I thought about doing a month to month review, but have decided to list by categories instead.

WORK: This is what makes 2009 feel most off-beat. I didn’t work as much as I would have liked to and I dabbled in a few new things. As stated above there were the usual local promotional jobs which included Nestea events at the Rays games, the MacDill AFB Airshow, AT&T at the fair in Miami, AT&T at SEC in Tampa, and other day stints across the Tampa Bay area.

Over the summer I worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate at the Homeless Coalition in Hillsborough County. This proved very challenging on the pocketbook, but highly rewarding and eye-opening. I surveyed the homeless population with other VISTA members and helped to put on the Homeless Health Fair in partnership with the VA. The event went really well and the attendance was up from previous years, which means more individuals in need were serviced.

Aside from the above I spent a little time at the Census bureau and now I’m working for a temp agency until my assignment ends in March 2010.

TRAVELS: This is the one area that seems pretty constant. I went out and about to various locales for many different reasons.

1. D.C. / Maryland: In town to work a promo during the inauguration of Barack Obama. I had my first book signing in Wheaton, MD and got to see Adele in concert in addition to visiting the Manifest Hope art gallery. Very good semi laid-back times minus the super cold temps.

2. New York / New Jersey: I went up to visit my friend Tyne and her newborn baby girl. While in town I had my second book signing at the Sister’s Uptown bookstore in Harlem and saw many good friends on my short trip.

3. Rome, Italy: My friend Muna wanted to celebrate her birthday in one of her dream destinations and I was happy to celebrate with her. We spent a week in Rome and saw a number of ruins, museums, basilicas, catacombs, and graffiti. My best memories in Rome were created by the couch surfers who hosted us. Let me not forget the GELATO.

4. Charleston, S.C.: During this trip I had two book signings and got to spend a little time with my family. I took the Amtrak train up from Tampa into Charleston, which made my first (long) domestic train ride.

5. Toronto, ON: For my birthday getaway I decided to cash in my FF miles with US Airways and head up to the north. I had a really great time with my hosts Sara and Davoud. Toronto is a great city I’d love to explore more of in the near future. It certainly put the taste in my mouth for more Canada travel. Here are some of my favorite photos from my trip.

6. New Orleans, LA: Since I couldn’t make it to my friend’s wedding I decided to pop into town for a pre-wedding visit. Had loads of fun visiting my girls from the 6th and 7th grade. Nothing like a little reunion.

7. Key West, FL: Just a little R&R session with my sweetie for a few days. Nice place to photograph, but a bit boring if you’re not into drinking and water sports. I did dig the food a lot!

8. Nairobi / Kisii, Kenya: Spent 17 days in Kenya as a Team Leader for a Global Village project in Kisii, Kenya. It was a hard trip for me, but a much needed experience. You can read more about the trip here.

LOVE: After two years of dating and 11 years of friendship, my significant other decided to ask me to marry him on October 24, 2009. My answer was, “yes” and now I am trying to plan a small ceremony for the two of us in 2010. For those who may have missed our engagement photos you can find them here. I don’t think I should have to say this, but it was a definitely a highlight in this hodge podge year.

LOSS: A good friend of mine passed away in September and he is missed very much. Of course I feel as if it was too soon for him to leave his family and friends, but I am sure there is a bigger reason and needs for him in the heavens. This was probably the first loss in my adult life that really had an impact on me. He was a truly remarkable human being.

SUCCESSES: Whether I became my dream or not — I’m not certain. I did dream a lot. I set small goals and in retrospect accomplished a great many with very little resources aside from a great network of family / friends.

–I was blessed enough to do several book events outside the state of Florida and a few here at home. I shared stories about my family and listened to strangers tell me about their long lost relatives. (So incredibly feel-good.) For the first full year of promoting my children’s book, “Isaac and the Bah Family Tree,” I’d say I did a fairly good job. I just have to keep writing and keep pushing.

–The pages in my first grade Persian book are almost at their end which means I’ll be entering second grade Persian. I don’t think I am perfectly ready yet, but that is what these first few weeks in the New Year are all about. STUDY!

–Although my digital cameras didn’t get much love this year, I did a lot of Lomography and they keep getting better and better.

Officially signing out for 2009. Happy New Year all!

Yesterday was Dana’s birthday. We celebrated in Charleston where I was before taking the train over to Tampa earlier today. Since my birthday is two weeks I was allowed to help blow out the candles. That Cold Stone cake was real goodness on the palate. I won’t be opposed to repeating the cake experience in Toronto where I have decided to mash up the place for my 27th. Don’t worry… I’ve got my birthday wish list coming up shortly.

I’ve been passing the time catching up with my dad and his wife. Tomorrow we’ll have a birthday celebration for Brenda’s daughter Dana. Aside from that I’ve been getting back into a workout groove and into my daily Bible study. I made one attempt at learning to drive my father’s manual vehicle, but there will be a lot more practice needed. I may need a patient instructor in Florida because I don’t think I’m going to get this in one last day tomorrow. Fingers are crossed and all things are possible.

Please join me for this special event. Bring a friend, a family member and warm smiles. I will be signing copies of my children’s book titled, Isaac and the Bah Family Tree. The event details are as follows:

When: Friday, May 1st from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Waldenbooks
120 Market Street, Sp #C-116
Charleston, SC 29401
843.853.1736

When: Saturday, May 2nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: Books-A-Million
2150 Northwoods Blvd #B8
North Charleston, SC 29406
843.764.2377

If you already have a copy of Isaac and the Bah Family Tree, please spread the word or pick up a copy for a friend.

Isaac and the Bah Family Tree has also been reviewed by Kam Williams most recently in the AALBC.

Check it out and see you there! Thank you soo much for all your support so far!

You are invited to not one book signing, but two in the Charleston, SC area! I’m so excited!

Please join me for this special event. Bring a friend, a family member and warm smiles. I will be signing copies of my recently released children’s book titled, Isaac and the Bah Family Tree. The event details are as follows:

When: Friday, May 1st from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Waldenbooks
120 Market Street, Sp #C-116
Charleston, SC 29401
843.853.1736

When: Saturday, May 2nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: Books-A-Million
2150 Northwoods Blvd #B8
North Charleston, SC 29406
843.764.2377

If you already have a copy of Isaac and the Bah Family Tree, please spread the word or pick up a copy for a friend.

Isaac and the Bah Family Tree has also been reviewed by Kam Williams most recently in the AALBC.

Check it out and see you there! Thank you soo much for all your support so far!

For as long as I can remember I always had my reservations about visiting the Carolinas. This reason and that reason kept me at bay from the area, placing it last on my list of exciting U.S. destinations, and hoping that when the opportunity came my stay would be a pleasant one. So my first trip into and out of the state was exactly as I had hoped…

Pleasant…

Almost like therapy.

My journey began at the airport in Myrtle Beach where I had found myself after an early morning flight out of the big city of New York. Before the plane touched the turf I could feel my nerves uncoiling all the built up tension from a less than favorable week of work, snow, and a two-thumbs down day of love. Both the sunshine and the sight of the palms and palmettos eased me immediately. I hadn’t realized how much working in the frigid north east for four months had affected my spirit. Part of me wanted to let loose, squawk like a chicken, fly with the speed of a hummingbird, and with the grace of an eagle. I started to feel fine and quite alright with the way things were panning out. It was as if they were retreating back into their natural order.

Yes, to be free… Let me count the ways…

Snapping out of minutes of both self and life reflection, I hopped into my comfy Chevy Aveo rental vehicle, hopped on US 17 South and headed to my Daddy’s house. Along the way I cruised by shops and restaurants unfamiliar to me and the all the places I had previously been. I somewhat noticed the slow, relaxed sort of take your time and enjoy South Carolina speed limit, but by paying it no mind I found myself making my first new friend in the state – The South Carolina Highway Patrol. My friendly bald-headed uniform buddy explained to me that I was going 82 in a 60 or 55 mile zone (I forget which one) and I told him I was quite aware without argument. I must have worked some type of southern magic or charm on the officer as he said he was willing to help me out and not stain my driving record with any nasty points for having an iron foot. Well helping a sister out in the Carolina’s means providing the discounted ticket rate of $129 dollars to be paid to the beautiful state by middle of March. I thanked the officer for being so kind and not slapping me with an even more outrageous fine and pinky-swore that I would pay more attention to the road, stop flapping my gums about the monster in man and day-dreaming about the good times ahead.

Not long after I claimed my souvenir I worked my way through a tangle of tree-shaded back roads to my family’s new place. My dad has a knack for picking homes that are hard to find in the country. The older I become I can understand his love of seclusion and hiding. His new home held just as much charm as the last in Georgia. Bricks covered the front side of the house and large windows in the living room revealed a backyard full of trees just short of the well-kept green and sand traps from a golf course just beyond his property. It was here that my stay at the Barnes Resort & Vineyards began.

A last minute change at the office kept my father from spending the weekend in full with me, but in the evenings we would talk and catch up on everything going on between the things in my life and the changes he and his wife were planning on making to the light lavender counter top in the house. The three of us noshed on the lumpia he had gotten from a co-worker, dipping them in a variety of Chic-fil-A sauces kept up in the kitchen cabinets. While he sipped on his evening glass of red wine I slowly finished off my water with two slices of lemon.

It was on my very last day of my weekend stay that we finally had the chance to see Charleston. We headed into downtown to check out the market, the extraordinary homes on East Battery Square (breath-taking), and to have lunch at Magnolia’s. We killed time by visiting the Charleston visitor center, Isle of Palms and even the not-so-glamorous areas of Charleston the average tourist never sees. From there we drove up to Middleton Place, one of the largest and oldest plantations, now a landscaped garden, in America, for a very quick tour. In fact it was too quick. The entire trip was too quick, but for what it was it was enjoyable despite my run in with the law and soothing to be the arms of the people that truly love and care about me.

My family…

Below are only a few photos from my brief trip in and out of Charleston. I will have to return.

I finally had the opportunity to play with my gradual tobacco filter months after the purchase. The beach was clean, clear and chilly.

Smiling on Isle of Palms beach.

Another shot taken by my dad. Fantastic photographer isn’t he?

Palm painted trash cans line the upper part of the beach. Keep America beautiful – please don’t litter.

After the trip to the beach my dad took me to some sights like this African American Cemetery where there was nothing to be found except for this marker.

Magnolia’s was a suggestion made by the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die guide book I use almost like a travel Bible. On some occasions I totally dislike the book. In this case the recommendation was only so-so. I’m sure with some additional time in Charleston I could suggest something cheaper on the pocket book and much tastier.

Collard green filled egg rolls with an assortment of bursting sweet and spicy flavors.

The mahi was okay.

Entrance to the Middleton Plantation.

Fleur.

Upon walking into the garden the first thing your eyes set sight on is the reflecting pool. The pictures do no justice for the garden’s true beauty.

Pair.

The outro.

Strength,
Adrienne