Good Times.Girl Power . . .Again (so necessary!)

Well, If life is really like a musical like my secret lover 3000 and my homie Brilliant Brown say, I am loving this scene a whole lot.
Yesterday was phenomenal.
I know, I know.
I say that everyday.
But seriously, after almost losing my life Thursday bench pressing for my final in weight training it was great to really feel alive.
I went to the first annual Global Visionary Awards hosted by the School of Communications to honor extraordinary women. And yes, they were as haute and high and mighty as it sounds at the Four Seasons in Georgetown with Lebron James in the lobby before two escorts meet me and take me downstairs.
I don't get to iron my suit and really primp like I want b/c of a problem relating to michael's post. I get their and they are just ending the silent auction reception before the luncheon begins. The room is decorated amazingly. As I look at all the beautiful black people I wish I could have worn a dress but they asked us to wear suits and Ive done a lot more for a good free meal.
I sit with some other students and we have a ball. I look back and squint my eyes trying to place where I know this lady from at the table behind me. It's Fredricka Whitfield from CNN.
Michelle Miller enters the luncheon in this fly aqua suit and matching purse with her husband Marc Morial, CEO of the Urban League, and a son who looks just like him. They head to a table at the front.
At this table sits the luncheon's honoree Sheila Johnson, who me and my godmom were just talking about right? Also at the table is Nancy Wilson. And I am trying to be calm and concentrate on cutting my shrimp so it doesn't fly off the table.
The speaker was Robin Roberts from Good Morning America and she was absolutely hilarious. her parents went to Howard and mom is sitting in the audience quick to correct her. Her scholarship to come to HU was $300 not $100. "Big Difference" Robin says and continues to be hilarious. She steps on my toes talking about how she had to get out of her comfort zone, which for her was sports. After the luncheon she's signing a copy of her book for me and tells me she likes my suit and I definitely feel good I wore the suit:).
Dr. Johnson is amazing and when I talk to her afterwards she lights up as I tell her my godmom was the woman she met at her resort and she laughs remembering how she hugged her.
I get back to campus and quickly change clothes to go see the Delta's come out.My homie Yasmine looked amazing and they were so cute in these "collegiate" sweater outfits.
Then me Shani, Arion, and Mikey head to Alero for happy hour. Those margaritas did me in as my shattered glass proved and we resolved the "Beyonce is A Drag Queen" debate. *Mademoiselle M a post is coming soon with all the juice. thanks for asking:)
I spotted Alison Bethel, a former Hilltopper as she was coming in and as we are leaving we go say hello. She is a big time journalist who has chilled in the Oval Office and still as cool as she wanna be. She mentions she was just talking about me to her organization, The D.I.V.A.S, who I saw come out last week.
She ask had we heard about her new job.
We hadn't.
She tells us she is the new EIC of the Nassau Guardian - in the Bahamas! She's heading on a one-way ticket Monday and I am amazed and so glad we ran into her. Not only are they taking care of her apartment and a car - she's moving to the freaking Bahamas! You know I will have to take her up on the offer to visit:)
i get back to my room to change clothes for Cotton Club and let the margaritas wear off. After all this girl power I get slammed back to reality reading about Imus's comments about the Rutgers Women's basketball team.
That reinforced why girl power is important. It's fighting back against ignorance that likes to rob dignity and can be suffocating.

Cotton Club was so much fun and everybody looked great. see:)?

Today I got up and worked on the thesis then went to lunch with the girls. Walking to the car I see these bushes - frosted with snow. It's April 6th and tomorrow is Easter, Global Warming is not a joke.
Leaving lunch this guy offers to take a picture of us then his drunk friend jumps in as the lady with them starts saying move to the left, then sings irreplaceable as the guy in the picture says "oh yeah, riding dirty" and they sing chamillionaire and Im thinking do these white people really think that makes me think their "down?" WTF?
We hit friendship heights for shopping. I got this cute 70s-ish dress I can't wait to wear but most importantly got the new GIANT with Eve on the cover along with some other mags including Ebony with Halle on it and the 150 black power players and Upscale with Jada looking phenomenal.

Girl Power Still Rocks.
A great weekend, indeed.
End Scene.
Queen.

Pay it Forward . . .Charter Day Weekend

Man, what a weekend.
From a Secretary of State and new perfume to funerals and meeting my new boss (as I claimed in my prayers:)
So Thursday night I find out I indeed have a ticket to Charter Day Dinner ($250 a freaking plate), hands down the swankiest event the University has of the year. I haven't missed one yet. This year I went with the honors program. I feel obligated to go to the convocation Friday morning and man am I glad I went. Even if it just to wave the freakin program during the Alma Mater,Howard Ceremonies are always fun. Well, true to my style I get there right when it starts and have to wait outside a minute as the president and trustees walk by and make their processional. Who I didn't notice was with him until I sit in my seat is former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The speaker Ike Leggit, Montgomery County Executive was interesting . . and had a GREAT voice:). General Powell said a few words and I truly felt inspired and glad I go to HU!
So the event is over and now for the important part . . .I have to get a dress for Saturday's gala. Last year this girl had a gorgeous white dress I LOVED and I knew I wanted to wear white. I lucked out and found a dress . . .then felt self-conscious about wearing white so early so I got these black and white earrings I thought would keep it from being too spring-y. Driving back my dad calls to say he's in the city as he and his brother and sisters came up for a funeral of a cousin - his 2nd cousin I never met. I felt weird, but after some persuasion from him I decide to go to the funeral the next day since I do know his mom and other family.

So Saturday morning I have to cut my cousin's trip a little short who goes to Hampton and was in town for spring break as I get ready for the service. I start in this charcoal dress, then feel weird to look like I am in mourning for someone I never had the pleasure to meet. I end up in this green and white dress - one of my faves and feel comfortable. The service was not nearly as weird as I thought and was a straight 1960's deep south funeral in downtown DC in 2007.
Long.
lots of soul singing.
His mother, my aunt lula bell, a pastor, even did a hallelujah dance as she's giving the eulogy.
Absoulutely amazing . . . and beautiful. *Pic= the dress I wore to the funeral. Well right there Im at the Color Purple which I have to see when Fantasia starts and I also want to see Rent on Broadway before Frenchie leaves in May. Im thinking rush tickets Saturday after next. Wanna go? my bad . . .I digress.
So, Saturday Night .
I get dressed and hit the Hilton. The decorations and everything seems to be upgraded as the stage is set up like Founder's library. It was great seeing friends and it took each of us like 5 seconds to recognize each other because everyone has cleaned up so nicely. After losing 30 minutes looking for parking I finally relaxed as I sip some red wine and check the star studded program and enjoy the moment.
President swygert, who ironically was on the front page of Metro section in the Post has this sick black tux with like slivers of silver pin stripes.
A company donates $1 million.
They announce the university has surpassed its goal to raise $250 million in five years over 9 months before schedule.
Dinner is served.
One of my mentors on campus Mikel Husband, who runs University Communications and does the alumni magazine stops by. We chat, he confirms he saw Danyel last week like Brad had said and says something else that still makes me smile.
Now, I didn't get Time Inc Edit, this internship I wanted and what I had planned to be my Plan B to finding a job, and honestly It didn't bother me one bit. It truly wasn't for me and I'm not questioning God when I have been soooooooo blessed.
So anywho, as that door closed Mikel Husband tells me how Danyel mentioned me to him and I am trying to be on my best behavior at this swanky event but am grinning from ear to ear. I then tell him of my deep admiration of Richard Parsons, Time Warner CEO, who is on stage and the official planner of the night's events. He says I should go say hello. I know there is no way Im going up there, smile and take a pic with him and he moves on.
I enjoy the first two courses and then go speak to my surrogate magazine mommy Prof Lamb and we chat. She tells me she just took some students up to meet Isabel Wilkerson - Pulitzer Prize Winning former Hilltop editor and Im so sad she didnt see me to ask to join them because Isabel is another one of my idols. And she's so gorgeous!
Mikel/Mr. Husband (not sure what i am suppose to call him:) comes back and says Mr. Parsons is up there and not surrounded by people and I should go speak.
I do my best doe-eyes and beg/ask Prof Lamb to come with. She agrees and we head to the head tables on the stage.
We get there.
Im cheesing.
She introduces herself and me. I'm on.
He has these kind eyes so I feel comfortable saying how I use to work at one of his magazines and how much I am enjoying this event he put on.
He ask what magazine I tell him and ironically I had just emailed Angela the day before and tell him that. He is like the Time Inc God and he's talking to ME!!! He says how great she is and then in the most casual way, "Yeah, you should go back. Tell her I said so." He could have been kidding but i'm still on a high just to meet him and those 2 minutes were grand. And you know I'd absolutely LOVE to take him up on that advice and told him so:) Now let's just all keep praying a position reveals itself. by the way, seen the new issue of Essence with Terrence Howard on it?
So me and Professor Lamb keep moving down the table and get to Ms. Isabel Wilkerson and my admiration for her grows ten times! She is so nice and interested as we talk and makes me really excited that if you work hard enough your dreams will come true. I then am so glad I read her bio in the convocation program the day before as she is totally surprised I know she was on the Hilltop staff as a freshman.
So I head back to the table for the last course and dessert which was this sinful espresso truffle which really was a warm chocolate brownie with ice cream drizzled in mango and raspberry sauce that is in no way in my kanye workout plan!!!!!!
I'm already on a natural high, then that chocolate one when Bebe Winans tears it up followed by the hilarious and amazing Yolanda Adams.
The night's honorees were all amazing, especially DC mayor Adrian Fenty. I know I'm late, but who knew he was THAT sexy? I need to go hang out at the law school! He was funny and charismatic and gave me a little hope as he found his wife when they were both at the school.
After a fabulous and looooong night i head home with a car full and fulfill my duty as chauffeur.

I'm wound up and wide awake.
I get on the computer and am reminded I am blessed to have absolutely wonderful people in my life.
First D. Chedwick Bryant offers to send me Paloma's perfume that I was dying to smell! How nice was that? I'm excited as I'm told it's perfect for formals so next time I'm ready:)
Then I head to my soul sister Darby's blog and she shouted me out. I was already feeling a little like a wannabe rockstar and that just added to my high.
So with so much feeling right with my world I felt a feeling I have been feeling lately, and what Yolanda Adams made a point of reminding us all to do, GIVE BACK! I may be perceived as flighty at times but Im not a flake. That's why I was so embarrassed of falling off as a mentor in Big Sister/Big Brother last year.
Waking up this morning, I decided to stop wallowing in the guilt and emailed the program director and even if he doesn't want me back I'll find another way to donate my time in a way that helps somebody other than spoiled me.
Well, I know this post was WAAYY long. Thanks for the release.

-Queen Wanna-be who had-a blast at the-ball

Point of Clarification

So as we celebrate the One Year Anniversary of this here blog, I have a major oversight to announce.

Turning 21, I thought naming my blog 'Queen-to-be' was appropriate as I felt myself on the verge of a being a real woman - a real queen-to-be. AND, I am still the champ of inserting random movie and song phrases in everyday conversations so if we go for real Chinese and I order egg drop I'm gonna tell ya "Taste the Soup."

But now a year in to this blog, I realize before naming my blog after the Coming to America anthem, I should have done a little more research.

Here are the lyrics:
"She's your Queeen-tooo-beee. A Queen-to-be forever. A Queen who'll do whatever his highness desires. She's your Queen-to-be. A vision of perfection. An object of affection, to quench your royal fire. Completely free from infection. To be used at your discretion. Waiting only for your direction. Your Queeen-tooo-beeee."

Though I am disease-free, I'm not that girl! I have a name for a blog I want to do one day and with Prince Hakeem's warped idea of a queen it may be sooner than later.

NAAHHHH (as Lisa McDowell says when Prince Hakeem offers to give up all his riches after they are married).

I like this blog and it's title. And ok, I'll admit it, I enjoy signing this blog 'queen.' Because ladies, that's what we really are!

But just to clarify for anyone who thought I was Queen waiting to be used at someone's discretion, sorry. I'm not that girl. I just see my potential . So I am a Queen-to-be. -CJ

My Most Sincere Apologies . . . well, as sincere as a Queen can be:)

It's Sunday night and I owe lots and lots of apologies. I'm one of those people who's quick to say "I'm sorry" for everything from accidentally stepping on your already broken pencil to intentionally stealing your man (not that I would ever do anything like that, I think). But today I have some really sincere apologies so let's get started . . .

My deepest apology . . . . .. to MOMMY DEAREST
So if you read any of the last few posts I had some unresolved feelings with my tree, my mom. Well, I still never got that "im sorry" but twenty-two years of putting up with a chic like me is a measure of love in itself. I came home yesterday for the weekend (more on the weekend forthcoming) and really had stuff put in perspective, like, what serious family drama in as we go through some serious drama. And I'm not just sorry because she is a bonafide movie star now! Like I told ya, my church is THE church in Tyler Perry's New flick "Daddy's Little Girl"


My deepest apology . . .if I keep saying MY CHURCH IS IN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!
I'm like really excited because I went to church today (Sunday school and all) and they always treat me like a real rock star. I've been going to Wheat Street Baptist Church my WHOLE life. My mom will tell u stories of how me and my brother use to fight when she had us up in the choir loft with her beloved gospel choir - the same choir loft you can spot her in when u go check out the sexy Idris in the movie. But the funniest part is that my church is cool but not nearly as bumping as it once was. My pastor always criticizes "prosperity preachers" around the city and just guess who's the pastor of our church in the movie? None other than Eddie Long himself! *This is the only church scene I could find from the movie so far but you know I'll be supplying others:)

My deepest apology . . . to Beyonce and her "actor's perspective"
So my mom still hadn't seen Dreamgirls and asked me to go with her to see it today. Now, my love affair with Dreamgirls is slowly getting scarier. Last week when Mikey went to Best Buy I had him get the soundtrack for me - The deluxe one with ALL the songs! Even when I was all sad Friday I was humming "Dreamgirls will never leave you, we'll be therreree." And in Judo class I'm humming "Heavy Heavy." And Jimmy does want more and I'm really not going anywhere so let me get to the point. So when mom suggested a Sunday matinee I was excited like I hadn't seen it twice - and had the bootleg my brother gave me. Now, I know the main reason she wanted me to go was in hopes of seeing herself in the preview of Daddy's Little Girls they didn't even show. You know I loved it all over again and each time I keep noticing things I didn't realize the first. Like, did you notice Tank was in the choir singing backup on "Patience"? But the biggest change for me the third time around was Beyonce'. I think I was a little harsh. . . she was committed to the character . . .even if she wasn't as feisty as Deena could have been . . .or Academy Award/Golden Globe best actress worthy. But she held it together and I have to give her that! Though seeing it again and how Jennifer opens, closes and does all in between the movie makes me frustrated that she is considered the "supporting" actress. But it got her the globe and hopefully the Oscar so we'll definitely take it. Doesn't she look really good here? Like she could be one of Destiny's Children . . .I LOVE JENNIFER HUDSON! I LOVE MY B TOO!

My last and most solemn apology . . . .Please don't be mad if I cut you for looking to hard at my husband!
Now, I'm no groupie (dying last words, right?), but damn. Brian J. White is gorgeous. I first noticed him across the room checking me out as he was acting as a most beautiful big brother in a screening of Stomp the Yard. I was hooked and thought someone was just teasing me and going to give me him for my upcoming birthday (It's in two weeks! yay!) . . .or atleast just his back. That back. wow. That back.
But no, he's a real actor and popped up in the preview for Daddy's Little Girl playing one of Gabrielle Union's ex's I think . . see how everything comes full circle, or maybe the world for black actor's is really really small. So I google my boo, as I would do any potential hubby, and see he's been hiding in plain site! He was in that straight to DVD with my beloved Regine Hunter (who I got my official MySpace quote from: "I'm everything I pretend to be"), Mr. 3000, and even Trois, along with other movies. So yeah, I think I might be in love. And I'm so serious about that apology because I'd hate to have to cut you, but I'm sure you understand.

Queen. . .But you can just call me Mrs. White

*queentobe.blogspot.com's one year anniversary is coming . . ..which happens to be my 22nd Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! can ya dig it? wayyy random, but what cha doing for valentine's? Im trying to stay encouraged . . .