diva meets david~ whatta day

today i got to hear david chilton speak from the show "dragons den"click here to his show!!!

anyhoo He was so inspiring. he helped me see that my small dreams can turn into big successes.

yes, i knooooow you love the purse

the timing was perfect, i needed to hear this since i am currently feeling as though i'm ready for bigger things in my life. like waaay bigger. are you too? if yes, i wanna hear!

For many years i was suffocating. when i was around certain people i think i was kinda perceived as a somewhat of a drama queen and i was overly emotional, all over the map, over the top...you know what i mean....perhaps it was all in my head i guess but nonthelss i felt as though i was kinda sorta silly.

ok, seriously, this is meeee to a teeee!

now i embrace the funny drama queen in me. some people may not embrace it and i'm cool with that cuz i know i will make some impact in someones life. i love helping others with my "drama strories" i make them funny.

something sooo horrifying will happen to me and i will share the story into a life lesson for someone. before i used to hide it. now, hell no!!! i tell it like it is if someone wants to know "how i made it through". and that person ends up laughing at my life. That actually brings me pleasure. i think thats what makes me special.

and you know what? i still cry, i am emotional, i'm sensitive, i love hard, i feel with depth, i am passionate and i finally accept it. i'm totally ok with it. finally

thank you david chilton, for telling such "drama king" stories today.....they were hilarious and inspiring, just the way i like to hear a story!!! the real deal!!

i love who i am!!! drama queen with a healthy self esteem

To view my other fun lifestlye blog posts, just simply scroll down to the bottom of this blog & on the bottom right hand corner click on older/ previous posts! easy! enjoy!

Who picked me up when my face was on the floor? Joyce! she's coming to toronto!

i have it all together but wanna know something? i often fall on my face and just freakin wanna break down and give up



What do i do when i wanna give up, melt down, fall flat, go under and drop the eff bomb to the world?


the truth???? This happens to me when i don't tap into my spiritual side, atleaset daily, i start slipping, dipping, flipping and just straight up trippin OUT!  

Here's my secret..... instead of crying myself to sleep, i try to listen to Joyce everyday. it whips me into shape asap. slaps some sense into me. She's a powerful speaker that tells me like it is. we all need this...well i know i do, its a rough world out there where we (well me eh hem) get my azz kicked from adversity and challenges and i need my strength to make it through the day and land on my feet.

Hey!!! You wanna join me seeing Joyce in Toronto in Aug 2014, click below for event details!

Lets go as a group!!!!

http://www.joycemeyer.org/events/GenericEvent.aspx?event=Toronto2014


My secret: fire up my laptop, get ready for work and listen too joyce in the background EVERY morning.

Take my "Yo, Would You Rather??? survey- Quick and easy! answer now!

1) Would you rather be a parent with bad azz kidz or a child with loser parents?
2) Would you rather be totally rich and ugly or poor as hell and gorgeous?

here are my answers:

1) a child with loser parents, i hate bad kidzz i wanna kick their azz 

2) auuugh thats a hard one um honestly i have to be poor and gorgeous and praaaay i win the lotto

My Paris 2012 Adventure! Voulez Vous French kiss avec moi?

In 2012 I went to Paris alone, it was a dream of mine and i just went for it.

I had very little money but alot of ambition. Centennial put my story in the Toronto Star!!!

Hi Karen,

Follow up to the voicemail I left you.

Centennial College would like to publish your testominioal for the french program, along with the picture you sent in the Toronto Star. Are you ok with this? Below is the picture you sent to us. Can we use this one are is there another one you would like us to use.

I look forward to hearing from you. 


Here's my article that was published!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Proficiency in French Language and Culture program at Centennial College was a memorable and amazing experience for me. An accomplishment for personal and professional reasons.
 
I remember being nervous at first to register but I had to do this. I am a full time working mother with two jobs, 2 sons and no time! But, it was something I wanted to complete for me. For my success. It was a goal that I set and it was achieved through the ongoing support of my classmates, my teachers Jean Paul Struyven and Mme Mona Boutros and the resources provided by the college.
 
Wow! I made so many friends along the way, my french improved dramatically and my teachers were amazing and supportive every step of the way. Although some days were gruelling to get out of bed on Saturday mornings or it was dark and cold on late evenings it was worth every moment.
 
I look back now and see how far I have come. This program has allowed me to communicate effectively in the workplace with my french colleagues and peers.
 

This program gave me the courage and confidence to do anything and everything in french. Now, when I call 1 800 numbers to make my bill payments or book an airline ticket whatever the case may be, I dial the option to speak to a French agent! I still make a few mistakes but I remember what my teacher Mme Mona said "It's ok to make mistakes, as long as you try".
 
Did I mention that I traveled to Paris alone for 5 days? I did it because this course gave me the confidence to do so. What a breath taking experience, there are no words to describe.
 
Thank you to centennial for all your support and guidance. I would recommend this course to anyone at any french level who would like to improve their conversational, written and grammatical french!
 
Merci et bonne chance!
 
Karen Carrington

 

I was completing my bilingual program at college and i wanted to go to Paris to feel the real deal.

aaaand guees what! I forced myself to complete a few challenges!!!!!! this wasn't a vacay it was "karen does survivor in Paris" i couldn't honestly kick myself off the island could I????

here's a few of of the challenges i gave myself:

Paris challenge Day 1: I found my way on le métro, walked up the eiffel tower & did my french homework up there..whew..no gym required!!

Paris Challenge Day 2: Went to the highest end shops Louis V, Chanel, Prada you name it. Challenge: spent NO money instead i chatted with the make up artists & fashion designers in french about the latest trends.

Paris challenge day 4: went to historical monuments & museums, My challenge: try to sound interested in the the artwork & chat with other tourists in french about how deep the meaning behind the paintings are! Whaaaat!!? i can barely do that in english! I squint my eyes, rub my chin, slowly observe the masterpieces & say oui, oui, ahhhh c'est magnifique! to be honest, i learned alot! Then suddenly, ...i see this huge crowd where the real action was! And yes!!! sure enough, i push my way to the front & i snag a pic of myself with the Mona Lisa!! Unfortuately, i didnt undo the mystery of her undercover secret smile but i finally saw this incredible painting i have heard about all my life!!!! just Beautiful!!! eh hem, i mean c'etait magnifique!!!

doing my french homework in the eiffel tower

Paris challenge Day 7 : get on the gondola looking boat, sail across the french riviera wearing a flowing dress, jackie-o glasses, eating expensive cheese & just "being french". EPIC FAIL!!! i ended up wearing cut off jeans, forgot my glasses & bought popcorn for the boat ride, chatted with ladies from philly in english for an hour! aw man! this sux! i lost an hr of french practice! however, there was something comforting in speaking english for that hour, knowing that my french can be be put on hold yet i will never ever lose this experience. After all, i am bilingual, i can flip back & forth and that's what it's all about, being able to adapt, that was my goal! and i did it!

You wanna follow your dreams? i suggest you do it......if i can, you can.

Tips:

1. get a cheap azz flight this isn't easy but possible, log onto expedia EVERYDAY
2. find someone to stay with through an exchange program through local colleges. I stayed with the super cool Dubois family
3. dont miss your flight like i almost did,  i swear i was gonna die, ran through customs, sweating
4. eat at cafes alone and people watch, only speak to others in french even if u suck

Bonne Chance!!!!

men! Recent Survey- Men Keep Underwear For an average of 7 Years..is it true? .your feedback pleeease...click here..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/24/men-underwear-7-years_n_5204825.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000035

these guys from the website said......

  Seven years? way way too conservative, 15 years and counting towards the 2 decade marker in my undie world..

  As long as it's clean and the elastic works, why not? Who made you the underwear police???

I think 7 years is a perfectly acceptable time period.If they're regularly laundered, I don't see why they would be "gross". 

karen's chit chat says sure, why not i guess, if they still look good

aaaand speaking of underwear...We're swimming in the Pacific ocean in california at the beach...I'm tryna change Terehz in his bathing suit and he's worried as I wrap the towel around him that the girls will see his underwear , I point at this dude in the pic below in front of us layin on the beach and I'm like seriously Terehz "no girl cares bout yo tightie whities with Rico swavé over here at 3 o'clock. sheesh

click here for top 10 man codes!!! guys, your thoughts?

Ultra fab Girlie stuff! Where Karen gets her Diva ideas~check these links out ladies

 http://allwomenstalk.com/

http://www.fabsugar.com/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Glitties/posts

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/andreazackary

so many kool sites for the diva in you!!!

• are you outta ideas??? 
• did you just break up with your bf? 
• gain a few pounds over the holidays? 
• have a sucky day? 
• wanna quit your job? 
• your bestie is being not so cool? 
• you hate your hair? 
• wanna throw on pjs and frump around, nope!

My motto is "ladies get inspired...even if you're tired"

click on these links above

honestly, they help me stay somewhat fab, but i admit i slip at times...shhhh

To view my other fun lifestlye blog posts, just simply scroll down to the bottom of this blog & on the bottom right hand corner click on older/ previous posts! easy! enjoy!

my fab roomie, i love this chick!

i met my niece on one spring day in 2013, my older son introduced me to her...totally random connection, i had no doubt in my mind that we would be perfect room mates


I watch her growth everyday. I enjoy watching her life unfold. she's a smart cookie

She's not really my niece obviously but she is like family, she lives here and i told her to watch my every move, good and bad....my mistakes, my failures, my everday coming and going in the condo. i tell her where i went wrong, how it is to be a woman living alone, how to succeed in the world. I want her to stay here as long as she needs until she's ready to fly on her own.
 
I wish i had this opportunity when i was her age, i ended up growing up the hard way with few female mentors, i made alot of mistakes, i still do.

i enjoy watching youth enter into this world, i want to have an impact on their lives- therefore i am transparent with them, i tell them like it is...her, my son and i have some deep convos and i wish i could have spoke openly with my parents when i was younger this way, it was taboo to have these convos with our parents, and unfortunately i ended up making 100000000 mistakes and i cant erase them...i can now only learn from them

maybe its good i grew up like that...it forced me to learn on my own, now i'm super duper resourceful

my niece is strong...she will make it in this world...i cant wait to see her life unfold..

my 5K Marathon for Diabetes! OMG! can i do it? May 4th, 2014

it was my dream to run for this, for my mom. but i couldnt

i was afraid

it was 2011 when she passed away, i just couldn't run in 2012, the divorce knocked me off my feet, my condo flooded, my 19 year old son was finished with school and moved out, i was broken, defeated, on my hands and knees in despair.

2013 i rebuilt my life, i put on my big gurl panties and made a commitment to run for my mommy.

i was nervous to make the fundraising goal with my team mate Clyde but we did it! over $700 in a few short weeks

Friends you can Click here to donate if you wish! thanks!




oh guess what! this was the thank you e-card i sent to my sponsors, it was cute eh?

OMG (i placed name here) thank you for your generous donation. Your contribution is going towards a great cause, the fight against diabetes!

i'm glad i'm not running alone. thank you clyde for joining me, i couldn't do this without you

also my good friend offered to take Terehz for me the day of the race, she is the sweetest!

OMG speaking of Terehz, did i tell you that he donated $5 online, he has a mini VISA that he got for his bday. Thank you Rezzie!

ok, i will keep everyone posted bout the race...pleeeeeease dont rain that day...pleeeeeeease

my beautiful mom passed away of diabetes on Aug 9, 2011. in memory of Velma Latmore

we spotted Ellen Degeneres! mission complete

We effin saw Ellen. I'm crying. Terehz is speechless... That's her riding her bike she said hi and looked right at me and i didnt want to move. my heads hurting , I was frozen. Terehz still won't speak I think he's star shocked. I whipped out my phone

to catch her riding away from me... I will never forget this experience. She was beautiful, her eyes were gorgeous. She's just bike riding around us .,, so peaceful

Ellens house!!!!!!!!!!!

time for some Private Reflection- my personal battle, my downfall, my rising

i moonwalked over it!!!

on the set of the show "Friends"

honestly, I wanted this hollywood trip to be so smooth. i was nervous to have it all come together. all the logistics, the planning, just everything. i often travel alone and have an amazing journey (i was alone in Paris, Atlanta New York, Caribbean) but this time i had my son with me. I didn't want him to see mommy screw up. I didn't want to let him down and miss my flight or look like i was lost in LA.

I didn't tell many people that i was going because i was worried i may fail, but the other side of me knew i wouldn't fail. I rarely do. When I have faith in myself and the Lord, when I chill out, i don't fail. so why did i doubt myself?

i guess it was my first time taking a huge risk in a long time. I had alot riding on this. i take many risks but this was the first time i would expose myself through my social media blog and potentially fail. That was my fear but also the fuel i used to push myself.

I was also having a hard time at work and not sleeping, not eating, anxious thoughts so it put more doubt in my mind.

but sure enough, i blocked out all that negative self doubt when i was in LA. I was true to me. i did what I always do. Travel with veeeery little to work with which forces myself to find my way, feel out the city, feeling lost but eventually falling on my feet. This sharpens my intuitive skills, it's how i get through life.

My son and i got around with just a map and gut instinct. I want to groom him to be an avid traveler!

getting ready to board our flight!

i was fearless in this city. went there with no frills, little funds, bare minimum but lots of confidence.

my journey...my path to peace

funny that's when it all came together. When i didn't care what people thought. I was Karen Carrington, a woman who has a story. A story that i noticed people find interesting around the world. People were following me online. I didn't just want attention on the internet, i noticed this my opportunity to share my struggles and successes and hopefully help someone out there who went through something similar. 

i lost alot in 2011-2013. My mother passed away and i was on sick leave for other health related issues.I felt as though I was in constant financial despair and my heart, my spirit and my mind just didn't feel aligned

I went down to my lowest point in sept 2012, my divorce was a tough blow. An explosion in my face, as though the earth fell from under my feet. The air was blown out of my chest. my world shattered as i once knew it. but i had to fall that hard, i now see why that happened, it was the beginning of the new me. God took everything away that i thought was best or me, but He knew i was made for something bigger, better. And that's exactly what i have now. A more abundant life that i rebuilt, reshaped, replanted, restarted.

2014 was a new beginning. i embraced my loss and turned it around as a positive life lesson. i used that pain as the foundation for the uphill battle.

People like hearing what i have to say, i'm reeeeeally funny, and i dramatize and elaborate. i make the stories colorful and explosive but keep them true, pure and genuine..

I was knocked down for that in the past by a handful of people...told i was too dramatic, too passionate, too whatever...too something blah blah...only to finally realize i intimidated that person. i was too much of a handful for them to handle. my funny dramatic stories perhaps made them feel inferior because their esteem was low. i too struggled with low self esteem, thinking my life was such a silly joke one episode after another. Always some funny azz drama! Only to realize that's the point! people like hearing the truth.

then i thought but if i blog or put it on facebook OMG! some will gossip about me though???!!!! and gossip about my life failures that they read!  i don't want them to know all that stuff.

guess what? I cant stop that, people will gossip if they wish, heck! i gossip...

but if i can help another person through my online personal journal or blog then my work on earth is done.

women, listen when i say this, and men you can listen up too.....never change who you are for anyone. stay true to you. don't let someone make you feel like you cant do it. don't be intimidated by those voices who say you're not good enough.

you are!

Ezra 10:4 ^"Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”

we made it!

its tattoo time!!! check it out, my newest to my body collection

tattoo time at High Voltage Kat Von D -LA ink style baby! I wanted my Kat tat at her hot spot. she is a strong woman who reaches her dreams in LA..i always loved watching her show LA ink so i thought it was fitting to select her shop as a symbol of my strength, my creativity, my confidence, my freedom.

i wasnt sure when the right time was to do it but today i knew it was the day.  

after my divorce in 2012 i knew that i wanted a tatoo to symbolize my new life. It was a tough road but through the grace of God i managed. As much as the divorce was difficult i now see it was the Lord saying it was my time for me to do moi. I have been blessed ever since in so many ways.

i got the dove tattoo because its a sign peace, freedom, rest  

Genesis 8:11 'When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.'