Miss Universe 2011

Angolan contestant, Leila Lopes is the new Miss Universe 2011! This should be a proud moment for all Africans! She absolutely deserves her win. I think she did great in all categories which they are judged, most especially the one category we all love to watch. Can you guess? Of course, the part they get to answer questions! I think that is the best part of the whole pageant. For pageant watchers, I’m sure you’ve heard some of the most off the wall answers over the years.

The crown was passed to Leila by Miss Mexico Ximena Navarrete, the 2010 queen. Leila is the forth African to hold this title since the pagent began in 1952. 1^st African winner- Margaret Gardiner from South Africa in 1978, 2^nd African winner- Michelle McLean from Namibia in 1992, and 3^rd African winner - Mpule Kwelagobe from Botswana in 1999.

Congratulations Miss Angola!!!

National Costume

Swim wear

Evening gown

HopefulDreamer

We Remember

Ten years ago today on September 11^th 2001, Americans experienced the worst terrorist attack ever in the history of the United States of America. Read more here.

I remember that Tuesday morning very well. I was in my 11^th grade sociology class when we got the news. My teacher turned on the television and that was our only focus for the remainder of that period and the rest of the day. Now that I think about it, just about everyone was focused on a T.V screen that day. At that point, I don’t think I understood the magnitude of what had just happened. But as the years have gone by, I am constantly reminded of the effects as a result of the attack.

I am reminded every time I travel and I have to take off my shoes to go through airport security. I am reminded when I’m watching my local news and see the images of soldiers that have lost their lives fighting in the war. I was reminded last year when I was in New York and went on a tour in the empire state building. I was on the 86^th floor, looking down and taking in the beauty of the city and for a moment I became terrified at the thought of what if… and immediately wanted my feet on solid ground. Recently, I decided to take the stairs in a building instead of the elevator, and for a moment (I’m not sure why), I looked at the metal bar railings and the hard concrete cement around me.  My heart dropped at the thought of being crushed if the stairs were to give way and collapse. I was immediately reminded of the people that were in both towers that faithful day. Those that were killed immediately due to the impact of the plane going through the building, and those that died due to smoke inhalation, or were burned alive. I also thought about those that were frantically running down the stairs to get out of the building as quickly as they could only for the building to collapse on them. There are so many images I have in my head of what I imagine happened in both buildings, but I’m sure my thoughts do no justice.

For those that lost their lives and the many soldiers that die daily fighting so that we can have a safe home, I salute you. God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America.

My sociology teacher had a special needs son that died before the end of that school year. I remembered him while reflecting today. May his precious little soul continue to rest in peace.

HopefulDreamer

No More Late Nights

So prior to starting this blog, I thought blogging was an easy task! I have very quickly come to realize that it is not as easy as I thought! I think the biggest problem I’m dealing with presently is finding the time to actually BLOG! LOL! Hello… That’s the whole point right?! I almost never have the time to put up a post. I’m not coming down too hard on myself though because I made no specifications of the number of entries I would have to put up in my planning. My goal for this blog is really just to have fun with it, and share with my readers whenever I am able. No pressure here.

I am currently in school working on my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! Every time I say that (which I try not to as often as I can), I feel like I am betraying my Alma mater. I am forever a proud Georgia Southern University Eagle! Back to this MBA business. As expected, the program has been intense. Thankfully, the material is not “strange” considering that I am threading in familiar territory. I got my bachelors degree in Finance. However, I can tell you that it has been time consuming. The amount of work I have to do for some of these classes! I am trying to stay sane and enjoy every moment of this journey though. I’ve met some really cool people along the way and for me, that is always a plus.

I am also in the job market right now (story for another day!). As you can imagine I barely have any time on my hands on most days. A lot of my days lately have run into my nights and I’ve slowly but surely become the ultimate night owl. I find myself going to bed most nights at 5a.m. only to wake up about four hours later to start it all over again at 9a.m. This week, I decided I can’t live life like that anymore. So, my new cut off time is 2a.m. I refuse to stay up again past 2a.m.! Unless I’m working on a paper or studying for a major exam, there is absolutely no reason for me to be up. I am very productive nights when I’m up late but I decided it is time to prioritize. I need some order in my life. With my new bedtime, my day time productivity should increase significantly. Funny enough, after staying up late, I am still able to function to the max without ever having to take naps. Well… Except on Sundays. Regardless, I need my rest and I don’t think it is healthy to function that way.

This schedule is not changing soon. I’m not done until next year with my MBA program and I’m believing in God for a job soon! I can only imagine the added stress that will bring but goodness gracious, “I am ready!”  

If you happen to experience withdrawal symptoms from not seeing new posts, please do understand why :)

HopefulDreamer

Mad Math

I had a pretty stressful day yesterday. Overwhelming might actually be the suitable term. Anyways, in the midst of my chaotic afternoon, I came across this…

I had a pretty stressful day yesterday. Overwhelming might actually be the suitable term. Anyways, in the midst of my chaotic afternoon, I came across this…

I literally laughed out loud and then almost immediately stopped because I realized that while the comic is funny, the problem being ridiculed was far from it.

For those that don’t understand…

For some time now in Nigeria, especially in the Niger-Delta region, the latest business venture apparently is kidnapping and “adultnapping” individuals and forcing their loved ones to produce a ransom to have them released. At first, this might seem humorous and yes the whole idea is absurd! But when you hear some stories, laughing becomes absolutely inappropriate. These occurrences sometimes lead to the death of the person captured if their families can’t pay up. 

I can only imagine the pain that families in these situations go through, thinking about what could be happening to their own and at the same time trying to stay sane for  negotiations with the kid"adult"nappers. God help them that they don’t have the sum of money being requested. Let’s not even talk about the fear that the captive is totally engulfed in!

I hope the government is taking steps to put an end to this madness, because this is a major problem that needs to be corrected SOON!

Meanwhile, who can really solve this test question?

HopefulDreamer