SERENDIPITY: January 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

A Black Man's Smile

There’s nothing like a black man’s smile.
His love is so powerful, so enduring, so captivating,
So humble, so loving, longing, waiting, wanting,
For your love to grab him and take control.
Embrace his face, his smile, his love, hopes,
Wishes, dreams, desires.
I love my black man’s smile.

inspired by JC's smile

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Things PMS will make you do

So, I’m 34 single with no dependents. Society says that I should be married with about 2 children by now and a progressive career by now. In fact most people are in that predicament by the age of maybe 25 at the earliest. Not I and I really don’t have a desire for the former, married with children. However, about every 21 days or so, I get this distinct urge to want to be attached to someone other than myself, my destiny, and my mentees. Today is one of those days. I have the urge to want to ask Mr. Dude, we should move in and you take care of me. We can just be roommates with benefits. LOL! Doing something I would totally regret because of PMS issues frightens me and makes me edgy, shameful, and a threat to myself. During this time I like to stay closed off from society and the world in general. Lord forbids I go ahead and do it. I would make the biggest fool of myself. Once that 2 week time is over, I’m back to my normal free self. The 1st week isn’t that tough to get through. It’s the end of that 2nd week that gets me to the cliff’s edge. PMS is a monster for real. And those dealing with PMDD should not be allowed to walk the streets during this time. We need FMLA excused absence once every 2-3 weeks for real.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

TRAIN THE TRAINERS FOR YOUTH JOB READINESS WORKSHOPS

Dear Community Members, Partners, and Volunteers:

This is just a friendly reminder to please RSVP for the Train-the-Trainers Job Readiness Workshop (if not already done so) to make sure we have enough material for everyone attending. There is still space for January 15 at 3 pm and January 25 at 9 am (details below).

The Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), the Nashville Community Coalition for Youth Safety (NCCYS), NUPACE, Oasis Center, and Pencil Foundation are partnering once again to put on a Job and Summer Activities Fair for Youth on March 27, 2010. The event will include: Employers who hire teens and Summer activities/list of provider. However, before the event, we wanted to plan as many job readiness workshops as possible to prepare youth for the job fair. The workshops will include: Academic Resumes, Computerized Job Searches, Dressing for Success, and Networking Strategies to help both teens and adults better understand how to look for a job. These workshops will be conducted at local High Schools, community centers, after school programs, and other venues by facilitators that complete the "Train-the-Trainers" Job Readiness Workshop on January 15 or 25, 2010 (details below). Hence, please let me know if any of you are interested in becoming a facilitator in the job readiness workshops and/or want to be one of the vendors at the Job Fair.

Train the Trainers Job Readiness Workshop
A Train the trainers workshop will be held for those that are willing to facilitate the job readiness workshops. The job readiness workshop will cover various topics including resume writing, interview/communication skill, etc. Once again, please let me know if any of you are interested in being a facilitator for the job readiness workshops by replying to this email.

Train the trainers Logistics
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010
Time: 3 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: YOC, Oasis Center, 1704 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203
RSVP by January 13, 2010 to: vsamaniego@mmc.edu