Melaleuca and Me

Yesterday, my friend invited me to a presentation about a business opportunity that she was "very excited" about. She offered to drive me there and since I wasn't up to much, I said "yes".

What it turned out to be was a recruiting session in which successful members of this business, Meleluca, tried to sell to everyday people, me, a "opportunity" to make money without doing much. It was my first time dealing with these multi-level marketing businesses and I must say, I was a little put off.

My friend who invited me was actually great and didn't try and push me at all; however, the same could not be said about the other recruiters there. At one point, a lady led me to a contract, put a pen in my hand, and held my hand to the paper saying "Go ahead. It just makes sense."

"Umm no. This pushy sales pitch makes no sense at all", I thought.

I absolutely did not sign up to this company, and although I would have liked to purchase a few things just to help my friend out, Melaleuca requires that you make a minimum $60 purchase monthly. And I certainly don't have money to put down on random purchases.

My Adventures With Online Dating

So my friend convinced me to join an online dating service(it's free which was how she got me). I put up my profile a few days ago and the matches have started coming in...still smh.

I don't really understand how this matching technology has decided the only people I'm compatible with are balding white dudes. No really. All of them. Oh and one balding Indian. And I'm sorry, but balding at 22 is just not gonna cut it for me.

The sad part is when I read their information, I actually relate to a lot of them and we do share similar beliefs or what not. However the fundamental factor of physical attractiveness is simply not there. And no, I'm not asking for a black Adonis necessarily--your average good looking fellow would do. Sigh. Unfortunately, my matcher hasn't figured this out yet, but I think after I reject enough guys, it may get the hint.

Seriously though, this is the south. what if I decided to meet up with one of these Rogaine-challenged guys and they pull up in a red pick-up truck with the Confederate flag draped across his back seat. Hmmm? How would I explain away that ridiculous awful situation?
Lol anyways, the whole thing is a learning experience and I doubt I will really meet up with anyone....especially if they keep matching me with these fuglies(no offense)

(This is actually not one of the guys from the site...but close enough. I thought it would be really mean to copy and paste a photo of the real guys. Yup. I'm just that caring.)

Independent Woman

A friend of mine asked that I write a post on what being an independent woman meant to me. I though about just blabbing on and on about being strong and willful and a free thinker...u know, another diatribe, but I decided to rant in another way. Through song.

Here are a few songs that speak on being an independent woman and my personal opinion of them.

1. You Gotta Be by Des'ree



Ok, ok this may not be solely for women, but this song always makes me feel empowered. It's important for women to encourage themselves and demand better from and for themselves. I think that is so important because a lot of times, females allow people or things into their lives that they know are wrong for them. People that will only bring them down or try to take chip away at their free thinking.
For me, the song says: You gotta be bold enough to stand on your own. You gotta be wiser than you used to be; learn from your mistakes. You gotta be hard enough to take a chance. You gotta be tough enough to stand up for yourself. You gotta be stronger than you think you can be.

2. She Got Her Own by Ne-Yo


She Got Her Own Video
I mean, I guess this song is here just to illustrate the sexiness that is being independent. However, it is necessary to realize that being strong on your own should be natural not faked. "There ain't nothin' that's more sexy,Than a girl that want, but don't need me" When you're good with who you are, you won't feel desperate to validate yourself with someone else, and that's sexy.

3. Independent Woman by Destiny's Child

Sidenote: I miss Kelly with the long hair. I knew when she went weave, any chance of her distinguishing herself as superstar outside of DC was slim to none.

Anyways, the lyrics of this song mostly focus on economic independence, which is integral to feeling stable nut mental independence is just as important. "I worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get. Ladies, it ain't easy bein' independent". Independence is hard! lol That's why so many people avoid it.

4. Independent by Webbie Ft. Lil Boosie


So I'm def thinking this song is more of a degradation to women that a praise of them. "A Independent Chick Do U Kno' Wat That Mean? She Cook She Clean Never Smell Like Onion Rings" Really though? Too many women were jamming to this song like it was something to be proud of. I won't lie, I was one of them. But once I actually listened to the words, I couldn't jam to it in the same way. Personally, I think Webbie just made the song to show he could spell the word INDEPENDENT.

So I don't really know what it means to be an independent woman. I think it's something you just work towards and keep in mind as you interact with different forces in your life. What do you think are the defining characteristics of an independent woman?

UPDATE:
Happy Being Me by Angie Stone

What I would consider a true song of independence.

Where are all the Jobs?!!!

The other day, a friend of mine told me about a guy who just got a job as a paralegal in D.C. How did he get this job? A fantastic resume? No. A daddy that's partner? Maybe at another firm, but no. He emailed an alumni who worked at the firm to ask if they would like to go for drinks after work. The alumni responded "I don't have time for drinks, right now I need a paralegal." Voila! Dude's got a job.

Sure this is an extreme example, but this is the new world of networking. And you got to work it or someone else will. There's no time for pride or timidness when sooo many college graduates are looking for work.

If you've got those connections, use em. Email em, Facebook em, call em, borderline harass em. Whatever it takes, because if you don't someone else sure will.

These are desperate times and the unemployed must resort to desperate measures....

SO where are all the jobs? They're around. You just have to hustle those connections, cause that's really how most people are getting jobs in this economy.