What’s Rockin’ My World: Second Day of Summer

Jamaica seems like sooooooooo long ago! It was only 2 weeks ago. Why do vacations take so long to come yet their memories leave us so fast? Less than 2 weeks left in the month of June and so many changes have taken place. I’d like to make a Bucket List this summer now that I’m a working adult…but to be honest I’ll be adding things like “Keep $600 in my Savings account” and “Go to the gym 3x a week” because those are really pertinent things in my life right now.

Let’s dig right in:

• The latest in roommate chronicles…She’s moving out come July 15th! At least that’s what she told me verbally, I’ve yet to receive the official 30 day written notice. I am considering down-sizing and getting myself a studio or 1-bedroom. Will miss my balcony view for sure.
• Montego Bay, Jamaica was my first American passport stamp! Full post to follow.

Jewel Resort- Runaway Bay

• My 30th birthday is around the corner (a little over 2 weeks away)! No plans. No birthday dress.
• Los Angeles is 11 days away! I’m looking forward to spending time with family I haven’t seen since about 2009. Gonna road-trip over to Orange County, too!
• I’d like to plan another domestic trip for October. I’ve been wanting to visit Houston, Texas… Then, Costa Rica in December.
• Summer’s graduation from kindergarten is tomorrow! I’ll be sneaking into New York to cheer on my favorite girl.
• Officially done with  my Clinical Fellowship! Once my paperwork is sent to ASHA (governing body for SLP’s), I’ll be receiving my Full Licensure by mail.
• Completed my school site assignment, it went well. I’m a little jealous of my school-based colleagues, they get allllll summer off.
• We are 4-1 (with one cancelled game) so far in the Kickball league. I’m on a team full of Purdue Alumni (and Shari, a fellow Howard Alum and my friend). We lost last week to UCF only because they recruited players for their team when they were short a few players. The only time the roster is enforced is during playoffs. Smh… I’ll be missing tomorrow’s game, but will be ready for the Playoffs the following week! #BoilerUp
• I’m looking forward to the Summer…welcoming all things new and exciting. Focusing on self-care (I joined a gym on Friday) and looking to have a healthy balance between work and play (more play, though).

What’s currently rockin’ your world?

What’s Rocking My World: Late Spring Edition 2015

Check out the last 2 installments:

What’s Rocking My World: Winter Edition (VLOG)

2015 Came In: What’s Rockin’ My World

Things I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks…

• 18 days to JAMAICA! I got my bathing suits ready, and I hope to get a nice tanny-tan!
• Getting the most use of my newly returned iPad! If you own an iPad, what are some of your favorite Apps for personal enjoyment?
• I joined a social Kickball league! Mind you, I haven’t played kickball since HS…but I look forward to meeting new people and bonding over drinks after the games. ALSO, I got pounds to loose before summer time.
• Shopping online for a birthday dress. I don’t have anywhere to go per se, but it’s nice to have a “birthday” goal.  Facebook (I know, I’m getting off soon) keeps bringing up these ads from these cheap websites selling polyester dresses for like $10. It’s soooo tempting! But I’m afraid when I order something from there I’ll open the package and be highly upset and ready to return. Aren’t the dresses cute though?!

Rosegal.com

• Summer graduates from kindergarten soon! I’m such a proud God-mommy!

Summer at 2 and a half!

• 2015 is the year of the Audibook (I use Audible, first book is FREE). I have been having trouble for a couple of months with finishing actual hard copy books, case in point, I am still trying to finish The Fault in Our Stars and I started reading that 6 months ago! Reading so exhausting. Anyways, I’m proud to report that since I spend a lot of time in the car, I began using Audible as my reading alternative. It was hard to stay focused and listen at first, but with some practice, I was breezing through books. Here’s my READ list so far since March!

 This book is about de-cluttering my life, it was on sale and I thought I’d listen for some good tips on getting rid of some of my paperwork at home. It was totally worth it, it teaches you how to de-clutter each room of the house, right down to your refrigerator. Am I the only one who saves things until they absolutely go bad in the fridge?! I like that I can keep it and always go back and listen to it. They give “weekend” homework, which I think is great. Have I actually engaged in a de-cluttering project though? Nah. Soon come.

Just Mercy has been my favorite book so far! It’s a non-fiction book about a lawyer named Bryan Stevenson (currently an NYU law professor) who defends folk (adults and children) on death row living in the South. He interweaves so many cases throughout the book, and it’s so hard to think that’s what he does, day in and day out. God bless him and lawyers like him. Definitely one of my fave reads so far this year.
 Cinder was a tough listen; 38 chapters long. It’s a fiction book, a new-age Cinderella story about a cyborg (half human, half robot) living in New Beijing. Although I was initially intrigued by the premise, the book dragged and I just wanted it to be done! If you like sci-fi, sure, it’s a nice idea but it didn’t have enough action for me.

Currently “reading:”

32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter (Fiction)

However, I am looking for more fiction books!

What are you currently reading? Any recommendations?

Have you ever tried Audiobooks?

What are you looking forward to this Late Spring?

Have a great week,

She

Tica Americana: My New American Passport

On July 8, 2014, days before my 29th birthday, I completed the last milestone on my immigration journey. At a D.C. courthouse at 8 in the morning, I was sworn in during a Naturalization Oath Ceremony. I handed over my “green card” to the officials, and received a Naturalization certificate, denoting that I am now officially an American (foreign born.) Applying for my passport was next on the To Do list. However, I had no international trips on the horizon until I booked my travel ticket to Jamaica (29 days from now, and counting!) I applied for my passport expedited delivery on April 24th and I received my passport less than 2 weeks later on May 4th.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport- if you never had one before

1. Get your documentation in order. I needed a license, my original Naturalization Certificate, my check which included the expedited amount ($184), and the application which can be downloaded online. If you’re not sure about something on the application leave it blank and the post office worker can help you.

2. I made an appointment with the local post office to file my application. Most post offices don’t talk walk-in’s. The whole “application” process took about 30 minutes, which included me being sworn that everything on the application was truf, handing over my Certificate and monies. The Naturalization Certificate must be the original and it will be mailed back to me in a couple of weeks.

That’s it! When I got the expedited envelope in the mail I was surprised at the quick turn-around time.

Here were some thoughts when I first opened the envelope:

“This is it! The American Dream!”

“My hair cute!”

“My forehead shiny!”

“2025- I got 10 years to fill this sucka up! Let’s bring it on..”

“OMG…I’m gonna be 40 in 10 years!”

Next stop: Montego Bay, Jamaica.

What about you, lovely reader? Where are you going, or want to be going in 2015?

What’s Rockin’ My World? Winter 2015

It’s been a while since my last post, here’s a VLOG to share What’s been Rockin’ My World!

Short List (or if you have to come back to the video):

• I watch TV now. And lots of it! (Blog post to follow)
• I am at the tail’s end of my Clinical Fellowship! Yipee!!
• I am feeling like I have a sort of handle on my work load. 8 months in I am learning how to work smarter and not harder!
• I am giving more time to what I am calling in 2015 my Passion Projects. That includes mentoring, being part of organizations that I support, and making more time for socializing and meeting other professional women in the area.
• VACATION, VACATION, VACATION! Next stop: Montego Bay, Jamaica.
• I am less than 6 months away from my big 30! Some of ya’ll been rocking with me for FOUR years since I started Globetracer. I was turning 26 and living in Costa Rica. My life is sooooo different now. Well, I’m still on that journey to happiness and travel is still very much a part of that vision. 30 came so fast! I have so much to show for these past 4 years! Thanks for being there with me.
• This week we had two snow days back-to-back! I can’t complain but after one day I’m not sure quite what to do with  myself. What do you like to do on snow days or on unexpected days off?

What’s Rocking your World this winter?