Arite man, Eggs! I'll call her, 'Eggs'. **

So I missed my exit on the way home from the Wheaton Metro stop today. I've made the drive at least 6 times now, so I'll chalk it up to my self-diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder, rather than STILL not having my bearings in my new town. However, the mishap (and lengthy drive) did allow me the opportunity to ponder my 'Before I Get To Medical School Bucket List. It's still a work in progress, but this is as complete as it's been thus far. So, here goes:

- Figure out how I like my eggs
Now, I love omelettes as much as the next girl. And, if I do say so myself, I make a pretty mean omelette when I have time and a non-stick pan on my side. I usually take mine with onions, tomato, A LITTLE bit of cheddar cheese, ham, bacon, green and banana peppers. But, every time I watch Runaway Bride and watch Julia Roberts in that scene with all the different kinds of eggs on the counter, trying to figure out who she really is and how she likes her eggs, I get a little jealous. I don't even know what eggs benedict tastes like. So, before I can truly claim omelettes as my absolute fave, I need to try them all first.

-Get home from downtown D.C. without using my GPS
This one needs very little explanation.

-Skydive
-Learn how to
cook Oxtail, Brown Stew Chicken, Ackee and Saltfish, and Jerk Chicken...well
This is partially me wanting to be able to enjoy some quality Jamaican food without buying it or waiting for my family to cook for me. And the other part is that I will have to ask for help from my family members to learn all these recipes, so it will encourage me to spend a little more time with the folks. This one's a win-win.

- Get thick.
This is actually something I WON'T do, if Mother Nature obliges. Now, this is nothing against my above size-six-wearing sisters in the world. We weren't all bodacious-ly blessed, and I must say, I have always been made fun of for my butt- (or lack thereof). You all probably never faced those jokes, and happily did 'the thick girl' when the song came on at parties. But, I would like to maintain my figure as long as humanly possible because I have been accustomed to being this size for the past 22 years and I like what I see when I look in the mirror. So I guess no matter what size I get to, as long as I can say that, I have accomplished my goal. Skinny black girls, this one's for you!

- Perform in D.C. at Busboys and Poets
This is a continuation of my last bucket list's goal, to perform at an open mic night. There are too many opportunities for a budding spoken word artist not to get a little taste of the bright lights and tiny stage. Let's hope last time wasn't just beginner's luck.

- Volunteer at least once a month
There are way too emails flooding my inbox with ways I can get involved for me to ignore. I participated in an Obesity Awareness Month event last Friday at the Children's Hospital, so I'm already off to a great start.


- Go to a Yeezy concert
Now, anyone who knows anything about me knows that I absolutely love and fully and completely support Kanye West. Mic-grabbing and all. Anyways, I have seen my fair share of the Queen B and Mr. Legend (the two other musicians I adore) on the stage, and it is time for me to truly earn my position as Kanye's biggest fan/play-wife and see him in concert. Twice I have been thwarted by a "friend" of mine (I hope you're reading this) who stood me up in buying tickets for the concert (both the Late Registration and Graduation tours). Then, he slipped in conversation a couple days after the concerts that "Oh yeah, I was there. He was great." Twice! My fault. But, I will go solo dolo if necessary. Nothing is stopping me this time.

- Go to Europe
Whether it's study abroad, a random trip with friends or a secret spy mission for the Secret Service, I need to get there. I feel like I'm missing out on a lot by not having been across the pond. I'll try and save Italy for my honeymoon like I've always planned but hey, if the pizza's calling my name, I can't make any promises.

- Go to Africa
'nough said. I need to go.

- Get Mrs. Obama to invite me to dinner at the White House/sit next to Sasha O. at the dinner table
You all may think this is a lofty goal, but I believe that if I do what I'm supposed to do in grad school and truly make an impact here in D.C., I'll be a shoe-in.


I think that's it for now, folks. I will add more to the list as I think of them. Hopefully putting all of this out in the open will hold me accountable. I have some more that are a little more personal goals, and I have written those down, too. Have any of you started working on a bucket list?

**If you're a TRUE fan of The Game, you'll remember this quote. Are we excited for its return, or what?

I talk to Myself, cuz at least she's always there.

One ring, two rings
Screened. So what?
I go down the list of contacts and decide to put the phone up
Far, in a purse. Way upstairs.
Just gonna "charge" it for a while- but then I avoid going back up there.
And as I watch TV I'll mute it- was that...did I just hear?
Knowing damn well that's not my ringtone- you know Weezy's voice ain't that clear!

Are you alone or feeling lonely? Didn't you choose to move this far?
You came to this new state with just your luggage and a car.
Not a friend or foe familiar; yes, even enemies would suffice
At least it's a taste of home, but every day you roll the dice:
Do I turn on the GPS, or try to find my way?
If I get lost is it a test, or a signal that I'm not ok?
Part of you wants to go home. That's why you call there all the time.
But when they return the call, you hit ignore. You don't want them to know your mind
Is not at ease. You're not at peace, but maybe tomorrow the mishaps will cease.
A bigger part of you talks to Jesus, "Lord, just be a friend."
"Be a jumper cable, be a church home, Lord, please be a refund check."
God, I'm asking you for guidance, be a traffic report on FM stations
Be a good meal, a fresh haircut
and Lord, please PLEASE give me some patience.

Cuz I know right now, though trying, will seem a distant memory one day
And things can't always be easy, so I'll try to look at things this way:

If I was not supposed to be here, this place would not exist
But here I stand on my two feet, breathing the code red air of the District
I wake up each day, renewed, say a prayer, "Is this the one?"
But I know it won't be suddenly. I'll find my place one day soon come.