Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Every year I escape the winter weather of the month in which I was born to celebrate my birthday in Dominican Republic.  Usually the group stays on an all-inclusive resort.  This year I wanted my loved ones to experience something different -- something which I have experienced -- a glimpse into the country I refer to as my 'soul mate.'  The day after my birthday we paid $105 for an all day excursion to Santo Domingo.  It was well worth it!  I had not walked the streets of Santo Domingo since 2010 so I was excited to be back! 

Santo Domingo de Guzmán is the capital of the Dominican Republic, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and one of the most populous cities in the Caribbean. I love this city because there is such a mix of opposites:  old world meets modern times -- medieval palaces, 16th century churches and fortresses are found amongst city streets lined with swanky condos and expensive luxury vehicles.  Natural caves have been renovated to sophisticated restaurants serving traditional dishes.  The sound of clear, blue waves crashing on the beach mix with with the sexy beats of merengue, bachata and the clink of red-bottomed heels walking the cobblestone streets.

Street in Santo Domingo

A man in the park, Santo Domingo

Street in Santo Domingo

This year, while I'm not from Dominican Republic, I felt a sense of happiness to know that three of my loved ones will experience a city that I absolutely love and know so much about.  With every place we were able to visit, every sound we heard, every photo we snapped I would look at the faces of my loved ones and take pride in the look of curiosity, happiness and amazement I would see come across their face, in their eyes. Know they will know why in this country I am in my purest, happiest form.  Why this city is part of that joy.  We were told we would leave at 615am, arrive in Santo Domingo at 830a, leave at 4p and be back at the hotel by 6p.  What actually transpired:  leave by 615am, pick up other tourists, arrive in Santo Domingo by 10am, leave at 5pm and arrive to hotel at 9pm.  And though it was a long day, we definitely saw our $105 worth of the city.

Faro a Colón was our first stop. Construction began in 1986 with the monument being inaugurated in 1992. The monument's lighthouse projects beams of light, forming a cross shape, which are so powerful they can be seen from neighboring Puerto Rico!  The lighthouse serves as a museum and mausoleum housing the remains for Christopher Columbus.  The monument is cross-shaped and represents the Christianization of the Americas.

Where the remains of Christopher Columbus rests

Columbus Coat of Arms

Afterward we drove through 'Chinatown.'  The guide informed us that there are two traditional Chinese gateways which mark the entrances to Santo Domingo’s Chinatown along Avenida Duarte, one with the plaque that says “四海为家” (Home everywhere). Shops in Chinatown sell general merchandise mostly imported from China.  There are 60+ businesses run by Chinese immigrants within 'Chinatown."  The guide also informed us that there are a recorded 60k Chinese immigrants living in Dominican Republic today.  While we were in Chinatown one of our guides, Carlos, plucked a fragrant flower from a tree.  You couldn't even see the flower from the bus.  But when he returned to the bus, he ripped the flower so petals were halved causing the amazing fragrance to fill the vehicle. 

Obtaining the flower

Petals in my hand

After passing through Chinatown we stopped at Monasterio de San Francisco.  The Monestary was built around 1508, with the arrival of the Franciscan fathers. The ruin is is located in the Zona Colonial and is a beloved landmark of the city.  Beautiful in its prime, it was the victim of various natural disasters and eventually converted to an asylum. Beneath the monastery was a crypt where purportedly the remains of Christopher Columbus' brother, Bartholomew, were laid to rest.  His remains, among others, were moved after the monastery was ultimately abandoned in the 1930s after destruction caused by another hurricane was never repaired. 

Next up, another amazing destination in Santo Domingo:  Catedral Santa María La Menor, referred to as La Catedral Primada de América (reputed to be the first cathedral in the Americas).  Located  in Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo, the Cathedral was founded by the Spaniards between 1514 and 1544. The interior is very well maintained, polished, absolutely beautiful. There was an old jail  located behind the cathedral.  It was said that if a prisoner escaped the jail and touched a cross on the wall near the main entrance they were exonerated of all crimes.  Salvation here on earth.  Before the Faro a Colón was built, this beautiful cathedral was also the resting place of the remains of Christopher Columbus and his son. 

Renovations

Sacrifice

From the Nativity Scene

Alpha & Omega

Upon leaving the Cathedral we entered the Parque Colon.  In the center stands a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing into the horizon.  At his feet is a young Taino woman, Anacaona, who was the first native woman to learn to read and write.  She is writing his name under his feet at the base of the statue.  I will hold my personal opinion to myself - enjoy the beautiful bronze structure. 

The last stop was Los Tres Ojos.  Los Tres Ojos was created centuries ago as a result of tectonic fractures when underground caves collapsed, forming a bowl-shaped depression which subsequently filled with water. Initially, the cave was inhabited by the indigenous Taíno Indians who were the first inhabitants of the Hispaniola island.  The women gathered to bathe separately in the "El Lago de las Mujeres."  Today, legend has it that any person who touches the waters will have luck in life and of course, love.  Any engaged couple is encouraged to dip their hands into the still, blue waters. I'm single but I still dipped BOTH HANDS in the water!

As you can see it was a very long day!  What is not captured is the 15 minutes I spent bargaining with a man on the street in a sale of 5 bachata CDs (originally 5/$20, I procured them 5/$10 which is closer to what they were worth) or the delicious meal of "bandera de pollo" at Meson de la Cava.  A wonderful restaurant situated inside of a cave, it is decorated with artwork capturing the life of the indigenous people of the island.  We didn't take photos of the mamajuana sample enjoyed as we bought souvenirs or the funny stories shared with us by our tour guides.

If you are ever in Dominican Republic, allow me to suggest a tour or a walk around this beautiful city.  Please enjoy other photos snapped as we walked through the city - Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

Calle Las Damas is named after the ladies-in-waiting of the
Viceroy's wife who took their afternoon stroll down this street.

National Palace.  Houses the Executive Branch

View from the top of Meson de la Cava. 

30 is NOT the new 20 ... its just 30

At the end of this month I will be 34 years old.  And recently I was reminded that I am on the brink of not only 34 but being MID-THIRTIES! 

The fateful evening started classy enough with a holiday party hosted by one of the managing partners - JSI.  Now JSI is infamous for it's mid-20s personnel and there have been now infamous holiday party moments which remind us of this fact.  The main culprit is the open bar.  My personal favorite past moment is of a young IT nerd enjoying a personal lap dance, in public, against the ballroom window by a gorgeous Indian woman dressed elegantly in a beautiful sari.  But do not judge for this openly affectionate couple is now married.  My favorite moment from the party this year is of the Illustrious Project Director announcing that "...if you have made a new friend or are accompanied by an old friend, rooms are at a special rate for $89!"  I digress.

This year the party started off classy enough - light hor d'oeuvres, soft music, open bar.  It slid from classy to kinda classy an hour later when the carving station, mashed potato and pasta bar opened.  Background music - latin mix of salsa, merengue and bachata (getting to be my kinda party!).  The lines were quite long and people were using their personal connections to jump the line, plate in hand.  Bar, still open.  Once everyone enjoyed their dinner the party slid from kinda classy toward trashy as the lights went completely off over the dance floor and the DJ initiated line dances such as Cupid Slide and the Wobble.  Open bar.  Then it happened.  Open bar was to end in 15 minutes.  All the way trashy as people made a mad dash to the bar and returned with 2 - 3 drinks in hand.   What they could not carry, their non-drinking colleague carried for them.  It was during this time that I realized I had 3 glasses of red wine in front of me ... for a second time that night.  How did this happen?  Moving on ...

I attempted to dance my way sober ~ sweatin' it out to the latin mix, Wobblin' my way to sobriety.  When all of a sudden a suggestion:  let's keep the party going!  I look around to see the origin of this suggestion.  A 23-year old gent on the project.  He is wearing a v-neck sweater over what I am sure is a Brooks Brothers dress shirt and is an employee of Booz Allen.  Surely he is classy.  Safe.  No way could this get any trashier.  I was wrong.  Oh so wrong.

We piled into his also classy looking pal's BMW to make our way to an obvious bachelor pad in Adams Morgan.  I immediately spotted a 1000-piece puzzle on the dining room table as our 23-year old host offers a fine rum with ice and a dash of coke.  It was smooth and delicious.  Good rum, a puzzle on the table - oh yeah this is gonna be safe.  Classy.  Again, wrong.  Now in his habitat the 23-year old gent takes off his sweater and pulls out a poison of which I am not familiar:  Fireball Whiskey.  And suggests a game of which I am also not familiar as a Black woman:  Darts.  I thought "whats the harm?"  I slip off my blue suede wedges, take a chilled shot of this Fireball Whiskey (which tastes EXACTLY like the fireball jawbreaker I enjoyed in my youth...) and grab three darts and listen attentively to the rules.  I do ok (though I am sure there are quite a few dart holes in the wall surrounding the board -- oops -- but in my defense, it was my first time) but SOMEHOW two more shots of this Fireball Whiskey finds its way in my hand.  In my mouth.  In my body.  Coursing through my 33-year old system.  AND THEN a suggestion to walk to a local bar to dance.  Great!  Dance it off.  I still have time to class it up ... a little bit.

Wrong.

We get to the bar and the unassuming 23-year old Brooks Brothers wearing gent reminds us that he is celebrating a promotion.  What does "celebrating" mean to a 23-year old?  Shots.  So now I have a 'Washington Apple' shot in my hand and a rum / coke in another toasting his fortune.  Let's just say not long after the toast I find myself dancing and singing (loudly) to Taylor Swift.  Yes.  Taylor Swift.  Also in her 20s.  Ironic.  Appropriate.  All the way trashy.  Now it is at this moment that the 23-year old gent looks at me and says "I'm going home and going to sleep..." HUH?!  Where is that youthful energy?  I've been set up.  Bamboozled.  Drunk.

What is the lesson?  30 is NOT the new 20 ... its just 30.  Yo ass is old and you need to remember that your body cannot handle the same things a 20 year old can handle!  The next day I was hungover until 3pm.  I'm sure that 23-year old jumped up and probably went out for a nice run, stopping at a delightful brunch spot in DC.  I made chili.  In a crock pot.  Sleeping as it simmered.  30+ year olds need to know your poison and STICK TO IT!  Do not attempt to be adventurous and drink what a 23-year old has on hand.  Stick to what you know.  Stick to what your old ass body knows.  Your organs have been processing poisons for much longer than a 23-year olds' body.  S/He is both externally AND internally younger than you!  If they do not have your particular 'safe' poison (Sailor Jerry rum or Bombay Sapphire gin for me) then politely decline and ask for juice, coconut water or carbonated beverage.  By NO MEANS experiment.  By NO MEANS take shots!  Don't let LMFAO or Pink encourage you to jump around and see how many shots you can consume during their song.  Don't do it.  You will be sorry.  Reminisce on the good times - the times you could drink anything and wake up feeling 100% - your 20s.  But now its time to be realistic.  Its time you act and drink like your age.  Otherwise you will be hungover for 12 hours, promising Jesus you will never drink again if only the hangover will go away, looking forward to turkey chili.  #lessonlearned #I'm33

HAPPY New Year

As we begin a new year many of us will make new years resolutions:  lose weight, be happier/stress less, save more money, look for love or strengthen the relationship we are in. 
Normally I do not make resolutions as I know myself and these resolutions will last the first quarter of the new year.  Especially since I travel so much for work.  But change gon' come in 2013!

2012 was surely a year of INCREASE for me!  In 2012 my income increased with a new promotion.  I increased my worldly knowledge by going to three new countries:  Rwanda, Botswana and Jamaica! I increased my living space by getting rid of clothes and knick knacks I do not wear/use.  I increased my tech knowledge with a new phone and car with all kinds of bells and whistles.  I increased my personal finance knowledge by running my credit report, ensuring anything past due was paid immediately and laying out a budget which covers expenses, savings and "fun" money for 2013.  I increased my personal happiness by dancing more, as well as spending a ton of quality time with my family and friends.  I increased my Bible knowledge and spiritual relationship with God by adding daily Bible study to my routine.  God was more than generous!  However, even with such blessings and increases, I did experience some negative gains:  in stress and weight.  With averaging 220 hours a month and 80% travel - work sucked a lot of energy from my very being.  Do not misunderstand me, I love my job!  But the reality is I'm balancing two positions - my last position and my current - and the stress has lead to skipping meals, sleeping less than 6 hours a night and eating out (no time to cook).  Then my personal life was another source of stress.  As I'm not even in the mood to go into details, being unhappy in a relationship caused more than just screams and tears but also stuffing Godiva in my face.  Ultimately the stress and Godiva led to an increase in weight - 23lbs.  23lbs.  Thankfully most of that went into the already big booty, hips and thighs and even though I have never lacked male attention I hate how it looks on me. 

All of this being said, my only resolution for the new year is to be happy.  Truly a HAPPY new year.  Happiness which radiates from the inside out.  To achieve this I need to be healthier - emotionally and physically.  I do not believe huge, drastic changes need to be made but changes do need to be made in my professional and personal life.

Professional:  while I love my job, I need to ensure I have personal time to enjoy my space, my loved ones and even learn how to 'date' myself.  This means working 40 hours a week / 160 hours a month.  Period. 

Personal:  this year I will be 34 years old.  Yup, single and no kids 34.  But that's ok.  I have learned that being unhappy with someone is unhealthy.  I have learned to be ok with being single and the importance of dating myself.  What makes me happy?    In the last 6 months since I have been single I have laughed more, danced until I was soaking wet, confided more in God, organized my living space and finances and let me tell you, the peace that I feel is absolutely priceless.  I have also learned to say no.  Just because HE is interested doesn't mean I need to be.  If I'm not "feeling it" for whatever initial reason, I politely decline the invitation and walk away. I have recognized that in the past I have accepted invitations just because I did not like being in the house alone or the thought of "I'm 33, I need to find someone!" or maybe because I was feeling low and liked the attention. In the end this also drained me of valuable energy which I plan to keep and 'spend' with someone I'm truly interested in.

Health:  part of being happy also means being healthier physically.  In 2012 two very important people were diagnosed with Type II diabetes, my father and his sister.  Seeing my father in the hospital, sick was a quick reality check.  My dad and I are one in the same - we love the taste of good food.  We hum when we taste something delicious, tap our foot, nod our head...everyone around us will know there is a culinary party in our mouth!  But there needs to be control and balance.  And my goal will be to lose that 23lbs which will hopefully inspire my dad and aunt to live healthier lives.  Besides, I need my daddy around ~ I still expect to be walked down the aisle some day *wink* 

So here is to a HAPPY 2013.  I pray the same for every single one of you.
XOXO

Lamb leftovers = Shepherds Pie

Happy holidays!  If you were as blessed as I was, your Christmas dinner was amazing!  Our dinner included: deep fried turkey, maple syrup/brown sugar glazed ham, lamb roast marinated in garlic, ginger, virgin olive oil, fresh sage and thyme, homemade potato salad and macaroni cheese, crisp, colorful garden salad, hot dinner rolls, collard greens and string beans.  Dessert - all made by scratch (Aunt Estelle can BAKE!) - chocolate/chocolate cake, coconut cake.  My father's colleague also provided homemade a coconut cream and pumpkin pie.  Luther Vandross, the Temptations and Etta James provided Christmas melodies in the background ... until football came on haha Truly blessed to share hearty laughs, an abundance of food and plenty of libations with my amazing family.  As the Christmas day party came to an end we had plenty of leftovers ~ even after all the Blacks packed their tupperware and depleted the foil. 

The day after Christmas, it is cold, gray and rainy.  When my Mom asked what we would have for dinner I immediately thought:  shepherds pie!  It is one of my favorite winter dishes and we had plenty of lamb left so why not?

Before mincing the lamb, I started boiling the small golden potatoes.  While waiting for the potatoes, I proceeded by mincing the leftover lamb.  In the roast pan Mom included sweet onions as well as red and orange peppers.  After lamb was finely minced I pureed the vegetables until they were a gravy texture.  I placed the minced lamb in a baking pan and poured the "gravy" over the lamb.

Once the potaotes were done I mashed them with 2% milk, sour cream, salt and pepper.  I then forked the potatoes onto the minced lamb in the baking pan.

I placed the pie into the pre-heated oven (350) and baked.

After baking for 45 minutes the potatoes are perfectly browned, crispy around the edges (YUM!).  The "cherry on top" - Dubliner cheese.  You can find this delight in your grocery's "gourmet" cheese section.  It runs for $7.

I placed thin slices on the shepherds pie and put the pie back in the over for another 30 minutes.  The result:  a perfectly browned, yummy shepherds pie.

I enjoyed my piece of the pie with a glass of Anakena Merlot from Chile. 

Prep time (boiling and mashing potatoes):  60 minutes
Prep time (mincing lamb): 30 minutes
Cook time: 75 minutes
Enjoy food & wine time:  30 minutes

It was the perfect way to savor Mom's leftover lamb on the cold night after Christmas. 

Out of the ashes ...

On October 25 I was involved in a car accident which claimed the life of my second vehicle, INS8BLE II (2003 Toyota Camry XLE).  The first officer on the scene did write me the ticket (following too close) although it was clearly the fault of a young woman two cars in front of me that stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason other than she may have been lost (or high?) at 8am on a Thursday.  She, of course, fled the scene.  There were five men willing to be a witness, however since I am pretty sure they were high, at 8am on a Thursday, the officer pretty much ignored them (I would have too).  In the end, at 20mph it was either the car in front of me or jerking my car to the right and hitting a light post.  I chose the car in front of me.  While the damage from the outside did not appear substantial, internally various major parts of the powertrain were pushed back into the engine.  My 2003 Toyota Camry XLE, on which I had 170k miles, one missing hubcap, paint scraps from the yellow posts in the garage I park and countless other dings was worth $6000 but the damage she sustained would cost over $4000 to repair.  My insurance deemed her a total loss. 

Together since May 5, 2005

RIP INS8BLE II - Oct 25, 2012

Three days after the accident, I cleaned her out and said my goodbyes.  Unfortunately, I was not able to car shop immediately as I was on my way to Cote d'Ivoire so that would have to wait.  That's ok.  I needed time to mourn her anyway.

After my return from Cote d'Ivoire I was indeed ready to procure a new vehicle.  My mind was set on another Camry, of course.  This had been my second Camry and both were been good to me with no major work having to be done only for both to be ripped away from me in major accidents.  But I had been told that the Camry was the "old Black woman's Cadillac" and to try new, cooler things.  So, as the open minded individual I am, I did.  In the end I went to five dealerships and test drove the Acura TL, TSX, Lexus IS and ES, Toyota Rav4 and Honda Accord.  I did see an Acura RDX on cars.com which I wanted to test drive but by the time I arrived from Africa, it was sold.  I never encountered another one - they must be pretty popular!  Anyway, last Saturday afternoon I found myself at a Toyota dealership and fell in love with a red 2010 Toyota Camry XLE V6, 32,000 miles, leather (heated seats), voice activated navigation, moonroof, leather seats and bluetooth - all the fun stuff plus its a dependable Camry.  I test drove it and fell more in love.  Then the talks of money came up and the sticker price was $24k.  "...its certified..." "...free oil changes, filter and VA inspection for life of vehicle..." blah blah blah is all I heard.  The car was not worth $24k and I offered $19k (willing to pay $20k) but he would not budge.  At all.  After 30 minutes of the back and forth, with a tear in my eye, I walked away.  I went back to my parents house to cook dinner and on the way home I prayed and thought "Lord, you know my needs and my wants ... and my budget!  Just get me there ..."  While cooking dinner I did more research and on cars.com a new listing!  A black 2010 Toyota Camry XLE V6, leather, voice activated navigation, moonroof, leather seats and bluetooth -- just like the red Camry BUT only 9,400 miles! And in my price range of $20k!  #Godisgood #allthetime It was a Saturday night and so I immediately emailed the dealer and requested a test drive.  However, due to the lack of a vehicle my request was for Thursday afternoon, Friday morning at the latest.  Seneca Harris, the man who would prove to be quite influential in this story, picked me up Friday at 10am.  He introduced me to the vehicle, showed me all the 'bells and whistles' and I realized that I did love the red Camry - that was lust.  Sitting in THIS car, THIS moment -- that was love.  I named her immediately in my heart - Phoenix - for out of the ashes has arisen a new, improved, updated Camry XLE.  5 hours later I drove away in Phoenix.  She is mine.  I own her.  My favorite moment over the weekend:  I was listening to 107.9 (el zol) and they were jammin'!  Playing all my favorite bachata hits.  For 40 miles I was quite contenta.  Then I realized OH MY GOODNESS -- THAT IS MY PLAYLIST!  I had no idea when you connected to bluetooth that it also connected to your music playlist on google!  Que?! Well that makes me very happy -- no more CD clutter in my car!  Anyway, enough writing about her.  Please meet Phoenix - the Rise of INS8BLE!

From the back

To the side ...

Face to face...

But its not about whats on the outside -- its the inside that counts *wink*

Voice activated navigation - cuz I stay lost!

Leather interior ...

...wood grain detailing

Sun/moon roof

I would also advise anyone buying a car to do their research!  It is because of research that I knew the previous Camry was not worth $24k!  My favorite site was http://www.cargurus.com. I found some great advice, things to look for and the site also details if the deal you found was a great, fair or bad deal!  Phoenix was listed at $20,800 but based on condition and mileage she was listed $1500 below blue book!  So yes, I got a GREAT deal.  Again, I was reminded "sometimes rejection is God's protection!"  Thank you Lord for the pocketbook protection!  I would like to thank Seneca Harris at Koons Toyota in Tysons VA for introducing me to Phoenix.  He was not pushy, friendly and trustworthy. I would recommend him any day of the week, all year long!  Clearly anyone reading this can tell I'm happy with the car AND the price!