#REVERB10 Day 9 – PARTY

December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

I didn’t do a lot of partying this year. I have become a homebody. But of the few social gatherings that I have attended, two of them stood out the most. But one was definitely memorable.

The first was while I was in DC. I had went to brunch with a family friend and her friends. I helped in the kitchen with a few of the cooking. Everything that you can think of that is  made for breakfast and lunch was on the table – scramble eggs, bacon, sausage, and jerk chicken just to name a few. I got the chance to play Wii for the first time. I somehow got talk to going swimming with the group. I didn’t have a swimsuit or clothes that you can wear by the pool, so I had to borrow clothes from the hostess. Afterwards, we went up the street to go to a sushi restaurant. I had calamari for the first time and tried sushi that was outside of the regular spicy salmon tempura and california rolls. And afterwards, I left. Drove around the city and saw a woman cab driver for the first time.

It was nice to meet different people throughout the day. I met a person who worked for the government, a couple that were entrepeneurs, and law students. Gatherings that last all day are always my favorite. You never know what to expect or the adventures you will get into. That day just reminded me how much I’m in love with DC. I felt alive and at home.

#REVERB10 – Day 7 Community

I have fallen behind on my Reverb 10 posts, but I am going to do better. The reflection for today talks about community.

December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

During this year I have discovered public relations professionals have built multiple online communities that was created with the intention of providing a helping hand to job seekers, students, young and veteran professionals connect and learn from each other. This year the PR community has given me support, laughter, and knowledge. It is a true example of what a community should be; a group or family looking out for each other without a thought and without seeking any thanks in return.

In 2011, I hope to continue to become more deeply connected with the PR community and with the Nigerian community as well. I say that because growing up I was running away from my culture because of being teased. But as I have gotten older, I feel like I have a duty to connect with the Nigerian community as a way to preserve my family history.

#REVERB10 – Day 1

One of my New Year goals for 2010 was to blog more. Although I have blogged (go to Come Recommended’s Blog and read some of my posts), I have not been blogging here at my site. Well… that’s going to change starting today.

A few of my Twitter followers were tweeting about an online initiative called #REVERB10. What it is a project for those who are participating to reflect on the year and the upcoming new year for the next 31 days. Here is a description of the project and how you can take part from Reverb 10′s website:

“Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we’ll do both.

This December we invite you to share your story and join us in reflection.

How to participate

Prompt Starting December 1, check in here for daily creative prompts (some of which will be from published authors). You can also subscribe for complimentary inbox delivery, and watch for updates on Twitter.

Create Respond to the prompt. In a post on your blog, through a tweet, with photography, or however else you desire.

Share Participate and share your reverberations using the #reverb10 hashtag (on Twitter, Delicious or Flickr). Learn from the reverberations of fellow participants.”

So, here is my first of 31 prompts and the beginning of a new blog journey and upcoming year.

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

2010: UNEXPECTED

2010 marked a time of unexpected plans. For the first time in my life, the future I had planned and prepared for isn’t working out the way I want it to be. I did not expect to still be unemployed after graduating in 2009, living with my parents, ending some friendships and questioning myself. Right now, my life plans are on hold or had to be changed. And I feel out of my element because I always knew my next move. 2010 has taught me that it is ok to not know what your future holds. Growing up my Mom would always say “Don’t talk to me about tomorrow today.” I understand now. I can plan for everything under the sun, but something may happen and that plan may have to be put on hold, changed, or scrapped all together. And I’m learning to be ok with it.

2011: CHANGE

I will continue to work on myself, both professionally and personally. I have to change my mindset about my current situation and know that I will persevere and will work in the public relations industry. I have to be more open to things that I may have been against in 2010, whether it is being a relationship, my career, allowing people back into my life, or moving to a city that I may have been against. I just have to be more open to change and remember that it is not all that bad.