What's taking you so long to have a baby?

The one question that I am getting tired of answering is: Why am I waiting so long to have a baby? It seems like a harmless question right? I suppose the interrogator is expecting an answer like: I'm waiting to finish school first, or I'm waiting for some sort of "right time", but think about it. Suppose that is not my answer.

I'm 36 years old and I've been married for 5 1/2 years. Neither my husband nor I have any children. So, you want to know, WHY NOT? I use to come up with different reasons to detract from answering the question. I was told that I'm selfish. My biological clock is ticking out. Why don't you give that man a child?

Under any circumstance, is it ever anyone's business? When is this ever an appropriate question? Very carefully, I will answer you, as I try to protect my family and try to protect you from my sharp tongue. I'm tempted to be rude. I don't think the question is meant to hurt me, but I'm tempted and I'm just tired of this question. Furthermore, any ailment that I have is not a symptom of possible pregger-ness.

Sometimes, I just like to eat Chinese food. It's cheap greasy food that I enjoy from time to time. If I ever become pregnant, I'll let you know when the time is right, but until then, please stop... wait, hold up... suppose I go ahead and tell you why we don't have children yet. What then?

Are you going to tell me to pray about it? Thank you, I have done that. Please pray for me also. Will you try to encourage me by saying, "When you least expect it, you'll get pregnant." Perhaps, life is often like that at times. Better yet, what happens when I piss you off? Will you tell me, "That's why God didn't bless you with any kids!"

I have heard all of these things before. It seems to me, that any response showing my disapproval of this question is going to label me as "bitter". I refuse to be bitter. Married life without children ain't half bad. My husband and I have decided to enjoy our lives together whatever that turns out to be. I hope you choose to do the same.

FNC Face 2-25-12

The is what I wore on my Friday Night Confessional video 2.25.12.
Outfit: This is not a dress, it's actually a long sleeve purple shirt that is tied at the back.
Headscarf: I got this idea from Ashiek's tutorial on YouTube
Nail Polish: Electric by Pure Ice
Lips: Rebel by MAC
Eyes: Pure Gold jumbo eye pencil by NYX as a base; Gold and Purple eye shadow from BH Cosmetics 120 Palette (2nd edition); Rice Paper by MAC on brow bone.
Cheeks: Fusia Fusion by Elf (main); Taj Mahal by NARS highlight
Foundation: Nutmeg & Heavenly Honey by Black Opal
Blot Face Powder: Deep Dark by MAC

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FNC Face 2-3-12
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Why I like to mind my business at work

I have been employed in the Investment Banking field for 15 years and believe me, I have picked up quite a few lessons along the way. I will share my thoughts from time to time regarding Corporate America, starting with this post. People LOVE to gossip!

I'm not just talking about celebrity gossip either, I'm referring to the person that sits next to you 5 days a week. The one who knows how hard you work and the sacrifices you have made for the sake of firm, yet they will accuse you of suckin', cluckin', and buckin' for the next promotion. Office gossip can lead you to believe that no one earns their promotion any more, there's always a story.

The perfect timing of eyes meeting another set of eyes... should brows rise, you've been scheduled for a meeting! Subject: You! Time: As soon as the victim is out of ear shot! Importance: High priority!

God forbid you have a moment of weakness because you and your spouse had an argument last night. I should pray that God grants you the wherewithal to grin and bare it until it's time to go home. Do your best to peel your lips away from your teeth and smile at whomever the fuck's walking past you because just like sharks are able to smell blood from miles away, your co-workers are waiting to tear your character into shreds. The insatiable desire for gossip compliments their morning coffee quite deliciously.

I could go on making up all types of funny shit about office folk, but it all boils down to this: Most people are either unable or too lazy to think for themselves. This is the breeding ground for the mob mentality and I do not subscribe.

I've learned to keep my ears open to everything. An introvert by nature, I prefer to keep corporate cackling at arms length. When asked about my personal life, my answer is always the same, "Fine". How was your weekend? How did you spend your vacation? How's your family in Barbados? "Fine, Fine... [Most of my relatives in Barbados are dead, but they are rotting in the ground]...just fine, how about you?"

Navigating your way through Corporate America is a game called Networking. If you don't play it, you will get played. Since I choose to spend very limited time networking, I have suffered blows to my corporate career. You see, I don't care that Susan is currently in a coughing frenzy trying to dislodge the boss's pubs from her larynx. I just want to do my job and go home to my family at the end of the day.

Unless said activity is illegal or interferes with my job responsibilities, I Mind My Business.

Are you being used?

The following tweets are from my twitter timeline yesterday. It was inspired mostly by AfricanExport's Debate & Discussion video "How do you know you're being used?" I wanted to do a Video Response, but I was at work so I took to twitter instead. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
I can't tell U how many times I watch YT vids & I swear they are speakin directly 2 me. Last night AE, Sugar & Bronze Goddess got in my azz.


All good stuff of course. I can't speak on the job situation cause ummm, I'm in a situation. But I will speak on ppl taking advantage...


In keepin this 2 photography, when I decided 2 do weddings I was already shootin for 10+ years, but I wasn't confident @ wedding photography


Weddings R perceived as the most important day in a woman's life. I disagree but I respect the expectations of that day. It has 2 be perfect


So I did a few weddings as a gift to build my portfolio. But I needed more. So I took a "job" as an assistant to another photographer.


It's a great way to build your portfolio. I received NO PAY for my first 6 assignments! I was willing to put the work in BUT...


When I started seeing my shots on their online portfolio I said Hold Up. If my work is good enough for you to advertise as your own...


What we have here is a lack of confidence from myself. I get giving my shots to the Bride, but not in your portfolio. Didn't sit well w/ me.


Funny thing. When this person started shooting & charging for weddings they didn't even know about how to use the camera. Bold personality.


I don't have a naturally bold personality. Rather just shoot. But the point is: While I was trying 2 make sure I was good enough 4 weddings


I was working under some1 that knew less about actual photography & more about The Business of Wedding Photography. So I used her for that


Quality will sell, but it never sells more than a savvy personality!

A few of my favorite things

• Origins Lavender and Vanilla body soufflé
• Music, Dance, Photography... and all things creative
• Being left alone and not feeling lonely
• Heat
• Having candy, chocolate, wine and a good movie, all at the same time
• Knowing myself and being o.k with what I know
• Safety and Security
• Noise canceling headphones, especially at work
• Having control of my time
• Flexibility / Options
• Expressing what I think / feel and not being misunderstood in the process
• Being in love, hating it, and being ok about all of it... makes no sense but neither does love
• Good conversation

*N.B. This list could change because hey, I like GROWTH! What are some of your favorite things?

FNC Face 2-3-12

Let me know if this is helpful. Having it here on the blog, you can see the photos much clearer. Youtube downgrades the photos during processing. Click each photo to make it larger. You can also see more of the Maybelline eye shadows here. Thanks for stopping by ;-)

Lips: Milani Lip Flash - Flashy	 Black Opal Cream Stick Foundation Heavenly Honey & Nutmeg
 Blush: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish - Metal Rock	 Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoo - Audacious Asphalt Inner Eye: White Eye Shadow Outer Eye: Black Eye Shadow Eyeliner: L'oreal Hip Cream Eyeliner - Black

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Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadows

Like many of you, I've seen these new cream eye shadows all over the Internet. I was reluctant at first (my New Year's resolution was NOT to purchase any more makeup. Oh well), but with so many great reviews I thought, maybe I'll give it a try. I'm so glad that I did.

Maybelline claims the eyeshadow will last for 24-hours, but we can all agree that hardly anyone is going to have their makeup on that long. I've worn Bad to the Bronze and Pomegranate Punk thus far. I'm away from home for 12 hours during the work week and the eye shadow held up very well. Some claim that they do not crease at all, but I have oily skin and they did crease just a little for me. The only thing that stops my eyeshadow from creasing 100% is eye shadow primer. I'm still in love with this product because for a grab, apply and go... it works excellently.

Depending on the look you are going for, coverage can be built up. The consistency is very creamy. I used my finger to apply the product, but I can also see myself using them as an eyeliner by simply using a eyeliner brush. You may also use them as a primer if you are going for an extremely vibrant look.

I purchased these at Walgreens for $6.99 each. Maybelline currently has 10 colors available. I picked up 7 of the 10 shadows (see photos below).

This week on Friday Night Confessional, I wore Audacious Asphalt.

Left to Right (Click Image to Enlarge)
Bad to the Bronze, Bold Gold, Pomegranate Punk, Tenacious Teal, Edgy Emerald, Audacious Asphalt, Tough as Taupe

Pomegranate Punk
(Click Image to Enlarge)

Edgy Emerald
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Tenacious Teal
(Click Image to Enlarge)

Tough as Taupe
(Click Image to Enlarge)

Audacious Asphalt
(Click Image to Enlarge)

Bold Gold
(Click Image to Enlarge)

Bad to the Bronze
(Click Image to Enlarge)

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FNC Face 2-3-12