My Angel Brenda

First, I would like to apologize for my lack of posts since August. It has been a hectic past couple of months and I honestly couldn't find it in me to sit and write. Sometimes my mind gets a little too filled with various thoughts and emotions that I feel like would be depressing to write about. On the contrary at my most frantic of times I also feel like I could probably get some of my best writing done. I tend to work and get things done better under pressure. 

I lost someone for the very first time that was near and dear to me. Ms.Brenda David was not just a woman that took care of me, she was family. She was my protector and one of the few that believed in me when no one else did. Losing her was like losing my biggest fan. She always had such a great vision of what I would become. I've never lost anyone close to me to death so this whole experience hit me in a weird way. I didn't really know how to react. At first I didn't even cry. I really thought something was wrong with me when I found out and had no sense of feeling. Don't get me wrong, I was sad but I didn't totally freak the way I thought I would. After getting home from being away the weekend I found out, I went into my room and saw my Bible sitting on my dresser. I instantly went over and opened it remembering that Brenda had given me that Bible and written inside of it. When I read her prayer she wrote for me inside the cover the tears that my body had been rejecting suddenly flooded my eyes and poured out. That's when I realized how much I really cared about and loved her. I realized that I couldn't give up on any of my dreams or goals because if there was anyone in this world that believed I could be a success it was her. If there was anyone that ever saw the good in me while everyone else saw the bad it was Brenda.

My point in all of this is that you often don't appreciate the important people you have in your life until it is too late. You never know the last Christmas or last Fourth of July you will spend with them. You don't know the pain someone is experiencing or the battles they are facing on a daily basis. Ever since I lost Brenda I have tried to make a better effort of appreciating those that I love and care about. I try to remember it's the little things that count in life. People just want to feel wanted and loved. Don't be late in showing them or one day it may be too late. One thing I remember Brenda taught me was the importance of being there for loved ones. She valued family and friendship more than anything and at times it was her downfall. She was always ready to help someone but barely received help from anyone. There are not too many people that I can say the same about but I hope that one day someone can and will say the same about me. 

Brenda passing away was a sad moment in life for me but nonetheless a moment of relief. She deserved to be at peace after fighting for so long. As much as she will be missed, her values and lessons that she instilled upon me will forever live and I am forever grateful to have had a woman like her in my life. 

In memory of my Brenda. My second mother, my grammy, & now one of my Angels above. 

Left to Right : Lenia, Sandra, Joel, Brenda

Opera Tuesdays!

It's Tuesday and the only party to be at in the DMV is Opera Lounge Tuesdays Theater of Life! With DJ Quicksilva in the booth it's bound to be another memorable (or unmemorable if you know what I mean) night! Hit me up for bottle service inquiries or to get on the Guest List at dmvlenny@gmail.com. Don't miss out!

Opera Lounge

H Street Mini Golf Fun

Since we had just gone through three weeks of training, my manager thought it would be nice for the front desk staff of my hotel to have an outing. After a week of trying to pick a place we finally all came to an agreement. We all wanted mini golf and alcoholic beverages. I was able to find a place called H Street Country Club when I googled mini golf in DC. From the name it didn't sound like it would be a mini playground for adults, but it most definitely turned out to be.

Drinks at the venue were decently priced and the cocktails that I ordered were delicious. The food selection wasn't too grand but nonetheless good. The venue is kind of confusing because they try to give off a little english pub feel with the set up and furniture but at the same time they serve "Mexican" inspired cocktails and food. The only downfall for the service that was given during our dining time was that the waitress kept leaving the table before we were done asking for what we needed. She could have been a bit more attentive but overall it was nothing major to fuss about. The first floor is filled with arcade games and ski ball. Unfortunately, I wanted to get right to mini golfing so I did not get to have fun with that.

When you make it upstairs to the second floor, they have the mini mini golf course up there. It's very cute and resembles the DC area attractions such as The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and even DC parking enforcement. Although the course was small it was very cute and gave off a very fun "date-night" type of feel. The second floor also has a bar at the other end of it which is where we ended up majority of the night taking shots and joking around with one another. I wasn't able to make it upstairs to the rooftop deck that they had but it was open to the public while we were there.

Overall I enjoyed my night there and would give it a 3.5 out of 5 Stars. If you are planning on going out and just being low key while having some drinks and playing games then this is the place for you. If you are looking for more of a competitive mini golf course I would tell you to take it over to Top Golf in Virginia.

Here are some pics of our night out at H Street Country Club

H Street Country Club

I Am Lenny

It's not very often that I show people how soft I am and to be honest a lot of people think of me as a bitch, to say the least. Where this idea came from is both my fault as well as others interpretations of me. Truth is I'm probably one of the most loving and caring people you would ever meet. When I love, I love hard and when I care I put others before myself. I generally am the type to not care what people have to say or think about me but lately it's been bothering me more than usual.

With everything going on in my life I have had very little space or tolerance for bullshit. That comes in all forms, especially bullshit people. Bullshit people to me are people that have nothing better to do than speculate and comment on the lives of others who are trying to do something for themselves. Being a young woman in my early twenties, bullshit people come more often than not. People like to speculate and assume instead of just allowing others to live their lives as they choose.
It makes me sad that it takes someone of celebrity status to commit suicide (In reference to Robin Williams, one of the greatest comedians of all time, RIP) in order for people to say "don't judge others, you never know what they are going through". Well Duh. It shouldn't take someone's death for all of us to acknowledge that. It shouldn't take anyone going through anything significantly damaging for us to then stand up and say judging is wrong.
Throughout my later teens and early twenties I have personally faced a tremendous amount of speculation and judgement. For all these years I have for the most part allowed people to believe what they want about me. Like any human being though, gossip and bullshit begin to take a toll on you and affect you. I figure since I started a blog though, what better way to allow people to learn about me. So here's Lenny inside and out:

I am in love with love and good Lord I cannot get enough of it. On the other hand, I have also been hurt to the point that it changed me and I became a different woman. I no longer open my heart to others because of the option that they might just break it in return. I don't allow anyone to tell me what to do because at one point I did and I realized I wasn't happy because I wasn't being true to myself. I am strong and independent because at one point I was weak and destructed. I don't know how to trust because in the past my trust has been shattered by friends, family, and significant others. I love to party and have fun and drink with my girls but this doesn't mean that I lay my head on a different pillow every night. Nonetheless, when I do lay my head on a different pillow, 98% of the time it belongs to a friend whose house I was staying at and the other 2% is none of your business (continue sipping tea or henny) I've had my "wild" nights but at least I can say I had them young without regrets. I like to flirt and give off positive energy not because I'm a hoe or crave attention but because people like to be around pleasant people. I don't have friends that are good or bad influences because you learn life lessons from all different types of people. I like to work hard at my job not because I'm the bosses pet but because I understand how blessed I am to have the opportunity to work and have an income (Not to mention why not excel at what you do). I am a college dropout that has the ambition and determination to go and do whatever I want in life which is more than I can say for half of these college graduates who leave school looking for minimum salary jobs. I enjoy reading, not because Im supposed to, but because when I read I can be the character in the book and leave my own craziness for a while. Music is my emotional escape. It's my best friend that knows exactly how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking without me even having to say a word. I cry by myself a lot because if I don't I may let out my anger or sadness in another worse way. I like to write because sometimes my feelings and emotions are too much for people to handle and the only thing that can handle me is a pen and paper. I am funny because I know that laughing and smiling is one of the medicines to healing this world and sometimes I wish people would return the favor. I doubt myself sometimes not because I don't believe I can succeed but because my goals in life are so huge that at times they can seem unattainable.

Although I have my insecurities, I am learning to grow and love myself exactly the way I am. This is not saying there is no room for improvement or change, it's just saying that I have finally learned to only worry about making myself happy. People's judgements and thoughts about me are no longer a factor because I have put it out there on a platter. #lennysthoughts

Follow Me On Instagram

Doin It For The Gram or For Real?

People are always claiming they want to help change the world and make it a better place. When the time comes to take action half of those people don't have the time and the other quarter were just bullshitting from the start. These past few months I have been doing more community work then I ever have thanks to my best friend/roommate. She started a nonprofit organization named ARK (which btw is currently hosting a school uniform and supply drive!) and asked for my help. I have always wanted to find a way to help the community and give back but I never actually took the time to sit down and plan out how I was going to do so. Once I heard about her newly founded organization I was stoked to help! The support we have been receiving is phenomenal and from the looks of it I can already tell that ARK is going to help change the lives of many in the DMV area. The one thing that is disheartening is the amount of social media support we receive compared to the REAL support.

What I mean by real support is people taking action on the cause they support. Most individuals want to be a "part of" something. They don't realize that it takes more than posting a flyer on Instagram or video on Vine to get the results you want to accomplishing that. You could post a flyer a million times but what does that mean if you aren't doing what the flyer is telling you to do. In order to support another cause you first have to support your own. This doesn't necessarily mean go out and start your own non-profit (although you could!). It's as simple as finding a cause that touches your heart and trying to find your own way to help out. I think where people go wrong is trying to help out in areas they aren't interested. For example, I like animals but i'm definitely not an animal activist in any type of way. More than likely I wouldn't attend a drive that is collecting food for animal shelters, not because Im a bad person or animal hater, simply because it's not a cause that speaks out to me. 

It's okay to not be able to help every single cause or organization in the world. You are not a bad person for this. You become shameful when you start fake supporting the cause. If you post something asking for someone's help toward your cause you better be out there doing more to help out. Stand by your word, stand by your cause and DON'T JUST DO IT FOR THE GRAM. That's not cool. #Lennysthoughts

BELOW I HAVE ADDED SOME LINKS FOR NON-PROFIT WEBSITES\

ARK

National Council of Nonprofits

Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington

ARK's Annual School Uniform & Supply Drive!

ONE MORE WEEK LEFT!! Please continue spreading the word about ARKs First Annual School Uniform And Supply Drive! We Have Added Another Drop Off Location at the HOOTERS IN CHINATOWN. Get your dine-in incentive next time you go by and drop off a donation! Don't forget we also have our Oohs and Aahs location on U Street as well as the Champps Americana in Pentagon City. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! 

HELP ARK

Kenny Burns Hosts Josephines

Tonight Come join REVOLT TVs very own Kenny Burns at Josephine Fridays to kick off your weekend the right way. DJ Ratchet will be spinning in the booth and who doesn't love a little gogo dancing entertainment? For bottle service inquiries please email dmvlenny@gmail.com.

Josephine DC

A Night With MJ & Prince

Want to take it back to some classic MJ & Prince jams this Friday Night while enjoying some of the city's best food and cocktails? The Park at Fourteenth is just the place you need to be! DJ KI will be spinning the throwback classics on the patio while DJ Quicksilva will be inside bringing you your favorite summer hits. To make happy hour or dinner reservations or bottle service inquires please feel free to email dmvlenny@gmail.com with your anticipated reservation name, date, time, phone number and amount of people.

The Park at Fourteenth

Help The Block - School Uniform & Supply Drive Hosted By ARK

From now until August 15th ARK is hosting a local school uniform and supply drive in efforts to help DC public school provide the necessary tools to help underprivileged students succeed. You can make a donation at Champps in Pentagon Row and Oohs and Aahs on U Street. Both locations will be handing out dine-in incentives to those that help out! If you cannot make it to either location you may also make a monetary donation online at ark-dc.org. All proceeds at this time will all be toward this specific drive. We thank you in advance for your support!

Ras Griffin III Mixtape Celebration at Capitale

Celebrate Ras Griffin III mixtape tonight only at Capitale with the Washington Slizzards! DJ K-Meta and Alizay will be in the booth. For bottle service inquiries or GuestList please contact Lenia Eladlani at DMVLenny@gmail.com!

Capitale Homepage

The First Friday at The Park at Fourteenth

Start your weekend off right by joining the amazing DJ KI, Sountrax, and Hostility only at The Park at Fourteenth! For bottle service inquires or GuestList, please contact Lenia Eladlani at DMVlenny@gmail.com.

The Park at Fourteenth

Virginia Tax Free Weekend!

August Sales Tax Holiday: School Supplies and Clothing

When: First full weekend of August (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) each year. This year the holiday will take place August 1-3, 2014.

What's Exempt: During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying supplies for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.

Other Information:

• Guidelines
• FAQs
• Exempt Items
• Tax Holiday Info Center

School Uniforms & Supply Drive Hosted By ARK and Quicksilva & Silva Lining Foundation

From now until August 15th make sure you stop by CHAMPPS in Pentagon Row or OOHS and AAHS on U Street to make a donation toward our uniform and supply drive held for DC public school students. There will be dine-in incentives for those that come to either location and make a contribution. We are working to get a minimum of 150 uniforms and 150 backpacks made. Please continue supporting our efforts in creating a successful school year for students in need.

Tribute To Ms.Brenda

God puts people in everyone's life for a reason. Ms.Brenda was put in mine to help save my life. I met her when I was in 2nd grade and had just moved to Alexandria from Arlington. My mom needed a caretaker for me after school since both her and my dad had very busy work schedules and Ms.Brenda was who decided to watch me. When I met Ms.Brenda I had never experienced anyone like her. She was in her late forties and unlike anyone else, she treated me as her own always making it a point to include me in any activities she had prepared for her grandchildren. I soon became very fond of her. When I first started going to her house I was very shy and timid. Coming from a background in which I have a Muslim dad, I generally always had to watch what I said and did which made me hold back when it came to my personality. With time, and by time i mean years, I was able to grow into my own skin and feel more confident about myself. Ms.Brenda always made me feel comfortable and I could always count on her to have my back in any situation, even with my parents. To be honest for a big part of my life she pretty much was my parent. I spent more time with her then I did with my own.

I can't say I've that there are too many people in this world that would go through the lengths that Ms.Brenda did for me. When my mom and I were homeless for a few months she took us in with open arms and didn't ask for a single thing in return. When I would get into any trouble at home or school she was always the first to calm my mom down so that the consequence wouldn't be as bad for me. She took me to get enrolled in swimming classes and taught me how to play almost every board game in the books. The first Christmas that my parents were divorced she made each of them go above and beyond for me just so I felt like it was still Christmas. Before her, I didn't even watch football and she was able to turn me into the Redskins fan that I am today. When I was going down the wrong path she was always the one motivating me and telling me how great I could be. She never doubted my ability to achieve any and everything that I wanted to accomplish. 

Ms.Brenda is currently in the hospital. She had a stroke that unfortunately took her ability to speak and caused her memory to become vague. When I walked into that hospital room I didn't see Ms.Brenda. The lively, strong woman that raised me all those years was not who was in that hospital bed. Instead she was replaced by a weak and overly exhausted elderly lady hooked up to endless tubes. The sight broke my heart and I instantly started crying. Right there in front of me was the woman who helped save my life and now when the tables were turned and she needed saving there was nothing I could do about it. My mom and I sat there for a while trying to make small conversation with her but after about fifteen minutes you could see she was getting tired again. Before we left I hugged her and told her I loved her. She looked at me and I knew exactly what she was saying without even speaking.

I don't know if that was the last time I will see Ms.Brenda or not. But I wanted to write this post in tribute to her because she is an amazing woman and she deserves for the world to know that she left her mark on me and many others. Her ability to change my life the way she did is deserving of recognition. With that said, this is for you Ms.Brenda. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I love you and I will continue to keep you in my heart and prayers. <3

YARIS SANCHEZ Hosting Opera TONIGHT!

Tonight only at Opera Lounge, the gorgeous Yaris Sanchez will be hosting while DJ Quicksilva will be behind the booth spinning the hottest tracks out! Don't miss the best Tuesday night party in the DMV. For Guestlist and Bottle Service Inquiries feel free to contact me at dmvlenny@gmail.com.