Journey to the Center of the Earth

Latitude 00'00

 June 2, 2022- The equator.  That was my first thought when I heard the word Ecuador. Well, my first thought was to cheese hard and wonder how I was so blessed to be able to make another international trip.  I thought about another stamp on my passport.  I thought about the food, of course. I thought about walking the streets and hearing another language that wasn't my own again. Spanish. I thought about the years of Spanish I'd taken in school, the dormant years I had not practiced, and how unpolished I would sound. Forget all of that. I was on my way to Ecuador.  Although it wasn't on my list of countries to see, I was madly in love with the idea of leaving the country again to travel and see the world.  I can never get enough of this planet.  It's almost unfair I can't see it all.

Our trip started with a quick ride to Chicago and then an early flight to Miami.  Early was an understatement. Waking up at 1 am to catch a taxi at 2 am to O'Hare is anything but glamorous. Whatever. I polished off a Dr. Pepper and was ready to tell the Captain to kick the tires and light the fires.  Twenty minutes later, I was a zombie again that coveted the comfort of a pillow and mattress anywhere. The flight left at 6, roughly 4 hours later, onto the second leg of our trip.  Here's where it got interesting. Now I am 6'2. I have been since I was 14 years old. Sitting in the middle seat where my knees are pinned in the back of some defenseless traveler isn't fair. The least I could do was asked to be reseated to the exit row. It was only fair.

The rest of the way, we made it safely. I got another stamp on my new passport, this time from a new country and continent. Let the journey begin. The purpose of this trip was to immerse me in Ecuadorian culture, just as the students in this summer term were doing. I was there to observe, ask questions and witness their experience to understand better what the SST program was all about. 

After getting settled away, the crew and I met Klever, the coolest, smartest guy ever. He was so genuine and nice.  He also works closely with Goshen College, the SST program there in Ecuador, and the students. The very next and most important thing we did was get food.  Being the foodie, I was down to eat just about anything. (remember Balot- Manila). Ecuador is known for dishes such as Cuy, roast guinea pig, and Locro, a dish with potatoes, corn, cheese, avocados, empanadas, and a very tasty hot sauce called Aji sauce.  More on that later.  The group decided on empanadas at La Tamalera de Jesus. I also had Churrasco.

Next up was the middle of the world; it's called Mitad del Mundo. This place was very fascinating. I love history.  The entire reason Ecuador is called Ecuador is that the equator runs through it, correct? Never in a million years did I imagine standing on latitude 00'00. The historical park had many neat artifacts and exhibits to learn about the history of the indigenous people of Ecuador as well. We had an amazing guide. She taught us everything, including the Amazon, anacondas, shrunken heads, ancient burials, and how magic happens at the equator. Okay. Not really, but we did do some really neat science experiments. Did you know that water flushes differently in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere? Man, that Coriolis effect will get you every time. I also balanced an egg on a nail and won the competition. I got a certificate. I like winning.

What a first day!

 

Road Rage or Black on Black crime

I am the first to admit that I have road rage... I have thought, "what if I followed that person home to give them a piece of my mind?"  Never done, it... Thought about it.  Well that is exactly what happened to me, except I was the one being followed....

           Okay picture this... I driving to Sports Zone Indy on the west side.  I am late, so I am hurrying a bit, not much but a bit.  There is another car in a hurry as well.  Bout as same as me.  She is shifting through traffic, trying to find the open lane like myself.  We both get on a road where there is a car not driving a "reasonable" speed.  She is on his tail and I am following.  At the stop light she decides to make a move that lets me know exactly how outside of her head she is.  She gets in the turn lane and then gets back over in front of the parked SUV... at the stop light.

Really?  So I finally escape  behind her again and want to turn on Coffman road.  She then wants to judge my driving by getting on her brakes several time.  The last time she slams on them and I do everything to not hit her.  The car behind me has to swerve to the side of the road to not hit me and about 3 cars behind him.  I decide I don't want to die tonight, so I speed up and get in front of her park in the Sport Zone lot.  She follows me there gets out of her car and proceeds to through all types of slurs and ignorant commits my way.... not limited to dirty bitch, and my Mom is a bitch... and so on.  After she got her commits out the way, she wanted to preach to me that i put her child in danger.  Excuse me?  How did I do that when she is the one who sped up and then slammed on her brakes.  She threatened to call the cops and took my license plate.  So I took a picture of her plate as well.  Told her to call the cops and come find me, "Ill be playing volleyball."

Two things made me just lose my mind.  A.) the fact that she started the hazardous driving, broke many laws doing so and then wanted to accuse me.  B.) she thought insulting my appearance some how hurt or had something to do with bad driving.  The latter made me realize I was dealing with a lower class, ignorant citizen of these United States.   Claiming that I need to "grow my hair out and get a perm" has nothing to do with the situation, and she needed to feel better about herself somehow.  Funny thing is with my sew in (yes, I have one), my hair was actually longer than hers...  And perms seem to be unhealthy anyways... so what was her point?

My point is why do black folks constantly do this to each other?  Why do we have to put each other down? Its the tone of my skin... too dark?  Its the length of my hair... too short?  Its the texture of my hair... too kinky.  Its how I enunciate my words... too proper?  Its my street cred... too much education?  its the clothes I wear... too tight fitting? 


So please tell me. what does my blackness do to you?  Why do we hate each other that much? 

BTW, with all this talk about guns... What if I had a gun in my car, and I was one of those mentally unstable people?  You just don't know who is crazy these days.

The Decision

A crossword. A transition. A fork in the road. Whatever you choose to call it, we all have our version in our life at some point. Sometimes it’s multiple points.  This can probably be considered my 47^th life-changing transition.  While all you normal folk are settled in comfortably in your comfortable lives, I am yet again faced with a decision to shove everything in my comfort zone to the side and start a new path.  No there were no cameras and a TV special to catch the decision.  No donation to the Boys and Girls club, but a decision non-the less.

 When I came back from my amazing time in the Philippines, you know right after my MVP season and runners- up finish, I felt like I was on top of the world with my volleyball career.  Even after I left Switzerland, I was in the best athletic shape of my whole life, and finally peaking at what I believed to be the best volleyball I’ve ever played. Yes, even with all the shenanigans that eventually led to a shortened season in Switzerland, it was still probably one of the best seasons I had ever experienced.  I came home really on top of the world in my mind. I felt no desire to go back right away, unless it was a pretty decent offer. That did not happen. So I played the waiting game in order to go to the place I perceived as being the pearl in my volleyball career, Puerto Rico. 

 

The plan was to get a part-time seasonal job to help with financial stability and continue to train until my opportunity came. Yeah that turned into two strenuous part time jobs that over lapped and made me fall asleep at the wheel several times. Oh and a gig coaching club that turned out to be pro bono. I even got in a relationship, and I wont elaborate here over fear I will flood my keyboard.  So the Puerto Rico plan fell through real hard and blatantly harsh in my face. Tired, financially unstable and 15 lbs heavier, I guess anyone could guess my career was over.

Still having not officially retired I tried to keep myself afloat with a job and relationships and volleyball.  All three failed. My job, that had nothing to do with my degree, paid next to nothing. Volleyball and the social aspect of it had blown up in my face due to my stress overload. Everything seemed to just fall apart and on top of all that, no Volleyball. It wasn’t fun anymore with everything that was going on. So I finally told myself that this was it, time to start my “real” life. That was it.

I gave up one of the only things that made me feel apart of something.  On the courts and between those lines was the only place where I felt I mattered to anything or anyone. It’s the only thing I have ever been good at since like birth.  The competition, the great wins, the lousy losses.  Wisconsin, South Carolina, and yeah even Switzerland, no matter how they ended, they still meant a lot to me. It’s hard to let all that go. The smiles, (even the ones that were forged), the tough lectures, the tears, the anger and anger management, the good times with teammates and yelling at them are all things that Ill miss so desperately. Nothing will beat that feeling when you realize all your hard work finally paid off. Nothing. And as for relationships go, no one will ever match up as my significant other like Spalding or Baden or even Mikasa.  Now tell me how does one fill that void?

Yes, I know know what you're thinking... It can't last forever. Yes, I KNOW!

Tomatillo Salsa... You know you want some

My first food blog... Yayyy!  I always brag about being a fat kid on the inside. Nope Im not taking a hit at overweight people.  But when you have been straightt up and down just about your whole life, all you can do it continued to work out and thank sweet baby Jesus for a high metabolism.  Well one of my favorite foods to metabolize is Tomatillo salsa. I was first introduced to this particular salsa by a pretty famous chain down in South Carolina called... Moes.

Ever since then my obsession with this green, often slimy sauce has been unbearable. I would go to Moes and order 1 little taco and load up on Tomatillo sauce. When I ran out of chips, I drank it. :o  So I decided to look it up and create my own receipe.

Here's what ya need:

1/2 - 1 lbs (12)  of Tomatillos- Don't be scared they come in a little shell

1/2 onion

1/4 cup of jalepenos, pickled

cilantro

1 lime

 Salt

1.I first take the tomatillos and remove their covering. Wash them off and slice them in quarters. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 8-10 minutes. I heat it at about 345 degrees

2. While the tomatillos are cooking, cut up your onion, and prepare the rest of the ingredients.  Since it goes into the blender next, there is really no need to cut up the jalapeno or cilantro.  That is unless you use fresh jalapeno which is an alternative.  *I really like the sour taste of pickled jalapenos.

3. Take the tomatillos out the oven and place in the blender.  Then layer the chopped up onion, jalapeno and cilantro.  *I sometimes add some of the jalapeno juice from the jar and or vinegar. You can also add minced garlic as well

4. Once in blender squeeze half a lime on top and sprinkle salt to your liking.  Puree or blend until you have the consistency you desire. *It will seem a bit thin and sometimes slimy, but it will thicken up.

5. Refrigerate until cold and serve. 

Ive tweeked the recipe to my liking.  Ive actually stopped measuring actually.  When it tastes right. Its right.

Goes great with chips. Enjoy

Carb Day 2012

Gentlemen and ladies start your engines. If you know anything about Indianapolis, that phrase should be familiar. Its a little known race called the Indianapolis 500. Yeah right... its a huge known race, like internationally known. Cant count the many times I have been overseas and folks ask me about it. They ask whether I have been or not and are astonished when I say no. Nope I have never gone to a race. Yes, I have been here 28 years and have never gone. Don't get me wrong, I am very aware of the 500. I know famous drivers... Buddy Lazier, Arie Luyendyk, Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan are a few of my favorites.

This experience doesn't just start and end with race day. There are many activities to do pretty much everyday leading up to the race and it draws folks from all over the world. Lets see there is Festival Kids day, Legends day, tons of qualification days and Carb day. What the mess is Carb day?

My friends would always talk about going and I really had no idea. Could they be talking about pasta of some sort? lol In actuality Carb day is short Carburetion Day. In previous years it was used as the last day for teams to "tune their carburetors to practice for the race. Since then no teams really practice, but there is a Freedom race (congrats Esteban Guerriari) and pit stop challenges. There is also a concert held in the infield. This year we dances to the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Here's is what Carb day really is. A bunch of "free-spirited" folks, that wake up at the crack of dawn, pack up a cooler filled with beer and head to the track. Its hot. Its sticky. Its dirty. But hey its a good freakin time. The roaring of engines around the track may not be from the big race car drivers, but something about it makes you dang proud to be a Hoosier. So pass me a Miller lite and a brat and sunscreen.

Lets get the party started. Happy Carb day!

Its my Birthdayyyy!!! 2012 Edition

28 years on this earth. Wow! Incredible how the time flies. I feel like I was just in kindergarten at St. Andrews with my bangs and pressed out hair, bashfully walking down the hall with one thumb in my mouth and the other twirling one of my pigtails. Every year when it comes around I always try to reflect back on my past year. Did I grow? No not in height. But as an individual.  Its like my new year.  2011 was an up and down year and if I had to grade myself, Id give me a C.  Not great. Not bad.  Just so so.   But hey, you live you grow, you learn and at the end you eat cake and blow out a candle.












This year I didn't do much.  My birthday falls in a really bad time I guess. Its always Spring break, so birthday parties were never an option. Even in college, my birthday falls during out spring season.  So I look forward to it and I don't. In 07', I got in a huge fight with one of my best friends on my birthday. 08' I was lying in a hospital bed in Suhl, Germany squirming in pain. In 09', I was on a 15 hour bus drive in Finland. 2010 was extra fun in Spain, but I was extra broke and there was some sort of holiday going on where everything was closed. Last year was not bad.  But hey my birthday is notorious mishaps.

The other special thing about my birthday is that I share it with my late Uncle Rod. We always celebrated it together. That will always be with me.

This year would be a lot of the same. First I really think people forgot.  But its whatever right. My boyfriend Curtis and I dined at a really good authentic Mexican restaurant with some close friends. That meal came with a shot of Tequila and some good ole fried ice cream. Unfortunately I was too "tired" to party anymore.  But it was a fun night out with some friends.

The next thing better than a birthday dinner is two birthday dinners.  Of course I am speaking of the annual Byrd April Birthday party dinner.  Starting on the 5th of April, the Byrd family celebrates 7 birthdays; my Auntie Stella, cousins Taisha & Taunya, Uncle Alvin and cousin Chris.  Its a big month for us.  So we always get together to do what we love to do. EAT.

This year we dined at the Cheesecake factory again.  No complaints there.  We invited the whole clan this year, as my brother David, Ren & Tonisha and their 4 kids as joined us, as well as my boyfriend Curtis.




 



We ate, we laughed, Curtis played with the kids the whole time, but more importantly we had Cheesecake. Yum!  Yes it was the Red Velvet one with white chocolate sprinkles.
I had an amazing time.  I love my family and they are always an amazing time. 

Happy Birthday Auntie Stella, Taunya, Taisha, Chris and Uncle Alvin!


Ready to embark on my New Year as well!  Happy New Year to me.

Return to Columbia

"In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine"

James Taylor says it best right? I assume he is talking about South Carolina. AKA South Cakalaki. Being a Graduate of the University of South Carolina (06'), you would think I would have better ties to the university. But considering how I parted ways when I left, things are still a bit bitter when it comes to my alma mater. Yeah I still cheer for football and basketball when I see them on TV, and of course Baseball (Back 2 Back National Champs). But that same love was not attempted towards volleyball for reasons I will not get into. Just know it ended bad and we all know I can hold a grudge. I think letting go and moving on has been quite therapeutic for me. Do I still get that sick feeling in my stomach when I think about it sometimes. Sure! On the flip side I love thinking about the good times and all the relationships I have formed as a result of attending USC, so its a balanced emotion.

Walking on campus was so surreal. Everything was completely different, including the volleyball office and hello the freaking Academic center is ridiculous. I mean I would have always been there studying if we had that back in my day.












Later that night we met up with some friends in 5 points, the go to social place in Columbia. There were a myriad of old faces there. Of course we met up with Jason, our favorite Omega and he brought along the World Champion Packer Tory Gurley. Talk about bling. Wish I had taken a picture of that Super Bowl ring. Holy mother of heavy hardware. Later that night we were delighted to get a visit from Cliff aka light skinned friend look like Michael Jackson. Always good seeing Cliff, so many memories with that guy, and I really do believe he used to look out for us vball girls.

And then there was the reason we all came... Lynae's wedding, which was gorgeous by the way. As teammates Shonda and Sarah walked down the aisle to music by Ray Lamontagne, it was nothing short a a Hallmark happy ending movie.
Lynae wore this beautiful full length gown with her Dad as he was holding back tears. It really was special. Had to keep Lexi from full out bawling on the ground at the moment. After some wedding party photos and quick meet and greets with other guest, we flowed into the small 2 story manor for some delicious country style hor d'oeurves. So much deliciousness cannot be described simply in a blog.



We huddled out side, where it had gotten a little brisk, but that was nothing a little dancing couldn't cure. We kicked off our pumps and danced into the late night. After tossing her bouquet to her new sister in law falling over a gate and into the bushes, Lynae and Teddy walked away to a display of fireworks held by their quest. It really was a good time. Congrats to them.


Coming back to Columbia was not so bad at all. As long as my homies are with me! We used to run that town.


And for your enjoyment....