Irons in the Fire

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anaïs Nin

That is one of my most favorite quotes by Ms. Nin, and it perfectly describes where I am in life at the moment. I am somewhat private and hush-hush when it comes to sharing my goals and aspirations with people other than the ones I am intimately acquainted with, mainly my mother and sister. I do this because, of course, I believe in the power of words and don’t want others speaking against my plans and praying/plotting against me. There are some pretty wicked people out there. I also do this because if I fail, I can quietly get to work on Plans B through Z without being publicly humiliated. I am preparing to feel naked in 5,4,3,2…

My sorta tame curls blowing in the wind

I entered a natural hair/modeling competition. I initially only wanted to enter the hair portion which was not a competition, just for the exposure and experience, but it required I be a size 6. Um, yeah…I am double that plus 2. I was going to leave, but two of the lovely women hosting the event talked me into staying and signing up for the full figured segment. I met so many amazing women! What lead me to even considering this whole ordeal in the first place was the fact that in one week I was told by three different people (one was a random older foreign man in the grocery store) that I have the strut of a model. I took that as a sign to stop procrastinating, cast my line, and do the damn thing. Whatever happens, happens. I am enjoying the beautiful journey. Pray favor for me guys and maybe even a modeling/spokesperson contract! I have two boys to feed. We all know boys eat ALL day long. LOL

My wild curls

I love to dance. I dance and sound like a White girl from The Valley, but I love to dance no less. I am great at choreographed dances and learn them quickly, and I have also been doing liturgical dance since I was about 15 years old. I needed to work out and get in shape, but between work and my sons I never had the time. I started doing strength training in my office on my lunch breaks. I did mainly squats and lunges because they work the bigger muscles thus burning more calories. I figured I may as well get more bang for my buck and tone my booty in the process. I have been interested in Zumba but none of the classes ever fit my schedule, so me, being the overachiever I sometimes am, decided I would get certified and teach myself on my time. Well, word got out that I am a certified instructor. Long story short, I will begin teaching Zumba on my birthday, September 21. I am hoping for much success and a loyal customer base, and lots of booty popping, hip shaking, and shoulder shimmying ratchet fitness fun. I want the women in my class to feel like strippers and have fun! A friend of mine said he was going to make me some ‘Undercover Ratchet’ shirts because my outer appearance is so…not ratchet.

The last new thing I am checking off my list is spoken word poetry. I have a friend that owns a restaurant and is looking to diversify her clientele and thus is now hosting an open mic affair every Friday night from 10pm to 2am. She asked me to help kick things off September 28th. This will be the first time I ever read my work aloud. I don’t know how I feel about all this just yet.

Needless to say I have been one busy bee. If you are in Houston the weekend of December 7-8, stop by the reliant and holler at ya girl! If you live in Houston and want to join my Zumba classes or want to witness me bless the mic for the first time just let me know and I will get you the info. I appreciate you, babes and gents. You may reach me via email at duchessqui@gmail.com. What irons do YOU have in the fire?

I do not own the image of Teena Marie, but I do love her music. I can listen to “Portuguese Love” endlessly while imagining being on an island at dusk with a rugged masculine man that has one hand around my waist as his other puffing on a Cuban cigar. The wind fondling my hair and carrying the scent of his Hennessey laced skin. Euphoria…