Today

 I feel good today. I am making progress with my book. 

I saw an interesting post on Psalm 143 in Facebook. I saw from the included Bible picture that the psalmist used the term "land of uprightness" to refer to what I believe is a straight path. "Land of uprightness" made me think of Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree which is a story of a magical tree that provides access to different lands (the lands are accessed from the top of the tree; one land settles at the top, and the lands move from one to the next sort of like a rotating banner). What a memory! I connect things easily.

Hotel stay

 This #ThrowbackThursday, I remember how grateful I was that a room became available at a Holiday Inn Express in Virginia so that I could stay for a while. I was driving through Virginia on my way home to Maryland. I decided to stop. I quite liked the hotel. I enjoyed the breakfast. From the pictures (shown here: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/08/more-travel-pics.html), you can see I had both coffee and hot chocolate!

 A few of my hotel stays are documented in this blog.

 

Interesting book on mistakes

 I stumbled upon a very interesting book on the mistakes made by 25 inflential women at work. I would love to read it. Mistakes are everywhere, I suppose.

Assistance

 I got up late this morning. I was up late last night thinking through poems. I thought about my first days at PC and whether the girls knew I was the youngest. I don't think they did. I have to ask.

This morning, I quite enjoyed posts from Facebook. I quite like Psalm 27. It provides more information on the "house of the Lord." From Psalm 23, it is a "place to dwell in forever." Psalm 27 tells me it is for every day of one's life. The Lord is my "light and salvation" and "the strength of my life" is important to me.

Relations

 In case you're wondering, I am not related to Governor Wes Moore. He has been governor of Maryland for a while now. I know my father would have told us about a family tie/connection.

By the way, I met two Moores (individuals with last name Moore) at two "old jobs." The Moore at the first organization trained me to prepare the capital planning report distributed by the Section, encouraged me to look into using the ERP system for capital planning, and generally prepared me for new duties. I met the other Moore at a later job. She is from Guyana (and not related to me).

This is another weird coincidence, isn't it? Take a look at other weird coincidences I chose to share at the link: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/06/weird-or-strange-coincidences.html.

Book

 My little poembook focused on a section of my life. I did not include anything about President's College. I want to continue the story in another book. I wrote a little poem for the beginning:

It was quite an experience
My marks were superior enough for Queen’s College
And I qualified for President’s College too
I was one of a group of students from Watooka Day School that made Linden significant and proud
The small town Linden had significant passes for President’s College
My parents were thrilled and beyond excited
People were supportive

I have to say it was the school and piano lessons that made it possible. I have to say it was the school and piano lessons that made it possible. I am happy that I got into PC. I remember there were even stool and urine tests.

A lot more work to do.

Pen and paper

 I saw a post on pen and paper vs. screen in X recently. I would prefer pen and paper to complete the task I started yesterday. Once I have printed my resume (using a printer), I would write down ideas to strengthen the resume (maybe cross out an old idea or add details to something already there). 

I have a post on pen and paper that is very interesting. Here it is: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2023/05/pen-and-paper.html.

Professor update

 So far, I have applied for several professor positions. A few were open for an extended period suggesting there were a limited number of applicants. I wondered whether people were losing interest in professor positions. A look at jobs on LinkedIn proved otherwise. There were 71 applicants for one professor opening. Another showed 63 applicants. I am certain those applications were very good. I may need to edit my resume/CV so that my application is more competitive (stands out so I am selected for an interview). By this I mean I can "play up" my qualifications without lying (examples of lying: lying about completing a degree or lying about job level). I need to think through this. I can say that my resume currently does not show that I trained employees (sometimes coworkers) on policies and procedures. This is additional experience that should boost my application. I could highlight that I usually come up with new and different ideas. There is more. I am happy that professor applications are expected to be longer than applications (resumes) for the average job.

Day out

 My father arrived at the door right about the time I expected him to. I was ready a while  after. We left for the restaurant around 1pm. I was thirsty and looking forward to drinking a cool beverage at Golden Corral. When we got to the restaurant, I decided to order the new drink option to go along with my lunch buffet. In an unusual move, the cashier/front line attendant provided a cup for the drink. Usually, drinks are served in glasses at the table. There were slightly different rules for the drink. We found a table and sat down for a good time.

(My mother didn't not want to attend).

Time away

 There appears to be a sale on flights to London. Some time in London would be wonderful. I will try to make this happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My birthday

 It is my birthday! Thank you all for your love, support, and encouragement (in different ways) over the years. I am coming out of a rough patch. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have great plans for the future (God guided my steps and I pray that he continues to lead and guide my path). I ask for your support. Here's to different thinking, approaches, lifestyles, struggles, and lessons!!

A different drum for me: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(A different drum for me - the drum in the picture works. I found this drum from a google search. See more on this type of drum at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slit_drum. I would like specific information carved into my drum.)

 

Personal School Project

 One of my prized possessions is an embroidery/croquet/needlepoint project I completed in grade 6. See below. It had a lot of my personal information (reminds me of an ID card). It was my first needlepoint project. I used only chain stitch and selected colors I liked. 

I verified the day of my birth (using an online calendar for my birth year). It was a Friday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update

 I didn't do much over the July 4th weekend. My birthday is in a few days. For my birthday, I would like to go out for a special lunch or to see a movie. I have to look up the new releases.

I am still searching and applying for professor positions. I think the professor job is a really good fit for me. I was always a good performer at school. I was studious. I liked books (I remember I would take a heavy red bag full of books to my dorm at high school). I also picked up a lot about teaching from my parents and aunts.

 I performed well at different external examinations. Did you know that I did really well at London music exams when I was young? My father paid for my sister and I to have private music lessons. I was selected to learn music theory and write the London exams (it was independent of "regular" school). I performed really well.

 

Friday

 The week came and went by very quickly. I provided the author marketing materials to my publisher, I talked to a doctor at Kaiser from home, and generally took care of business. Today I had a serious talk with my mother. She is concerned about my health. I asked my mother to document what led her to conclude I needed care - what she noticed (signs) and why it is a problem. I told her it may assist my doctor. I suspect she takes a nurse's perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheese

 This #Throwback Thursday I remember the cheese Guyana produced when I was a child. The cheese was salty and I didn't like it very much. However, that cheese made really good cheese straw. I loved cheese straw. Sharp cheese makes very good cheese straw. 

 Now, I prefer to eat other cheeses with my bread or crackers. I like American cheese, Swiss cheese, pepperjack cheese, and so on. Pepperjack cheese is really good. I am not certain where it originated, but the idea to add pepper and other seasonings to cheese was an excellent one! 

 

Flights to Guyana

 Caribbean Airlines currently has a sale (special pricing) on flights to Guyana. The timing is perfect. I can fly there very soon. I need to think through accommodation. I need to stay in Georgetown.

Writing prompt

 Writing prompt: What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?

I do a lot of the same things I did when I was young. For example, I still wash and take care of my face. I remember I used a lot of Noxzema during high school. I still like to read a lot, and so on. One thing I didn't like when I was young was the potato. Sometimes my father included potatoes with Guyanese "ground provisions" in his metemgee. I didn't like the eddoe or the potato. I went for the sweet potato (which was really sweet) and cassava.* These are like substitutes for the potato. I never had fries (I do recall having fish and chips made from plantain). I now enjoy fries and mashed potatoes.

*I also liked half-ripe plaintains in metemgee. I was known for eating the "duff".

Update again

 I was able to connect and talk with a doctor on kp.org today. I used new system functionality to speak with someone within five minutes (obtain an immediate appointment). I liked it. The doctor was very helpful and the video was clear. I will use it when I need to. 

I like video appointments but I find that in-person appointments are still necessary. I was at appointments a lot over the last year or so. I liked going out. Kaiser facilities are very impressive. I now have fewer appointments. This will assist with my work situation.

My eye is much improved. I currently do not drive because of my eye (I do not feel comfortable driving just yet). 

I can't believe I am currently better and looking for a job! I hope to find a suitable job within the next two months or so. I may have to move to another state for employment. I don't mind living by myself again. I lived all alone in the past. I also attended a high school that required living away from home. I will enjoy it. I know how to navigate life by myself.  

In the meantime, I am working hard and doing what I can in other areas.

Update

  Quick status update: I wanted to be at the library by 1:00pm. There were some issues. Right now, there are carpenters working here. I will stay with my Mom a little bit longer. 

 

I Trust

 I am up early today. I thank God for a new day. I will be going to the library in a few hours.

Two very, very good gospel songs I am listening to:

My God Is Awesome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YJ4vddbJJo  

"Why He is awesome: He's mighty, He's holy, He's great" 

He Knows My Name - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60 

"He knows my name, He knows my every thought ... And He hears me when I call"