Presently...

You may be wondering where my mid week, witty, thought provoking posts have been lately.

Then again, maybe not so much.

I am presently in a state of constant... how can I put this? my job has upset me greatly.

Still thankful I have one.

And STILL pissed off.

I am being involuntarily moved out of my office into another office upstairs in the building.

Of course, there are pluses and minuses to this move.

First, the minuses -

1. I am being moved out of my very own office with a door to an office that has a cubicle inside (still has a door, but a shared space nonetheless).

2. I wasn't told in an appropriate amount of time to even adjust my mindset to this move.

3. This will be my 5th move in 1 and 1/2 years.

4. I am grieving over my loss of my office and have been doing so since yesterday despite only being told officially today simply because I had a feeling it was coming.

5. It is completely unorganized and a result of a bunch of transfers occuring in the agency.

6. The person who's office they are moving me into is not scheduled to be moving until the day after I move, so as of right now, we'll be sitting on each others laps.

7. The person who determined these moves decided he didn't want to answer his phone.

8. I feel homeless in my work place and this move has made me upset and anxious.

9. I am the only one from my team being moved because technically I am the rookie in the building.

10. My new office will have my back to the door. THAT ALONE MAKES ME UNEASY.

11. Did I mention that its a shared space with a person who is on a different team and has a different set of friends and therefore an already set flow of traffic in and out of my new office space. I don't like randoms in my space.

12. Did I mention this was supposed to happen tuesday and I am just getting my boxes and notification today via email?

Sigh. I am STILL oh so thankful for the job that I have.

Lest I forget that despite my anxiety about this office move, combined with the anxiety and stress of my job alone - I swear!

My temperament and mood is also determined by the organization of my space. My pyche and my Virgo-tendencies can't always handle sudden immediate change.

So pardon my absence.

I am simply adjusting.

Pluses - If there are any

1. I have a window that when you look out of it you see a trailer.

2. I am near the bathroom again, so laziness will not be a factor.

3. There is a refrigerator and microwave in my new office.

4. I am on the main floor so I won't have to go up and down stairs for my scheduled appointments.

5. Space size is comparable to my present office.

6. At least there is a door.

Not that I drink this - but lawd... it may help those that make decisions and take the edge off..

You get the point.

See she feels me.

Its a big deal.

Hope your week is going great.

Snowy Palms and Productions

This is my present locale because this: 

is what it looks like outside of my house - Snow on a wonderful Spring Day?! 

And of course my agency is open so I am feverishly making sure that I am keeping up with what I am supposed to be doing. 

In the meantime, this is what I have been doing all weekend-

Easter Production entitled "King of Kings"

Per usual, you can find me in the make up department. 

2013 Make Up Department for Easter Production - having fun after the last show!

Nevermind my Christmas shirt - we had to wear black and that was the only shirt I had that I really didn't care too much for in case I got stuff on me. 

And per usual, you find me trying on different specks while I play and have some fun behind the scenes. I feel like a school teacher in these -- "Let me school you" LOL.

Well much like every production at my husband's church, there is plenty of rehearsals. I usually come to Tech Week, which is the week leading up to the actual shows so that I can see the flow of the show and know how to pace myself and what looks we will need for the Production with the guidance of the Make Up Director. 

I posted a pic on Instagram of this young dancer, DJ - who by the way is an amazing 19 year old hip hop dancer that gives his all at every rehearsal and does it all while constantly giving credit to God while doing so. Well, last week after the first rehearsal of Tech Week, DJ was going home and got into a really bad car accident. He flipped his car several times and ran into a light post so hard that it split. He said that he blacked out and doesn't remember the details but remembers that his car was smoking and literally thought that it was going to blow up and he feared he was going to die. But thankfully, someone saw him and helped him escape from his vehicle through his window and sat with him on the side of the road. The very next night - he was there. at rehearsal. alive. with nothing but a scratch on his finger and no aches in his body - still dancing for the Lord. 

Some of my favorite moments from the Production of course involved Amos -

During "Joy Night" there is a fill in for each of the invited Guest Artist so that they can watch the show and see how they are supposed to do it. 

Amos was filling in for Richard Smallwood. He was great!

Kudos from Richard himself.

The set design always amazes me. They literally built a huge boat for the disciples and Jesus to get into and move across the stage - mind you this is the pulpit of their church. 

Fog machines float fog across the floor of the stage so that you will not see the mechanics of the boat's movement. 

Interestingly enough, this huge boat filled with 12 grown men was actually being pulled on a pulley by one man - one very tall, very big young man. Poor thing had hurting hands after 6 shows. 

Of course, after the last show just means that we can play in the boat like kids!

This is my friend, Tamika - the Make Up Director playing in that big boat. It gives you the scale of how huge that thing was!

Remember last week when I gave you a sneak peak at the practice make up: 

Here is a reminder - 

For the show we added a glitter eye piece and went with a neutral lip. 

It was so that from the stage along with the lighting the light would hit the glitter as these were the special dancers that represented the Angels.

It looked so good on camera and it was so good to see the final product come together.

Another look for this weekend was one that I practiced on myself - a glamourous demonic look. I am thankful that I didn't have to really wear this mask, but it was definitely cool to try something different.

If we weren't rushing trying to do cast make up, in down time we were practicing different looks on each other. My girl Vanessa did this leopard spot look on me. 

Grrrrrrrrrrr BABY!

My boo liked it , LOL. This must've been between the three shows we had on Saturday because once he starts working, I never get to see him. 

Then the other part of the job, getting called at a minute's notice to come to a Guest Artists room because they need hair or make up because they came sans glam team. 

Me and Tamika to the rescue!

We were Shirley Ceasar's Glam Team for the weekend, who by the way is hilariously sweet and we worked with Le'Andria Johnson as well. 

It's one thing to see your look behind an office door in florescent lights, but its one thing to actually see it on a stage. We ran to the sanctuary to check on our work and we were so pleased! 

It's a different eye to do stage make up because everything has to be exaggerated. 

I loved her spirit as well and she can SING! 

Of course the benefit of having guests is being able to meet them in person. 

We happened to run into David Mann, who is famous for being "Mr. Brown" in Tyler Perry plays and movies because his wife, Tamela Mann, who plays "Cora" in Tyler Perry Productions was a guest artist who sang her hit, "Take me to the King!"

We were thankful that we had a good run with the Easter Production. We only get a month or so to rest because now ideas are flowing for Christmas Production and auditions begin in July. 

---

I also got to see my mom on Sunday. 

She happened to come to Howard University, my alma mater to preach on Sunday!

It was so good being able to catch up with her and I loved her robe!

I hope that you had a wonderful Palm Sunday!

Friday? Really?

I think because of the whirlwind I have been in this month with having an event to go to every weekend, I have been really in need of a day where I am not doing a single thing!

Today is THAT day. 

I had a great idea that I would like to clean and do some things around the house, but I am literally enjoying the slow pace of this day. 

Its like quiet time to not have my husband task me with things while he is at work. 

Trust me. He tried it but thankfully, I am feeling really tired and defiant right about now.

So, last night was the first run through of the Easter Production. 

Needless to say that also contributed to my exhaustion. 

We were like a non-stop train of make up once the call time for the cast began. 

The last show is Sunday night so I can do a recap on Monday.

I really think I need some Flintstone Vitamins or something. 

There simply is not enough energy for me to last throughout even a chill day to do anything I want to do. So perhaps that will be the one thing I go do today. 

Either who, 

Dear Hubby, you played so wonderfully last night. And boy were you nervous beforehand but like I told you - you did awesome. You got the ultimate compliment - compliments from the composer himself, Richard Smallwood. 

Dear Body, I think we can benefit from that Up bracelet from Jawbone - lets see if we can convince Amos to get us one of those - I would like to be more conscious of things I can do to get healthy. 

Dear Life, when you slow down, I can get to the grocery store and try some more fun recipes. 

Dear House, Its Spring Cleaning time! Apparently on the day that I was supposed to have off (Monday) my husband would like to plant flowers and seed the grass. Exactly why it may not always be a good thing that you are off on the same day of the week and another reason why I surprised him by taking a day off on a day that he had to work. 

Dear Rachel Ray, Don't you want to just gift me your entire line of products? I'm just saying, I have a nice lovely bright kitchen that you can come add all those colorful products (can you tell thats what I am watching right now?)

Dear Mommy and Daddy, Can't wait to see you Sunday! YAY!

And now... to take full advantage of this day. 

Have a great weekend everybody.

Well...

I guess its time for an update or a reality check with self again.

Grant it, all things happen in God's timing -

with all the jetsetting and stressful jobs and new ventures, honestly having children is kind of the least of my worries during my day to day. However, I am a dreamer - like a big picture thinker at all times and then become really Type A when it comes to planning those big picture items out.

I swear when we built our home, I haggled the most out of our builder then any of my neighbors, as all of their homes look like the model and ours has things they didn't even think about.

I'm a "think about the function first, practical" type of person blended so perfectly with the take a leap of faith and jump personality.

And so... here we are again - an update for unexplained infertility.

Now grant it, the unexplained part about it is that we don't know God's timing.

But Faith without works is completely dead.

So, I am switching specialists...

I did the big practice that advertised every where and had the fancy schmancy office near the nice hospital and what not. Been a patient of theirs going on a year in April and yet - here I am right where I started a year ago.

Upon referral of two friends, I am switching specialists for a second opinion and perhaps get in return more understanding and a second type of plan versus going straight for my pockets for the high priced fertility treatments.

Let's see how this goes.

In the meantime, I am going to be working on 6 shows over this weekend doing production make up. Another reason why this is a perfect time to be doing whatever and going wherever the wind blows me sans children.

C'mon now there is always a silver lining.

Easter Production Make Up

Every once in a while, I will lend my make up services to Easter and Christmas Productions.

As I prepare to go to the New York Make Up Show for the first time, I am really excited to be able to build my portfolio to be able to receive professional benefits.

My love for make up probably started when I was a high school student - studying visual arts in high school and even started at Howard as a Fashion Merchandising major, and while putting together several looks for runway lines that I designed at a Fashion School in Chicago.

If you can blend colors on paper, you can blend color on faces.

I feel that as long as you know the color wheel, you will know how to do great make up.

One of my desires is to eventually teach a make up class - to teach people just as I have learned.

The production thats coming up starting thursday is an Easter Production called King of Kings.

Its being held at my husbands church where the stage is huge!

Its in a space that holds about 2,500 people.

In any performance, with a stage that huge, the make up must be exaggerated in order to see from the seats that could be as far away as 100 feet or more.

Here are a few looks that I did during tech week:

The first was playing with highlighting and contouring of the face using Ben Nye Banana Powder and Ebony Powder and the new NW58 from MAC! (you didnt know they added an even darker foundation to the line did you?!) , bright colored eye (two toned gold eyeshadow with blue in the corners which blended into green in the crease - all Ben Nye pigment products) and Cotton Candy Lipstick made by Motives.

The next look is for a group we call "special dancers" : the look here is extreme highlight and contouring with bronze NYX pigment on the lid, Mac Expresso int he crease, Motives for LaLa Lipstick in Times Square. To this look we will add glittered masks that will be hand applied to the eyes and netting around the nose and mouth. All she needs now is her false lashes and her liner.

I can't wait until the night of the show where I can show you how it all comes together.

Follow me on Instagram at VashtiJasmine to see more from the show.

What do you think about these looks?

My Weekend: Tyler Perry's Temptation Screening

The invitation - the contact info and other information blocked for discretion purposes.

As you can imagine this fine Monday morning, I am completely recovering from my whirlwind jet-setting weekend. Not complaining, because its simply a life I could totally get used to if I had to. I got the chance to live in a whole new world for just moments thanks to a man who is rooted in the church - Tyler Perry.

As you know since we got the invitation, I worried and worried over what I would wear and what my make up would look like and every little thing - even packed two different kinds of eyelashes. LOL. 

I tried on every outfit and all shoes to make sure they didn't hurt. (lets just say I failed because by the end of the night I was standing with one shoe on - LOL) 

Did I mention, everyone wore Black - even some were overdressed for cocktail attire: but here I was LADY IN RED!

I would be lying if I didn't admit that I was sending panicked texts to my sister as soon as I came downstairs to the reception and realized that I was the only one who had picked a bold color choice. 

Her response to me : "Own it!" and "Have fun!"

FINE! and so I did.

I can honestly say that I was probably just fearful of the unknown - I know now the next screening I attend, I will be less panicked about every little detail because it really does not make one bit of difference. 

Ironically enough, we knew and recognized a lot of people who were there at the screening. 

Among some of the Pastors and Bishops and their spouses or their plus one who were there were: Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop IV Hilliard, Bishop William Murphy Jr., Bishop Oscar Brown Pastor R.A. Vernon, Pastor Marvin Winans, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Pastor Wes Morgan, who played in one of Tyler's plays and looks just like his dad who was also there. Two of my favorite Gospel Radio personalities were also there whom I have come to know over the years: Cheryl Jackson and Melanie Pratt. It was just as they said it would be in the invitation to the pre-reception: a time to make new friends and catch up with old ones. Being the daughter of a Bishop, most of the persons mentioned I have met or know very well - so its like a family reunion- seeing a bunch of your aunties and uncles that have been watching over you all your life. 

 It wasn't until when we arrived at the movie theater- that I realized this may be a big deal. 

We were shuttled in limo style party buses to the movie theater and once there, there were crowds of people with Temptation posters behind the bike racks with a Red Carpet to the right of us and loads of press lined up. Someone on the shuttle says "Ok, everyone don't trip!" That was the split second where we were like "are they dropping us off on the Red Carpet?!" LOL yeah reality sank in when they definitely drove past the Red Carpet and dropped us off at the the theaters back door. And still, my husband misses the last step off the shuttle and trips! Good thing he was holding on the rail. LOL.

Either who, we got our tickets at Will Call and got wristbands from Tyler's security firm and then went upstairs to the movie theater and waited while the cast and celebs did the Red Carpet. 

We literally sat in the theater and cracked jokes with our friend John Gray Jr. and his wife, who is literally one of the funniest gospel comedians and youth pastors I know! while we waited. It got super churchy in there in the beginning because it was literally just the church people in the theater. We knew that it was winding down when all the reality TV cameras came in. 

Here are some better pictures of what was going on outside via yulradio on Instagram:

Robbie Jones, the lead antagonist in the movie 

Jurnee Smolett-Bell and her husband, Josiah Bell

Lance Gross, plays the husband in the film

Kim Kardashian 

Kandi and Todd from Real Housewives of Atlanta

Usher Raymond skipped the whole Red Carpet but came to enjoy the film

Cynthia Bailey of Real Housewives of Atlanta

Alicia Quarles of E! News, posted this pic on her Instagram page

Tyler did his thing on the Red Carpet and then came right on in and greeted all of us. 

Tyler Perry felt it was very important to invite leaders of the church: mega church pastors and gospel recording artists among his other guests to his screening of Temptation because as he said in his remarks before the film : the lead character played by Jurnee Smolett-Bell is a daughter of a Pastor and the message in the movie itself is one he wants to be discussed in the church and of course one where he feels as though people could learn from in his movie and how it plays out. 

We were just thankful to be considered among those who were invited and could represent the church where my husband serves. 

So we sat there and enjoyed the film. It was funny because all the reps from Lionsgate were there, the cast and all were there and they literally cheered when their names came up on screen. Heck! I would too - that alone making a movie and watching it for the first time with an audience is exciting in itself. 

Tyler said "We are all going back to my house after this, so please let me know the truth"

Truth is: It really was a good movie. I would recommend you to see it. Its a great message to talk about as a married couple. It is also great just to see because among the serious message there are so many moments that are balanced by the comic relief. 

So. Movie Ended. 

We leave to head to Tyler Perry's home. 

I see my classmate Lance Gross at the bottom of the escalator. At first I wasn't going to speak to him until later because I definitely didn't want him to be confused as far as me being just another fan, especially after as soon as we all came down the escalators and these girls literally peeled open the doors screaming his name! Like umm no thank you. 

But, opportunity presented itself. 

So we had a quick chat while my husband snaps a few pics,  just because. 

 Honestly, I just wanted to tell him congrats on another film and how proud I am to see how far he has gotten in film since the days of us just chillin' on the Yard at Howard University. 

Its always good to be a proud Alum seeing your classmates do big things. 

So -- we head to Tyler Perry's house. 

We were reminded time and time again that we are to not take pictures while we are there. 

Apparently, someone missed the memo and the large poster at the foot of the stairs as you entered - but hey now I can show you where we were. 

Thanks to Alicia Quarles of E! News : here is half of the back of Tyler Perry's home down by the pool. 

As we entered, Tyler Perry was standing at the top of the stairs greeting each person that came to his house and asking what each of our names were. 

After I introduced myself and my husband, he was so welcoming and said "welcome to my home, feel free to walk around, the house is open and you can stay as long as you like,.... just don't stay too long." We had a great laugh and told him what we thought of the movie and simply just thanked him for the invitation.

First stop was the restroom: and I kid you not - I was this close to taking a picture of his powder room and then thought twice about it because his secret service like private security wasn't about to get me for taking a picture of his gold toilets. 

I am a fan of attention to detail - his decorator did an AWESOME job at making his huge manor feel really cozy and home like with the colors that are in the home. Maybe I was just happy because the main color of his home is the same color that is in my bedroom. Fresh flowers in every room of the house - and even his napkins to wipe your hands in the bathroom, every other one was a T or a P. Who took the time to do that?!

There were buffets in each main space: Sushi and Wasabi Peas, Chilled Shrimp, Veggies and Cheese and crackers with fruit on one side of the buffet. Fried Chicken - sliced, Mac and Cheese, Greens, Red Cabbage Coleslaw and some other fun sides. Passed hors d'oeuvres were Beef wellington sachets and mini crab cakes with mango salsa.  Plus a dessert bar! YUM: Chocolate dipped strawberries, cheesecake pops dipped in chocolate... basically a "tempting" Temptation themed spread.

This was about as close to an interior pic as I could find from the event: 

Here's the best I could do without fear. LOL. 

The proof that I was in the room - soaking it all in. 

Dear Lord, let it not be my last time in the room. 

These were my shoes for the evening. I did fairly well, but they are not made to be on hard floors for a long period of time. Good thing there were plenty of sitting areas in Tyler's home. I never was without a good seat when I needed one. 

So the scoops of the evening: 

We made our plate - I suggested to my husband that we go downstairs because I heard that there was plenty of seating down there. So we head down the circular stairs - I take my time as to not fall and reluctantly Amos heads down before me. So he gets to the foot of the stairs and literally pauses. 

I thought it was going to be one of those "WHY in the world did you tell me to come down here moments." So I get to the bottom of the stairs and I look at him and say "Whats wrong?"

He says "Kanye is behind you."

WHAT ?!! 

Man, if only they made cameras that could be worn like a contact lens. 

We stood there trying to get by but the time I made it to the bottom of the stairs Kim and Kayne were standing there talking to Tyler Perry - I just stood there soaking in the conversation. 

Kanye apparently had flown in from Paris just to surprise Kim and be there to support her on her big screen debut. She is literally standing there gushing on how great of a guy he is to Tyler. 

Now I have met Kanye before - on my 25th birthday he happened to be at a party where I went to celebrate and was always down to earth in person. He is so different in that setting that it totally convinces me that all that stage swag is literally for show. He totally LOVES Kim. Like despite not knowing who is around, I truly believe you can learn a lot from a couple when they don't know they are being watched but also are close enough where you can hear what they are saying to each other.

When I first saw Kim at the theater, she honestly didn't even look at herself. She looked like her sister to me and she looked like she was super pregnant.  

Standing there though next to her at Tyler's house, she is small. So is Kanye - but I realized up close in addition to literally hating everything she has been wearing as maternity wear. And seriously tired of her wearing only Black or White, I think it may be her self consciousness of her belly thats causing her to cover up more then she needs to - thus making her seem bigger in the belly then she really is. I mean, she is showing but she is not like 9 months showing - its definitely mostly fabric.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta are the same on camera as they are in person. I don't know if its a good or bad thing but honestly there was no dramatic presentations. Cynthia is the same in person - I am totally hating what she had on. Enough with the ponytails. But seriously, at first I thought they were going to be grand all night long. We first got there and they were hid away into one of the first floor studies in the home. I think now it was just that they were doing some press spots. 

Later that night, I spotted Kandi and Todd just walking around hand in hand most of the night really just enjoying their "date". They would be another couple that I think is the real deal in person. No other RHOA husbands were there. 

Other people I remember being there: Jasmine Guy randomly came into his first floor office while I was resting my feet and says to me "Now THIS is a room you come to when you want to feel smart." I mean it was an impressive room. It was a two floor office where there was a huge desk and two large chairs in front of it. The space was decked out in Red in Black. Rare books lined the walls and then a spiral stair case in the far corner of the room that led up to a second floor library. Of all the books, leave it to me to be impressed with the old Parallel Bible that was placed at the foot of the spiral staircase and the artwork on the walls were so phenomenal. 

Meagan Good and her husband, Devon Franklin was there, Actress Tika Sumpter, Rocsi Diaz was definitely working all night with cameraman in tow from Entertainment Tonight, some other media persons and up and coming actresses. Georgia congressman John Lewis was there - but all in all it was a pretty laid back environment. My favorite space was the basement. It literally felt like a cove.

The night was winding down and it was just about the time to go. In the end we were seated in the living room in the main foyer area with the Real Housewives cast. My husband was too through with me at this point being around them - heck he didn't know I am about to be the next cast member (kidding truly) but they were every where. So we are sitting there on one couch, some other people are on the other couch and then they were gathered on the chairs to our left. We were just about to leave when in walks T.I. and his wife Tamika. 

Now, if you know me in real life - you already know that I fainted in real life when they walked in because I have said for YEARS that T. I. is my boyfriend! Something about his swag just move me.. 

Either who, he walks in - boyfriend shakes husbands hand and Amos gets up so that Tamika can sit down. She speaks to us and is so sweet. So, Kandi gets up to greet her friend and I swear T.I. and Kandi start speaking a foreign language because they got to talking that Atlanta slang and I was straight lost! I was cracking up because as we are sitting there (me, Kandi and Tamika) all you could hear was T.I. yelling from the buffet behind us, TAMIKA! TAMIKA! she must be used to it because she didnt hear him a bit. She was saying she was hungry and he was trying to get her to get up to get something to eat. It was too funny. So she sits there catching up with Kandi talking about music and T.I. comes back in and says TAMIKA I have a gift for you and its being hand delivered. So someone comes with food and drink for her. 

At that point we left. I was tired- I had a great time. I had my food, my desert -- got to meet some people I have always wanted to meet and got to catch up with some people I have known over the years. 

We left to go back to the hotel - and we had to get up at 5am to catch our flight back home. 

Since this recap is super long - I will end it here. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.