Beautiful Love

BEAUTIFUL LOVE

Have you ever been IN love? 
A true, ugly and imperfect love?
Not the love you read, hear or talk about.  Fairytale love. 
Not the love that makes you shout...
But the kind of love that makes you silent, 
Contemplative. 
The love that hmm makes you close your eyes, 
Fantasize. 
The smile that creeps and stretches your lips from cheek to cheek...
When you see that person...
When you smell their scent...
Feel their imperfect skin...
The kind of love that sees perfection in flaws.
The kind of love that is confident and defends against all. 
The kind of love that recongnizes God's grace.
The kind of love that doesn't allow or accept attacks of hate.
The kind of TRUE love that stares back at you in your eyes...
The kind of love that sees REAL and total beauty...
Have you ever been IN love? 
A true, ugly and imperfect love?
I have. I am. 
I love that person completely, imperfectly, beautifully. 
I'm in perfect true love with me.

** Happy Valentine's Day! **
By Phoebe M. 

Destination: San Francisco and Oakland, California

I have been all over the world and yet never to California.  Phoenix and Las Vegas are the only cities in the West which are familiar to me.  When my new organization, Public Health Institute, advised that there would be a 2-day orientation in Oakland I was excited!  Finally, a visit to California!  I did not have much time as I landed on SuperBowl Sunday and was due to leave Wednesday afternoon.

My orientation was actually in Oakland but I chose to stay in San Francisco.  I perused hotels.com and based on guidance from my friend, Niki, I finally chose a hotel which fit my budget and ideal location making the 20 minute commute quite easy:  Hotel Whitcomb.  Located at 1231 Market Street in San Francisco, Hotel Whitcomb is considered a historical hotel.  In 1906 San Francisco experienced a devastating earthquake which resulted in fires which lasted for several days burning down much of the city and a large death toll.  Hotel Whitcomb served as a temporary City Hall between 1912 - 1915.

Once the original City Hall was rebuilt, Hotel Whitcomb officially opened its doors as a hotel in 1916.  The rooms usually sell for $200/night.  I paid $99/per night utilizing hotels.com.  The lobby was beautiful - chandeliers, marble, statues, red carpet leading up to the check-in desk.  The service was gracious. The room was small but ideal.  My only issue is that there was no closet so be prepared to live out of your suitcase.  This was not an issue for me since I was only in town for 3 short days and backed wrinkle free clothing.

The price was not also right but so was the location! The BART station was right outside the door of the hotel.  More conveniently, in the lobby was a Starbucks in which I would stop in for tea and a scone before the commute to Oakland.  The commute was only 20 minutes - door to door - and cost me $6.60 round trip which was affordable.

In Oakland I was lucky enough to stumble upon Miss Ollie's (http://www.realmissolliesoakland.com/). Located at 901 Washington Street this restaurant was in walking distance from the 12th Street / City Center BART stop in Oakland.  I was craving a patty and found this restaurant using yelp.com.  Lunch was so good I went back for dinner with friends Justin and Priscilla!  The menu changes daily as the restaurant uses fresh ingredients they can find locally and at the farmer's market.  You can taste the love in this food!

For lunch I enjoyed chicken patties with arugula salad garnished with half of an avocado and light homemade dressing.  With this amazing meal I enjoyed a refreshing drink which was half ginger limeade and hibiscus juice.  For dinner, Priscilla and I enjoyed the fried chicken which came with collard greens and potato salad.  Justin enjoyed  jerk shrimp.  The fried chicken was served family style so we were all able to enjoy the BEST fried chicken that I have ever consumed (sorry Mom)!  The outside was perfectly flavored, crispy and the inside was hot and juicy! Miss Ollie's also boasts of a top shelf rum bar featuring rum from all over the Caribbean.  I could not refuse!  Of course, I enjoyed a rum and coke with lime.  Our server suggested I try Plantation rum from Barbados and I was not disappointed. Enjoy the photos which still make my mouth water.  And if you are ever anywhere close to Oakland, please do yourself a favor and stop into Miss Ollie's for lunch and dinner!

Miss Ollie's dinner menu

Chicken patties with arugula salad

Half ginger limeade and half hibiscus juice

Fried chicken and potato salad - perfection!

Collard greens which I topped with sherry vinegar.

Jerk shrimp

As I mentioned, I was in San Francisco for a very limited time.  I had to make the most of my one free day - Sunday - so instead of watching the SuperBowl I hopped on a Big Bus and took a tour of San Francisco!  Before my tour I walked less than half a mile to Absinthe (http://absinthe.com/). Located at 398 Hayes Street at Gough, Absinthe's cuisine is of French and Italian influence.  I admit I was disappointed that the Coq au vin was not on the brunch menu ( I could eat this all day, any time of day).  Instead I chose a warm croissant, a side of Bayley Hazen Bleu cheese which was served with a honeycomb and bacon.  For my brunch boozy beverage I requested a "Ginger Rogers."  I sipped this amazing adult beverage in such haste that I forgot to take a photo!  It was made with gin, fresh mint, ginger syrup, topped with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime.  Refreshing!  Dessert was a homemade mandarin sorbet served with a warm spice cookie.  Brunch was delicious and I do regret not returning for dinner.  Maybe next time ...

After brunch I took a wonderful tour of San Francisco in the late afternoon well into the evening:

By day ...

...by night

Night view from Treasure Island

After the tour I was cold and starving!  On the tour the guide mentioned The Buena Vista (http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/home.html) which was also mentioned by a friend to me. Located at 2765 Hyde Street, I took the bus to Fisherman's Wharf and walked to the restaurant for dinner and the much acclaimed Irish Coffee. My server advised that crab was in season and she insisted I try one of the specials of the day: dungeness crab melt.  It was served warm over toasted english muffin with a side salad.  It was made with a lot of crab meat and was nice. Finally it was time for dessert!  Of course I had to have the infamous Irish Coffee! It was amazing!  Coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and cream - it was perfection.  And strong I might add - you only need one!  For more on how the Irish coffee and The Buena Vista became famous: http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/irishcoffee.html If you are ever in San Francisco, this is a must try, even if you only go for the Irish coffee.  It is perfect for sipping on a chilly night in San Fran!

Dungeness crab melt

Irish coffee

I was also lucky enough to dine and catch up with my old friend, Tiana.  "Yelp that sh*t!" haha well that is how we found Don Pisto's (http://www.donpistos.com/). Located at 510 Union Street in San Francisco, we almost missed this small restaurant.  Tiana and I enjoyed a pitcher of margarita.  While I appreciate the margarita was made with top shelf tequila and fresh ingredients, it was a bit sour for my taste. They are strong so sip slowly!  For an appetizer we shared guacamole and homemade chips. Fresh and delicious - start your meal with this appetizer!  For dinner I ordered beef tacos topped with arbol chile and cotija cheese.  Perfectly spicy and delicious.  Tiana, however, went Mexican classy and ordered lobster.  The lobster was perfect:  well cooked, juicy and sweet.  It was served with decadent cilantro butter, rice, beans and warm tortillas.  You could either indulge by dipping the sweet meat directly in the cilantro butter (which is what I did) or make decadent lobster tacos (which is what Tiana chose to do).  Either way you will absolutely enjoy!  Please bring extra money and treat yourself.  I would say this is also a must dine location when visiting San Francisco.

Delicioso!

Perfecto!

After dinner we drove to Castro Street so I could catch a quick glimpse of The Castro Theater. Located at 429 Castro Street in San Francisco, the theater was built in 1910.  It was remodeled and opened again in 1922.  

Three days was honestly not enough time!  However, it was just enough of a 'tease' to convince me that I NEED to return to California, return to San Francisco and Oakland.  Hopefully, on my next visit I will see more of both cities as well as a visit to Sausalito and of course, wine country!  

Until next time ...

At night the Bay Bridge displays a fantastic light show!  Sadly, due to budget cuts this light show is due to end by the end of the year.  Enjoy while you can!  Song: Otis Redding's, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" which he wrote while relaxing on a houseboat near Sausalito.

A Resignation and a New Destination

Earlier this year I was having a ladies night with dear friends Sarah and Lorraine.  They encouraged me to make a 'vision board'.  It took a few months but in between my trips this year I finally found a weekend to think, pray about and finally create MY Vision Board.  When I showed My Vision Board to my favorite colleagues, John and Judy, they were surprised to see "dream job" and John asked, "I thought you were already at your dream job!" I was ... I thought the same thing when I read the phrase but something in my spirit nagged me ... "Could it REALLY get any better than this, Lord?"  Yes, I was mentally exhausted as I alone was doing the job of 2 people, but I love the job.  Yes, I was traveling much more this year than I have in the past (83.4% this year!) but I have seen more of the world than I would have ever seen on my own financially and yes, I felt as though I needed to learn 'more', do more ...  But I pushed those thoughts aside and actually wondered if I was being ungrateful for the opportunities which God had blessed me with on this project.  I cut out the phrase and thoughtfully glued it to My Vision Board. That was March 18, 2014. 

My Vision Board

I joined SCMS on June 18, 2007 and today I turned in my resignation. It was a bittersweet moment because I've grown so much on this project!  I started as a Supply Delivery Coordinator coordinating shipments of HIV/AIDS commodities to our focus countries (thank you Laura for referring me!  Thank you Lourdes for hiring me!).  A year later I'd be a Buyer procuring HIV/AIDS lab commodities for Nigeria, Haiti and Rwanda. My education is in Education so when we were mandated to decentralize procurement activities to the field they required training.  I was not an original trainer but as God would have it my supervisor at the time requested I take his place to provide training.  That was June 2009.  By the end of that year I would be leading training sessions in South Africa and Vietnam!  When my new (amazing) boss, John, decided to slow down with all the travel I decided to apply for his position.  I was promoted in 2012 to Senior Procurement Advisor providing training on USG Procurement Regulations as well as operational and strategic procurement guidance to the 60+ procurement staff located in the 13 field offices managing procurement in country.  Since 2009 I have been blessed to see the world (you can see where I have been in this blog) while working and meeting amazing people!  At SCMS I have grown professionally and personally.  I have learned when to speak, when to 'fight' and when it is better to stay silent and let some things go, to look at the bigger picture.  I have learned that there is no way I could work in an environment where the people are not passionate about the company or project mission, where I cannot hear laughter or be able to say I met some of my best friends here.

I decided to pursue a career with another organization.  Since the end of September I was struggling (no, for real struggling) with God's timing.  Not that I don't trust His timing ... I just wanted Him to move a bit faster - every day after the interview I wanted to know if I was going to get an offer.  Then I received the offer, now to complete the background paperwork.  Then to complete medical exams.  Then to turn those forms in and then to wait.  Simply wait.  Waiting was the hard part.  I wanted to plan my life, share the good news!  I then became antsy.  "It should not take this long ... why have I not heard anything ... why are they delaying this or that?"  It was this worry that kept me up some nights, that would cause me to simply stare out the window, unfocused.  Then last Sunday my Bishop, Dr. Derek Grier, spoke on the importance of perspective, going through, knowing the blessing is on the other side and to trust God's timing.  What He does is as our Father - to protect and bless us.  In my chair, I whispered to myself, "Ok God, this is the second time (Chryste offered these wise words earlier in the week) in a week I have heard this so I sincerely give this issue to you...for real this time...pinky swear."  And 24 hours later ... TWENTY FOUR HOURS LATER GOD MOVED!  I received formal notification of my clearance!  I could share the good news!  I could celebrate! 

As of February 2, 2015 I will be working for USAID | Global Health Fellows Program.  My new position will be located in Lusaka, Zambia.  Yes people ... I AM MOVING TO ZAMBIA!  The term is 2 years ... yes people ... I WILL BE LIVING IN ZAMBIA FOR 2 YEARS!  So COME VISIT ME! (Your visit can possibly justify a long weekend in Cape Town *hint hint*)

My last day at SCMS is January 23, 2015. I fly to Zambia Monday February 9th with my first day at work being February 11! I could not be more grateful to SCMS for all of the opportunities and experiences which I firmly believe prepared me for this new position.  I could not be more grateful to my colleagues and friends who have supported and encouraged me.  2015 is going to be an amazing year.  A year of personal and professional growth and I cannot wait to experience every single moment!

Celebration! .... in moderation haha

Laissez les bon temps rouler: Celebrating Dad's 60th Birthday in New Orleans

On November 12th my Dad turned 60!  To celebrate we decided to take a trip to New Orleans!  It was my first time to the city and oh my ... You can literally taste, see and experience the influences from Europe, the Caribbean and Africa in New Orleans.  It is truly the home of a unique melting pot of culture, food and music. 

To start our food adventure, after check in we took a very short walk to Emeril's (800 Tchoupitoulas Street) for Dad's birthday lunch.  Dad enjoyed a bowl of gumbo which was filled with shrimp, oysters, chicken and sausage.  After which Mom and Dad both decided to have the Chicken and Waffles with a watermelon coleslaw and Louisiana maple syrup (think maple syrup and hot sauce - sweet, spicy, delicious).  I decided to have filet mignon with green pepper sauce served with frites and pan seared broccoli.  To celebrate his birthday the restaurant served Dad their daily homemade sorbet, flavor of the day:  pineapple.  It was delicious!

Lunch started with sweet cornbread roll - yummy!

Dad's gumbo appetizer

Chicken and Waffles enjoyed by Parents

My filet mignon - so so good!

Happy 60th Dad!

As a young man in the Navy Dad met one of his lifelong friends, "Turk".  They had not seen each other in 39 years!  Turk now lives in Baton Rouge and the old friends decided 'no excuses.'  We met for dinner at The Gumbo Shop (630 St Peter Street).  It was a great evening - Dad reuniting with his old friend, Mom and I chatting up Turk's girlfriend, Venice, and of course, great food!  Traveler hint:  at the hotel we found mini brochures for The Gumbo Shop.  On the back of each mini brochure was coupon for a free cocktail!  I grabbed enough coupons for the table so the first drink was on the house! *Salud*  Anytime you are at a hotel look for these mini brochures - many will offer free drinks, appetizers, discounts on entrees etc.!

I enjoyed the Chicken Espagnole

Venice enjoyed the Blackened catfish

Mom enjoyed the Chicken Andouille gumbo

Dad and Turk enjoyed the Shrimp po'boy

Old and new friends ...

By the end of dinner the two old friends promised to not let 39 years pass again before seeing each other.

Birthday Food Tour continued with Dad's wish to have lunch at Deanie's Seafood (841 Iberville Street).  What did my parents have to have?  Barbeque Shrimp.  But this is not your Texas BBQ.  This is Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp.  And the shrimp are JUMBO!  The jumbo shrimp are served with heads on, in the shell in a spicy butter cajun sauce.  When the shrimp are done it is not uncommon to see people sop up the rest of the sauce with warm french bread.  If you are ever in New Orleans this is a must try dish!

Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp

During the trip my friend/colleague, Jay Heavner, was in town for a conference.  Well of course we had to dine with Jay!  And now it was my turn to pick the location and of course I picked The Rum House (3128 Magazine Street).  The Rum House is exactly that - a Caribbean restaurant with a literal treasure map detailing their rum selection from around the world!  The food was also delicious!  I was not that hungry so I ate light enjoying mini jamaican beef patties and a brisket taco.  Dad and Jay both enjoyed the "red curry shrimp showdown" which consisted of jumbo Louisiana shrimp in a creamy red curry sauce, served with coconut mango rice.  Mom dined on fried mahi mahi. 

Rum punch, please!

Treasure map of rum!

Brisket taco

Mini jamaican patties

Red curry shrimp showdown

Mom and her fried mahi mahi

New Orleans is truly the one place I have been that is ALWAYS ON!  Las Vegas, Miami, New York - has NOTHING on New Orleans!  New Orleans is literally the city that never sleeps.  There are no 'closing laws' for bars in the city.  They can serve liquor all night/morning long.  If you see a bar that is closed it is simply because they had nobody for which to pour.  And feel free to carry your alcoholic beverage anywhere on any street in New Orleans.  You are not just limited to Bourbon Street.  Place your adult beverage in a plastic cup and keep it moving! Surprisingly, I did not do too much partying in New Orleans.  I started feeling under the weather during the trip but I did manage to get out of the hotel and visit the following places:

• Maison Bourbon Jazz Club (641 Bourbon Street):  my last night in New Orleans I was not feeling that well, however, I could not be in the hotel!  Jay and I responsibly hit the streets.  After a light dinner we both voiced what we each wanted:  I, hot toddy, Jay, hot buttered rum.  Hmm now where to get both of these in one place.  As if a beacon of light, Jay looks over to see the sign below:
  
  Well of course we have to go inside!  Inside it was reminiscent of small jazz cafe.  The jazz band was great! It was a really  nice atmosphere and I would love to go back to just sit and enjoy the music.  The hot toddy was not bad either! 
  
  
  

  

  My hot toddy

• Chris Owens (500 Bourbon Street):  the night really begins here at 6pm.  There is a great local band that plays until 9pm.  At 9pm there is a performance by Chris Owens.  The performance is interactive and crowd participation is encouraged! If you are plan to come to the show, call in advance for a table. On Thursdays and Fridays after the show the floor opens up and it becomes a latin club! I stumbled on this by accident but I danced ALL NIGHT LONG to bachata, salsa and merengue.  It was an amazing time dancing all night until 5am!
• Pat O'Brien's  (718 St Peter Street):  I am not sure how I stumbled upon this location.  I wanted to try a Hurricane and apparently this was the place to have one! I only needed one.  Apparently their souvenir glasses are a must have ... I decided to NOT procure a souvenir glass. 

It was cold the weekend we were there but when I am in New Orleans again my first stop will definitely be Lafitte's Blacksmith (http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html).  Lafitte's Blacksmith is a tavern located on the corner of Bourbon and and St. Philip Street. Built sometime before 1772, Lafitte's Blacksmith is one of the older surviving structures in New Orleans.  It is lit by candlelight at night, serving strong, cold drinks all though the night/early morning.  I am not sure they have central heating so had to skip this trip but cannot wait to visit this historic tavern! 

Lafitte's Blacksmith

Everywhere you go you will see "Hurricane" on the drink menu.  Want the recipe:

• 2 oz White rum (Bacardi)
• 2 oz Dark rum (Myers .. I of course use Sailor Jerry)
• 1 oz Lime juice
• 1 oz Orange juice
• 2 oz Passion fruit juice
• .5 oz Simple syrup
• .5 oz Grenadine

 Garnish with orange and cherry.  Serve in tall glass over ice.

"Laissez les bon temps rouler" or "Let the good times roll."  Dad absolutely enjoyed his 60th birthday and I can see why my parents suggested this city as the location to celebrate his birthday.  We enjoyed the casino, shopping on the Riverwalk, great food and lively music.  New Orleans is a place that I would absolutely visit again .. and again! 

Me and the Birthday Boy

Mom and the Birthday Boy