On May 11, 2010, I was given the opportunity to be the talent for the 2010 Newark Municipal Elections. In life we ask for a lot and many of times we ask for things we are not ready to handle. Check out the video log and see how I stepped up or down to the task at hand. Let me know what you think.

Of the many events that I look forward to throughout the year, I’ve never been to The Matrix Awards hosted by New York Women in Communications at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. This year it was held on Monday April 19, 2010. For this reason, I made a promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to make it a pleasant experience from beginning to end.

This thought was short-lived when I woke up at 9:06A.M to catch at 9:58A.M train into NY Penn Station. With my heart beating twice as fast, I jumped out of bed and ran into the shower. Almost forgetting that my attire entailed a knee length African-print dress, I quickly grabbed a two-dollar shaving stick from the closet and closed the shower curtain behind me. Shaving so fast, I cut myself in four places. To late to cry over the pain, I ran out the shower to brush my teeth.

Fifteen minutes later, my dress was zipped up and my makeup completed. Just when I thought I was beating time, my legs began to burn. I applied lotion and began to massage them praying it would ease the pain. Five minutes go by and it’s now 9:33A.M; I had to pack my black paten-leather Guess bag with my shoes and Award bound necessities: camera, steno pad, and voice recorder.

I combed my hair into place by 9:45 A.M. Shortly after, I closed the front door behind me and began to walk to the South Orange train station in my orange paten-leader Sperry’s.  I arrived at the train station at 9:52A.M and bought my round-trip ticket to NY. Relieved that I wouldn’t miss my train, I walked up the steps onto the platform to realize that I was sweating frenziedly. I removed my jacket and let the morning breeze engulf me for the six minutes I had before boarding.

On the train, I situated myself and turned my iPod to a more fitting song for the occasion, while simultaneously reading “How to Write Articles for Newspapers and Magazines” book I purchased on Amazon earlier in the year. At 10:33A.M. I arrived at Penn and walked directly to the bathroom to retouch my makeup and combed out any strands of hair that was repositioned by the merciless wind.

With more than enough time, I strolled to the E train going uptown, heading towards 51st and Lexington. While on the train, I got some help from two lovely individuals who directed me right to the Waldorf Astoria.

On the corner of 50^th and Park Ave, I switched into my Circa Joan & David heals and quickly crossed the street. With previous instructions to sit in the lobby and wait for my mentor Ms. Mildred Antenor, I went through what looked like standard revolving doors into a high-class, aristocratic atmosphere with floral carpeted interior and luxurious seating arrangements.

Completely out of my comfort zone, I put on the “I am just as good as you in my H&M blazer, African-print dress and Macy’s heals” face and entered the ladies room. To my surprise the ladies room was designed with circular mirrors and a light-pink tiling on every side. Within a few short minutes, my wonderful mentor and God sent angel, Ms. Antenor, walked in and began to prep me for my adventure at the Waldorf Astoria.

Around 11:20A.M we went onto the third floor and met a lot of people dressed in their best attire, mingling among themselves. Very quickly, I noticed that we were one the few African-Americans at the event. Though this did not stop me from putting on a smile and shaking hands, I noted in the back of my head that “I am entering a world that is still tackling diversity.”

Eventually, Ms. Antenor saw an old friend–a producer for CBS. This gave us an advantage and we were allowed into the pressroom, where Gayle King, Sheryl Crow and other wonderful women in the communications industry were walking down the red carpet.

Ms. Antenor and I examined the room and then quickly moved to the end of the red carpet where we are able to take a picture with Mariska Hargitay from NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”  After the photo, we walked into another room that stood Tina Fey, Seth Meyers and Oprah. We took pictures with Seth Meyers and Tina Fey. Waiting for Oprah to walk our way, Ms. Antenor was able to compliment the color of her dress which insinuated a small conversation where I ,in turn, smiled and agreed.  Oprah smiled back, came closer and exchanged a few words, but it was when Oprah gently touched my left side while trying to leave the room that I realized I am one step closer to manifesting my dreams.

To finally see one of my inspirations and look her face-to-face confirmed that I am on the right path. The Matrix committee then began to direct everyone to his or her seat so that the Awards Ceremony could begin. We walked upstairs totable 209 and sat down. Twenty minutes later, a lady, who was later revealed as Arlene B. Isaacs, tapped me on my shoulders and sat next to me. She asked me my name and where I was from. I answered, “My name is Wendy Ekua Quansah and that I am from Jersey. She said, “No, where are you from firmly.” I said, “ I am Ghanaian.” She nodded and said, “I like you. You know the difference between professional and hootchie!” while pointing to my attire.

Throughout the entire ceremony, Mrs. Isaacs coached me on how to become successful. She blessed me with a few parables and told me that I was going to make it. It was at that moment that I knew I was meant to sit at that exact seat– at that exact table. My objective for the event was to listen, watch, and most importantly visualize.God strategically spoke to me through Mrs. Arlene B. Isaacs and now my dreams are clearer than ever.