind as the day unwinds.

KS

Ain't Nobody Worried

2011-07-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome.Mint tea for everyone.Enjoy.

-
I'm sure there are umpteen ways to articulate the way good music makes you feel.I won't bother too much with trying to find a way to explain it perfectly. But... INI, the song 'I'll Take You There' by the Staples Singers is soul freedom.

For brothers and sisters who use visual language, sign language, signed english etc....to communicate , that same feeling may be experienced by spending time with folk with whom you can laugh until your face hurts or finding a dress that's so fly it's a shame.

Hoping you have had such a moment quite recently.It does a body good.

Because I can't think of an appropriate transitional sentence I am just going to move forward to my next point. I'm looking forward to going back to school to resume my studies. I'm signed up for two courses and thanking my lucky stars that the Nutritional Sciences program offers courses during the evenings.I recently read an article in a magazine geared towards runners, that we are supposed to be eating according to our blood type. I have never heard that before, at least not that I can remember. I'm a good three years away from healing anybody anywhere so I have plenty of time to read up on it.

As healing is a process and wellness is key, somehealinroundhere is meant to be, at the very least, another vehicle to get information and awareness out there about taking care of ourselves as best we can.

Rest, Rejuvenation and Relaxation
KS