@ Gordon Parks Exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in front of the iconic American Gothic photograph.
The first week of 2019 has been interesting.. Being one of the 800,000 federal workers that have been furloughed because the current commander and thief decided to shutdown the federal government until he received 5 billion dollars to build a wall to protect us from our Mexican brothers and sisters..or as he puts it the “rapists and drug smugglers”. I may or may not be receiving a check in the near future, nonetheless its been a great way to start the year. The first week of the furlough I decided to explore the District of Columbia and engage in local activities since I have the spare time. So I had a pretty nice list of things I wanted to do and did. Which consisted of:
1. Gordon Parks Exhibit @ National Gallery of Art
2. Went to the movie and caught “If Beale Street Could Talk”
3. Wing Stop 10 pc combo Lemon Pepper and Garlic Parmesan
4. Record Store (Chuck Berry, Sugar Bear, EU) D.C. classics.
5. Cup of Coffee from Black Owned business
The second week of the furlough was just as good, if not better and it just so happen to be my birthday week. A couple days before my birthday a lady friend of mine and I finally had an evening with one another that we have been putting to the side for months, which is my fault. Her name is Raina Montgomery, Raina works at Howard University in the Ralph Bunch International Center. When Raina and I first met, it was in a professional manner because I wanted to do a couple events on behalf of Peace Corps at Howard University, and she and I began to form a bond that would spill out the confines of the “Mecca” and into each others living rooms and building a great friendship. Nonetheless, She came to my apartment and I prepared her air fried chicken and air fried okra while we watched Hey Arnold and explored YouTube videos, talked about struggles to ascend to the next level in our personal and professional lives. We ended the evening listening to Malcolm X “The Last Message” on vinyl as brother X spoke about imperialism and colonialism on the continent of Africa. Raina and I would eventually reconvene a couple days after my birthday, so she could take me out to an Ethiopian dinner while we spoke about relationships between men and women that somehow led to the perversion of R. Kelly.
A few days later….
My comrade and fellow RPCV T.J. came down and we went to a Washington Wizards Basketball game, popped a bottle of Champagne at the top of the steps of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and went to TG cigar lounge and just kicked it while talking about life and our goals while we occupy space on this earth. This time with T.J. really meant a lot to me also.. it also signified that we have a bond that is not easily broken. T.J. and I were the only two African American men to serve in Peace Corps Malawi.
My birthday was January 5th, however I celebrated it January 4th with a group of friends and co-workers that are also furloughed. We started out as a group of 4 people… myself, Breanna, Jazmian and her fiancé Chenedu. The original plan was to meet up at a Thai restaurant, and we did.. However, the food was not that great, luckily there was a Caribbean soul food spot next door where the owner was actually barbecuing outside and had the air filled with a chicken aroma, it was truly amazing, and a clear indication of where I needed be. My friend Breanna clearly felt the same.. Breanna and I were able to speak to the owner and requested a discount in food because we are government employees, and he obliged… he gave us a plate of jerk chicken, cabbage, and rice.. and to make things better he gave us a shot of Hennessy.. Breanna and I shared a laugh or two while stuffing our face.. Then shortly after our other friends and fellow RPCV’s Myles and Sarah joined us then eventually Jaz and Chenedu joined as well. We all went out for drinks at another spot and just shared laughs as Peace Corps family. After leaving the last bar, .we went skating afterwards. Our other coworkers Byron and Trinisha showed up later in the evening to celebrate as well... It really made me feel great. It’s always a pleasure to hangout with coworkers turned friends outside of the workplace. Our night didn’t end there, there was one last stop made at a local bar, so once the clock struck midnight and I officially turned 32, it was met with a cheers and a toast to living a life of purpose.
The last day of my birthday week another co-worker turn friend Michelle Anglade whom I started my professional experience with Peace Corps in D.C. with, wanted to take me out to brunch to celebrate my birthday as well. We had a great time talking about our growth in the agency, the possibility of new jobs, being single or being in a relationships and how those situations molded us for the past 3 years we known each other.
I brought in the new year and my birthday furloughed, and limited on money. However, overwhelmed with plenty of friends that wanted to celebrate my life. Which makes the first 10 days into the new year really great! Regardless of the the government shutdown. I think friendship and camaraderie will be the theme of my 2019 considering this has been a big part of the first 10 day into the new year. Regardless of this government shutdown and my lack of funds, My friends have made it quite easy to get over these hurdles and embrace life.