Gerlie...Gerlie..how does your garden grow

I've finally come out of the closet. I've been a closet gardener all these years and didn't know it. Well, actually I didn't want to believe it. My dad used to make me clean his garden as punishment when I was younger. Maybe that's why I hated the thought of gardening so much. I never understood the hours he would spend tending to his stinky compost pile or picking the weeds out of his rows of plants.

The Hubster and Bunn made me container gardens a few months back. We finally filled it with dirt, plants and seeds a few weeks ago. Amazingly enough, the tomato plant is thriving despite the fact that we're entering into the "fall" season in LA. Fall is in quotation marks since our seasons are not as distinct as they are in other parts of the country like Boston or Sacramento. My bok choy, carrot and beet seeds have sprouted. I feel like that kindergartener who is watching her bean sprout grow in her clear plastic cup with the wet napkin. For those who never did that in grade school, try it. There's definitely something about taking care of living things that makes you even more appreciative of every day. 

What's it all about?

"It's not about race. It's about survival and equity. Race may be embedded in the conversation but ultimately, it's more than that. " -someone I greatly respect professionally and personally

Changes - they're a comin'

I've been talking about graduate school for years...YEARS! I finally have two more weeks left before classes begin and it's becoming real every day that goes by.

I love where I am professionally and personally right now and I feel completely positioned to take on new challenges. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with new people and continuing to expand my horizons in this crazy business and arts world.

I spoke with three individuals yesterday seeking advice on how to run their nonprofit organization now that the founder is no longer present. I surprised myself in how I framed the conversation, starting from a very general view and then got into more details. I'm interested in helping organizations work well no matter what cause they support and hope to talk to this group of folks again. I relish these types of experiences and hope to figure out how I can build them into my career in the long term.

Through these next few months, I intend to stay focused and balance work with family/personal time. Thanks to the Most High for blessing me for everything I have and am able to do. Bring it on, World!

Some of the things I've determined in my 30s

• My time is extremely valuable, especially when I'm with my family and friends. I'm more conscious about scheduling time with them.
• I will care and make an effort to a certain degree to understand and comfort someone. When my care and efforts are not reciprocated after a few times, I'm moving on. I have needs, too.
• I want to surround myself more often then not with others who affect me in positive, uplifting, creative and energetic ways. This is how I become rejuvenated. 
• It really is better to say nothing when I don't have anything good to stay. Or I just stay far away from a situation that I don't like at all. 
• I work very hard to avoid last-minute scheduling. 
• My mental and physical health is more important than work. 
• I make greater distinctions between my needs and wants - primarily thanks to the Hubster.

Children...eh part 2

There are certain people that I just want to swat away like bugs when they get in my face about children. Take note people, the more you bug me about children, the more it's not going to happen.

Children...eh

My mom almost bled to death when I was born. She told me this about four years ago when my anemia started to act up again. I most likely also got her anemia genes. So if I am my mother's daughter, I'm thinking that there's probably a chance that I'll also experience some sort of blood-related endangerment if I have a child.

What's my view on childbirth? Younger children have been in my life for years, having been one of the oldest in my extended family. I was the designated babysitter most of my adolescent life. Now that I'm older, I have my fair share of god children, nieces and nephews, whom I love dearly and take every opportunity I have to spoil them. However, I've never felt the impending need or want to have a child of my own. If it happens, I'll deal with it but I've never actively wanted the experience of child-rearing. So I guess that's my view. If it does happen, I hope that my version of "dealing" plays out in a more nurturing kind of way.

Giving

Lately I feel like I want to put my charitable interests on my forehead so when I meet someone who wants to talk to me about giving to something, they already know my interests.

I only give (financially and through volunteer hours) to organizations who are working within the borders of the United States. I grew up here and there are plenty of issues to address within our borders. Issues like improving our educational system affect me in a faster, stronger way than issues that are happening in Africa or Asia, for example.

Topics of primary concern to me are: education, arts, culture, social services (which includes mental and physical health issues), and affordable housing. I realize all of these issues are really broad - which is even more impetus not to support organizations working outside of the US!

If I gotta deal with all the BS in this country, I have to feel like I'm doing something to make it better. Am I turning my back to my motherland? Maybe, depending on how you want to look at it.

For now, please stop talking to me about international causes because the little button in my head will turn down the sound until you're finished speaking. :-)