Professional Diva

My Two Dads!

“Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a dad.” How many times have you heard this saying? In my case, it really is true. Neither of the two men who actually raised me is my biological father. Now, one of these men happens to be my grandfather, so we do share some genetic material; but the other is the man who married my single mother when I was a little Diva-In-Training, and raised me as if I was his own child. It takes a very special person to take on the responsibility of raising someone else’s child. It takes an extraordinary person to love, nurture, and sacrifice for that child.

I am a firm believer that girls need a strong and caring male figure in their lives as they grow up. Someone who teaches her right from wrong. Someone who protects her from things that can hurt her. Someone who instills in her a sense of self worth. Someone who teaches her not to settle for anything less than great. Someone who provides an example of what a real man is, and how a real man should treat her. These are all the things that my dads taught me, and continue to teach me, throughout my life. It feels so good to know that there is always someone working behind the scenes on your behalf, simply because you are their daughter, and anything less would be uncivilized….and completely unacceptable.

I am forever grateful to Earnie and Ron for everything they have done in nurturing, loving, guiding, and protecting me. I would not be the dynamic person I am today if I did not have them in my life. On this Father’s Day, I want to say “Thank You” to my dad and granddad. So here I go:

Grandaddy, thank you for being a great dad to my mother throughout her life. Thank you for supporting her decision to bring me into the world. Thank you for picking me up from school. Thank you for taking me to Coney Island in the Summer for cotton candy. Thank you for bringing home Popeye’s biscuits for me, just because. Thank you for giving me money to put in the collection plate at church. Thank you for taking me to take my road test so that I could get my license. Thanks for being an example of what a husband should be to his wife.

Pops, thank you for immediately stepping up to the plate, and bringing a big brother with you for me. Thank you for loving me and my mother. Thank you for putting a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table. Thank you for running off all of my raggedy boyfriends because you know they were not good enough. Thank you for teaching me how to drive. Thank you for the Neon, and the Blazer. Thank you for my first cell phone. Thank you for letting me grocery shop at your house. Thanks for helping me set high standards for the man I marry. Thank you for giving me away to my husband! Thank you for my college degree, and my law degree. And last, but certainly not lease, thank you for the EZ-Pass!

I can go on and on about how much Earnie and Ron mean to me, but I think you all would stop reading! So to sum things up, Dads are so important. So important! And on this Father’s Day, I salute my two dads! You are both EXTRAORDINARY, and I love you!

Divas get in here! I’ve got something very important to share with you. Have any of you heard of the Breast Examination Center of Harlem? If not, you are in for a real treat! As we all know, breast cancer is a devastating disease that has affected many of us, either directly or indirectly. What we all should know is that one way to fight breast cancer is routine testing and early detection.

Since 1979, the Breast Examination Center of Harlem (“BECH”), an outreach program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has screened over 200,000 women for breast cancer. Amazing, right? What’s more amazing is that there are still so many women, and men, in the NYC area that are unaware of the services offered by BECH. (WHAT!!!) So here’s what I want all of my fellow Professional Divas to do: please share this information with everyone you know in the NYC area about BECH. With your help, we can spread the message that early detection is one of the keys to fighting this disease.

As I suspect, Professional Divas are always keen on doing research before we put information out into the universe. As such, here is a list of free, high quality services offered by BECH:

Breast-Cancer Screening - One of BECH’s specially trained nurse practitioners will give you a physical examination. She will feel your breasts and underarms for lumps or anything else unusual. Every woman should see a health-care professional for this kind of exam every year.

Mammograms - BECH offers mammography, a procedure which uses x-rays to produce a picture of the breast. Mammography is the most widely used method for detecting breast cancer.

Pelvic Examinations and Pap Smears - During the pelvic examination, a nurse practitioner will gently press on your abdomen to feel the organs in your pelvis (uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum) for anything unusual about their size or shape. During this exam, she will also take a few cells from your cervix to check for cancer or other conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases. This test is called a Pap smear.

Counseling - If the nurse finds a lump or anything else unusual in your breasts or if the results of your Pap smear are not normal, one of our counselors will give you advice about other tests or procedures we may recommend. The counselor will carefully explain the test or procedure to you; she will also advise you about getting a second opinion before choosing treatment. She will encourage you to ask questions and to tell her about any concerns you may have. And she will give you some written material that will help explain these recommendations to you and your family.

Patient Follow-up - If all of your test results at BECH are normal, you will be advised to return to BECH in a year for routine cancer screening. If you are at high risk for developing cancer, because other women in your family have had breast cancer, for instance, or if BECH recommends more tests, BECH will set up an appointment for you to come back sooner for a follow-up visit.

Education - During your visit, BECH will show you how to do simple, at-home exams of your breasts every month. BECH also takes their educational programs in breast self-examination (BSE) techniques to many places in the community. Video presentations, workshops, and seminars on BSE and other women's health issues have been held throughout New York in churches, senior-citizen centers, schools, businesses, street fairs, even detention centers. If you are interested in having BECH come to your church or other group, please call the health educator at (212) 531-8000.

More About BECH

The Breast Examination Center of Harlem houses 15 full-time staff, comprised of the Program Director, a health educator, mammography technicians, patient navigators, session assistants, plus other administrative support staff. The Breast Examination Center of Harlem has received many awards for its outreach accomplishments, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Certificate of Merit.

Please note that some tests or procedures, such as removal of lumps, are not done at BECH, but they can help you make arrangements for them. If you need one of these tests, your counselor will explain the test to you, give you advice, and discuss any of your questions or concerns. She will also give you information about where you can get these tests. If you wish, she will make the appointment for you.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact BECH at:

163 West 125th Street, Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10027

(212) 531-8000.

Also, please visit The Breast Examination Center of Harlem’s website at:

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/8506.cfm

This is SUPER IMPORTANT!

Please help me spread the word!

Martini Break!!!

The Classic Gin Martini

Greetings Divas! Or should I say Divas and Gents! Rumor has it that there are a few gents out there who read the Martini Chronicles, and who have strong opinions about its content. In fact, I recently had a conversation with a gentleman subscriber regarding my Thursday martini recipes. During our discussion, he pointed out something to me that I had not realized. Over the past 6 months or so, I have been posting martini recipes almost weekly. Each recipe has been different variations of the classic martini. The one recipe that I have failed to post, however, is the Classic Gin Martini.

Crazy, right!

The gentleman subscriber very eloquently explained that even though I put a modern twist on this classic cocktail each week, I should pay homage to the original. He likened my non-recognition of the Classic Gin Martini to a new Hip-Hop recording artist not acknowledging the accomplishments and innovative spirit of the Sugarhill Gang (cue Rapper’s Delight!). Needless to say, he definitely made a great point, and the Hip-Hop reference was quite comical!

In all honesty, I never intended to shun the Classic Gin Martini… but may I offer my sincerest apologies to those who are offended by my oversight! Please accept this recipe as my good faith attempt to make amends. Without further adieu, here is the Classic Gin Martini, the genuine article!

Ingredients

2 ½ oz of Your Favorite Gin

½ oz Dry Vermouth

Green Olives for Garnish

Ice

Recipe

- In a shaker, combine Gin, Vermouth, and ice. Stir for 20 seconds! (Unless you like it shaken!)

- Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.

- Garnish with green olives.

There you have it! The Classic Gin Martini. And since I was so tickled by the reference to the Sugarhill Gang, here’s a throwback audio for you. Enjoy! And Drink Responsibly!

Good Evening Divas! For those of you who have been out of the sports loop, last night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat and ascended to NBA Championship glory. You heard me right! The Mavericks, who have been the underdogs since entering the playoffs, defeated the much celebrated and heavily favored Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Today, the sports world was abuzz with opinions on where the Heat went wrong. How did a team with three of the top players in the NBA lose? How did a team that dominated during the regular season and the playoffs fall from grace in the Finals? What the hell happened!

In listening to various sports commentators last night and throughout the day, the blame was placed everywhere. Lebron’s fourth quarter flops. D. Wade’s failure to dominate on both sides of the court. The Heat’s lack of defense. Now, I don’t claim to know it all when it comes to basketball, but I do have my own theory as to why the Miami Heat loss their shot at the trophy. And in true Professional Diva fashion, I have somehow created a comparison to something that often happens in the corporate world. Follow me on this one….

Several years ago I had the opportunity to see the movie Miracle, which is a biographical film portraying the United States Men’s Ice Hockey team that went on to win the Gold Medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. In the movie, the newly-selected head coach, Herb Brooks, was criticized for not selecting all of the best players in the country for the team. When his assistant coach, Craig Patrick, pointed out the obvious fact that Herb was not selecting the best players, Herb responded, “I'm not looking for the best players, Craig. I'm looking for the right ones.”

Cut to July 2010, when Lebron James told the world in a nationally syndicated broadcast that he would not remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that he would be taking his talents to South Beach for the upcoming NBA season. Lebron was on his way to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to form a “Super Team.” A dark cloud descended across the Eastern Conference and the NBA alike. The Heat was going to be unbeatable because they had three of the best players in the league on one team. This Super Team was reminiscent of the Chicago Bulls in the 90’s when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman combined to bring the entire NBA to its knees for three straight years. With a team like this, the NBA Championship was a shoe in for Lebron, right?

Wrong! And here’s where my theory comes in. I subscribe to the Herb Brooks way of thinking. Having the “best” players is not a guarantee for victory. I believe that having the “right” players in the “right” positions is the better recipe for victory. You see, the Chicago Bulls did it better in the 90s. Sure, the Jordan/Pippen/Rodman combo dominated in a multiple of ways on both ends of the court; but when you added Ron Harper and Luc Longley to the starting lineup, and Steve Kerr and Tony Kukoc coming off the bench, you had a nearly unbeatable team. The Bulls won not just because of their top 3 superstars. They won because they had the right players doing everything needed to be done on the court. Am I making sense? My point is (and I can be completely wrong) that Lebron James and the Miami Heat banked on its 3 superstars being the key ingredients to win the Championship this year. Unfortunately for them, the Heat had the “best” players, and the Mavericks had the “right” players.

How does this remind me of the corporate world? Personally, when I am working with multiple individuals, I am not looking to be in a group where everyone is the “best” at the same thing. Why you ask? If everyone in the group is the “best” at the same thing, what happens when you come across an issue which no one in the group is familiar? Something is lacking. In my experience, the “right” group is one composed of diverse individuals that bring their special talents to the table. This mix ensures that all bases are covered by someone who specializes in a particular area. Where one is weak, another is strong. It makes for a winning team. It also creates a sense of reliance on another’s talent, which in turn gives that person the confidence in knowing that their talents are appreciated. Overall, the Herb Brooks model creates a more efficient and successful work environment.

This comparison may be a little farfetched for some, but it makes perfect sense to me. The “best” is not synonymous with instant success, which is a lesson I learned long before last night’s game. Again, this is just my opinion. What’s yours?

By the way, Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks!

The French Martini

Greetings Divas! Happy Almost Friday to you all! And Happy Martini Thursday! This week’s recipe was inspired by an interview I recently read in Ebony Magazine. Ebony interviewed Johnny Wright, who has the esteemed honor of being the hairstylist of choice to First Lady Michelle Obama. In the article, Mr. Wright highlighted his fondness for the French Martini. Believe it or not, but I have NEVER made a French Martini. Sure, I know how to make one, but I never actually made one. Challenge! But seriously, this recipe is super easy to make. Not too many ingredients, and it taste great!

The key ingredient in the French Martini is Chambord® Black Raspberry Liqueur. In fact, the Chambord Liqueur Company created the French Martini for a worldwide promotional campaign and ended up becoming a popular and trendy cocktail. Try it and let me know what you think. My thought is that the fruity flavors make the French Martini an excellent choice for the warm weather. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1.5 oz Of Your Favorite Vodka

1/2 oz of Chambord® Black Raspberry Liqueur

2 oz of Pineapple Juice

Ice

Lemon Wedges for Garnish

Recipe

1. In a shaker, combine Vodka, Raspberry Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, and Ice. Shake!

2. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.

3. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Didn’t I tell you this recipe was simple? Now give it a taste….perfect, right! Now go tell a friend…and Drink Responsibly!

Okay Divas, I'll be the first to admit that I was not initially in love with Beyonce's track Run the World (Girls). From the comments I received after posting the audio, you Divas weren't really feeling it either. After seeing her jaw dropping performance on the Billboard Awards, however, and watching the video a dozen times, I kind of think I like it a little....maybe a lot!

I find myself singing it throughout the day, usually accompanied by the shoulder shimmy Bey effected at the beginning of the video! Not to mention the powerful lyrics regarding women taking care of business. Also, I notice the song playing in my head whenever I read or hear about professional women doing big things!

I say all of this to encourage you to check out the video, and let me know if it changes your opinion. It certainly has changed mine!

It’s been two whole weeks since the first installment of Work It Out. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback regarding my fist playlist that I have been inspired to share another. My first playlist was for my 30 minute run. This time, I want to take it up a notch. This playlist is one that I use when running a 5K (3.1 Miles). Right now, it takes me about 40 minutes to run a 5K…not the best time in the world, but I’ll take it!

When I’m running a 5K, I tend to lose interest right around Mile 2. At this point, I rely on my playlist to give me a bolt of motivation to continue. It’s usually a track by Beyonce or Lady Gaga that gets me going. Whatever works, right?! So off we go with Playlist #2!

This playlist gives you a 5 minute warm up, a 40 minute run, and a 5 minute cool down. It includes a few “Old School” tracks and some current hits. Start your warm up with Glamorous by Fergie, and cool it down with Chris Brown’s Beautiful People. Notice a trend? Enjoy!