Take a Hike!!

Today I tried something different and new in my workout routine, I took a hike around the lake at my job!  A coworker, a student and I walked/hike a total of 2.3 miles.  It was a great way for us to enjoy 90 degree weather in March...in Kentucky!  After being in the office all day it was nice being outside and switching up my workout.  The elliptical gets a little boring after a while.

This is an actual picture of the lake that I walked around today, Eagle Lake in Morehead, KY. The only difference is that it's not this green yet.  It was so peaceful and really gave me a great sweat.  I'm hoping to make many more trips around this lake. I was a great way to end the day!

Kevin Hart, Let Me Explain

This last weekend I joined a few of my coworkers for a night out in Louisville to see Kevin Hart live for his new tour, "Let Me Explain."  Let me tell you, that man is hilarius to the 10th power, l0l.  I was laughing from the time he stepped on stage, to when he stepped off.  Tears rolling down my cheeks and a free ab work out.  If you have the chance to see him in action, GO!

 

For dinner we at this Mexican restaurant called Sol Azteca that I found on Yelp.  The food is delicious, but the service was terrible.  Maybe they weren't expecting to be so busy, but they had 4 staff members in the front of house for dinner service in a place that seated more than 50 people.

What I wore:

Old Navy top/ Torrid skinny ankle jeans/ Target flats

Aldo earrings/ Forever 21 necklace

MAC lipstick (Girl About Town)

Valentine For One

Valentine's Day is about love.  Well for me, once again, it's about loving myself first.  Last year I spent the day with my Spec and a few of her friends.  After ending a very complicated relationship in early January, I thought spending the day alone was fitting.  It gives me some time to do some self-reflection and focus on myself...It also gave me a chance to spoil myself.

First thing I did to spoil myself was eat a delicious cupcake from Gigi's Cupcakes.  They have cupcakes all over the the US, mostly east of the Mississippi.  I got their Kentucky Bourbon Pie cupcake from their Lexington location. It's a bourbon cake with pecans and chocolate chips inside and a cream cheese frosting.  There's also chopped pecans and chocolate chips drizzled with caramel and ganache.  It was divine!

For my film of choice I chose The Color Purple.  People say that it's an awkward movie to watch on Valentine's Day, but when you think about it, it is.  It's about self love and having the strength inside to believe that you are wroth more than how others value you.  For my it was the perfect movie.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Red Tails Movie Night

Last night was the opening night of the movie Red Tails.  It was quite the experience.  I was one of four African-Americans in the theater in a small town in good ole Kentucky.  Being from California there are so many perceptions/stories about the south.  Well, I had a great experience and was pleasantly surprised.

Now the movie itself was soo good!  It was full of action, never a dull moment.  Something that I really appreciated was honesty of human mistakes.  The writes and director, Anthony Hemingway, did an amazing job. You really feel as though you're going through the emotions with them. And the way they address the issues of race is dead on.  It makes you think about how death and war can alter your view of the intolerance that you may have.  What's really important?

This is definitely a film that I recommend you go see.  I'll be buying when it comes out on DVD.  The next movie I plan on seeing is Safe House with Denzel Washington.

BULLS-EYE!

So the Riffling team at the university I work at held a Turkey Shoot today.  Aside from wanting to support the students, I like shooting guns thanks to trip to the gun range with some friends.  Everyone one who participated paid a $1 for each card that had two targets on it...I got 7!  I was really excited because I've never shot a riffle before.  So on my first shot was terrible and I hit nothing but empty space.  The next shot...BULLS-EYE!  After that I got a the next closest ring, but I went completely downhill from there.  I had a great time and can't wait to go to the gun range with my dad and uncles over the holiday break.

How do you feel about guns?

Dreamy John Legend

Mr. Legend has done it again.  He gave a very motivational speech about using the power and knowledge obtained with a college degree to better the world.  I know that John Legend is very passionate about education reform which was part of his speech, but for me I was glad to hear him promote the importance of life-long learning.  Things don't change over night and you can never have too much knowledge/information on the subject of your passion.  I believe that my generation and those following us have lost a passion for learning altogether and it reflects in the lack of civic engagement.  But I digress.  On to the extra good stuff...his performance.

I was lucky last year to see John Legend after the private screening of the documentary Waiting for Superman this time last year.  To this day, I have not seen anything more sexy then this man alone at a piano sharing that voice.  It was really an intimate show. And he did again tonight at the University of Kentucky (UK). 

Taken by me at a California performance in 2010.

 So I was trying to trying to upload the audio for the closing number. Ordinary People.  No such luck, but I thought you might want to see a video of him performing it live! 

Thanks for reading!

Great Day with Grupo Aché

Today was a great day!  There were no headaches and everything for my first official program was a big hit.  I was able to bring this band called Grupo Aché from Louisville to Morehead for the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off.  They played live Timba, Salsa, and Merengue music for two hours and anyone who came into the student center today had no way of saying that MSU doesn't have anything to offer! 

The band was able to get everyone off their butts and on the dance floor.  There was event a music student who got to perform a solo with the band playing the congas!

It really was a great day!  And I can't wait to bring them back to MSU!

Thanks for reading.

Roots & Heritage Festival

I am so excited for tomorrow!  I'm going to the Roots & Heritage Festival, the largest gathering of African Americans in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  It's also my first time really going out and doing something fun in Kentucky since I've moved out here.  I'm hoping to find a few things at this festival - Shea butter & body oils, artwork to go in my new apartment & office, and the ability to network with some of the local businesses so I can get connected to my new community.

I'll have updates on Monday.  Enjoy your weekend.

A New Place to Call Home

Please excuse me for not posting in a while.  I've moved from my beloved California to start a career in higher education.  I am the new Coordinator of Multiculturalism and Inclusion at Morehead State University...remember me talking about it here.  Anywho, I have a new place to call home as a resident of Kentucky.  I've been here for about a week and I'm enjoying myself.  The people that I get to work with are absolutely fantastic so I can only imagine that the students will be fabulous as well!

In these last 8 days I have been able to really feel my independence.  I bought a car and I've started looking for my own place (I was blessed with free temporary housing).  Coming from Cali I knew that the cost of living was going to be a lot less expensive, but I still couldn't believe it when looking at rental ads in local newspapers.

Monday was my official first day and I was welcomed with my very own office.  I'm still in the process of decorating so suggestions are more than welcome (more like needed!)  One of my new coworkers was so sweet and left me this welcome basket on my desk to welcome me to Morehead and the division.  I know that I'm going to have a great time working here with a lot of growing and changes ahead.

 

And of course moving means new adventures are in store.  The night I moved the Parkette in Lexington (1 hr away) was featured on Diners, Dine-Ins, & Dives, and this week Louisville (2 hrs away) is going to be featured on Man vs Food Nation.  Well because I'm temporary housing I have not pots and pans...yet...and I've been eating at the limited number of restaurants and fast food chains in Morehead.  Surprisingly there are 2 Mexican restaurants and I've been able to try one of them called Mi Monterrey.  Know being from San Diego I know great Mexican food, sadly that's not what I got, but to be fare it was better than I expected way out here in Kentucky.

Carnitas Dinner

As I have time to settle in and find an internet connection I'll be sure to update you all on my transition to Southern living!

Thanks for reading!

It Sucks Just as Bad!

Well I'm writing to you minutes before I take off and let me tell you, saying "see you later" sucks just as bad as "goodbye"!  I was crying off an on for the last hour as I departed for the airport.  Change is exciting, but it is incredibly scary all at the same time.  God did not give me the spirit of FEAR or WORRY, so I know that I'll be fine.

Kentucky here I come...see you later California!

Enjoying the Country Side

"Welcome to Kentucky!"  I'm can say that I've truly enjoyed my time here in Morehead, Kentucky.  The people have been very friendly and I haven't been surrounded by so much nature since I went camping in the 6th grade.  I was lucky enough to create travel plans that let me see almost the entire state in about 2 days.  I flew into Louisville and drove to Morehead (in east KY).  Just look at the view that I had:

Why are in you KY you ask?  Well, this little chick-a-dee had an on-campus interview at Morehead State.  I love the campus and the people - staff and students.  I am leaving with a lot to mull over.  I really enjoyed my time here and appreciate the hospitality that was shown to me.  The biggest questions that I was asked for the day was why I want to leave San Diego to come to little ole' Morehead.  It's something that I'm still figuring out, but I could definitely see myself here - bringing a little CA to KY.  Here's what I wore:

Jacket & Dress- Torrid

Jessica Simpson Peep-toe Mary Janes & Handbag - Ross

Well as I reflect on my trip, KY just might get a little more Cali in their lives!