Day 13: Let's SALSA!

Good day (for Wednesday May 18, 2011)

One, Two….Cha Cha Cha!! 

Today I had the great opportunity to get dance lessons and have fun with one of my best friends, Ms. Narsha Butts!

I can even remember...but it had to be sophmore year. I think!!!

Side Note: I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing this young lady for several years now! We met in high school but didn’t really become great friends until college (which was a God-sent to me, because I didn’t know ANYONE at the time)

We arrived for Dancing Lessons at Loca Luna (A restaurant with live band and space to dance) 

There were over 20 different couples. (Narsha and I ended up dancing with each other. We joked around the WHOLE time)

** Wish I had some pictures of all the dancing….however I cant dance and take pictures at the same time** :-( 

The dance lesson consisted of Salsa steps, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and the Meranga! 

Our dance instructor! (It was kinda dark...so sorry for the pics!)

The Live band area

To best summarize Latin dancing: It’s fast-paced ‘line-dancing’ (except everyone is doing the same steps, but at different times)  

I had soo soo much fun and it was quite the exercise. Word of advice: Don’t wear heels unless you are used to dancing in heels.

After our great lesson and lots of practice on the floor, we sat down and had some tapas. I had beef empanadas and Narsha had chicken and plantains.

Our night was filled with fast feet, catching up, laughs and  good food.

......An overall good night!

So tonight’s entry goes to my friend Narsha.

Thank you for sharing in this great experience with me. 

I continue to be proud of the woman she is becoming; how she fearlessly embraces life and fights endlessly for success. She’s able to see the small beauty in the world; honoring and acknowledging its importance in the grand scheme of life!

Not only am I grateful for her, I am grateful for our friendship.

She reminds me that a friendship has the ability weather and thrive through anything, but we must always make the effort to provide the rich soil.   

Although our friendship has weathered soo much, we continue to always find our place within the precious shade and sunshine of it all!

I couldn’t have found a better ‘Firehouse/Clemson/late night Wal-Mart/Target/ Cooper Library and now Atlanta (dance partner) buddy!

Love ya Narsha…..

THROWBACK Fall 2006 :-) Had to do it!

(Ms. Butts is the newest member of the SweetJack.com team! WHOOT WHOOT…had to give her a huge SHOUTOUT for her first job out of college! Making it rain!!!) 

Day 13 Lesson: When you fall behind in the steps....take a moment to catch your bearings, then get back on the floor. Before you know it, you'll find yourself right back in the same groove of things. 

Day 12: There is alot of History in OUR backyard!

Good Day (for Tuesday May 17, 2011)

Being a big history lover, I decided to checkout the local history museum in Marietta Square: The Marietta Museum of History. For those local history lovers out there…..this museum is definitely a hidden gem!

Beyond just the artifacts and historical presence, I think the people working at this museum and the volunteers make you really feel at home.

I had the pleasure of being escorted by the volunteer tour guide, Mr. Jim Ross (an older man from Powder Springs, Ga). This man really knew his stuff!



The Museum, located in a building that was the Fletcher House Hotel in the 1800s, consist of collections about local history, the military, and Georgia presence throughout history from the 1800s until now!

Here are a few highlights! 

Visitor Map. Everyone places a pin from where they are from!

Orangeburg, South Carolina! (The red pin!!)

An example of a hotel room in the 1800s (mattress is made of straw) This is a 'Regular Joe' room.

The Kennesaw House, which is where the museum is located, used to be a hotel in the 1800s.

The famous train chase!

The first medal of honor ever given! 

It was given to the northerner ‘conspirators’, who stole a train in order to cripple the Confederate army's supplies.

This is a 'four-five star' hotel room! The mattress for a room like this has a feather mattress, not a straw mattress! (alot more comfortable)

I cant remember the year, however this is an old fashion ice box and 'washing machine'!

1940s modern kitchen with gas stove, ice box, etc...

A 'modern' ice box.

The uniform for the military institute in Georgia. (Reminds me of Georgia Tech....hmm?!?!)

The American Airborne Troopers! (looks familiar doesnt it?!?!)

Over a century of different guns!

Very 'Gone with the Wind'

Trail of Tears!  Side Note: Because Andrew Jackson led in this 'horrific' event in history ( pushing Indians off of their land and causing the death of many, many Indians)  most Indians wont even accept or own a $20.00 bill (because A. Jackson is on the bill).

Cherokee Indians are one of the few Indian tribes who have written history, language, etc.

Old time printing press!

This contraption used to curl people's hair! (Thank goodness the hair salon has evolved!) That the mouse character was soo cute..but you definitely get the point!

Although the museum isnt has big as the 'High Museum' I loved the museum's personal touch and was able to explore for 2-3 hours.

Great day!

Day 12 Lesson: History is something to be appreciated! We should always take an interest in it!

Day 11: Even a busy day needs a small adventure!

Good Evening: (for Monday, May 16, 2011)

Although this is a short entry.....my day was packed! 

It amazes me how I don’t have a J.O.B. and can STILL be busy! (Like, SERIOUSLY!?!?!)  

Today was one of those busy days starting with volunteering, visiting relatives, assisting with some college prep, church meetings and ending with more college prep.

With my extremely tight schedule…I TRULY thought I wasn’t going to keep my promise of  ‘25 things, 25 days’.

BUT….I took a small detour, headed to a local Publix and decided to try some fresh sushi!  I got the traditional California Roll (I’ve been advised that this type is perfect for beginners)

I was sitting in a meeting... eating this! ( I was determined to eat it!!) LOL!

GRADE: It wasn’t the GREATEST but it wasn’t BAD either! It’s definitely one of those ‘acquired taste’ dishes.

I think that if I have a ‘not so empty’ stomach…..sushi could be a nice ‘light meal’ to add to my routine.

Although I was extremely busy today with ‘life’, I made the extra effort to keep my personal promise (25 things for 25 days).

It made me realize, how easy it is to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to smell the flowers, appreciate our blessings or even thank God for the ability ‘to be busy’!  (Today was a prime example of this!)

So........

Day 11 Lesson: In our daily lives, we must always keep things in perspective…..so that we dont get caught up in the 'busyness’. Our lives will be so much more rewarding, when we don’t prioritize ‘our schedules’ over those IMPORTANT things in life! 

See ya,

~ Morgan L. :-)

(p.s. I guess my entry ISNT that short after all! LOL)

Day 10: Sacrifice and Struggle

Good day everyone! (for Sunday May 15, 2011)

My day started with a sermon and ended with a movie. (Both insightful and hitting on a similar topic: Sacrifice.)

In today’s service (coming out of Corinthians 11: 23-27) the sermon’s focal point was the importance of communion and how to personally prepare for this part of the service.

While explaining the importance of this portion of the service, the question was asked 'How do you personally prepare yourself and show reverence to communion?'

It comes down to SACRIFICE. 

What exactly are you willing to sacrifice to take yourself spiritually to the next level? 

It is beyond important to not only sacrifice, but make the right sacrifices for the right things. (For example, taking that time in the day to turn off the tv and turn on your ‘bible'. Something as simple as that will elevate you a little higher) 

Climbing. Elevation. Do you get it?!?! :-)

This 'elevation' is the type of preparation that we can do for ourselves, to truly understand, appreciate, and embrace the importance of communion and sacrifice that came along with it. 
(Although...I feel this elevation can be used in every aspect of our lives)

Good lesson huh?!??

After a few errands, dinner and visiting some relatives….I ended my day with catching a movie I’ve wanted to see for a while: Water for Elephants with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

Although I wont tell all the details (just in case you want to see the movie), the movie was centered around a man who had lost everything, joined a traveling circus and feel in love with the wife of the boss (an abusive and almost bi-polar man). 

The main characters took the risk and sacrificed alot for their relationship. 

At the moment their decisions didn’t seem like the ‘right’ sacrifices, but in the end….they were!

Grade for the Movie: I would say a B+ 

(however it was a really good movie…just wasn’t something Oscar Winning)

Day 10 Lesson: Make the Right Sacrifices for the Right Things! 

Til Tomorrow...

~ Morgan L. :-)

Day 9: 'My GIRLFRIENDSsssss (well one girlfriend...lol)

Good day everyone (for Saturday May 14, 2011)  

What can I say about FRIENDS?!?! 

If you are lucky, they can be some of the greatest treasures in life!

I can personally say that I’ve been blessed with several really good friends in my life that make each day such a treat!

So today’s adventure was accompanied by my sidekick and road dog Mrs. Shunta Grant, Equire. 

Now….I must state this!

Mrs. Grant (a busy wife, lawyer, EXTREMELY dedicated and active church member, and resident of Greenville South Carolina.) took one Saturday to visit me for my birthday!

(Now you can see why I'm soo excited!!!)

YEAH YEAH....I stole this from her firm's website! (hope they dont sue me...LOL)

One thing you must know about Mrs. Grant is this….

Little Lady can EAT!! (Do not let the small frame fool ya) 

She tried the Krispy Kreme Milkshake and the expression on her face SAYS IT ALL!

That’s why I love her! (That plus soo much more...)

We have the best ‘piggying out’ sessions ever. (Even though I have to do extreme exercising afterwards and she doesn’t....LOL)

So our day started with trying a new restaurant, which has been on my ‘Atlanta Bucket list' for a while. 

FLIP Burger Boutique on Howell Mill.

In honor of the occasion we both tried something different. Shunta had the Shrimp Burger and I had the Lamb Burger.  This was accompanied by Onion Rings, French Fries and a Krispy Kreme Milkshake!

Contemplating her order!

Our Krispy Kreme Milkshakes! They sizzle when they first come out!

Shunta INHALED this! (That milkshake didnt stand a CHANCE)

When I tell you that this food was good…..THIS FOOD WAS SOO GOOD!

The lamb, which I have never had before, was soo tender (it reminds me of deer meat….and yes, I’m showing my country colors). Another first was I got the meat medium well! I always get my meat well done (to almost burned)…..so this was definitely something I had to think twice about.

 

This was the Lamb Burger with Onion Rings (YUM YUM...and I'm not a fan of onion rings)

Shunta's Shrimp Burger with French Fries (YUM)!

 

But overall my grade for this place, meal and experience….SUPER A with 10 Stars!

After a meal like that….we had to walk it off. So we headed to my local TJMAXX (Shunta’s FAVORITE stop when visiting my area of town).

 

Next stop…..SKATING at Sparkles (and yes…this was a skating ring not a strip club..LOL) 

First time I had been on skates in years (and it showed). Shunta on the other hand was a natural.  

According to Shunta I need to bend my knees and just glide. 

"Don’t think about it and STOP getting on the wall….and using it as my crunch" LOL

I had soo much fun, but it was QUITE the exercise. My knees pretty much ended our skating expedition (a TRUE sign that you are getting old!) 

After skating…we headed to Just Kiln Time in Marietta Square. This would be Shunta first and my second experience with painting. I painted a little elephant this time and she painted a coaster for her hubby!

She was really concentrating!

Its coming along!

The finished product!

Last stop of the night (after picking up Shunta’s SUPER clean car) was Don Pablo's Mexican Kitchen
(a fav in the area).

Another thing you must know about Mrs. Grant….she is HALF MEXICAN!
(LOL..No NOT really, but she LOVES, LOVES Mexican food)

Mrs. Grant needed a Mexican meal to fuel her before her trip back to Greenville, SC.  (Once again…we are pigging out!

So….we ate, laughed, critiqued a few passing outfits (LOL) and then parted ways!

My day was complete….but the impact lingers on!

So this post is dedicated to my friend Shunta Grant. 

I couldn’t have stumbled across a greater friend. 

She’s a true reminder of how to be more then a friend...... but a listener, a shoulder, a heart, a side kick and most importantly a loyal sister from another mother (and family). 

This young lady has encouraged me, cried with me and stood beside me through more things then I could have EVER imagined.

Thank you Mrs. Shunta Grant for being another blessing in my life!

Day 9 Lesson: Have friends that motivate you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, to be an even better person and an even better friend.




~ Morgan L. :-)