Daydreaming

So as you all know I am feverishly working on my dissertation. Yesterday I was in the library for 10 HOURS! Reading the literature on my dissertation topic, summarizing it, then writing an intelligent and coherent paper takes A LOT of work. I am not so certain that obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) requires intelligence; but, I assure you it requires perseverance, dedication, interest in a specific topic, energy, and so much more!

Ok, so that is not why I am writing today… I must admit that my mind does wander quite a bit while “working.” These days my mind keeps taking me to ideal cities to live. I have even gotten so bad that I am now frequenting real estate websites in these cities.

Now, I am a person that believes in “speaking your world into existence;” however, I am beginning to think that I may be taking it a little far, if I do not say so myself.

A girl can dream can’t she?

Ideally I would move to one of these cities like tomorrow and live there for about 5 years. After that I would be ready to live in the suburbs with a lawn and white picket fence! Here are my four wishful places of residents.

1. CHICAGO. Although I would never have dreamed that I enjoy the winter; I have come to really appreciate winter-weather wardrobe. I L-O-V-E boots, coats, furs, sweaters… And well, Chicago is the town to show off that type of wardrobe! What is there not to love about the Windy City? My boyfriend’s father had an apartment there for a short period of time. I was so distraught when he decided to sell his place. It was right by Navy Pier (sad face). Although Chicago is in the Midwest it definitely has an East Coast vibe which I love. There are plenty of restaurants, theatres, museums, parks, sporting events, nightlife. Ugh, so much I am getting envious thinking about it!
2. PHILADELPHIA. Jen, my best girlfriend and BAP, (plus her hubby and baby in the oven) reside in Philadelphia. Specifically, they live in the Northern Liberties area so I have frequented this area often. I like Philly because it is so close to New York and New Jersey. Jen can get in the car and zip over to New Jersey in like 10mins or she can take the train to New York! Who would not love that ability? Although I do enjoy the bustle of New York- I could never envision myself living there because it is simply too much. But, I would thoroughly enjoy the option for “weekend get-aways.”
3. HOUSTON. Ok, so I have never been to Houston or Texas for that matter, but I have heard that Houston is a “fun” city, so I have been perusing those real estate options, as well.
4. MINNEAPOLIS. Although I realize that Chicago and Minneapolis have MANY differences, I still would not mind living in the Cities for many of the same reasons. However, in my opinion, Minneapolis does have a Midwestern feel which I do enjoy! Plus, Prince lives there!

Where would you like to move?

<3 Michelyn

Honoring Women of Color at Miss USA

In honor of Black History Month I wanted to share this chart. I must admit that I am not the original author (Butler, R. originally cited from Francis AKA Pageant Fan). Needless to say, with only two more days left in February, i.e., Black History Month, what better reason to make a post like this. It is most important to pay tribute to the many women, including myself, who have made history and/or competed in the Miss USA system! If you are interested in competing in the Miss USA or Miss America system, do not hesitate to message me with any inquiries!

<3 Michelyn

Miss Ohio USA 1960 Corrine Huff Semi finals
Miss Idaho USA 1964 Dorothy Johnson....In 1963 the state of Idaho did not compete at Miss USA...The next year Johnson won the title and made it all the way to the Semi finals

Miss Ohio USA 1986 Halle Berry
1st RU to Miss USA

Alabama: 1993, 1996, 2000 (part black), 2002 (biracial)

Alaska: 1979

Arizona: 1976, 1999, 2003 (part black), 2010 (part black)

California: 1994, 2003, 2006, 2007

Colorado: 2000, 2004, 2011

Connecticut: 1976, 1995, 2000, 2002

District of Colombia: 1985-1988, 1990-1998, 2000-2011

Florida: 1987, 2009

Georgia: 1999, 2005

Idaho: 1964, 1988, 2005

Illinois: 2007, 2011

Indiana: 1976, 1993, 2002

Iowa: 2000

Kansas: 1974, 1995 (part black), 1997

Kentucky: 1973, 2008, 2011

Louisiana: 2005

Maryland: 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007

Massachusetts: 1973, 1979, 1988 (biracial), 2001, 2002

Michigan: 1967, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994 (biracial), 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004

Minnesota: 1973, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2009

Nebraska: 2001 (Korean/black), 2005, 2007, 2010

Nevada: 1986 (biracial), 1988, 1992, 2004

New Hampshire: 1976

New Jersey: 1970, 1986, 1991, 1994 (afro-latina), 2003, 2004, 2009 (afro-latina), 2010

New Mexico: 1992, 2003, 2009 (biracial)

New York: 1965, 1966, 1972, 1985, 1998, 2000, 2006 (afro-latina), 2008, 2010 (biracial)

North Carolina: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2010

Ohio: 1960, 1970, 1986, 2000, 2003, 2005

Oklahoma: 1985, 1992 (Japanese/black), 1995, 2003

Oregon: 2001, 2003, 2007

Pennsylvania: 1993, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011

Rhode Island: 1997

South Carolina: 1991

South Dakota: 2008

Tennessee: 1990, 1991, 1997, 2000 (debatable), 2007, 2010

Texas: 1995 (biracial), 2008

Utah: 1979

Vermont: 2010 (Afro-Latina)

Virginia: 1994, 2003

Washington: 1985, 1998 (biracial), 2007

West Virginia: 2002

Wisconsin: 1996, 2008, 2011

        

Miss Florida USA 1987 Clotilde Helen Cabrera.. First African American Women to Win Miss Florida USA 1st RU to Miss USA

Miss New York USA 1972 Alberta Phillips 1st RU to Miss USA

Miss Nebraska USA 2001 Sujoing "Sue" Drakeford... First African American women to win Miss Nebraska USA

Busy Little Bee

Today I returned from my last trip for the month of FEBRUARY! Oh, you have no idea how excited I am to know that I will NOT be traveling the month of March and am crossing my fingers for the same in April. I am a person who really enjoys routine and all my constant traveling has put a wrench in my daily planning. And, lets not even discuss my productivity... Sigh.

But on a good note, a participant at the conference approached me and shared that my presentation (I was lead author but 3 other ladies from my program also presented and contributed equally) was by far the best she had attended at the conference! WHAT?!?! I still can NOT believe it! Ha, goes to show you that hard work + dedication= SUCCESS!!!

“Michelyn Productivity” begins TOMORROW! I do have a dissertation to propose sometime in this century!

<3 Michelyn

Put Your Best Foot Forward

On February 11^th my boyfriend turned 30 years old. To commemorate this milestone, I bought him a nice pair of dress shoes! See, I believe that the way a person dresses tells you a lot about their character and where they are headed in life. As a basketball coach, dress wear is essential! I always check out the coaches’ wardrobe. 

Oh wait! This is not normal? So fans do not attend games to view the coaches' wardrobe? Check out the cheerleaders? Ok, haha. I know. Only I do this....

Anyways, I respect a sharp-looking dresser-- they always seem to have more swag and overall professionalism.

Here is a picture of J in his new Allen Edmonds.

He is destined for success!

<3 Michelyn

Time is Ticking Away……

Or, is it?


A few posts ago I explained why I enjoy running so much. Specifically, I shared with you my five reasons for running. Reason #3 stated that running is a time in which my mind processes lots of my thoughts. Well, back in November I had a “brain fart” mid-run… I literally forgot how old I was! I actually stopped running and began calculating my age. “Wait”, I thought. “Am I really 28 years-old?... O-M-G! I am!” So after my brief calculation break, my disbelief at my age, I began running again. As an aside, I cannot be certain if the cold weather (20 F) or the long run (9 miles) was the culprit to my inability to recollect my age. I figure both are valid hypothesis.

I continued my run reflecting on the milestones that at one time I had planned for myself. These included that I was to be married by 25 and have my first child by 27 or 28 (there were a host more, but these are the important ones for this post). Well, obviously those milestones did not occur, lol. But what I really realized is that age is just a number and that I am on a journey through life.  Sometimes you can’t put an age criteria for accomplishing a goal or life experience.

This topic resonates because today is my boyfriend’s 30^th birthday! This morning I asked if he felt any different and he responded: “I feel like an old man.” Well, I hope he is kidding because I do not think 30 is old at all. Hasn’t he just started?!?

I guess I look at my parents who are nearing sixty and don’t view them as elderly one bit. My mother is still out here dressing fly as ever, going to the gym… Shoot she even decided to be a flight attendant in her 50s. She wanted to do something for herself. She explained that she has lived for others (following my dad around, raising me, etc.) that she now wanted to do something adventurous. I am so proud of her. She travels worldwide and loves it (My father on the other hand... Well, he would be happy if she sat at home, lol).

So I guess this post is for those that are feeling the “clock ticking” or for those that are tired of people asking when will you graduate, get married, have children, start a different job, buy a home….. My message is to make these steps when YOU are ready. People and society, in general, place too much pressure on conformity to certain age-like milestones. I just do not think they are fair! Be you, be different!


<3 Michelyn

E-Y-E-B-R-O-W-S

It seems that I am the person that incurs the most traumatic beauty experiences. November 24, 2010 was the last time I had my eyebrows shaped! Can you believe it? Yes, it has been quite a stressful 2 months. I typically have my eyebrows threaded and there is only one lady in Madison who does this procedure. Well, she was definitely experiencing an “off” day and I left her salon the day before Thanksgiving with NO EYEBROWS! Ugh, I was so distraught! I decided on that day that I would allow my eyebrows to “grow out” so that I could have them re-shaped at a later time. Well, over the weekend I traveled to Philadelphia to celebrate my best friend’s baby shower and realized that an intervention (aka eyebrow waxing or threading) had to occur.

My eyebrow horror stories are making me consider a more permanent eyebrow fix. Perhaps I will have them tattooed or laser hair removal. What are your opinions?

I like her eyebrows (and eye make-up):

What should a girl do? I truly must apologize to those individuals that I have encountered over the last two months. My faux pas…


<3 Michelyn

Konfession

When getting my mail on Saturday I found the USPS slip for an over-sized package. Now, I must admit that I have an obsession for online shopping and began "jogging" my memory of my last online purchase. At that time, I could not think of anything that I had bought within the last few weeks that I was waiting upon. Well, I had made a purchase for Jen's babyshower, but I was certain that I had that sent to her house...

On Monday morning I went to the post office to retrieve my package and was SURPRISED that it was a gift from my boyfriend <3! I was so excited to open the package and even more elated with what it contained! He bought the "Kardashian Konfidential"book as well as a Vera Bradley notebook. Isn't he the sweetest ever? I called him as soon as I opened the package and thanked him wholeheartedly. Isn't Valentine's just around the corner? He noted that he was aware of the looming holiday, but thought it would be nice to just send me a lil' something. Aww....

Ok, so this gets to my konfession. I am OBSESSED with the Kardashians, especially Khloe! I am really hoping she and Lamar have a show soon. Well, their whole family is my guilty pleasure! I so enjoy following Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe through blogshpere! And Jason is TiVoing all the Kourtney and Kim Take NY! Yipee, I can not wait to watch those :) I know, I have a serious problem.... I was so relieved when my girlfriend Yolanda konfessed she loved them too! That definitely made me feel better, lol!

So, last night I rewarded myself and read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of my new book. I must admit that I am not impressed with the print (i.e., what the girls are writing), but am loving all the pictures! But then again, what should I expect from them, lol. Pure entertainment!

What is your confession?

<3 Michelyn