*Update* 25 Before 25

LoveFran.com has suffered tremendously due to my first three months of teaching. Yep, I’ve been teaching since August. Wow!! That’s still surreal to me. I’ve had some pretty amazing experiences so far and I’m happy to declare something that most people are not able to: I absolutely, positively love my job. Anywho, here’s an update to the infamous list. I’ll be 23 in January, so I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next couple of years. Sidenote: I’ve made four changes to the list, but only because my interest have changed and it’s my list. Lol.

Here’s to continuing this fabulous thing we like to call life and enjoying every bit of mommyhood, traveling, creating (without an ounce of creativity in my body), loving, and learning along the way.

THE LIST

1. Graduate from college AND enroll in graduate school AND start my teaching career.

2. Touch at least one of my student’s lives AND indulge in random acts of kindness–at least one per week. (Ongoing)

3. Become financially self-sufficient AND get Dallas involved in the sport of his choice (anything besides football).

4. Visit a castle OR visit an African country.

5. Start a stock portfolio. (Ongoing)

6. Attend a music festival.

7. Attend a Los Angeles Lakers game.

8. Learn to speak Spanish, fluently.

9. Finish a book every two months including a reread of some of my favorites like The Bible and The Giver AND read at least 10 banned books AND read The Hunger Games and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogies. (Ongoing)

10. Expand my cooking skill set. (Ongoing)

11. Visit London, Paris, and Italy (take gondola ride in Venice, preferably a romantic one).

12. Start a business or nonprofit. *Changed*

13. Teach Dallas to read fluently. *Changed* (Ongoing)

14. Develop and follow a workout plan. (Ongoing)

15. Take Dallas to Disney World in California and Florida AND visit New York and Vegas. (I have been to Vegas, but not as an adult.)

16. Maintain The Guide to Scholarships, my personal blog, AND launch Within Reach. (Ongoing)

17. Grow hair back fully and continue natural journey, meaning do NOT cut, color, or perm under any circumstances. (Ongoing)

18. Obtain my master’s degree. *Changed*

19. Write a short story OR write a collection of short stories OR write a picture book OR write a novel.

20. Buy a home. *Changed*

21. Try an exotic food I cannot pronounce.

22. See a Broadway musical AND visit an opera performance.

23. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square of New York City.

24. Drink out of a coconut in Hawaii.

25. Buy a piece of jewelry to later use as a meaningful family heirloom.

 

Be blessed and happy Sunday all!!

*MAJOR UPDATE: 25 Before 25*

Bonjour!! Buongiorno!! Ciao!!

Wait. I mean hello there. Excusez-moi. Mi scuci. See, there it goes again. My native language and time clock are off tremendously since I’ve returned from Europe. Once again, it has been a while since my last post and I do apologize for the major delay. I was busy graduating from college and traveling the world, but now I’m back in the states and so ready to start the next chapter of my life. I am so grateful to God for everything I have accomplished so far (which isn’t much yet). Each day that goes by I am realizing just how great and amazing my God is; I am extremely blessed. So here is an update on THE LIST:

THE LIST

1. Graduate from college AND enroll in graduate school AND start my teaching career.

2. Change at least one of my student’s lives AND indulge in random acts of kindness–at least one per week. (ONGOING)

3. Become financially self-sufficient AND get Dallas involved in the sport of his choice (anything besides football).

4. Visit a castle OR visit an African country.

5. Start a stock portfolio. (ONGOING)

6. Attend a music festival.

7. Attend a Los Angeles Lakers game.

8. Learn to speak Spanish, fluently.

9. Finish a book every two months including a reread of some of my favorites like The Bible and The Giver AND read at least 10 banned books AND read The Hunger Games and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogies. (ONGOING)

10. Expand my cooking skill set. (ONGOING)

11. Visit London, Paris, and Italy.

12. Start a business. **Changed**

13. Run a marathon.

14. Develop and follow a workout plan. (ONGOING)

15. Take Dallas to Disney World in California and Florida AND visit New York and Vegas. (I’ve been to Vegas, but not as an adult.)

16. Maintain The Guide to Scholarships AND my personal blog.

17. Grow hair back fully and continue natural journey. (ONGOING)

18. Start a nonprofit OR be invited to join a nonprofit board.

19. Write a short story OR write a collection of short stories OR write a picture book OR write a novel.

20. Figure out what type of wine I actually like.

21. Try an exotic food I cannot pronounce.

22. See a Broadway musical AND visit an opera performance OR play.

23. Obtain my master’s degree. **Changed**

24. Drink out of a coconut in Hawaii.

25. Buy a piece of jewelry to later use as a meaningful family heirloom.

Progress has indeed been made since I started this journey FOUR months ago. Geez!! I think it may be time to either start a new list or make some additions to this one. Okay, just kidding. One list at a time. Notice that I did change two of the items on my list to reflect things that I actually want to accomplish before 25: #’s 12 and 23.

Lastly, I hope I’ve inspired a few of you to actually start a list of some sort or at least just jot down some goals. Wouldn’t be right if I didn’t thank my original inspiration: Tatiana Richards Hanebutte. She’s pretty amazing, so follow her blog at www.tatianainflux.com and follow her on twitter at @tatianarichards.

Be blessed and have a great day all.

A Celebration of Art

For Valentine’s Day, I had the opportunity to go out to Sips N’ Strokes for the very first time, definitely one of the things I had been wanting to do for a very long time now and definitely something that had to be done before graduation in May.

    

    

Below is a finalized picture of my very first piece of original art. Yayy!!

Here are a few other pieces that I received too. Trust me, all six pieces, seven including my own will be hung proudly in my first post-graduation apartment.

    

February Photo A Day Challenge | Days 6 -15

I am a little late, I know. Thank you internship. Anywho, here’s to catching up:

Day 6: Dinner | Dinner…for the week.

Day 7: Buttons

Day 8: Sun

   

Day 9: Front Door

Day 10: Self Portrait

Day 11: Makes Me Happy

Day 12: Inside My Closet

Day 13: Blue… My world in blue.

Day 14: Heart

Day 15: Phone

February Photo A Day Challenge

01: your view today
02: words
03: hands
04: a stranger
05: 10am
06: dinner

 

07: button
08: sun
09: front door
10: self portrait
11: makes you happy
12: inside your closet
13: blue
14: heart

 

15: phone
16: something new
17: time
18: drink
19: something you hate to do
20: handwriting
21: a fave photo of you
22: where you work
23: your shoes
24: inside your bathroom cabinet
25: green
26: night
27: something you ate
28: money
29: something you’re listening to

February Photo A Day Challenge | Day 5: 10am

Breakfast for me and Dal along with my 10am morning thoughts.

February Photo A Day Challenge

01: your view today
02: words
03: hands
04: a stranger
05: 10am
06: dinner
07: button
08: sun
09: front door
10: self portrait
11: makes you happy
12: inside your closet
13: blue
14: heart
15: phone
16: something new
17: time
18: drink
19: something you hate to do
20: handwriting
21: a fave photo of you
22: where you work
23: your shoes
24: inside your bathroom cabinet
25: green
26: night
27: something you ate
28: money
29: something you’re listening to

February Photo A Day Challenge | Day 4: Stranger

Definitely some hairspiration. :-)

February Photo A Day Challenge

01: your view today
02: words
03: hands
04: a stranger
05: 10am
06: dinner
07: button
08: sun
09: front door
10: self portrait
11: makes you happy
12: inside your closet
13: blue
14: heart
15: phone
16: something new
17: time
18: drink
19: something you hate to do
20: handwriting
21: a fave photo of you
22: where you work
23: your shoes
24: inside your bathroom cabinet
25: green
26: night
27: something you ate
28: money
29: something you’re listening to

February Photo A Day Challenge | Day 2 and 3

February Photo A Day | Day 2: Words

February Photo A Day | Day 3: Hands

February Photo A Day Challenge

01: your view today
02: words
03: hands
04: a stranger
05: 10am
06: dinner
07: button
08: sun
09: front door
10: self portrait
11: makes you happy
12: inside your closet
13: blue
14: heart
15: phone
16: something new
17: time
18: drink
19: something you hate to do
20: handwriting
21: a fave photo of you
22: where you work
23: your shoes
24: inside your bathroom cabinet
25: green
26: night
27: something you ate
28: money
29: something you’re listening to

February Photo A Day Challenge | February 1, 2012

I have decided to participate in the “February Photo A Day Challenge” from Fat Mum Slim. I am really looking forward to participating, especially as a way to add some life to my life.  For those of you who are unaware of the “February | Photo A Day Challenge,” feel free to browse Fat Mum Slim‘s website for more information. It is definitely something that will be of interest to all those who love photography. Just as a note, if you plan to share on your own personal blog, make sure you link to her website. Another option is adding the #FebPhotoADay hashtag for people who chose to tweet their photos.  I’m pretty excited about participation, mainly because I love, love, love all things creative (although I am not very creative at all… Lol) and I enjoy making lists. I hope you guys will choose to participate as well. It’s only February 2, so it’s not too late. :-) The Decision Maker —> I grade papers in pink ink.

Here is my first photo:

The Decision Maker —> I grade papers in pink ink.

A Vogue Interview with Temani Frances Beck

Name
Temani Frances Beck.

Personal Style
Sophisticated, Undefined, Classy, Relaxed.

Place you call home
West End. Birmingham.

Must have wardrobe items
Dresses and heels.

Favorite designers
Ehh… I just wear what I like.

One item every girl should have?
A favorite pair of heels.

What is your definition of style?
Wearing what makes you smile. Definitely shouldn’t be anything complicated.

Favorite places to shop?
Anywhere online. Mostly ASOS.

Fashion Icons?
Tracee Ellis Ross, Beyonce, Michelle Obama, June Ambrose. The fearlessness of Daphne Guinness.

Most valuable possessions
My intellect.

Where do you find inspiration?
God. Dallas. Music. Happiness. Love. Anything that makes me think.

Song of the moment?
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones

Download:

Beauty Routine
My hair is pretty high maintenance right now with transitioning from a permed lifestyle to a natural one, but I’m in love with my curls so it makes it worthwhile. Manicure every two weeks is a must.

Make up Routine
I think make-up can be fun sometimes, but I prefer to go without. I think I’m prettier that way. But on days where I do decide to wear make-up, I go with Mac press powder, Mac mascara, and a cute lip. I’m a fan of matte lipsticks and nail polishes too.

IT Bag?
As long as it’s big enough to sustain my everyday handbag hoarding, I’ll love it forever.

Fondest childhood memory
Having a big family. We fought each other, but never allowed other people to fight us individually.

Relationship status
Single.

Personal motto
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. -Proverbs 31:30

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. -Matthew 7:12

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20

What does success means to you?
Success for me is finding and maintaining that healthy balance between a loving family and a fulfilling career. If I have those two things in my life, I will consider my life and what I have accomplished a success.

7 things you can’t live without?
Sunshine, happiness, music, my favorite pair of jeans, art, my iPhone, and the internet.

Current projects?
GRADUATION and starting my life.

“The Sugar Shack” by Ernie Barnes

I would have loved to experienced parties like this one. I’m sure everyone was having fun. That good ol’ music was probably loud. The atmosphere was probably super crazy. About 75% sure no fights occurred. Just good music and great fun with people from all different walks of life. I love it.