A White Christmas Dream Come True

This was the second time in my lifetime that it snowed on Christmas Day in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  The first time was in December 25, 2009 and the second occurrence was on the morning of December 25, 2012.  I heard on the local meteorologist state that, “… the last time it snowed on Christmas Day besides today and in 2009, it was in the late 1800’s early 1900's when records started being kept in Dallas…” – amazing facts.

I began driving to my parents’ home for Christmas dinner.  The temperature had drastically changed and HUGE Texas sized snowflakes were falling from the cloudy winter sky.  As I breathed in, I could smell that “dirty dirt” smell that waifs in the air as snow falls here in Texas.  This was a change from the thunderstorms the city endured several hours earlier.  I was thinking to myself - it will not last long.  Fifteen minutes later I arrived at my parents’ home with my grandson in tow – my mom had the big Kool-Aid® smile on her face because this was the first time she could really enjoy the snow because she was newly retired.

Before I knew it, I coaxed my mom into putting on a hat and gloves because (coats is for suckers) and we began taking pictures and playing in the snow.  After about 15 minutes we were chilled to the bone and we went inside; my mom made some tea to warm us up and warmed up some milk for the baby.

It made my heart swell to see my mom having soo much fun, like a kid again.  Every hour from the time I arrived until I left at sunset 5:28 pm, I was outdoors taking photos of me, the neighborhood I grew up in and of my mom’s house.

 

For Christmas 2012, I did not receive any manmade presents and I am NOT sad about that however, I created lots of memories of playing in the snow with my family Christmas Day twenty-twelve.  That is Priceless.

 

Enjoy!

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Xmas vs. CHRISTmas = the Birth of Jesus

 

Xmas vs. CHRISTmas = the Birth of Jesus

When I was younger, I became disconcerted when I read Xmas on Christmas cards, holiday stationary or anything Christmas related.  I thought it became recognized as a “cool way” to abbreviate Christmas.

Then about 5 years ago, I began emphasizing and capitalizing the “Christ” in CHRISTmas…I wanted to let people know that CHRIST was the reason for the season. I didn’t want anyone mistaking me as a non-Christian by not noting that simple thing. One day I was reading an article in an online news source stating that “X” was an abbreviation for the word “Christ” because it resembled the Cross.  Talking about being relieved and excited to share that news.

For this purpose, I became comfortable sharing my learning’s of Christmas tidings as CHRISTmas, Christmas or Xmas.  As many people do, they took it in stride as information in and information out…

I have lived by this motto since I was about twenty-seven years old:  Learn something new or make a new friend EVERYDAY; if you do them both in the same day, that is doubly great.  Just that simple.

Merry Xmas Ya’ll.

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All-Points Bulletin for Customer Service

I feel great despair for Generation Y and subsequent generations; the will never experience GREAT customer service.  For instance, a store owner knowing your name/your family or having someone welcome you to their establishment and genuinely mean it; or to have a cashier say “please” and “thank you” before, during and after a sales transaction.

The Generation Y grew up with calling a United Stated customer service number and being transferred half way around the world to representatives in other countries.  This generation will not know about having groceries delivered to their homes, or a technicians/service people staying an extra 30 at your house to do the job right without asking for additional pay because his craft/reputation depended upon DOING THE JOB RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

I say all that to say that I was on chat (a “Live” chat-line) for 45 minutes with a Major international business, who does not have a toll-free number to call; no live person to hear my voice inflections (being sad, upset, miffed, disappointed, happy).  Initially I gave the representative information as to what was wrong with my product and waited for 2 minutes for an initial response and another 5 for trouble shooting tips I had already performed.  A 15 minute phone call would have solved the issue.

Why an All-Points Bulletin? We need to chat less with our phones and computer and talk more with each other.  Yeah I know that there are over 7 billion on the earth now but what about a phone call or a simple face-to-face conversation with one another?

© Katina S. Brooks Photography: December 2012
Smiling

Have you had a phone call or face-to-face conversation with someone today?  Was the result positive…if not try again.

Working numerous years in customer service, I can still Ms. Connie say, “…smile, because the person on the other end of the receiver can hear your smile in your voice.”

When you S. M. I. L. E.,

Sure

Makes
It
Lots
Easier

 

 

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Do you REALLY Know What Your Christmas Tree Symbolizes?

What is the symbolism of the Christmas tree today?

© Katina S. Brooks Photography
February 2011, trees bearing the weight of the snow.

I think of a type of fir tree that is evergreen and does not die easily and everlasting such to represent the immortality of the resurrected Christ.

The lights in the Christmas tree also have a deeper meaning.

© Katina S. Brooks Photography
December 2012, my CHRISTmas tree.

They represent Jesus as the light of the world which also provides warmth.  Jesus gave his life, so that we might find divine light. 

Christmas is the feast of love, where we share gifts with each other as Christ shared the gift of life with us. 

© Katina S. Brooks Photography
December 2012, Greyskull napping under the CHRISTmas tree.

Amen.

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Always Remain Keenly Watchful To Detect Danger

BE CAREFUL AT NIGHT; BE Careful on DART; Be CAREFUL riding DART at NIGHT!

Oh mercy, mercy me

Ah things ain't what they used to be

What about this overcrowded land 

How much more abuse from man can she stand?

~ Marvin Gaye

Thursday, December 13, 2012 I rode the train home all seemed quiet matter of fact too quiet.  I was in disgust that I had missed my bus only by two minutes (DART busses and trains should be better coordinated.)  Not wanting to wait, I boarded an approaching bus that would drop me off a block further from my usual stop – I didn’t mind.



© Katina S. Brooks Photography: Dallas
DART bus/train station 12132012



A male patron boarded the bus I wanted to ride prior to me; I didn't see him board because I still couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to wait or walk, I chose the latter.  As I began to board the bus, then I noticed an unusual amount of DART police vehicles surrounding the bus/train station, I proceeded to pay my fare and take my seat on the bus.  I asked the bus driver what was going on and she didn’t know.  We both looked out the door (like a scene from a cartoon – two heads peering from an open door) and noticed five DART police officers approaching the bus – we immediately and hurriedly exited the bus.

 

© Katina S. Brooks Photography: Dallas

DART bus/train station 12132012



With weapons drawn, the officers encroached toward the lone young male patron on the bus…I was beyond frightened. Eventually they apprehended and detained the young male.  A female officer began asking questions to the patrons who were at the stop (myself included) we all had the same story and we were all frightened.  This was a night I would surely remember.



***DEEP SIGH***All I wanted to do is get home and eat my macaroni and cheese.

© Katina S. Brooks Photography: Dallas
DART bus/train station 12132012



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Eco-Friendly

In the hope that I could save on gas and parking fees in downtown Dallas, January 24, 2012 I began riding public transportation.  Little did I know that I would “Transit Cohorts” and shedding 15 pounds in the interim?

As a way to pass time while traveling to and from work, I began posting on my social media account, my version of Dart Tales = DT.  Dart Tales came to fruition on my second week riding the bus.  Before then I would get home and hurriedly post all the things I had seen and heard from my morning and evening rides.  Then I read via a search engine portal, that I could post updates, via text, of the things I saw and I became an instant hit.  My followers/friends/family, begin replying and laughing with me and my posts, responding with the internet lingo SMH, LOL or ROTFL.  One of my favorite responses of all times is “…you are sick but keep posting because it brightens my day.”

Having an interest in photography, I decided to begin taking photos while waiting at the bus/train stops not realizing I had been capturing the progress of the construction of the new Parkland Hospital and development of the surrounding area.

With this in mind, I have compiled a slideshow show; my slice of Dallas.

Enjoy!

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Did you know there was such thing as a Meteorological Winter?

Well there is and it began on December 1^st and it runs through February.  The way this Texas temperature plunged over the past 36 hours, it felt like it began today. 

West End Train Station
 © Katina S. Brooks Photography

I bundled myself up as if it were the beginning of a new ice age after listening to the local morning news meteorologists say, “…there were snow flurries north of Dallas, headed our way…” I got snow eyes…don’t worry, it is not a medical condition it is only brought on when it snows; that is when all you want to see it snow and want to surround yourself in the snow and cold – I just made that up, lol.  I digress, by the time I arrived at the train station…the snow clouds were empty, leaving only their remnants along the sidewalks and atop cars. 

 

 

Green Line Train Station
© Katina S. Brooks Photography

I was a bit sad but like the Texas adage goes, “…wait ten minutes if you don’t like the weather.” 

I hope you enjoyed your first snow of the 2012-2013 Meteorological Winter because the Farmers Almanac says, “Winter temperatures will be slightly colder than normal, on average, with precipitation and snowfall near or a bit above normal. The coldest periods will occur in late December and early January and through much of February. The snowiest periods will be in early to mid-February and early March.”

 

Green Line Train Station
© Katina S. Brooks Photography

Have A Great Day and Keep Warm!

The Eve of the BIG Four-Oh!

Fabulous At Forty.

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

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Mary Kay Celebrating 15+ Years as a VPP Star Worksite

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

Who would have known that on November 7, 2012, my evening would be filled with dinner, dancing and lively discussion?  That was way beyond my expectations.  As the tent was upraised in the horseshoe shaped parking lot at Mary Kay Manufacturing, my first reaction was, Cirque du Soleil?

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

As the day progressed, I saw balloons everywhere, the parking lot beautifully transformed – WooHoo!  I could not concentrate on work tasks, anxiously awaiting the impending festivities for the manufacturing employees. 

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

DANCE, Dance, dance…I was a dancing machine. Prior to dinner being served the Emerald City Band, (the band who performs the “Good Day” theme song on KDFW Channel 4) was our house band.  They did a spectacular job performing songs from all genres. Caricature artists, Tarot card readers and a mobile game truck…Mind blowing excitement.  

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

The purpose of the festivities was to celebrate 17 years as a VPP Star Worksite and our 1st year of Zero Landfill – Pink Doing Green.  Retiring OSHA representative, Gloria Conway, was honored at our celebration because validating Mary Kay’s worksite was her most favorite visits and it was her last.  Plaques were exchanged between OSHA and Mary Kay Inc.

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

As the festivities concluded, random employee names were selected and gifts were given – one of the perks of the job, the gifts.  

As I departed for home, I could hear the instrumental version of Ice Cube’s song, “Today Was A Good Day” playing because indeed, it was.

I LOVE my MARY KAY.

Maiden Voyage..

December 3, 2012

Here I go...I am sitting here in my office writing my first blog.  I had a late lunch which consisted of a Bird's Eye Chicken Voila - super delicious; FYI, I split it with my co-worker (whom I shall not name).

If you know me, personally or professionally, this will be a joy for me to allow you to peer into the inner workings of my life.

I slammed my thumb in my car door over the weekend.  This is how it looks and it still aches.

© Katina S. Brooks Photography

Have a Great Day!