Birthdays Galore.....

& other weekend happenings.

This past week & weekend were a blur. I didn't realize so many of my friends had birthdays back to back to back to back... Ever since Christmas it's been one continuous birthday party and this upcoming Friday is my sister's birthday, so it continues.

On Friday night, we headed out for happy hour and a little club hopping to celebrate another year of fabulousness... Unfortunately I had to pull a disappearing act because I really cannot do the club scene anymore... I am such an old lady! But I did make up for it by getting a nice gift & card, but I digress....

Saturday, I went to a Jazz Brunch hosted by a professional organization I am a member of. I was too busy stuffing my face, sipping my mimosa and listening to the singer/guitar player serenading the crowd to take pictures. The organizations leadership really made me excited about investing in myself and attending conferences/networking events...I am now considering going to a few conferences this year. Time to start saving money! After the brunch I went shopping & finally found a skirt I had been eyeing since the summer time and only paid $4.99 for it because it was on sale! *dances in place*

I woke up late today, and ended up going to brunch again with a friend, taking a long nap and watching the final quarter of the Lakers v. Thunder basketball game... The Lakers won. Blah. This upcoming week is going to be ridiculous, as I have court every. single. day. But I am planning to get to bed early so I will be well-equipped and ready to go. Wishing everyone a positive and productive week!!

And Justice for All.....

Yesterday, instead of having a day off for the MLK holiday, I was at work. In all honesty I was highly disappointed that I didn't get the opportunity to lay around all day watching tv & catching up on my sleep. Definitely the wrong attitude to have in light of the historical meaning of the day, but that was my mindset.

As I drove, a friend of mine sent me a text that said how happy she was to be at work because had it not been for MLK and other pioneers for freedom like him she wouldn't have that office in the high rise building downtown, or any of the opportunities God blessed her with. It was at that moment that I got a lesson in gratitude, because I definitely have been taking a lot of things for granted. I have moments where I complain about student loans, going to court daily and being an attorney all together. I have moments where I forget my purpose and reason behind the career path I've chosen. Sometimes I just take a lot for granted...

As I looked around my office and the degrees hanging on my wall, I felt a wave of emotion pass over me. How could I take all of this for granted? So many people had to sacrifice for me to have what I casually overlook everyday. Other people paved the way towards securing my seat in every classroom I have sat in & every building that I walk into....
How could I take any of this for granted?

Tonight, I had the pleasure of seeing Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer as she made a stop in Houston promoting her new book. Everyone in attendance got a free copy of the book, and she answered questions as well as read excerpts from it. I am in awe of this woman. She was so real, so genuine and so honest as she spoke to the audience & shared words of wisdom. As the newest Supreme Court Justice & first Hispanic female on the court she has truly overcome her share of adversity. She wanted her message to remain with everyone there..... If she could do it anyone should be able to do it as well. Easier said than done, but definitely attainable.

Her presentation made me feel proud of what I am, but it also made me want to do more & achieve more. She truly wants justice for all....

With all of that being said, I realize that I still have work that needs to be done. It may not be easy but it's possible. And instead of complaining, I will be appreciative.

Weekend Wrap Up: Birmingham Edition

This weekend was everything. I left for Birmingham, Alabama on Friday morning & once I got off the plane it was nonstop entertainment, laughs, girl talk, glamorizing, sipping adult beverages and having the best time celebrating the 10th anniversary of my girls 21st birthday. All of my friends in Houston kept asking why we celebrating in Alabama of all places, but it was SO MUCH FUN.

We stopped for happy hour & then headed to the Galleria for shopping. After that we went back home & enjoyed a lot of catching up and discussion. It felt like we were back in the dorm rooms again...

We meet up with my girlfriends cousin and some of his friends & went out for the night. Men in Alabama, or atleast the ones I met are definitely Southern gentleman. I didn't want to return to reality, where the dudes don't compliment you or open doors & pull out seats.. Sigh, I think I got spoiled out there....

The next day, we got up late and attempted to go to Waffle House (I have been craving it since I moved from Louisiana, they are not plentiful in my city) but it was too crowded...we went to Captain D's instead... I used to eat that when I was a kid & then they closed down in Houston. I enjoyed every single greasy batter fried bit of it. Yes. I did.

After lunch, we headed over to her aunts house and spent the most hilarious five hours plus spending time with her family. They are amazing & her aunt cooked for us and made margaritas.

We headed out again that night & had to tap out around 3 am... We realized then that we are not as spunky as we were at 21... We look just as good as we did then, but as far as energy goes...yeah we both could've been in pajamas by 9 pm and had no complaints about it whatsoever, but I digress.

I was sad when it was time for me to get up and head out to the airport to catch my flight. I always feel like a void has been filled whenever I get the chance to spend time with my best friend from undergrad, or my best friends from lawschool (one is in Atlanta, the other in Dallas)... I feel like they know me better than any of my other friends and I live so far away from them. I guess the world did not want me to leave Alabama either, because I sat there an extra 5 hours at the airport, because my flight was delayed due to dense fog in Houston. I wasn't amused then, but once I finally made it home and saw how many people had been stranded in Houston for HOURS or had their flight cancelled I was relieved to have had that extra time in Birmingham.

We took a ton more pictures, but they are currently residing on instagram & facebook...

Ten Things.....

1)This picture of Kerry Washington, awesome... She is so pretty & I love her hair ;-)

2)It's too cold for court. I need to invest in winter apparel, but Texas weather is so unpredictable that it doesn't really make sense to buy real winter clothing here.. It could be hot two days from now....

3)I finally figured out how to add a FOLLOW button to my blog... I feel smart.

4)I booked a flight to visit my best friend from college this upcoming weekend! Super excited to see her!!!

5)The downside of trip-taking: I need to pack.

6)It feels great when hard work is recognized... I had my year-end review at work yesterday & it went remarkably well! But despite the review, there is always room for progress so I look forward to setting and achieving more goals this upcoming year....

7)Advice- Don't let others control your happiness. People can only do what you allow them to do & your reaction to their actions makes a world of difference in how you feel in the long run. Know when to hold them & when to fold them.........

8)I want an excuse to wear a ball gown.... I want to get dressed up and go out somewhere fancy...maybe there is a senior prom I can crash......not really.

9)Sometimes, I think too much.....

10)Other times, I don't think enough........

Sunday Social

I'm linking up for the first time... now on with the Sunday Social....

This Weeks Questions: Lets Reintroduce ourselves shall we?


1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging? Change of Venue, I've been blogging since 2008 and this is my third blog since then...

2. Why do you blog? I started blogging while I was waiting on bar results & got addicted. I don't use it as a business, I just like having an outlet to write and reflect & I enjoy the networking aspect of it.

3. What is the first blog you ever followed? One of the first blogs I ever followed is no longer in existence :-( but I do still attempt to keep up with Autumn & follow her new blog. She's a great writer.... Another first was the blog formerly known as Three Years Down, now titled Where My Soul Belongs.

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012? I don't really have a favorite post from 2012.. Last year was a rough year for me so I'm trying not to look back until I think I am actually ready to.

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013? Be more consistent with posting, work on my writing & try to discover new blogs to read...

6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?
Lipgloss & Binky
A Complete Waste of Makeup
Illegally Blonde
Where My Soul Belongs
...I could keep going on and on, but I can't remember the blog titles to my other favorites...I can think of the authors names though..Faith, CeCe, A Brooklyn Mama... and many many more... Wait I guess I technically didn't follow directions, whoops.....

Aside from the Sunday socializing, I am so sad to see the Houston Texans out of the playoffs. Good luck next year & hopefully the Ravens can make it all the way! #teamRayLewis

Confession....

When I woke up Friday morning, I had a text message from one of my besties that simply stated, "Your ignorance of Scandal could affect our friendship." I have a confession to make.... I'm a red-blooded American woman and I have never watched a full episode of Scandal. After laughing hysterically reading her text and her giving me a full synopsis of how many episodes I needed to review online prior to this upcoming Thursday, I realized this was a serious mishap on my part amongst the majority of my peers...but I digress, and laugh again as I sit here and consider scrolling over to netflix.... I guess I finally understand how everyone else felt when I had my obsession over the WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but again I digress.

While the majority of my friends were glued to their televisions Thursday night, I was at the salon getting a much needed style update. I gave my beautician full range to do whatever she wanted & when I put my glasses back on I had bangs... I wasn't too sure about them at first, but now I slightly am obsessed.

I went out Friday night for a birthday happy hour, that led to a birthday club outing. The venue where the happy hour occured was so gorgeous! There were antique tiffany lights decorating the entire bar, and the drinks were super potent themed specialty drinks. After we left, we went downtown to a popular night club and I must confess that I am officially over going to actual clubs. I had a blast with my friends, and most importantly the birthday girl had a blast..but on a regular occassion, I think I am over it. Lounges, happy hours, events, that about sums up my desire to be out... unless it is a birthday celebration, then it is likely that I will not be going to many clubs JUST to be going....

These are the shoes I wore last night. I had been searching high and low for shoes that had some form of spike on them. The ones I originally wanted were way too expensive, so I found these and liked them enough to purchase. I really have to confess that I am beyond happy that I went for the cheaper trend option, because when I looked at my shoes this morning, I saw that somewhere between the walk to or from my car and the club I completely destroyed the heel on the shoe...Now I am having to play doctor to fix them...had I splurged on the original pair I wanted and screwed them up, I would be so hurt right now. so, so hurt........... Now back to enjoying my Saturday.

word.