So to my avid blogspot followers, I apologize for my dormancy and lack of effort with trying to keep up with this thing. I've had this blog for about a year and a half, and I've said over and over again, no matter how busy I get, I will still keep you all posted with my randomness, thoughts, and life. Well, Gloria.. you FAIL!

So this is my redemption post as I will try to get 2-3 posts up a week. Managing another blog for my university (www.bakerubloggers.wordpress.com) is hard enough, so bear with me. As for basketball, we are officially hosting the 1st round of playoffs vs. Avila (the team we lost to at the buzzer of playoffs last year) and our sweet revenge couldn't have been staged any better. I'm pretty pumped. I'll definitely let you all know how that turns out.

As for everything else in my life.. it's pretty much made. Ha, jk.. but God has really been good to me. I can't thank Him enough, and I'm so grateful for the opportunities and people He's put in my life to get me to where I am today.

Oh yeah, and my mom is coming to visit on Thursday! Yeeeeeeeeaaaah BUDDY! Haha, this will be interesting ;)

-GL0

This picture is actually very old. Like extremely old. I want to say about 2-3 years ago, and quite frankly, I'm not too sure why I decided to pull this one up to depict this post... but I did. I feel like my world is spinning and I don't have time to stop and smell the roses, appreciate Mother Nature, and take a deep breath anymore. I have a huge decision to make pretty soon and I decided to whip out the old pen & paper and start documenting my thoughts again. I've always had a strong vibe with written expression whether it be poetry or journaling - it was something that made me more in tune with my inner self. But I always somehow seemed to drop one of my only good habits, and now I'm striving to start it again. For good. For as long as I can. For...ever (I hope). If it's not too personal, I'll post some of my journal entries on here. As candid and unedited as possible. But for now, it's just me, my pen, and paper.

-GL0

On another note, it’s easier to do something when there is a short-term reward in the end — that being summer. In the fall, you know you still have another semester to knock out before the ultimate vacation.

At any rate, spring semester officially begins tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, and I feel unprepared for some reason. Yes I have my schedule, checked my alerts, holds, and any other hindrances that constantly appear on the student portal, and it seems that I have everything set, yet I still don’t feel ready. Thankfully the first week is a short one and I can use the weekend to fully recuperate and mentally prepare myself for another long 20 weeks or so.. or at least ’til spring break.

..so either catch up or get left behind. Nobody can hold your hand through every stage of life, and whether you're fit for the real world or not.. it will hit you - HARD. Will you be ready?

-GL0

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from me to all of you! Whether you're spending it by yourselves or amongst the warm company of loving family, enjoy this day and cherish it, not for the gifts and food, but for the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who was born on this beloved day. God bless you all and may this new year be a year of promises and provision for all. Happy Holidays!

-GL0

So today was the first time I cried in a long time -- I need to never wait that long before I shed some tears again. People cast such a negative light on crying too, as if all forms of it are associated with depression, tragedy, and all things emo -- which isn't the case at all. Sometimes it's good to let out all those emotions you've been holding in.. you release so much tension through the form of tears -- whether the situation is happy or sad, you can't deny the feeling you get afterward. Relief doesn't begin to describe how I felt after my "moment" today. And this scripture was like icing on the cake...

Psalm 34:17

How comforting is that? Gosh, God is sooo good! No, really He is! Go tell a friend about Him! Lol. And shed a tear today; release some of your bottled stress. You'll be glad you did, I promise :)

-GL0

Life is a journey, not a destination... so buckle up and prepare for the road blocks, detours, and wrong turns. Best thing about this journey is you can't mapquest the directions; the route you take is totally up to you - just hope for the best, and brace yourself for the worst.

-GL0

As life brings you opportunities -- don't be picky. Every door that opens is a blessing from God. Either take advantage of it, or watch the next person excel.

-GL0

I experimented with cargo/dickies at first

I thought black shorts worked better

The bandana was a nice touch too

I thought the glasses were cute too, lol

Finally my masterpiece was done ;-)

One thing I loved about this "costume" is that i knew nobody else would have it. I love being different and doing things that make people think "wow, that was creative." I pride myself in being an innovator and this was just another one of my concoctions. I turned a trashy occupation to a sexy profession, lol. What were yall for Halloween?

-GL0

So... it's been a little minute since I posted last; my apologies, but I've been a lil, what's the word? ohh.. money-happy lately and let's just say my two most expensive ventures have been this lovely macbook along with a custom-made cover and a 32 gb ipod touch! (My 8 gb just wasn't cuttin it anymore). Now before you guys start the backlash, I got the macbook for $400 (dont worry about how - and yes it's brand new) and the iTouch for $299. Now that is a $1400 investment that I got all for under $700. I'm sorry yall, but my refund check was just sitting there waiting to be spent. I've worked so hard this summer and I've evolved so much as a person, I felt it necessary to finally do something for myself and reward my improving lifestyle. Not to say I'm anywhere near perfect, but I don't drink, I don't smoke, I've turned to the celibate lifestyle, and I'm renewing my faith and relationship with God. I just feel so whole and at peace with life right now that I can't help but to splurge a lil bit. So the question isn't where I've been.. it's where I'm going.. and that's up and away towards succes.. my destiny awaits.

-GL0

...well, on my campus at least. I just got promoted to manage my university's blog on top of already working for the Marketing Department who writes articles, edits photos, videos, and web designs. See examples of work here.

As the summer concludes, i thought I'd share with yall a couple of my favorite summer flicks.. this basically epitomizes the type of summer I had and what i spent a majority of my time doing - not swimming, but relaxing. This was the most laid back summer I ever had. I went from clubbing 3x a week last summer to 3x total this summer. It was hard at first, especially for me always wanting to be on the scene, but honestly I'm not looking for a man at a club, all the music they play I've probably had on my ipod for months, and hella gas gets wasted (cuz most clubs in phx downtown or far east)

While relaxing and spending quality time with family and friends instead, I also got really involved with a new church, which I'm now a proud member of (as of last week) Kingdom in the Valley off Indian School & Old Litchfield Rd (i truly recommend a visit) And it's really helped me refine my relationship with God and have the urge to live more like him. I've also been on my grind in the gym, working out 4-5 days a week: weight room, cardio, and basketball pick-up games. I am probably in the best shape I've been in for a while, I'm excited for season :-D Enough randomness, hope you all's summer is going well, try to enjoy the lil bit we have left!

-GL0

Well what better time to get your navel pierced than the summer (aka belly-showing season)?  Lol.. with this being my 9th piercing (8 on my ears) you'd think I'd be accustomed to the pain by now, but i swear it gets worse everytime! EVERYBODY always asks "did it hurt?" and well folks, YES it hurt (for a good 5-10 seconds) and felt almost like a snake bite, if you will, (although i've never been bit by a snake, but u catch my drift). And a special shoutout to my best friend Jasmine who took me!

P.S. No, my mom does NOT know.. and i plan to keep it that way, hehe :)

-GL0