September also holds great memories for my family. My parents' anniversary is on 9/12. My birthday is 9/15. My father's birthday is 9/19.September also holds great memories for my family. My parents' anniversary is on 9/12. My birthday is 9/15. My father's birthday is 9/19.
This year, as I approached my 40th birthday (woo-whoo), I spent time celebrating and evaluating my 40 years and looking toward the future.
When dreaming of what a 40th birthday celebration would be like, what came to mind was flashing strobe lights, the latest dance club pumping with salsa music ( I am a salsa-head. I'll go into more detail in a future post), wall-to-wall friends and family and plenty of food. However, this year's celebration was less mega-party-like and more like a cluster of mini-celebrations. I took time to explore the city and do things I always wanted to do. Some were with family or friends and some were solo.
Here's my mini-celebration list:
Sept. 4 - Latin Night at Lucky Strikes. This is a weekly Sunday tradition for me, so I won't list it for each week.
Sept. 5 - Open Mic Night at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington, VA
Sept. 14 - Had just about the best pedicure I've ever had. Went to a Docs-in-Progress screening. I want to create documentaries. This organization works with aspiring and actual filmmakers and those who just love documentaries.
Sept. 10 - Silver Spring Jazz Festival
Sept. 11 - Spend the day reflecting on the events of 9/11. See my post for more.
Sept. 15 - My Birthday! Enjoyed a 2 and 1/2 hour spa treatment at Aveda Instititute. Spent the evening with my parents at the Airmen of Note , the jazz band of the US Air Force, concert. My brother joined us later for cake and ice cream.
Sept. 16 - Tried a gel manicure for the first time . It was fabulous and the polish is still holding up!
Sept. 17 - Went to the Shakespeare Theater to Fela! the Tony Awarding-winning musical about Nigerian singer Fela Kuti. I didn't know much about this artist/activist. But after seeing the musical, I learned about Fela and Social activism in Nigeria. I also checked out a documentary on Fela on Netflix. The musical seemed to be based off the documentary.
Sept. 17 - Had lunch at CO/CO. Sala, a chocolate bar and restaurant in downtown DC.
Sept. 18 - Crystal City Wine and Food Tasting Festival
Sept. 25 - New comedy club Riot Act Comedy Club in DC featuring comedian Paul Mooney. This was a first. I've never been to a comedy club. Although I work around the corner from the Improv, a comedy club in DC. Time to try the Improv.
Sept. 27 - Took " Digital Photography 101," class at the Carriage House in DC. I brought my first digital SLR camera this summer and want to learn how to use it.
Sept. 28 - Book signing and discussion " Jesus, Justice and Race: An Honest, Hopeful, Conversation with with Two Authors," at Busboys and Poets on U Street in DC.
September 30 - Black Power Mix Tape screening at the E Street Landmark Theater sponsored by the Washington Film Institute.
Granted, some of these events are just your everyday events that go on in any urban city in the US. Except for the 2 and 1/2 hour spa treatment and comedy club, I do most of these events regularly even when it is not my birthday month.
But this year, what made these events mini-celebrations was my outlook. I entered a new decade in life and purposed to enjoy the big and small celebrating life, friends and family. I am also determined to do things that I have never done before. Like, take a trapeze or aerial ribbon class. Maybe bike-riding. Something I haven't done outside of a gym in over25 years.
So, here's to a September to remember and enjoying the rest of the year.
Cheers!
When dreaming of what a 40th birthday celebration would be like, what came to mind was flashing strobe lights, the latest dance club pumping with salsa music ( I am a salsa-head. I'll go into more detail in a future post), wall-to-wall friends and family and plenty of food. However, this year's celebration was less mega-party-like and more like a cluster of mini-celebrations. I took time to explore the city and do things I always wanted to do. Some were with family or friends and some were solo.
Here's my mini-celebration list:
Sept. 4 - Latin Night at Lucky Strikes. This is a weekly Sunday tradition for me, so I won't list it for each week.
Sept. 5 - Open Mic Night at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington, VA
Sept. 14 - Had just about the best pedicure I've ever had. Went to a Docs-in-Progress screening. I want to create documentaries. This organization works with aspiring and actual filmmakers and those who just love documentaries.
Sept. 10 - Silver Spring Jazz Festival
Sept. 11 - Spend the day reflecting on the events of 9/11. See my post for more.
Sept. 15 - My Birthday! Enjoyed a 2 and 1/2 hour spa treatment at Aveda Instititute. Spent the evening with my parents at the Airmen of Note , the jazz band of the US Air Force, concert. My brother joined us later for cake and ice cream.
Sept. 16 - Tried a gel manicure for the first time . It was fabulous and the polish is still holding up!
Sept. 17 - Went to the Shakespeare Theater to Fela! the Tony Awarding-winning musical about Nigerian singer Fela Kuti. I didn't know much about this artist/activist. But after seeing the musical, I learned about Fela and Social activism in Nigeria. I also checked out a documentary on Fela on Netflix. The musical seemed to be based off the documentary.
Sept. 17 - Had lunch at CO/CO. Sala, a chocolate bar and restaurant in downtown DC.
Sept. 18 - Crystal City Wine and Food Tasting Festival
Sept. 25 - New comedy club Riot Act Comedy Club in DC featuring comedian Paul Mooney. This was a first. I've never been to a comedy club. Although I work around the corner from the Improv, a comedy club in DC. Time to try the Improv.
Sept. 27 - Took " Digital Photography 101," class at the Carriage House in DC. I brought my first digital SLR camera this summer and want to learn how to use it.
Sept. 28 - Book signing and discussion " Jesus, Justice and Race: An Honest, Hopeful, Conversation with with Two Authors," at Busboys and Poets on U Street in DC.
September 30 - Black Power Mix Tape screening at the E Street Landmark Theater sponsored by the Washington Film Institute.
Granted, some of these events are just your everyday events that go on in any urban city in the US. Except for the 2 and 1/2 hour spa treatment and comedy club, I do most of these events regularly even when it is not my birthday month.
But this year, what made these events mini-celebrations was my outlook. I entered a new decade in life and purposed to enjoy the big and small celebrating life, friends and family. I am also determined to do things that I have never done before. Like, take a trapeze or aerial ribbon class. Maybe bike-riding. Something I haven't done outside of a gym in over25 years.
So, here's to a September to remember and enjoying the rest of the year.
Cheers!
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