Knocked Up

Well, I've gone and done it. I've gotten myself knocked up. Okay, so I guess I didn't do it all by myself. I have my husband to thank for at least half of that forbidden dance. But I am definitely knocked up. SO knocked up, in fact, that I am about to drop this oven baby in less than a month. If my calculated due date is anywhere near on track, my baby boy (the real kind, not the "I love you Jody!" kind) will be here in TWENTY-FOUR DAYS. It's just mind blowing, really. Anyway, so that pretty much sums up why I haven't blogged in what seems like a lifetime. Because it has in fact been a lifetime ... or at least the beginning of one. I'm sure you've already forgiven me for my less than prolific history, so I won't waste time by apologizing for something that I'm really not all that sorry for.

I'm not quite sure why I decided that today would be the perfect time to catch you up on all things housewife, but here I am. Here's the short version (I'd give you the long version, but it would require at least one cocktail, which I am obviously not able to enjoy currently. So if I suffer, you suffer.):  I got pregnant. I got a job working for a certain NPO that will go unnamed. I hated said job because of a certain possibly bi-polar boss, who will also go unnamed. I quit that godawful, stress inducing, soul-sucking job one Friday after about three months of my patience and sanity being tested DAILY. Side note, that was possibly the single most irresponsible thing that I have ever done in my adult life ... well, at least that I would share with you (without the above-mentioned prerequisite cocktail(s). Moving on, I have since become a reality television addict (the first step is admitting that I have a problem, right?), a professional pregnant chick who sits on the couch with her feet up, and an overall complainer. I'm multitalented.

I won't overwhelm you with the details of all of my complaints.  Just think along the lines of EVERYTHING. You'd be so amazed how many obscure symptoms and random things there are to complain about whilst being pregnant (much to the hubs' chagrin). There's an endless supply of weird things that could either be attributed to pregnancy, or some sort of life-threatening illness that could claim your life at any time. By the way, if you do happen to find yourself preggers, I don't recommend pulling up the old WebMD every time you suffer a new symptom. That website will have you self-diagnosed with ebola with a nice side of anthrax and sarcoidosis. (Did you know that House reruns are on ALL of the time on USA?? It's true. Trust me ... I know.)

Anyhoo, if I'm tired of writing, you are surely tired of reading, so I'll leave you with a picture of my burgeoning belly. It's big. Large and in charge. But that's another topic for another day!

xo

Justice for Trayvon Martin

By now, I'm sure all of you have heard the sad details of the Trayvon Martin case. This case hits home for me. Not only because my heart genuinely hurts for the pain that his family must be feeling, or because of the gross injustice that still has yet to be rectified, but also because it happened just a few miles from where I lived for years in Altamonte Springs, FL.

This could have happened to anyone that I know. It could have been you; it could have been me.

I'm not going to spend time preaching about racial injustice; it is America's big white elephant in the room (pun intended), and will probably never be eradicated in my lifetime. I'm not going to preach about the ridiculousness of George Zimmerman's claim of "self-defense," when he CLEARLY stated to the 911 operator that he was following the unarmed 17 year old. I'm not going to preach about how if the roles were reversed, and a black man had shot an unarmed white child, imprisonment wouldn't even be a question; and half of Sanford would be calling for the death penalty. Nor will I preach about the great danger of Florida's Stand Your Ground law, and how the term "self-defense" can be incredibly subjective. No, I'm not going to preach.

Instead, what I will do, is give you the opportunity to review the evidence for yourself. If you haven't done so already, take the time to listen to the 911 calls, and then read the Florida Statutes that relate to the use of deadly force in self defense and the use of deadly force in self defense by an aggressor. THEN make an educated decision. If you agree that this man should at the very least, be arrested and brought to trial to face a jury of his peers -- sign the petition. Better yet, contact Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and DEMAND JUSTICE for Trayvon! Their phone number is: 866-966-7226. You can also fill out the contact form to file a complaint or inquiry.

Excerpts of the 911 calls:
You can also read a full transcript of George Zimmerman's initial police call here, along with an examination of whether he used a racial epithet, as some listeners have suggested.
(Source) 

Florida Statutes that relate to the use of deadly force in self defense and the use of deadly force in self defense by an aggressor:
776.012 -- Use of force in defense of person. -- A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily    

harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or

(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.
---------------------------------
776.041 -- Use of force by aggressor. -- The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death 

or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger 

other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or

(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to 

the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.

Listen, I don't presume to call myself an activist. I'm not one of those people that watches horrific YouTube videos and starts ranting and raving about things I really don't know much about, or protests because Brad and Angelina are doing it. But I DO know the difference between right and wrong... and I am concerned about the scary precedent this case could set, and the racially tense direction our nation is headed in. Most importantly, I do remember pledging my allegiance to the flag of a nation that promised "...one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all." We can't bring Trayvon Martin back. But we can unite and demand that he receives his justice. As I write this, The Million Hoodie March is taking place in New York City's Union Square (incidentally coinciding with the United Nations International Day To End Racial Discrimination). Put your hoods up, people. Look in the mirror. Ask yourself if YOU look suspicious. Then do the right thing and demand justice for Trayvon Martin, who could have been anyone's son or brother. Again... it takes a village.

Do I look suspicious?

Roots Rock Reggae

The hubs and I just recently returned from our first trip to Jamaica, where we celebrated our third anniversary (still together!). We flew into Montego Bay, and then made the hour or so drive through the back o' bush to Negril, and then through even more bush aaaaalllll the way to West Bumba, otherwise known as Little Bay (a stone's throw away from Bob Marley's house). We wanted a trip where we could just unplug and unwind, and get away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. The views were a-mah-zing; Jamaica is such a beautiful country. We had a blast, but I was very happy to get back home! After all, there's only so much rice and peas and rum girl can inhale without worrying about her figure. Here are some pics from our romantic little rendezvous in Jam-Rock...

As you can see, the water is crystal clear, the sunsets are breathtaking, and even the shanties have so much character and life. It really was a beautiful trip, and I'm happy to have Jamaica as the first stamp on my new passport!

Manger Avec Moi

Hellllloooo my darlings! I know, I know. It's been waaaaay too long. But I was on vacation for a week (vacay pics to follow), and I had several bracelet orders to fulfill. And now I'm back... isn't that really all that matters? I've been trying to cook a bit more, so I thought I'd jump right in with some tips from your resident gourmet goddess... That's me, in case you missed the memo. Let's dish:

1. Love fresh garlic? I do. I put garlic in everything, and not to keep the vampires away... I just love it. I used to buy the jar of minced garlic, but then noticed that the cloves themselves are so much cheaper. But peeling and mincing every time you want to cook something is SO annoying! Well, I have the perfect solution for you. You'll need a food processor or chopper, but it's a cinch, and keeps ready-to-use fresh garlic at your fingertips. Buy several cloves of garlic, peel them all at once, throw them into the food processor, and chop to the desired consistency. When done, scoop all of the minced garlic into a freezer bag, and run your hand over it to flatten (make sure to get all of the air out). Pop into the freezer, and you're done! Now, anytime you need some fresh garlic (which is almost always for me), all you have to do is break off a chunk, and throw it in the pan! I've been cooking out of the same bag of garlic for at least a month now. Totally worth it, and still cheaper than buying the pre-minced!

2. This tip is for my readers who live in apartments or have limited yard space, but want to have a go at growing their own herbs and veggies. You know those big, multi-purpose plastic bins? They're not just for storing sweaters during the summer! You can use them as your own little garden boxes on balconies or decks, and plant all kinds of goodies to have readily available when you're having a Julia Child moment. Make sure you buy the larger ones that are at least 8-10 inches high, so your plants have room to grow. Also make sure you use a good quality potting soil, plant the seeds no more than 2 inches below the surface, and make sure they get plenty of water and sunlight. We have a patio deck that gets great sun, so I recently started my own little garden. So far, I have scallions, chives, and Italian flat leaf parsley. Basil, cilantro, dill, beefsteak tomatoes and bell peppers are next on my list. This is the perfect planting solution for people with limited space.

Scallions and chives!

3. For those of you who do not have a meat thermometer, here's an easy way to tell if your meat is fully cooked: touch it. Press down on it with your spatula, and see how soft it is. If it is firm and presses back... It's probably done. You don't want to overcook any meat, because overcooking causes meat to dry out. Also, don't forget to rest your meat for at least 5 minutes after cooking! Just remove from the pan, place on a plate, and tent it with some foil. This process allows for the meat to reabsorb all of its yummy natural juices, aka FLAVOR.

 Well, that concludes the tips for the day. Check back soon for more from the REAL Atlanta housewife! xo

It's Been a Long Time; Shouldn't Have Left You...

Hello, my lovelies! Oh, how I've missed you so. Believe it or not, I've been uber busy lately. You know, catching up on all of the latest reality television shows, and reading the latest issue of Marie Claire. I kid! Although, (small confession) I did spend a lot of time the past couple weeks reading lots of books that in no way shape or form contributed to my intellect. But hey, it's been forever since I had the chance to read some good, brainless books, so I can't say that I'm sorry about that. Other than that, I have been a busy little bee, trying to get a new endeavor up and running. If you're a loyal reader, you'll notice that ol' bloggeroo looks a bit different. That's because I've added my bracelet boutique, Hankook Soul to the mix! I can just hear you now, "Hankook Soul? Where did she come up with that?" Well, let me explain... (Don't worry, I won't get into the details of my bracelets in all of their glory; I figure if you're interested, you'll check the boutique tab out all on your own. You don't need me to hold your hand through all of that, now do you?)

This is the South Korean flag. I got it here.

You may or may not have realized (or known) by now that I am what some people like to call "blasian," meaning that I'm mixed with Black-American and Asian (specifically, Korean). Well, Hankook Soul is my own personal tribute to my heritage - a whole lotta Korean, and a whole lotta soul. You see, "hankook" means "Korean" ... in Korean; and "soul" is defined by merriamwebster.com as "a strong positive feeling ... conveyed especially by black performers." (See how I did that?) So, I felt like the two together really embodied me. After all, isn't that really what one is looking for when creating a brand? Hankook Soul is a part of the BnE Collection, which is featured on society6.com. I'm building my library of designs slowly but surely - please bear with me. It's hard wearing all of these hats: blogger, artiste extraordinaire, jewelry-maker and wife ... but I'm lovin' it.

So, now that the introductions are out of the way, please take a look-see at what Hankook Soul is all about. I promise you won't be disappointed. Well, I can't really promise that, now can I? Let's leave it at I hope you like (or love) what you see. And place lots of orders (I am a housewife, after all!). And tell all of your friends. And tell them to tell their friends. I'll be posting links to my Etsy shop soon.*

In parting, I wish you love, peace and SOUL ... Hankook Soul, that is!

*The hubs and I are embarking on an adventure in a couple of days, so I'm going to be MIA for at least a week. Try not to miss me too much. Hopefully I'll come back rested and rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world!  

We'll Miss You, Whitney.

Social media was all abuzz last night with the news of the death of Whitney Houston; she was just 48. Houston is said to have been found with her face underwater in her bathtub at the Beverly Hills Hotel; her cause of death has yet to be determined. She is survived by daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and her adopted son, Nicholas Gordon. Houston touched many lives with her angelic voice and her striking beauty. In her career, she was the recipient of 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, and 30 Billboard Music Awards. Her album Whitney was the first female album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts; to date, she has sold over 200 million albums world wide. She was one of not just America's, but the world's sweethearts, one who managed to transcend race and genre boundaries with her talent. What saddens me the most is that her amazing career and legacy were overshadowed by her long and highly-publicized bout with drugs and alcohol. For years, she was the subject of ridicule and jokes. Stories of a disheveled and discombobulated Whitney, forgetting the words to her classic songs and missing important events circulated widely, and her erratic behavior on the reality show Being Bobby Brown was undeniable. The Queen of Pop took a sad and dramatic tumble off of her pedestal in the media. (The media giveth, and they also taketh away. I blame Bobby.)

I have always been a Whitney Houston fan; Whitney was one of the first cd's I ever bought with my own money. I belted Whitney tunes at the top of my lungs; I even sang her songs in my sleep (true story ... let's call that a confession). I was fortunate enough to see the talented Ms. Houston at the peak of her career in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, for the 1994 leg of The Bodyguard World Tour. It was every bit as breathtaking as you can imagine; even today, it ranks in the Top 5 concerts that I have ever attended. She was a diva by definition, a class act, an iconic songstress, and an exemplary performer -- raw talent at its purest and finest. The studio artists of today would be well-served to take notes from her (although all of the notes in the world cannot equate to the purity of her voice). THAT is the Whitney Houston that I will always remember.

In tragedies such as this, it is important to remember that celebrities such as Whitney Houston are people, too. Everyone has problems; however, not everyone's problems are highly-publicized, enabling others to pass judgment. In her memory, let us celebrate the legacy that she left behind, and for once, let the awesomeness of her achievements overshadow her shortcomings.

And so I leave you with a little tidbit of Ms. Whitney herself. Although I'd love to be able to simply post my favorite Whitney Houston song; with her discography and long list of noteworthy tunes, it is a task that is truly impossible. Instead, I'll give you one of my favorite pictures of the beautiful Ms. Houston herself. R.I.P., Whitney. I salute you.

Source

No H8

One small step for the LGTB Community, and one large step for equality in America! A federal appeals court ruled California's same-sex marriage ban (known as Proposition 8) unconstitutional today, declaring it a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian people. "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in Tuesday's ruling. Although this ruling applies only to California, the list of states allowing same-sex marriages is growing, and this is considered to be a huge victory in the ongoing battle for equality.

Now, I hate to overshadow good news with bad, but I have to say, this decision is really refreshing after the recent possible hate crime that occurred in Southwest Atlanta just last Saturday. A teenager was brutally beaten outside of a convenience store by gang members who shouted anti-gay slurs at him; the entire incident was captured by the store's video surveillance. The FBI is working with the Atlanta police to investigate the crime, and determine whether the actions shown in the video violate Federal statutes against hate crimes. Anyone who might have information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Atlanta Crime Stoppers Hotline at 404-577-TIPS. Tips can be given anonymously, and compensation may be awarded.


It's important to remember that although we are taking baby steps towards progress and equality, there are still folks out there pushing us three steps back with deplorable actions like this. It takes a village, people. We all have to stand together for what's right. Do your part, love thy neighbor, and stop the hate. Besides, if this really is our last year on earth, do you really want to waste your time hating people? Think about it; together we can all make a difference. Peace and love!