Call me Chef Adria B.

Oh man I love cooking for the one I love who enjoy my foods. Especially when they let me experiment with recipes. It's fun for me. Though most of what I make I do not or cannot eat. Though others enjoy my cooking, I find it hard to impress myself. Every now and then I'll do something uber amazing like tonight. i made baked macaroni which i don't eat. lemon cake which was SOOOOOOO good. and the best of all red velvet cupcakes. they were so good i ate w/o icing. then had to get on my phone n share with you all. ok that's all.

Your choices, your rules

As I lay here waiting to fall asleep, I have so much on my mind. It will not stop racing long enough for me to think or focus on what I need to. Today, or yesterday, was one of those days where it was just quite good. It was ok but everytime it started to creep above that, something/someone tried to steal it away. None the less it was ok.

I try to focus on the good parts of the day... I was able to read applications from home this morning before head to Boston to meet with the ladies of Girls Preparing to Succeed. I love working with these young ladies as they explore their interest in college and life in general. It is a small group but I love it because they do not hold back. I try to make it as open as they need it to be to get my message across and their questions anwered.

We spent the afternoon talking about the college process. Where do they start? How do they start? Being encouraged through it all. It breaks my heart to hear what some of these young ladies go through. Though I have been there myself, I know the pain and the struggle. I also know the struggles they will have as they try to move up and achieve their goals. Regardless of what we talk about, I make it a point to encourage them, compliment them and be candid with them.

There are so many things/people in the world, in their own worlds, that hold them back. They all have the potential to achieve their goals. We talked about making choices that fit their needs and goals. They do not have to path of another, as there are many ways to get to the same conclusion. It is small moments like this that remind me of the importance of what I do in addition to be an Admission Counselor. It is great to see their minds churning with the ideas of the options they have.

These ladies are full of potential and I cannot wait to see them surpass it.

The triangular fight

Well I think this is a funny story now, so I thought I would share.

As you can tell from my previous postings, my car and I have gone through some trials and tribulations. Just this past September, Andre (my car), spent some time with my favorite mechanic Frank in an attempt to resolve my check engine issue. Frank and staff did all the could b/c I needed to pass inspection. We cut it down to the wire, the lights out, the boards are ready good. Frank says "Go get inspected right now!" Well as we know my luck it was too late in the day for the inspection. One day left. I had planned to get up early and be there first thing.

I'm up, in the car, ready to go in the rain. I turn on my wipers and what do you know?!? The passenger side wiper is broken. In MA, you will not pass inspection with a broken wiper. So I run to BJ's (which I love), to get my wipers. You guessed, they didn't have not a one. Ok Autozone on the other side of town here I come. Got luck there was a BOGO sale on wipers. I got my wipers, and went for inspection. Prayed the whole time. "Dear Lord, PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Let Andre pass inspection. I cannot afford anything else. My dad has already yelled at me for putting so much money into my car, and yelled that I bought wipers, so I really need him to pass inspection. Please and thank you. AMEN!"

The mechanic comes in...Andre has passed inspect. WHEW! "THANK YOU!" Well it's travel season so Andre gets a break from the running. the first snow comes day after Christmas. Yes, the BLIZZARD! Andre made it from NY to MA in the mess. He's my ride or die. The next day, I clean off Andre, clean out his spot so that he can get in and out easily. We're ready. Go to use the wipers, and there goes that passenger side wipe....AGAIN! Oh well we can still function with the way it's working. I can see clearly, it just bothers me not to have a completely clean windshield. But we forge on.

A few days ago, I thought, maybe it is time to replace the wiper. This cannot continue. I'll price shop and make it all happen. Well we have been Blessed with a snow storm every week since, wiper still holding on. After today's snow stopped, I go out and clean off my car, we all good. I got back out and turn on the wipers to clean the dirt and you'll never guess what happened............The passenger wiper went flying off. All I could do was laugh. Now they have been replaced and hopefully they will last through the snow. I am determined to win the battle with my car and the wipers.

L.I.G.

L.I.G. Let. It. Go. That's a phrase my cousin uses all the time. When a family disagreement starts, he just looks at the person and says "L.I.G. OK!" I love it, but often times I wonder, how do I determine when to let go of someone or something. We've all seen the "Footprints" poem or the chain email about people coming in and out of our lives. Letting go of things is a little easier than letting go of people. Especially when you have the choice to.

I have had "friends" come into my life and then have had to make the decision to, let them go. Never quite for the same reason, sometimes it goes better than others. Regardless, it is never easy. Many times it is just coming to the realization of who you or the person truly are. We do grow apart due to life factors, personality, morals, values and/or faith. When you come to notice it may be time to move on, what do you do? How do you do it?

It is a tough spot to be in. I am a loyal friend, not perfect, but good to those in my life. What type of friend are you? What types of friends do you attract?

Generation...Different

Lately, I've been thinking about how different the students I work are from the teenagers of "my day." Ha ha ha. It is so funny to say that because I thought it was something only "old people" say. I guess I am getting there.

I know and understand it is the difference in the environment and the world that makes each generation different. But it is still a cycle, as we all find ourselves at some point sounding like the adults of our childhood. As a "young adult," I find it interesting the way my elders feel I should be living my life. The goals I have set for myself are not quite what they would have expected. Though I do not see an issue with the choices I have made, it is that difference they continue to preach about.

I, recently, had a birthday. A lady never tells her age, just know that I am old enough but not that old. I spoke to my 95 year ol grandmother, and these days you never know what is going to come out of her mouth. You cringe and wait, she is 95, she's earned it. We talked about me being a year older. I reminded her of my age and she said "So now that you're older, what are you going to do with your life?" Baffled, I paused, I feel my life is fruitful, but not by everyone's standards. I responded by letting her know that I was working full-time, in school full-time, offering access to other and taking control of my health and life. To her this meant, nothing as she responded "So you're not planning on getting married or anything?" I laughed it off and said "Not right now, but I will keep you posted." She still was not sure whether I got the point or not, but we moved on.

Later that week, I spoke with my aunt who is 20+ years younger than my grandmother. She knew my education and career were important, but she feels my life is missing something because I am not married. I laughed because here was the same conversation with the addition of the importance of education and career. She is always asking me about my dating life, and when will I get married. She has even offered to help me find a husband. I thought, why go looking when fate will bring the right person at the right time? But I let her continue her attempt to "marry me off."

While these two different generations share the same concern for my lack of marriage, I do not see a concern. I do not feel that being married or finding a husband is what defines me and the things that I can do in the world. For my grandmother's generation, it was common to be married at 16. For my aunt's generation, marriage is still important but so is career and education. For me, marriage is not at the top of my list. What is common between our generations, we all respect and understand the meaning of marriage and finding someone who is actually your other half. So while we see it differently, the same factors are of concern for us.

So, you're wondering how I ward off my grandmother. I just say "Grandma, when you find a man, and get re-married, I will follow your lead :-)" She laughs really hard and we move on to the next subject.

Full-Time and Online

Whew! I'm back. School has started and I think I'm getting back into a routine, at least where the snow doesn't throw a monkey wrench. Yes, I could shoveling 12 inches of snow a workout, so I do get a little change there.

Today, I was talking to a good friend about what it means to be an online/distance learner. Online education has this stigma of being easy and less rigorous. When I was considering programs, I fell into that cluster of people underestimating the rigor and requirements of being educated via the Internet. I thought I could do what I want, when I wanted. My friends who are online students have expressed similar misconceptions. Many wonder, how can online education be rigorous? Well let me tell you...

Being an online learner, and having several friends who have sought the road of distance learning, I speak first-hand about its meaning. All of the people I reference attend accredited universities. As you may know, I am a Northeastern University student. As I took my first steps into online learning, I was nervous about whether or not I could do this without a class room. I wondered, whether or not my online education would be as much of a benefit. I made the jump because it was the right fit for the chaos I call my life.

What I did not know was, the amount of self-discipline and self-education it took to be a successful online learner. I have friends who have excelled and failed with online learning. It is not easy because you still have deadlines, lectures, more reading, papers, assignments, presentations, etc. Class discussion play a key role in online education, just in a different format. I have taken the "traditional" graduate class and can tell you that online requires a lot more of a person. If you are not prepared to give yourself a routine and discipline needed to accomplish the work, you will hit a roadblock. This is true for any form of education.

I am now pro-online education for the right person. Though it has required more of my time, focus and understanding of the material alone, it has improved my writing, social media, and righting skills. All important as the world moves forward with its use of technology. I have to know how to navigate the discussion boards, research, hold group meetings with co-hort members in different time zones. SKYPE and Google chat are great friends of mine. The interaction and diversity of online education is different because you are not limited to who is there and where they are from. My co-hort has 8 members of which the following is included:

• 4 woman and 4 men
• 7 states represented
• 1 member of the military
• 2 human resources officers
• 1 higher education administration
• 2 IT professionals
• 1 public school teacher
• 2 animal activists
• 1 basketball coach
• 3 under the age of 30
• 3 African Americans
• 1 Asian American
• 1 who has a degree from a university abroad
• 1-35 years of work experience

There is so much that makes learning with this group great. These are things, I do not feel I would be able to get in a traditional classroom.

Another big concern for me was the availability of faculty members. Though I probably would not have admitted this years ago, I need and enjoy the interaction with educators because they challenge me to do better. Now, I wonder, what was I worried about? My faculty members have been AMAZING! Far more interaction than traditional learning. They want to see us all succeed and learn as much as possible. Friends in other programs at other schools have expressed the same experience.

Because I feel the need to go big on these things, I am a full-time online grad student. Yes, I do work full-time. If you know what college admission is like, you know that is not a basic 9-5. This is only successful if you are self-aware. I knew that I could handle it all, and made decisions on what in my life could be sacrificed for me to achieve my personal goals. I narrowed down my priorities to the following:

• Health/Fitness
• Education
• Career
• Life/fun

Not a bad list, if I might say so myself. It has worked for me, and I have one quarter left. I am also considering going for the big goal of a doctorate because I know I have options in my learning. But don't tell anyone I said that :-D

But don't just take my word on distance learning. If you search, you will find that more schools are offering the option for online, hybrid and blended learning. There are some pretty prestigious and rigorous schools on that list with a variety of academic programs.

My first and last suggestion would always be to do what is the right fit at the right time for you.

Such a nerd...

and proud of it. I can't wait for school to start Monday! It is a lot of work being a student and working full-time, but I do not regret it. My classes are intense but I learn so much and I love it. School is usually the least of my problems.

I am in the fast-track MS in Leadership program at Northeastern University in Boston. I waited a while before deciding to go back to school. I had taken some classes at another institution but it was not working for me. I knew it was my time to be a student again. When a friend mentioned NEU to me, I did my research and I was so EXCITED! It was exactly what I wanted.

My professors have been WONDERFUL! The classes are engaging... and guess what! It's online. I was first a little concerned about online, I thought it would be difficult, but I LOVE IT! NEU makes for a great experience. My cohort is small, yet diverse. My class on personal branding actually encouraged me to expand in to blogging and micro-blogging.

What is most exciting? I will be done in April. I know, I am going to miss it but it has inspired me to consider a doctorate. One degree at a time though.

Comida del Corazón

That's how my friend described it. Food from the heart, of love.

One of my passions is in my kitchen, I like to cook for those I love. I never understood why it was so great sometimes but not others and my friend said.... It's made with love. I made them dinner and took it to them. They had only heard about my cook abilities. With what is going on for them, I wanted to help out. So when I offer to cook, it's never small and lasts at least 2 days. Please, note I was raised by southerners. The menu consisted of the following:

• Collard Greens
• Baked Macaroni
• BBQ Chicken
• Pound Cake
• Strwberry syrup

Let's start wit the Greens, they were fresh from my favorite place Wilson Farms. I cleaned, cut and stored for times like this. Cooked in smoked turkey necks, that I smoked myself. Some yummy seasoning. They were good.

The Baked Macaroni is a dish that I don't even eat, so I don't know what it should taste like but I seem to get it right. I made the cheese sauce myself this time, no velveeta. With chunks of monterey and extra sharp throughout the pan.

BBQ Chicken is one of my favoroites. I use the chicken breast tenders to allow easy portioning. I love Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, and I add a little Adria lovin' to it. I like spice but this time I left it out.

The Pound cake is courtesy of Paula Dean. Mama's Pound Cake. I love that recipe. I bought fresh strawberries to make the syrup topping.

My home smelled so yummy and my friends were pleased. Seeing people happy with my cooking makes me smile. Yes, I know I forgot the cornbread. I was a little distracted.

My Family

When I was younger, I always wondered how I ended up with the family I have. I love them, but something just wasn't right. Why couldn't I choose my family? Come on, now. You know you've wondered the same thing at least once. Who chooses you to share the same DNA?

As I grew older, I understood family many times went further than your "kin-folk." I was getting older, wiser, and choosing the people who were important in my life. I had friends, who understood and cared for me. Hmmmm... Is this my chance to "choose" my family? It is. It has taken me a lot of time to realize it, but with my friends I have created an extension to my family.

Those who are my true friends, and fall into this family list, are the ones that are there through it all. Yes, we may fight and argue, but there is a love behind it all. We are there for each other through good and bad times. We laugh, we cry, we sing, and even sit in silence. It's just the pure knowledge of knowing you are safe with these people makes it wonderful.

When I moved to the Boston area in 2005, I knew 3 people, and only one was a true friend. I took a leap moving to a place four hours from my family. In that time, I have learned what true friendship is. Friendship is that which becomes family, where it is thicker than water. We see each other as family and with each of us comes the dynamic of our biological family. The connection we have goes beyond, and they are people who chose me and I chose them back. Though my parents only had one other child, I have sisters and brothers from a variety of places who have different experiences. We may be more diverse than the Jolie-Pitts, lol!

I am BLESSED! to have all/both families. I am more grateful that I realize their importance and love. Think about the extended family in your life. They are there, you just have to open your eyes and arms and embrace them. I'm glad I did, because they have all added joy to my life.