But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

-Matthew 6:33-34

Let me start by saying my LS is one of the beastingest people I know!  Fortunately, I can personally point out characteristics that make many of my LS’s quite THE BEAST.  But this one in particular was my first president in an organization that promotes sisterhood and service and was rebuilding a chapter from the BOTTOM!  She led us all through a time when many of us didn’t even know how to make it successful.  She is an alumna of University of Michigan and THE Georgetown Law and has passed the BAR exam!!   Other than that, she’s caring, hilarious, gorgeous, and pretty fly!

After I read her latest blog post, at first I was hurt that she is all depressed.  Then, I was really excited that I have the opportunity to witness and share my testimony with her.  I was just going to comment back on her facebook wall, but thought it was getting a bit lengthy, so below is my hip and shorthanded candid  response:

Girl, this chapter is the realest talk ever!! My first super testimony was my own experience struggling for a job.  I prayed that His will be done!  Similar to you, I had my own “revelation” moment.  After months, I finally just got content that I was staying at home for a while, and even asked my parents (first time for everything) to get me these dream boots for Christmas!  I used this time as an opportunity for me to get closer to my parents and closer to God.  I had to find out what He wanted me to learn.  Now, 2 years later, I realize that I wouldn’t have the close relationship with my parents that I have now had I not been home for those months.  It finally got to a point where I stopped stressing.  Soon after, I bought a flight that I couldn’t afford, and decided “I’d work it out”.  But, Money got REAL funny.  I thank God that a couple days before the credit card bill was due, I got my job, and they direct deposited my moving stipend in my account!

All of Matthew 6 is on point!  Give to the Needy, Pray the right way and understand The Lord’s Prayer, study up on FASTING, Serve God not money, Don’t worry about tomorrow.  Then, and only then can your testimony be greater than this “revelation” of depression.  God Bless you LS, I’ve already sent a prayer up for ya!

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
   and delivers them out of all their troubles.

-Psalms 34:17

Right now, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time!  I’ve been having a steady string of favor and blessings that have come my way.

Work:  I was worried for a little while because some of my team members have been going out of their way to sabatoge my progress.  Not explicitly telling my manager of the situation, I simply stated that I need to focus my knowledge and experience on another program.  Last week, we planned an exit strategy from that project and directing me towards my official engineering assignments!

Church:  I am really loving my church and my pastor.  He recently celebrated his 15 Pastoral Anniversary and it has been such a blessing to see what he has done with families, ministry, and the community.  The way that I got involved with the church was through their tutoring ministry, T.O.Y.S (Tutoring Our Youth for Success).  Since joining in December, I’ve been a lot more involved with Bible Study, meeting more members, and even sang in the Women’s Choir for Mother’s Day!

NSBE:  I’m officially the Programs Chair on the Region 4 Alumni Executive Board for the National Society of Black Engineers!  I am the lead of the Programs Zone.  My Program focus will be mainly on NSBEpreneur, Chapter Development, and Leadership and Personal Development.  My Personal focus will be on unemployed Alumni support.  I have a personal interest in that area and want to create an want the Alumni to serve as support for those going through recent graduation, layoffs, or entrepreneurship.

Toastmasters:  I am really enjoying my local chapter at work.  Toastmasters is a speaking organization to improve communication and leadership development.  I am still pursuing my first certification for Competent Communication, but I was asked to be on the leadership board as the Vice President Education.  It is the second highest ranking officer in the club, where my purpose is to get others excited and involved in the club.  Personally, the best way to do that is by illustrating what made me come to my first meeting and stay!

Relationships:  I’m finally out of an incredibly hurtful situation, and taking it slow towards the future.  If nothing else, that gives me something to shout about everyday!  I am very happy with my current situation.  I believe that I have already experienced many of the characteristics that I like (and don’t like).  The #1 must have is someone with a compatible personality – someone to rejoice in my happy times, and cheer me up when I’m feeling low.  The #1 dislike is trying to convince someone else that your plan is correct with no room to compromise or have a friendly debate.

Everything is on the up-and-up and I’m really enjoying my life right now.  BUT for every action, there is an equal and OPPOSITE reaction, which I am not excited about (Thanks Ike).

I googled “Secret Shopper” and popped up a bunch of sites asking me to do it, and 1 that stood out with “Secret-Shopping Scam” by MSNBC.  That article talks about one secret shopper’s experience that led to a scam.  Basically, 1. The Company sends him a check for $2,500.  2. He cashes the check at his bank.  3. He keeps $250 and sends back $2,250 to secret shop and evaluate the local MoneyGram.  4. After the check has been sent to The Company, the check to your bank account bounces.  5. The Company has your money and you must repay your bank from your own pockets!  Sucks right?!

After seeing that stuff, there was a link on the page talking about Working From Home using your computer.  I went to their page where there is a great story by a beautiful woman holding a baby with a caption about her losing her job (with which of us can relate).  There is a big banner of their “accreditations” about being seen on NBC, Reader’s Digest, Good Morning America, and The New York Times.  Their site connects to their main web page with even more references.  Of course, being a good blogger, I wanted to do a little research so you guys don’t have to   I found these 2 failed searches on The New York Times and MSNBC before I got to a very good news report on the work at home scam.  The embedded video shows the same “mom” in a Buffalo news report.  There still is nothing that tells the actual detail of the scam, but that was enough for me.

I have actually been scammed before with Primerica, an insurance company.  Don’t feel bad or embarrassed if you’ve been hustled.  I ended up getting all of my money back, but it wasn’t without hassle.  I thought because I went to high school with the guy that invited me, and it is approved by the Better Business Bureau, I was golden.  It was indeed a pyramid scheme from which I would get little to no profit.

In conclusion, there’s no job bandwagon that you can just jump onto.  If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.  I think the only companies that you can really guarantee won’t scam you are ones that you start on you own in a highly desired field!

All that aside, I just haven’t been feeling the best.  My boyfriend and I keep going through crazy good<–>bad cycles and it would be great if we just went back to the constant good we had.  Being at work for 9 hours gets me a little bummed at different times.  There has also been some drama there (on more than one occasion) where people just don’t have the ability to have personal conversations with others.  If I’m doing something out of the ordinary, tell me, not others.   I’ve been feeling the need for a good cry, but just haven’t given myself the opportunity.  The up-swing of things happened when I just talked to my girls on the phone or hung out with them.  They make me laugh and they are very motivational to themselves and with me.

Something has got to change.  I plan to start reading a lot more!  I have to read one book for work.  My friend has referred The Five Love Languages.  I also plan to read my bible or have a good old-fashioned on the knee prayer time.  I think I might actually unplug my TV so I can just focus and think about me.  I’ll give updates, wish me luck!

I really got the inspiration to come back by my coworker, Eric, wanting to learn more about me with his never-ending questions; and my line sister Monique.  Her blog is really good and since I don’t get to talk to her as often as I would like, I feel that I get a sneak peak into her life

Currently, I’m working in Indianapolis, IN with a military defense company being a Logistics Specialist.  It’s really cool to know that what I do helps others in the military and thus is helping our country.  We have the typical ‘cubefarm’ setting, but it leads to interesting convo, or some good drama-filled eavesdropping!!

I have a great boyfriend, Corbin.  He’s in graduate school back at home.  It’s been working pretty well with the relatively close distance.  He came down this past weekend and we did the Indy Canal Walk and the Indy 500 Bump Day.  Saturday was perfect weather for the canal walk with him and my 14 week old/3 month old puppy, Cooli O.  Sunday was a REALLY hot and humid 88 degrees.  We stayed for a while and would run in and out of our air-conditioned pavillion.

My family is really good back at home.  My brother is doing really great work as a photographer.  My parents are usually doing their retired thing of activities with AKA’s or the Mason’s.  I love going home to visit, but I’m glad I’m grown and out of the house doing things on my own.

 I’m going to the Maxwell/Jill Scott concert tonight, eek!  But I don’t really know either of them all that well, but I’m sure it’ll be a good time.  In another post, I’ll have to update on the past year and my natural hair!!

Cooli and I

Today was pretty cool. Woke up at 5:30 this morning, but I slept A LOT all day yesterday and my body is still on Eastern time. So it was kinda 8:30am. Caught the shuttle to work. That was cool, met Ed or Ted? of the front desk.

Had hours and hours of orientation. I’m so glad that I wasn’t sleepy today. There, I met my new buddy (NB). Went to lunch in the caf. More training, got my badge, then had a tour.

Came home from work, went to the grocery store with NB. Got some breakfast food, cereal, ramen, you know all the basic food groups.

Then, we met with NB’s friend. He was really cool. Went to In ‘n Out Burger for the first time ever. It was really good and I don’t even like fast food too much.

Now back in the room chillin. About to get ready for bed soon. Catching up with friends over the phone.