The City of Brotherly Love…so where do the Girls fit in?

Almost one year ago, I met two incredible women, Maxine and Clarice Bailey, at a Gender Responsiveness training.  They were the facilitators, and I was the facilitatee (yes, I know. Not a word. ). On the last day of the workshop, they asked to talk to me, and with one question, my directional changed: “Do you want to play with us?”

Many meetings later, The Bailey Sisters’ vision for a girls’ rights organization is well on its way!!!  The name of the organization is Girls Justice League (GJL).  Its purpose is to take action for social, political, educational, and economic justice with and for girls, young women, and those who identify as girls. The goal is to identify the issues facing girls in Philadelphia, and how GJL can work with the girls, as well as other organizations, to change procedure, policy, and programming in order to better serve their needs.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a board member of this new and critically important organization.

Now, I don’t know how many of you all have sat on a board for an organization, but for me? One, including this one.  This is not an organization that has been active for 75 years. This is an organization that just received their “working papers.” Meaning, you don’t just sit around and vote at the 4 annual meetings. You roll up your sleeves, and get down and dirty. And girl, I do love to play in the mud!!

This has been such an exciting year. The board set its strategic goals, and has been implementing the steps it takes to reach those goals starting with the creation of an advisory board. The advisory board was created to identify the status of girls in the city of Philadelphia. I was fortunate to be one of the twenty-five women from the community hosted by Girls Justice League and Women’s Way, who met and discussed what we think we know and what we need to know about how to successfully support the girls. It was an amazing meeting with such powerful and thoughtful minds working in collaboration towards one goal.

What was developed from the meeting was a plan to collect and disseminate data on the girls in Philadelphia. Now we are still working on the funding support for the project, however there is still much that can be done. One piece of the project would be to partner with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington D.C. to develop a status report, which would provide a comprehensive report of the data available, but not always accessible, about the girls in the city. Two additional ways we would like to collect data is to disseminate a survey and hold focus groups with girls 12-24 years of age. Once this information has been collected and analyzed, GJL, in partnership with other organizations and identified stakeholders, will host public hearings and affinity groups to disseminate the findings to the public and start developing an action plan with the community and stakeholders.

We are also very fortunate and exhilarated to have support for our project by a city councilwoman, Blondell Reynolds Brown. Her office has worked with GJL and Women’s Way to create a city resolution that calls for a report on the status of girls in the city. As of now, the city resolution will be read on May 23. We are so excited about this!

The most exciting part of this wonderful adventure is that the GIRLS WILL BE AT THE CENTER. We won’t be doing this “to” them or “for” them, but WITH them. Another goal of GJL is to create an advisory group made up of girls between 12-24 years old. They will create for themselves what they want their action plans to be in order to address the issues facing them and their sisters. Our privilege will be to work with them on understanding the findings of the data, and how they also want to deliver their message, including art and media projects to inform the public. We will work with them on what they know would be effective change, and assist them to feel confident advocating for those changes even at the state legislative level.

By now it is fairly obvious I’m totally pumped and honored to have been asked to be a part of all of this. There are other things GJL is doing, and I know I have failed to mention them so far, but this blogging thing is not over by a long shot. I will keep you updated on the moves GJL makes.

If you are interested in learning more or supporting GJL, feel free to email me at ejmak10@yahoo.com. If I don’t know the answer, I know a couple of fine women, who could tell you all about it and more.

Philadelphia Love

As I mentioned in a previous post, my family and I had one other major city move before we called it quits.

And the winner is……Philadelphia!

It was not necessarily our first choice, but it was not our last choice, either. It was, however, where some of our family lives; and satisfies my persistent need for a big city and location near other big cities…and the beach…..and the mountains…..and, and, and.

I enjoy getting to know Philadelphia, and its personality. It can leave you exhilarated and saddened, and sometimes both at the same time.  It has been a two-year relationship with this city, and I am falling deeper and deeper in love every day.  Not only is this where I am supposed to be professionally, but this is where my sweet boys and I belong as well.

I’ve decided to create my Top 10 Favorite things about Philadelphia. This list, I’m sure, is a fluid one and will change as I experience more of Philadelphia. I hope you enjoy!

Top 10 Favorites about Philadelphia

10.  Higher Education

Philadelphia is one of the largest college towns in the U.S. with over 80 colleges, universities, trade, art, and specialty schools in the region, including the first university in the country, University of Pennsylvania.  Not only is there so much for the students, but the universities and colleges create amazing space  for the city as well, including museums, panel discussions, concerts/sports, etc…The colleges are well connected to each other, and some literally are right next to each other.  I’m never quite sure when Penn begins and Drexel ends.  There is NO WAY you will miss out on spectacular education wherever you wanted to go.

9.  The Neighborhoods

Like any major city, Philadelphia is a mix of tradition and culture, and the neighborhoods of the city reflect this.There are neighborhoods within neighborhoods, and each one has its own personality.  They are amazing to me because on each block you can see the past, the present, and the future. Now, not on every block is this a positive thing, but if you look close enough, you can see what it was, and what it can be. There are community gardens throughout the city- on the most beautiful and saddest of streets. Every neighborhood has their own community development corporations, neighborhood watch, block captains, and other civic organizations that work to address issues, celebrate history, and plan for the future. You will see the most stunning of neighborhoods; enjoy the trendiest of bars and restaurants; and meet the friendliest of people; but you will also see the hardest of times in other areas.  I drive around the city everyday for my job, and there are days I am filled with anger when driving down the dirtiest or poorest of streets.  But even on those days where I see only blight, I can still feel the heartbeat of the city, and know it can be better.

8.  Outdoor and Nature fun

Drive, walk, bike….no matter what mode of transportation you take you don’t want to miss the nature of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. The city alone has 10,500 acres of park systems, including one spectacular park (picture below) is over 500 million years in the making.  The Philadelphia parks system is considered one of the largest urban park systems in the world with the largest portion running along the historic Schuylkill River. So this obviously implies miles and miles of hiking paths, biking paths and all out beauty.  It would be hard to sum up all the places to look, but all of it is worth seeing.  Philly also has multiple gardens and  arboretums, environmental education centers, and  a hidden gem in our Horticulture Center. Seriously, I could go on an on, and still would forget outdoor awesomeness in the city.  Come and enjoy!

7.  The Architecture

Philadelphia is where history and modernism collide from one street to the next.  The row style homes got their start in this city, and a drive through Rittenhouse, Society Hill, Old City, and West Philadelphia will have you loving their style, and also imagining a man with a white wig walking around.  The older, Georgian buildings in Center City are also interesting because they have their original structure and business names carved into the stone.  Many buildings that are old and unused are being transformed into modern styles, like the sustainable buildings designed by the Onion flats firm. They are most definitely something to see! Take a drive through East Falls, Germantown,Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill and you will see breathtaking stone homes that are over a century, or two, or three old.  If you would rather walk, The Preservation Alliance has wonderful tours throughout the city.  Until 1987, the iconic City Hall, with William Penn atop the building, was the tallest building in Philadelphia.  According to The Curse of Billy Penn, the Philadelphia sports teams have been cursed since 1987 when the first building was constructed to be taller than City Hall.  So much for that legend because the Phils won in 2008!

6.  The People

You know there is something special about the people of a city when they have to write newspaper articles about appropriate behaviors at games and in public generally. Ha! Read and listen, the people in the City of Philadelphia are phenomenal.  They are louder and with stronger accents, AND a little more straight forward than people from The South and Midwest, but I lie to you not, they are just as genuine and kind-hearted. They are passionate about their city, and they are not afraid to say if something needs to change.  They are not easily offended, and can take anything you throw at them. They work hard, they play hard, and they love hard. It is diverse in every way from race to class to creed to religion to everything! The only issue I see, which may stem from it being an old city with so much history, is that the people do not come together much.  Regarding sports and food, oh yes, but when talking about strengthening a community it has been a tough process. It is moving in the right direction with more people deciding to stand together, and I’m excited to be part of the process. So to me, even with the roughness around the edges, the people in this city are diamonds in the rough.

5.  The History

I mean, really, do I need to even write anything here…..maybe something like, oh I don’t know, The Birthplace of America.  Yep, that will work. Seriously though, in the city and the surrounding areas (including Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Amish Country, etc…), you will be flooded with the past meeting the present.  Soak it in and enjoy!

4.  Arts and Music

I have to give this city credit. While I have lived in places that tote art and music as a highlight…..Philly really lives up to it, and is still becoming stronger. The famous Art Museum, the Rocky statue, and other museums flowing down The Benjamin Franklin Parkway are just waiting to be explored and loved. I’m just in the infancy stages of the arts scene, and can’t wait to make my way through it. The water fountains and mosaic artwork (including an entire mosaic garden) that sprawl across the city are also incredible, but one of the most anticipated tours for me is the Mural Art tour. You should see this city! The murals leave your eyes wide with awe and wonder.

Philly has a diverse and eclectic music scene. Enough to satisfy anyone’s music flavor for the evening. Several of the neighborhoods, like Fishtown, have made a name for themselves for having more intimate and indiscreet settings for locals and radio folk to come and play their tunes. Northern Liberties has an outside event space called The Piazza at Schmidts.  Good music, good food, and good bar scene at the Piazza.  Plus, the Philly history is rich with musical talent as the birthplace of musicians like The Roots, Boys II Men,Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, and Will Smith. Other musicians, like John Coltrane, spent most of their life creating a legacy in Philly.  My first concert was at The Electric Factory for Adele, but what I am most excited about are the smaller venues and the local music.

3. Sports

Philadelphia has all the major sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS. The universities are also awesome for a sports night out. If you are a sports lover, like me, the scene on any given game day is thrilling.  The city has a Philadelphia Sports Complex section where most of the sports arenas are located.  To add to the atmosphere, the City opened Phase 1 of Xfinity Live! (picture below), which is an entertainment complex smack dab in between the sports arenas.   I can only imagine what tailgating is like…and I look forward to finding out.  The fans are…shall we say, passionate, about their teams. They hold their teams to a standard, and when it is not met, sadly, you have to face the crowd.  I adore 97.5 The Fanatic, and never thought I would love listening to sports talk radio all day, but that is what this city does to you!  The players, coaches, and the sports radio personalities become so entrenched in your daily discourse.  Like I’ve said before, I would love and fear playing in Philadelphia.

2.  A BYOB?

Why, I don’t mind if I do. The restaurant scene is a-mazing. From your famous cheese steaks to the unique BYOBs you won’t be able to get enough. The Reading Terminal and the cheese steak houses, like Genos and Pats, are some of the biggest tourist spots. I am still new to Philly, and haven’t got sick of a good ole Pat’s cheese steak yet. Mark and I have had a blast with the BYOBs and the other Philly restaurants. The Italian joints we have gone to…WOW. The first one we went to was La Locanda Del Ghiottone, in Old City. It was so fun and small, like most of them. The owner wanted to make sure we were pronouncing “ricotta” and “gnocchi” right while the bus boy was singing Sinatra at the top of his lungs as he slammed our water glasses down on the table and kept moving. It was great and the food was delicious. At Monsu, a South Philly BYOB, we had a meat lasagna with raisins, cinnamon, and an egg on top. Just typing about it makes my mouth water. Ingenious. There are so many options and different food genres. You can never run out, but we look forward to trying.

1.  Location, location, location.

Philadelphia is a couple of hours from skiing,  2.5 hours from NYC and D.C., and a short, sweet drive to a full day of sunbathing at The Jersey Shore or Rehoboth Beach. The three surrounding counties in Pa (Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks) are beautiful and great places to raise a family.  The City of Brotherly Love, and all its uniqueness has taken this Oklahoma girl by the hand and heart!

My love letter to shoes

Pretty little shoes,

Hi. How are you? I’m footastic. He he. I just wanted to write a special note to you all, and tell you how much I love you. You have taken my breath away…literally because at times beauty is pain…and because of how you make me feel when I walk down the street with you at my feet.

Now, I don’t have a lot of you, though I troll websites obsessing about sharing a life with all of you. The ones I have, have treated me swell. A shout out to my black, leather, large flats, which I purchased from Clarks when I was pregnant. I was on my feet all day 5 days a week, and you got me through those 9 or 1 billion treacherous months, I mean 9 glorious months!! See, even the ones you look at once, and don’t even notice at first, can make you fall in love with them when the moment is right.

Then, there are the show stoppers. The ones that lead to tunnel vision when you see them in the store; and make you more than willing to sign over your first born child just to walk out of the store with them on your feet. To you, my special pair of Irregular Choice, you are a diamond in the rough. I feel on top of the world when I have you carrying me. If I could only make you last forever….sadly they don’t make you anymore, so I need to start working on my Hogwarts skills, and make magic happen. I’m not ready to say goodbye quite yet.

Now, I have several show stoppers and a few more daily winners that make my outfits awesomer (ya, I said it) and my day brighter!  For me, you all are better than any other accessory. A person could wear a black trash bag to a night out on the town, but with the right pair of shoes, that sweet ensemble just became the “It Girl” must-have outfit of the season (Yes, as a matter of fact, I DO watch Gossip Girl).

So what I am saying to you all, oh lovely footwear, thank you for endless options of beauty and fun! I can’t wait for my next magical moment!

Your bestie,

Me

The American Dream

I recently read an article from Scientific America where the gentleman who wrote it was telling his story about being employed full time, and paying for his family’s insurance…the pitfalls they fell into. The article was supported by statistics showing that many people who are uninsured are working at least one full time job, and 37% of the 49.1 million uninsured people have an income which is 100% above the federal poverty level (FPL is currently $23,050 for a family of four). It also discussed that employer-based insurance plans have decreased by 5% since 2007 due to high healthcare costs.

It is an interesting read if you have the time. The article left me thinking about the American Dream our country has so proudly toted since its birth. That notion that you can have the job you love, even be the owner of a business. You can have the love, the 2.3 children, and the white, picket fence to boot. In his 1931 book The Epic of America, James Truslow Adams coined the term “American Dream.” He wrote, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. Our Declaration of Independence states that each man is created equally and endowed with the right to pursue happiness.

I have often discussed with friends, and my husband, The American Dream. Is it still accessible for all? It seems, and feels, that to reach any part of the dream you have to give up another part of it. A job you love for a better paying job that is not what you want to do…..but you have to pay the college costs of the now required Bachelor’s and Master’s. Maybe you do take the job you love; however, you pick up a part time job waiting tables, sacrificing time with family. Have you seen the costs of daycare or the costs of college for our children?!   Maybe your dream of 3 children dwindled to 1 or even none. The desire to live in a big city, or even in the nice part of the suburbs diminished because you can’t get a loan or afford the rent. Now you are moving 40 minutes outside the city, and will definitely need that second car.

These examples are the easy ones.  Everyday people sacrifice a part of the American Dream or reshape it to look different. We say to each other, “Different is good as long as we have each other.” However, I wonder if deep inside we still dream of that white, picket fence; a trip to California or Disney World every couple of years with the family, a job we adore, a savings we can be content with, and even for some, a peaceful feeling at night knowing our family is safe and loved.

I hear people say, “Well, that is the choice you make and the result you have to live with.” As if that is helpful. Thanks. Most people are fully aware of the choices that need to be made, and the results of those choices. Every day those decisions are being made. But when did the pursuit of happiness turn into a pursuit of compromise for some?  Not things like the perfect Anthropologie shirt, but things like buying a house, taking a job you love, and being able to put your children in a good school district.

I understand that some American Dreams may be too lavish, and sometimes we need to be more realistic with our dreams. I don’t feel wishing to live in a better neighborhood to keep a child safer and able to play outside while attending a good school is too lavish. Nor is it too lavish to dream that, in a lifetime, the cycle can be broken, and upward mobility is within reach. Or even that a person, who has been diagnosed with cancer, and in remission, can afford his/her healthcare insurance and still pay for a lunch out once/week.

Can we still have the American Dream? Woman, I hope so.

What can we do? Besides understanding the truths of our American Dream, get your voice out there. Write your representatives, educate yourself on issues impacting your life, and participate in council and chamber meetings in your district. Volunteer, and try to see beyond your doorstep. Change what you can control, and hope for the rest. Remain persistent, determined, and positive (though much easier said than done, I know).

My hope is that the part of our Declaration of Independence that states “all men are created equal” does become truth.  The possibility that the family living in North Philadelphia, surrounded by crime, can still send their children to a good school, get to a job they are happy with, take their children to a park not littered in trash and danger, and be able to come home and read their child a book at night. Maybe even save money for a down payment to move to Mt. Airy where the schools are a little better, and the streets a little safer.

My American Dream is to have more children, be able to call a place Our home, eat my way through Philly, go to concerts and sporting events, and take a trip to see my family and dear friends once a year (and maybe even a trip to a new place).

I have hope it will happen…and while I am blessed, loved, and happy every day of my sweet life……I remain persistent, active, patient, and determined to pursue happiness in every part of my American Dream.

I can’t figure out what you are saying through all your bull!$#%

Yes, I know that is a tacky title, but for so many that is what we think everytime we listen to a presidential candidate answering a question put to him/her about Social Security, education, defense, immigration, etc…Ya, some may have more direct indirectives, like “ponzi scheme,” and “taxing the wealthiest,” but I am still stuck thinking, “Okaaaaay, so what are you really telling me about what YOU are going to do to make it better?”

Besides jobs, and btw, I have NO idea what the right way to fix that problem is….but I don’t feel like it is just one way or the other, either……but back to what I was saying, besides jobs, I am interested in what the candidates have to say about some of the entitlement programs.

Privatization or not of Social Security. Privatization: I can’t tell what the whole game plan is for those who support it. Does it speak to what will happen to workers on disability, and dependants of workers that have died…..or how will they educate the public about investment? Where will the money come from to educate the public? Are they taking into account that most middle class (including upper middle class) and low income families don’t have an accountant and will have to figure it out on their own in between work and taking care of the family? How do these families fight off attacks from agencies that might pop up and are predatory agencies? There may be answers for all of this, but where do I find it, and aren’t these the details the public wants to know?  I am not saying I am against privatization….BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN???

Not privatization: What’s the game plan? Seriously. Tell me something cause I’ve got nothing, and right now it sounds like you have nothing…and that’s not okay. So talk to me.

The Medicare and Medicaid discussion. I need to understand more…they just keep talking about reforming it, but HOW???? And please, just give it to me straight without bashing the other party. It is so tiring, and to be honest, it is hard to really pay attention when the politicians do the whole, “well he did this, and she did that, and you shouldn’t like them because they are just bad.” Just talk to me, please.

I am most concerned about Medicaid. Low income insurance and Medicaid insurance are not interchangable phrases. You don’t have to JUST meet an income criteria (which is like $1200 or less a month), but you also have to have a disability. This includes people with mild to profound intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, physical disabilties, and so on. If we are talking about changing it, what happens to the people who receive Medicaid, and their benefits? When they say they want to change it, what are they talking about? The funding cuts and benefit cuts are already horrendous now for Medicaid recipients, so I am interested in knowing what their ideas are for reform.

And the famous public assitance programs that people call Welfare. Oh, what to do. what. to. do. It is a very difficult topic. To be honest, I am not sure on the best answer. BUT….politicians keep saying it needs to be changed, and throw the word, “overhaul” out there like I am supposed to go, “Oh, okay, now I get it. They want to overhaul it.”

I have never been a “throw the baby out with the bathwater” kind of girl, but again, I am open and intrigued with reforming and changing the current product we serve.  I think there are a lot of people who have negative beliefs about the public assistance program and their recipients.  I also think it comes from a lack of information about the program for some people.  I sit with people every day who are recipients of public benefits, and it is a few who say, “I just really want to sit around and do nothing.” What I am saying is that I disagree with the “welfare queen” label attached to recipients. People get carried away with this belief about people living off the system. Yes, they are really living it up off our tax dollars. Lol.. I am not saying there are not those who take advantage of the system anymore than I am saying there are not those who take advantage of the system on Wall Street, Pennsylvania Ave, and in CEO offices (and by the way, no one has done anything to address some of their criminal acts).

Do people read about the laws? Or just base it on news stations, friends and family, and/or politicians on debates, who forget they are fact checked.

I am interested in hearing so many of their ideas on immigration, education, regulatory law, and so on. It is just really hard to figure it out, even on their websites and watching the debates. There are a lot of people who do not have access to the internet, and this information needs to be disseminated somehow.

 

The Fine Print

Politics…..how it brings out the best and worst in people. For many, politics is a broad term that encompasses our ethical and moral beliefs and values. So in other words, it hits close to home.

I wanted to provide a preface or “fine print” to any of my political blogs. My views, thoughts, or reform ideas are not meant to anger anyone who disagrees with these views. Instead, it is meant to ignite conversation and change.  I know many feel that political views are a more private experience, however I am not one of those. The amount you can learn from another who either shares similar views, or is on the other end of the spectrum, can truly be revolutionary.  One person cannot know everything (though they may think so). I am always yearning to learn more, understand more.

The information and thoughts I will share in my blogs are limited because I am not an expert on the topics I may be interested in discussing.  However, I want to be as accurate as possible.  I can move closer to that with constructive feedback and information from others. Plus, this is how problem solving and true reform happens….through exploration and discussion.

A summary of my ideological views, which often shapes my stance on politics.  (It helps to know where the writer is coming from).

In a phrase: Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility. As an individual, I have a responsibility to advocate, educate, and empower myself by using my own abilities, both innate and learned, to have a positive impact on the environment around me.  With regards to mutual responsibility, it is my role to  advocate, educate, and empower  those who are limited socially/mentally/emotionally/physically/psychologically; as well as those individuals who are being discriminated against.  And really, a person cannot know what they were never taught or shown.

Each person has a unique story. Their experiences and memories are often different from even those that slept down the hall from them.  Their coping skills,  risk and protective factors, and their emotional and intellectual development are different from everyone else.  Generalizations cannot be made.  A voice has to be given to each individual for true change to occur. I often think about  the teenager yelling at her parents because they just won’t listen. And sometimes that is true. If we put our assumptions and our voice to the side, and give the other person their voice, a change may just occur.  Not always, but you never know.

I believe the government is there to protect our basic human rights. Examples (not all) of basic human rights, in my view, are marriage, speech (voting), religion, access to education, and healthcare.  Note: I plan to discuss the role of government further in my blogs.  This also encompasses blogs that will discuss government spending, especially a focus on entitlement spending, and the effectiveness of these programs (and possible reformation ideas to make them better).   And yes, I do believe in limiting government (but but but I should say the word “limiting” is different from person to person). This will be a fun discussion! 

My education in economics  is limited, however I think I support a mixed economy. A society can support capitalism and regulation with success.   Note: I hope to look at ways to make this work successfully for the betterment of the individuals in our country and our country as whole.

I am a strong supporter of the environment, and our responsibility to mother nature.  Not only is it a privilege to live in the US, but on this planet, and it is our job to care for our home. Note: Ways to reduce our impact on the environment is what I plan to look at and discuss.

Oh, public education. Well. Ideally, I would like equal education, and for science projects and required school book access to not change from one side of the city to the other simply because of where a child was born. Do I think our education is more focused on standardized testing scores, than abstract learning and thinking? Yes, I do. I also support a stronger focus on education and preparation for the “next step,” whether it is collegiate education, or alternative options like speciality schools, i.e. vocational, agriculture, beauty, mechanic, or arts programs.  Note: Exploration of public school funding, curriculum change, and education approaches will be further explored.

Church separated from state. I could not support this more than I already do. I am not going to do a soap box speech, which I often do, and am simply going to press how important it is to keep a separation of these two institutions. Note: this view will appear in several different blog discussions.

I welcome all feedback. I am always open to change and education. There may be ideologies I will not shift from, and that is a positive, however how views and approaches play out in law is so interesting to discuss.

Let me know if you have a different view or “take,”  or ANYTHING at all,  and please know that like I ask of you to respect my right to a view and a voice, I will always respect your right to a view and a voice.

A new place, a new experience

In my 20′s, I lived in four different places, and I loved it!! Each place has a distinct personality and unique experiences that I will cherish for all my life. With a blog…I can now talk about all the places I have loved!

I was born and raised in Oklahoma.  It’s my home and my heart. I lived for 18 years in Shawnee, OK and 5 years in Norman/OKC.  Unless you were born there, moved there, or have family there most people have not been to OK because, well….it kinda makes sense. Oklahoma comes from a Choctaw phrase, which means “red people.” We still have the second highest population of American Indians, second only to California.  Most people imagine a lifestyle of covered wagons, Indians, and flat lands….yes, still. You would be surprised to find out about the diversity of Oklahoma geography. We have mountain ranges, forests, prairie lands, and plains.  We also have the most man made lakes in the country.  Hey, we even have the world’s tallest hill: Cavanal Hill. In addition to all of this, there is simply no better people in the country. They are the reason God make Oklahoma. A nod as you drive by, a “hey, how are you,” when walking by, and a hug or great big handshake when you meet. Now my politics may not mesh with a many in Oklahoma (though 2010 shows Oklahoma has more registered Democrats than any other party), but those hugs know no side of the isle. AND who would leave out the breathtaking skies, the weather, and the sports!!!! The skies, I mean, you cannot not believe in God when you look up on a clear summer night or when you walk outside at sunset. The weather is the wildest weather anywhere. Every day brings a nice little surprise to the Oklahomans. We have tornadoes on the regular, hail/rain/lightening storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and now we are just waiting for a mountain in Oklahoma to actually erupt. And sports. How we love our sports! Boomer Sooner. Do I need to go into how great all of Oklahoma is at sports from football and basketball to wrestling, softball, and gymnastics. We just freakin rock!   Most of all, Oklahoma is where my family lives and where my oldest friends live. That kind of love is untouched, and I have been blessed with the greatest of friends and well, hello, best family ever.  However, for better or worse, my family raised some independent children, who wanted to experience everything, so I had to spread those wings. I doubt I will ever move back, and not because I don’t miss my family on a second by second basis, but because I simply love big cities! I just need to live in a city that has Southwest!

After I graduated from OU, I became a California Okie.  I think I may have peed my pants when my Uhaul pulled up at the one bedroom apartment one block from the beach in Encinitas, CA. Encinitas is in San Diego County and 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, and an hour and a half south of L.A. Can we say PEEERRRRFFFEEECCTT!!! Running had a whole different meaning on the beach…I actually enjoyed, and even looked forward to it. The parties on my friend’s land covered in hay bales turned into parties on the beach. Cool nights, 75 degree days….mountains two hours NE, beach one block, big cities everywhere. AND you really do change. Your skin is permanently sunkissed. Your hair is long and beautiful, and somehow you manage to get leaner…..the attitude is truly one of the  ”no worries” menality. So we all know I loved it. I loved San Diego for the atmosphere, the places to go and see, and experience; however the cost compared to what a person is paid is atrocious. This made it not worth it, and the reason I looked East for school. However, some of my favorite memories took place in America’s Finest City.

Ms. Walker goes to Washington. My home away from home.  I cried when I pulled my Mazda3 up to my apartment. I was two blocks from the US Capitol on A and NE 2nd Street. I parked and walked down to the Capitol building where, I swear to Heaven, the Washington D.C. symphony was performing a free concert outside. I sat down on the steps of the Capitol and cried again. lol. This was it. The houses, the history, public transportation, the people, the everything! I had been swept off my feet. Grad school was time consuming and challenging, however the opportunity to study Social Work in the nation’s Capitol made for the greatest of policy classes and overall experience.  Some of my closest friends, and who I consider my family I met and lived with in Washington D.C. The weather was similar to Oklahoma, except not as moody day to day (or icy in the winter). Four distinct seasons, and each very pretty. The summer months had moments where you would walk outside and the humidity would stop your breath. The winter was not too bad and made the city even prettier. During the spring, I experienced the Cherry Blossoms. WOW! Everyone needs to see Japan’s gift to the United States. The trees are stunning, especially in full bloom around the Potomac River. You have all the major sports….sadly they are not great (for the most part), but you love them anyway. Many people complain about the people and the tourists, but that’s what I loved. The population was diverse. The age range was broad. All of the different universities allowed for many people in their 20s to settle there. The tourists kept it exciting, and full of life.  And, of course, the politics. It just seeped through all the homes, restaurants, and bars….I could talk about it as much as I wanted without becoming annoying, or not talk about it at all. Most people think it is only politics, but it truly is not. Many people who live there are very educated on politics, which makes it so exciting when those conversations do happen. In addition to the political discussions, there are protests on the National Mall, concerts and rallys, etc, etc….naturally, I participated in many.  Oh, oh…and I should not leave out the endless free things you can do (well, you pay a little for those “free things” in taxes, but totally worth it).  Fourth of July on the steps of the Capitol…is there anything more patriotic than seeing the fireworks over the Washington Momument while listening to “God Bless America” and having a beer? I think not.  I would have lived there forever, however God had a different plan for me, who I met on the steps of the Georgetown Waterfront: Mark Makowski, Jr.

OMG, I live in the South. A place where you can say anything, no matter how mean, as long as you follow it up with, “Bless her heart, she doesn’t know any better.” I never in a million years thought I would live in Charlotte, NC. Truthfully, I was not even sure where Charlotte was (lol, thanks to that Oklahoma education…j/k). Then I visited it before I moved here. Lovely. Charlotte is one of the single most beautiful cities in the United States of America. So clean, so natural, and the architecture from the skyline to the gorgeous southern homes makes you want to drive around and around. It’s not a touristy city…meaning there is not an abundant number of big ticket history events that happened in Charlotte (now remember I am skewed because I moved from DC); however the restaurant, live music, and fine art scene is pretty darn good, and CLT also has most of the major sports. It has so much potential and a great place to raise your children (except they also need to work on their education). The trees alone would sell you on this city. They are HUGE and line the streets, and many of the mid-sized homes have the L-shaped porches….it is so dreamy. Downtown, which is called Uptown, is becoming quite the sweet scene. You can be at Trade and Tryon and think you may just be in a big city. The lights, the people walking around, and the live music on the streets, as well as streaming from the bars, makes your heart skip a beat.  Another big plus are the cities in driving distance: Charleston, Asheville, Wilmington, and Savannah. There are many more, but these cities are something else. I don’t have enough posts to write about the cities in the South. Freakin Awesome! Seriously, visit all of them and you will dream of going back over and over and over again. I mean, Mark and I got married in Charleston. So, what I am saying is that Charlotte was a marvelous surprise, and if it was not for that gorgeous blue-eyed boy I call my husband, I would have never experienced it or made the awesome friends I have now!

I have loved the places I have lived, and am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience so much. Who knows what God has planned for us next, but I do hope that my moving will soon be over, and permanency will find its rightful place in this girl’s life. In one city or the other!