Mau Types, Lounging, and Discussion

1. Kamau's paw on my keyboard as if hes planning to type something.

2. Waking late, eating pizza hut, and lounging all day with my Sungee.

3. Finding that I have two weeks to do my discussion board assignments for class! oh AND finding that i did well on the last assignment. YES!

Bonding, Laughing at the Texan, ReneeAlise

1. Making friends with other chocolate chip folks and emediately bonding just because they are.

2. Laughing at the Texan with Jim.

3. Seeing a glimpse of the blue shirt Renèe chose for Jasmine on the Oprah promo for today's show!

Bookstores, Ladybug, the Sun

1. Being at the bookstore… sipping hot chocolate and studying Economics while Sungee makes the hot beats.

2. Talking to Lyd who’s spirits have skyrocketed for some unknown unimportant reason. I could hear the smile in her voice!

3. Sun glare… its horrible for driving but oh how nice it is to finally see the sun…

Mel's first 3, Parents on les Phone, and the cat mirror

1. Helping Melody find her first 3BT. She had 5. Wonderful.

2. Talking on the telephone to my parents the entire drive home from work... (Moorestown to Cityline Avenue.) They're great... they make me laugh so hard... Truly two of my best friends.

3. My little cat mirroir from Past Present and Future that Renee got me for Christmas. It sits on my desk at work. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me that she secretly risked life and limb to drive alllllll the way to Ardmore to get it for me on Christmas Eve. What's better than Family?

Inspiration, non-working work, clean windshields

1. I e-mailed Clare, author of the original TBT to ask her how she manages to stay on top of her quest to observe things that give her pleasure… on a daily basis. She responded which I thought was nice since she probably gets a lot of e-mails.

She mentioned quite a few things in her response that are noteworthy, but most memorable are those that point to the idea that NOT finding something beautiful in her day is probably more painful than actually trying to think of something. Simply put, she’s developed a habit so important to her daily life, that to break it has become wrong.

It is a way of recording things that happen in our lives. Blogging in general is of course. But this is a quick and focused way to jot down the sources of joy in each day. She wrote that she writes daily because she knows that it will bring her joy in the future, and also, my personal favorite “thing” that keeps her going…

“I believe that because I write every day, I am a writer.”

*giggle* … I feel the same way. I have a secret desire to be a writer… so maybe if I write every day, that means that I actually already exists as a writer. Go figure! Who knew…

Lastly, she mentioned the following…

“a 3BT doesn't have to be conventionally beautiful. It just has to be one of the three most beautiful things that has happened today. You'll occasionally see things that are not beautiful at all, but are in because they could have been so much worse -- ie, 'Standing ankle deep in mud; because at least it wasn't over my knees.”

2. Talking to coworkers about music and other fun-ness. Things OTHER than work!

3. Figuring out how to replace my windshield washer fluid… by myself. classic

Mani Love + the tragically beautiful death of the 5 spot + love

1. My cat Amani... she's really a beautiful animal. both of my cats are actually. All black with very sleek and shiny coats. But little Amani Love... the girl... she's go this beautiful bright eyes and her fur is a little longer and a little softer. you can tell by the way she sits that she's a lady. she does everything with a feminine edge. as oppose to her brother who is always pouncing a little more roughly than necessary. they really are so so funny.

Amani Love my Kittie

The picture is kinda dark but you can kinda see her. I have tons of pictures of her brother but oddly enough, Amani doesn't photograph well.

2. Proof: Power of the Rainbow.

So the five spot burned down this weekend. Its such a sad moment for so many people. tons of artists got their start on the upstairs stage... especially during the black lilly event. That place means a lot to people on a personal level too. including myself. I wouldn't know half of my friends... and i definitely wouldnt know my boyfriend... i wouldn't have experienced the last 3 years of my life... the good, the bad, and the ugly... had it not been for the five spot.

It will most definitely be missed.

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned the beauty of the rainbow. In this picture of the burning five spot, a photographer actually captured a rainbow. Its definitely a sign of comfort and hope.



3. its cliche...

I love being in love. Love is beautiful.

Rainbows, the City, and my Baby.

1. Today I like rainbows... not that I've seen one today. but they really are beautiful.

2. The City is amazingly beautiful. From a visual standpoint, with all of the architecture and different people, etc. Philadelphia can be wonderful. I like it especially at night. Driving west on 76 from down town to my part of town... The highway goes almost above and to the left of down town so you can really just glide beside it and take it all in... Lights and skyscrapers... Art museum in all its grandeur... boathouse row. Beautifully beautiful.

3. My man sleeping. His mom thinks so to. I left him sleeping today. Sucked to have to get up and go to work while he got to sleep in. :) but im glad at least one of us got a break today. He works hard anyway so he deserves a day off everynow and then. but yes... he is beautiful when he sleeps. lips and eyes relaxed... and you wonder if he's dreaming and if its a nice dream...
Not sure if its because I love him... but he really is just so peaceful when he sleeps. I guess its possible that everyone is peaceful when they sleep.

Donut Lady, Jill, and Peace

1. The lady at the dunkin donuts on City Line Ave. I'd been there a few mornings... I go there sometimes for coffee on my way to work. She had a horrible attitude the first few times... or so I thought anyway. must have just been my imagination... might have been cultural. I think she's from Africa... anyway, so yesterday morning, I was jammin HARD to Jill Scott's live album, and she smilled and said, " good morning?" and I said "yes. very good morning" and we both smiled really big, and then kept on with our days.

She smiled again this morning. she has a nice smile... I think I put her in a good mood with my music in the morning... i know she put me in a good mood too.


2. The Intro on the live Jill Scott Album... its amazing. I listen to it over and over... people talking and not paying attention, and then all of a sudden things start happening... bass and drums come in to calm the croud a bit... nothing out of the ordinary... but then there's this funky count down, and you here the drums kinda bringing everyone together... and you expect something loud and harsh. nice but harsh because of what was leading up to it... but instead, this full and enticing choir of brass and keys, drums smoothly fall into place and the bass keeps the groove going... that smooth transition. you have to listen to it.

3. The fact that its time to leave work and go home for the evening. peace y'all!

Three Beautiful Things

So I just ran across someone's blog called "Three Beautiful Things"... And I'm totally biting. So. Call me a biter. Like my little kittie Mau. :) (definitely a story for another day)

Anyway, so this girl from the UK writes about three things that give her pleasure each day. Might sound corny, But I think its such a wonderful idea.

I always note the most random things in my day that make me smile. Sometimes its the same thing every day. Then I can look forward to it.

Noticing the little things in this world can really make life worth while. This is my little version of her "Three Beautiful Things" hope she doesn't mind.