The day after Christmas

I haven't written anything for a while because I decided to take a 9 to 5 job and so it has pushed Party of Purpose to the backseat - at least for now.  I'm still working on a couple of events for 2012 that mean a lot to me, but I can take my time now and not stress myself out like I was earlier this year.

I'm starting to get antsy now though and my biological POP clock is ticking, so instead of approaching things the way I did the first time around, I'm going to create a formal budget and a project plan with tasks, dates, deadlines, etc.  As if I didn't know to do this already- but I was being stubborn in that area, and trying to do everything from memory and cell phone reminders.  It worked, but I was often left feeling like I forgot something.  If I put it in writing, then I can check it off as I go along and know that I truly accomplished  my goal(s).

I never make New Year's resolutions because they never worked for me - not really.  As long as I know what I'm going to do, I do my research, prepare for what's ahead, and then press play.  It's time to do that now and it's coincidentally happening just before the new year, a time to bring out the old me, all scrubbed down, suited up, and ready to act on the good tips I've learned and heard about up until now.

Big Hugs!

Introducing the POP Kids and their campaign against hunger

I was sitting there thinking about ways to get the kids involved with community projects and charity and as I sat and listened to them talk about how they saw themselves giving back, POPKids evolved.

So we've been recruiting at school and the responses have been lovely.  Now it's time to start sending information packets home for parents to read and decide if they really want their child(ren) involved, because time is precious and for most kids, homework takes up quite a bit of time.  Then there's meeting agendas and projects to have for the kids to select from once a month or so to make their mark in the world.

I can't wait to see how things turn out and all of the things these kids eventually accomplish.  It's going to be amazing!

Beauty and the Beast

I attended the Broadway show, Beauty and the Beast, last week with my son.  When the show started I worried that he would be disinterested because it seemed to be a show that was geared to a younger set.  All he watches at home are shows like iCarly, Drake and Josh, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Vampire Diaries, and Smallville.  As it turns out, he loved it and said it was the best birthday gift ever.  Did I mention I won tickets to take him to this show?

http://southward.patch.com/articles/beauty-and-the-beast-at-njpac-thrills-patch-contest-winners

I was driving down the street a couple of days ago, and I saw a girl standing on the curb of a highway-to-street intersection.  She was wearing pajamas, stuffed animal slippers, hair undone, and looking completely distressed. She appeared to be in her late teens/early twenties and she was looking off into the distance, almost hopping from one foot to the other, as if she were looking for or waiting for someone.  Tears were imminent, if she hadn't already been crying.

I was in the middle of a dangerous intersection, and couldn't stop my car to ask her what was wrong and if she needed to get help, so I went around the block and in the few minutes it took me to do that, she was gone.  Two minutes.  In two minutes, she could've gotten into the car with ANYONE and I wish I would've just slammed on the brakes and spoke to her.  I don't know what was wrong, but my first thought was, Did she get get into an argument with her boyfriend and get put out of the car? 

Domestic Violence is deeply entrenched in our culture, and it's swept under the rug like it's taboo.  No one wants to be the one to own up to what's going on and get rid of this madness.  If you aren't going to take on the responsibility, then whom?

DV isn't only about physical violence either.  It's emotional, pyschological, financial (yes, I said financial).  It's about control.  Stop sitting around calling someone stupid for being in this situation.  Judgements of their personal character is doing what exactly?  Making them feel bad so they'll leave?  NOT.

DO SOMETHING. SAVE A LIFE. ACT NOW.


Domestic Violence PSA from Tyler Johnson on Vimeo.

A Red Carpet Social Empowerment Event (in beautiful So. Cal)

 

“So. Cal’s Natural Beauty Pageant”

A Red Carpet Social Empowerment Event

June 19, 2011

http://www.iwillflourish.net/

 
Event Description
The beauty pageant market is growing exponentially with annual numbers of 3 million for children alone. The numbers continue to increase. One major concern is that the traditional beauty pageants breed narcissism while others feel it cultivates insecurity. Critics feel that pageants tip the scale of what is healthy for one’s natural development.

Walking for Cancer (I miss you Grandma)

Yesterday I walked around NYC in support of the eradication of cancer via the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers 2011.  I wouldn't have known about this wonderful effort, if I hadn't been informed by new colleague, Makeda Campbell of Immaculate Enterprises. http://www.immaculate-enterprises.com/eifrevlonwalkrun.htm

A great place to talk about what matters most

AJ Ramsey is the author of Newark's Armadillo, a memoir about the abuses she suffered growing up at home.  She is now the head of her own publishing company, Ramsey Literature , also the name of her facebook group (click the link to go to the page), where she regularly challenges her group members with thought-provoking questions and debates.

I Got Flowers Today

I found a poem on a blog today (and am reposting with copyright information) reminding me why I am raising funds for Project: Makeover http://www.crowdrise.com/adoptaroom/fundraiser/partyofpurpose
Join POP in raising $5000 to renovate a room at a domestic violence shelter tht houses women and families fleeing an abuser and hoping to stay alive and move on with their lives. Thank you.

Become more spiritually grounded/ have a Powerful relationship with God

I didn't want to get up this morning, but after talking to my mom, I forced myself out of bed and into the shower.  I talked to God while I was showering and asked him to guide my steps today because although it's a beautiful, sunny day outside, I need the power of His sun to seep through the walls of this house and into my being.  Nothing is wrong with me but I want to ensure that things stay right with me, relatively speaking.  I want to stock up on all the happiness I can get now and save it for the hard times in life that kind of sneak up on me when I'm least expecting it.

DEEVA Beauty LLC

SPArties Mobile Spa

Today I was on FB networking with one of the groups of which I am now a part.  I don't recall who added me to this group, but it's turning out to be a really good look for me and I want to say thank you to that person and to all of the new followers, acquaintances, and possible business partners with whom I am now building relationships with.  Check out some of the contacts I've made and don't just put a Like on their pages, but hire them and refer them to your friends.  Here's a good one if you want to have a spa day with the girls, but it's a rainy day like today and you don't want to leave the house.  Why not have a sleepover while your at it?  I'm just saying.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES - Simon Cowell's X FACTOR auditions in Newark, NJ

I follow Mayor Cory Booker, Newark, NJ's current mayor.  He's always in the media and seems to be doing big things for the City of Newark and P.O.P. sends our congrats. 

I received an email from Cory's office liaison and wanted to share it with anyone interested:


Who made me the leader?

I love taking classes and learning new things, so I enrolled in a leadership program to build and hone my leadership skills. I was being given more responsibility at work, leading a project team and being sought after to work on other projects. I wanted to do my best not to let the big boss down in his expectations but the training budget wouldn’t allow for me to take any 'good' training, so I borrowed money from my 401K because as I’ve learned, if I don’t think I’m worth it to invest in myself, no one else will either. This program was the absolute, hands down, hardest training program I have EVER experienced. It was also the most profound and developmental for me and I came out of it with a new outlook on not only my professional career but all apects of my life.

A Walk in Central Park

Last year, I was asked to do the AIDS walk in Central Park with a former co-worker.  I had no previous experience with this fatal condition and I felt like I wasn’t qualified, if you will, to walk with my new friend and I started to say no.  I went though, because it was about supporting her memory of a loved one.  I donated to the cause and walked with her, her husband, and a mish mash of friends and family.  I made some new acquaintances that day, saw some old friends, got some exercise, and went to a great restaurant afterwards.  I have no idea what thoughts went on in my friend’s head that day, but she asked me again this year and so on Sunday, May 16^th, I’ll be walking again in memory of her loved one.

Donate a dollar

Parties, special events, and adventures...oh my

I love parties and special events.  I like them even more when I go somewhere different; somewhere far from home, like a business trip or vacation.  Going out is the first thing I think about when I'm packing my bags and so I often go and browse the web or check my emails for things to do and I create an itinerary of possibilities. 

Crazy Love No More

I’ve had some Crazy Love before and I’ll never go back now that I know some of the signs. I can’t wait for the Lunch and Learn Crazy Love No More on April 26 at NJPAC. I want to hear how Leslie, the author, felt and how she ended up leaving her abuser. Join us - we can't wait to meet you.