Girl in the Yellow Sweater in D.C.

Note: Very late but worth the wait 😊💛

March 2024 in Washington D.C. was perfect. 

It was officially spring season, flowers were in bloom and the beautiful Cherry Blossom trees were on full display everywhere.🌸

    

The flight from NAS to DCA was about 3hrs. I am one of those passengers who fall asleep as soon as their seatbelt is buckled so I slept just about the entire flight.

 

Cherry Blossom trees at Potomac Park🌸 

The weather was such a welcomed change from the constant heat in The Bahamas. In the morning it was mid 30s°F. During midday the temperature was 58°F at most and rapidly declined as the evening and night time rolled in. I love cooler weather, being an October baby and all, so I was enjoying the weather. At night it got to low 30s and that's when the fireplace 🔥 came to the rescue.

ASCD Conference

The main purpose of the trip was to attend the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference aka ASCD Conference. 

This was my first international conference and I was super ecstatic for be in attendance. It was invigorating to be immersed in such knowledge among experienced educators pouring and sharing their tips and advice with the attendees. I was able to explore various innovative approaches to curriculum instruction and student engagement.  

Propello was giving away swag like none other. We had so much fun visiting the various vendors and checking the latest advances in education. We left with items from pens/pencils, erasers, T-shirts to tote bags, cups, stickers, stress balls, free reading books and everthing in between. "Ya know we teengsy."

Time to unwind

One thing for certain, two things for sure, educators work hard and play even harder! After all of the sessions of the conference were said and done, we took on Washington DC and had a dandy hunni.

       

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

We took in an NBA game. Washington Wizards vs Toronto Raptors. I don't always understand the game of basketball but I was cheering like I had a stake in this game. The enegery in the stadium was infectious, it was difficult not to get in on the fun. Watch some of the highlights below 👇🏾

    

Washington Wizards Dancers half-time performance 💃

Washington Wizards won the game 112 to 109 over Toronto Raptors. We were sitting next to a father and son duo who were clearly Raptors fans and they boo'd the Wizards the entire game lol 😂😂😂At one point I started cheering with them too. The little boy was so passionate about seeing Gary Trent, we starting cheering for Trent as well. It was all good, clean fun.

Museum of Illusions

 I love to visit places that ignite genuine excitement and this museum did just that. I laughed so much and had a great time. The staff was helpful in showing us how to work the illusions, they took photos and videos of us whenever we asked them to assistance. It was a great experience.

    

    

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

I love to walk so I took a self-guided walking sightseeing tour. If you're equipped with Google maps, comfortable footwear and you know what you want to see, you can find anything and that's exactly what I did. Come take a walk with me...

POV: South Portico of The White House

United States Department of Commerce

National Mall

National Park that features iconic landscapes and showcases important museums and memorials of prominent figures of the U.S. history.

The Washington Monument

Honoring the first U.S. President, George Washington

   

The Lincoln Memorial

Honoring the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln

National Mall Tidal Basin

Cherry Blossom trees are in abundance around the basin and throughout the park. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the struggle for freedom, equality and justice. 

World War II Memorial and its Rainbow Pool

Honoring those Americans who served and fell during WWII

Seven Reasons by Enrique Limardo

    

CityCenterDC

Bowl America - Falls Church, VA

I take any opprtunity I get to bowl. This was a fun, light hearted way to end the night. I played a few arcade games while waiting for a lane. One of the workers, Tyrone, was really nice and had us laughing and ya know I love to laugh. "The food was nice and the drinks were refreshing" lol IYKYK

Outside of what was showcased here, I did get to visit some shops, bars and several other restaurants. I used Lyft for getting around and stayed at Residence Inn Falls Church, VA

"The one where she heads home"

For as much as I love to travel, I equally love getting to go back home.

Have you visited D.C.? 

What were the highlights for you?

Like. Comment. Follow.

#donnellsworld #girlintheyellowsweater

P€nn¥ Gone 2020👋🏾

🅿️ENNY GONE 2020 👋🏾

Bye-Bye. It was great while it lasted😙

Hold up! Before we say goodbye, let's take a stroll back to the beginning. 

"On May 25, 1966, The Bahamas Currency Board released the first series of coins for the new currency, which consisted of denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 cents..."

First Design 1966-1970

Where the penny started and where it is now 👇🏾

In a 2019 article by NEIL HARTNELL, 

#Tribune Business Editor

"The Central Bank has issued "rounding" guidelines for cash payments. When a bill does not end in zero or five cents, those ending in one or two will be rounded to zero; those ending in three, four, six and seven will be rounded to five, and those ending in eight or nine rounded to 10."

❗WHERE & HOW TO REDEEM YOUR PENNIES❗

On 23rd October 2020, I went to the Quality Super Market on Cable Beach to redeem my pennies!!! The Central Bank team and their process was so quick and efficient.

 🗣Shout out to Mr. Moultrie from the Central Bank team for being extremely nice, professional and taking the time to speak with me.

🔴🔴HEADS 🆙️🔴🔴

If you haven't redeemed your pennies as yet, here's what you'll need to know/do:

1. Once the dates, times and locations for November are released, take your pennies to one of the designated locations. Don't roll them.

2. Have a government issued 🆔️ present

3. Have your banking information readily available. Your bank account is credited for the amount of your pennies.🏦

Please note: You will NOT receive cash in hand. Your bank account will be credited so take your account information. 

Come...Have a look👀 at the pennies I redeemed 🥳🎉👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 

So, no...I was not one of those people who needed a 🛒 to haul their pennies in nor did I take buckets and buckets of pennies to be redeemed. I had one container, a large, reused oatmeal box lol.

I just wanted to be a part of the process.😊

💰💸💵I got $43!!!!💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

The November redemption dates and locations are still TBA so follow The Bahamas Penny Page on Facebook for updates, page link cited in sources.

Things to remember:

1. The Bahamian Penny will no longer be legal tender as of 31st December 2020.

2. You have until 30th June 2021 to redeem your pennies.

#donnellsworld #girlintheyellowsweater #blogpost #pennygone2020 #pennygone

LIKE. SHARE. COMMENT. 

UPDATE❗❗ HERE ARE THE NOVEMBER DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR YOUR PENNY REDEMPTION.

Sources:

🔗https://www.facebook.com/The-Bahamas-Penny-Page-359857248060061/ 

🔗http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/sep/18/one-cent-coin-use-to-cease-by-end-2020/

🔗https://currencies.fandom.com/wiki/Bahamian_1_cent_coin

🔗https://www.centralbankbahamas.com/bank-coins

Coping, Healing, Mothering & Living after the loss of a child

No child comes with a manual and being someone's mom and a first time parent can be scary when you don't know what to expect.

I had my first child, a baby girl 👶, when I was 20 years old. I was in college at the time and I found a balance between mothering and schooling that worked for me. With the help of those in my circle I was able to continue attending college without having to take a semester off or drop out.

6th Februaruary 2010 at 2:36am, I gave birth to her via C-Section at PMH 🏥. 

She was named and christened *Charis Ashley Major*. 👼 The exciement and joy was through the roof.

During the fourteen (14) months that she was with us, Charis was that toddler with a big bubbly personality.

 

    

My laptop was obviously her laptop lol

Charis was the first grand child to her paternal grandmother and the first great grand child to her paternal great grandmother. She was also the first granddaughter to my mom. Everyone who met her, fell in love with her. Every day I think about her and I always say I wish I'd taken more pictures, recorded more videos, taken her to more places and made more memories. The memories I have of her and with her will never fade.

                    Charis at Christmas 2010

 

😂😂😂 We even slept alike.

 

Charis and Great-grammy "Mama Lisha"

Some of my favorite pics of Charis

This white watch lol I loved it and it's still in my jewelry box!!!

                       ✨✨Cha-Cha Bella✨✨

 

       She loved her Elmo

    Every girl should wear pearls

 

     Her first carnival 2010

💗

Living with the loss of a child, regardless of how old the child was, is hard. I can't and won't compare my situation to another parent but what I do know is that this feeling is something I battle EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

No exaggeration, I think about her every day, be it something that reminds me of her, whenever I drive pass the cemetary where she's buried or just a random thought of her. It has gotten easier over the years and I've learned to live with it and not let it overcome me. I spent many days and nights praying and since prayers don't expire, I'm sure all of the prayers my family prayed to God on my behalf are still keeping me strong to this very moment.

I remember the day she died like it happened today, it makes me sad still but I have the strength to keep moving. I called the hospital that morning letting them know I would be going to church and that I'd come to the hospital afterwards. The nurse encouraged me to go and said church would do me good to calm me down so I went. My dad was driving me that day and my aunt called us for dinner before going to the hospital. While I was eating I could barely chew. I could remember the strange feeling in my gut. Moments later I got a call from the nurse saying they needed me ASAP. My heart sank. When I got there the doctor told me that her heart stopped beating at 3:47pm. I was escorted to the waiting room awaiting further word. At 4:47pm the code was called and that was it. She was gone. My baby was gone. Gone too soon. 

The doctor came in the room, "I'm sorry mummy, baby has died" he turned and walked away. I was so numb I couldn't even cry. 

My grandfather passed away 8 days prior to her passing. My dad and aunts were all there and it was like the weight of the world was literally on my neck! April 17th 2011 was a day like none other and the following days were a blur.

 

At Charis' funeral 29th April 2011

 

At Granddaddy's funeral 30th April 2011

At first, thinking about Charis made me cry, now thoughts of her make me smile and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Losing a loved one is a difficult time for anyone. A parent losing a young child, seeing that child in a coffin and being lowered into the ground is an outer-body experience that I wouldn't want anyone to experience.

I was given another chance to mother a child. Mothering after a loss is no easy feat still, it caused me to be super and overly protective of my son. I don't take any moment for granted.

If you have never lived through the loss of a child, please... please... please do not tell others how to grieve or mention what you would do if you were in their shoes. Give support, be a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. There are no rules on how long to grieve however, there are ways to do it healthily. Do what works for you.

9 years later here I am, putting my feelings into words and I can honestly say I am stronger for having gone through what I went through. It helped to mold me into the individual that I am.

-Girl in the Yellow Sweater😘

#donnellsworld #girlintheyellowsweater #blogpost 

Like. Share. Comment. Follow