Sunday, December 6, 2009

Best of '09: Conference

As the year comes to a close, it is certainly a time when I find myself reflecting on the year. As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post, I have so much to be thankful because this has been an amazing year. Imagine my delight when I found Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 challenge. This is so much fun, and I cannot wait to get started.


December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

In May 2009, I joined my mother at the Harmonic Wealth Weekend facilitated by James Arthur Ray. During those few days, I was reminded of not only the unlimited possibilities of what I can accomplish but also my ability to do so. It was certainly an eye-opening experience.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Gotta Love NY: Alicia Keys Concert

Now there are only a few things that I will go absolutely gaga over. Alicia Keys is on that very short list…and tonight, I went absolutely gaga.


After paying an inflated price for a ticket and a few hours standing in the cold, I do have to say that it was sooo worth it. In honor of Worlds AIDS Day, Alicia Keys had a concert at the Nokia Theater right in the middle of Times Square. Not even knowing exactly where the entrance was, I saw a line and just got on it. Imagine a random line of people forming right in the middle of Times Square. (It’s actually not as random as one might think.) Thankfully, my punctuality and patience paid off with a spot right by the stage.

A. Keys certainly gave us a show. She did some old, some new; some of our favorites that we fall in love with every time: “Fallin’” and “You Don’t Know My Name” NEVER get old. Of course, she did the ones that get the crowd going: “No One” and “Superwoman,” which has been a HUGE inspiration to me, when I was unmotivated to go to work (back at my other job), whenever I had writer’s block, or just whenever I need a boost in spirits. And the grand finale…it should be no surprise that she did “Empire State of Mind” at a NY performance. However, for her to bring Jay Z on stage was one of those things that was certainly hoped for but not fully believed until he actually came out on stage. Right before starting her other version of “Empire State of Mind” A. Keys kept saying “Are yall ready?” “Does this feel like the perfect time to you?”So we knew something was coming, and of course we all guessed it, but when she switched over to the original version of “Empire State of Mind” and Jay Z swaggered his way onto the stage, the crowd LOST it. I’m not one to scream like a crazed fan, but a scream somehow escaped my body, and I immediately broke out in a sweat. The energy was crazy as we all sang the ode to our city.

A show like that definitely gives you a burst of inspiration and leaves you on a high.


And THAT is why I LOVE New York!


Here are a few pics from when I saw her last week at The Today Show (an early morning adventure):

When I couldn't get a clear shot, I improvised.

It's only right that I leave you with this: