The concept of Sankofa is derived from Adinkra of the Akan people of West Afrika. Sankofa is transliterated in the Akan language as "se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki." Literally translated it means "it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot". Sankofa is used today across the pan-African world to promote the idea that African people must go back to our roots in order to move forward.

As always, at least for SOME of us, the end of the year brings around reflection...and in some cases regret...And in contrast, the Beginning of the year, at least for some of us brings forth a chance to "do it right"...to be better...to change something so whatever you went through in the last year you would not duplicate in the New Year....idealistic fools aren't we?

So when I started this Trilogy of Self Assesment, I thought about...and was honest about my highs and my lows... I acknowledge the faults but I thank GOD for the blessings and the opportunities...

I call this part "Absolution" because after this...there is NOTHING else that needs to be said about 2006...I mean in the terms of what should have been...I am looking more towards the future more than I have ever been in my life and it is scary...because it is unknown...and we all know that humanity innately fears the unknown to some degree...MY goal is to overcome that "fear" and accomplish what I feel I was meant to do in this world..."Fight the good fight and make a difference."

So let's begin....

I started out this year looking forward to two main things....improving my financial situation and *sigh* falling in love.... I was and still am loving my job and even though I am having personal success, I cannot help but wonder was I "losing myself" to the machine of the workplace....(see the blogs 1/24/06- "Pressure...what Pressure?" & 2/17/06 "What Do You Think?" ) So after some soul searching and a brief trip out to TX to see my best friend and his family (No Glamazon huntin' ) I came back rejuvenated and inspired to do even more, because that is what I wanted to do....

Flash forward a few months and there was a LOT of flirting out there on my part...so much that I met someone who just about had me open...my walls were crumbling down...but I knew I was not in the right state to deal with someone like her on the level that we both wanted...I let that one go...or rather she left me alone....I don't think all is resolved with that one...but live and learn... ...I told myself that the NEXT time I am that situation I will not run from it but towards it...

Then the move that change my life for the better and propelled me into the official Real World... at first I was so angry and had nowhere to express it and it was hurting me...I seriously thinking that WRITING is my best form of self therapy and that (and prayer) saved my sanity...(see blog - 9/20/06 "I'm Trying To Tell You A Story..... ")

Now I'm living in a new spot with new look...my job is nice and I figure that I'm about to start dating again......(Here we go again).... Since my last relationship ended, I was very hesitant about who I dealt with and I was, dare I say PICKY about people I would see... This choice put me on a few misadventures that just made me question my motives and intentions... ( see blog - 10/20/06 "The Dog in the Man..or is the Man a Dog?") which in turn makes me deal with the other side of rejection...being the REJECTOR...I'm not even about to get inot that...let's just say that I finally understand what it feels like ot be on BOTH sides of the fence!

Now as the months wind down, I hit 30 and the realization sets in that I have come a long way and there is still miles to go before I sleep...within two months at work I am ceing shopped around like a draft pick with opportunity after opportunity popping up around me...job offers out of state and promotions here....this is amazing!

My family went through some tough times but GOD has blessed us and I am glad that everything worked out for the best with them...I finally made amends with seeing my late Father and even addressing what I felt about the situation (See blog 12/19/06 - "Reflections...") and now....it seems like I might be falling for somone ...in closing...I think that this year has been very, VERY powerful for me on an emotional level, a spirtual level, and a physical level...I addressed my insecurities and I pushed my personal limits further than I have ever gone...I made some new friends and "interesting" connections...and I lost people that may or may not have been "good" for me...WOW....

So I look forward to the New Year...

I look forward to the challenges....

I look forward to the adventures....

I look forward to continued conversations with my 360 Fam...

I look forward to the future...the unknown...and I am NOT afraid!

Happy New Year, Many Blessings, & Much Love! - See you next year!

----PEACE

As I delve a little deeper into the conundrum that is me.... The best way to describe this part of my "review" would be called, "The Realization of Andre"....enjoy

I Discovered....

That I truly crave positive attention...not in the sense of "look at me, look at me", but such as I LIKE doing things that make people smile.... I like that so much that sometimes I forget that doing that....can make me fall into a perpetual state of "topping my last act".... and that is NOT as fun as it sounds...

That I am N-O-T always going to be "nice".... I CAN get upset....I CAN be an asshole and you know what....I do not ALWAYS have to be so "Dre"....

That my passion for what I do and my purpose in the world, sets me apart from others....I like it that way

That I have cried more within the last month than I have all year...crying is a good thing and I feel so much....lighter...

That I am emotional...

That I am a flirt....a REAL flirt!

That rejection is not always a bad thing...SERIOUSLY!!!

That my DREAM is not YOUR dream and vice versa....and I am cool with that...

That I HATE assumptions....

That I am a closet over-achiever and wannabe perfectionist....

That I LOVE writing...and I LOVE reading...and I LOVE sharing with the 360Fam...

That I am NOT quite ready to "grow up"...take that however you want!

I Accepted

That I am NOT going to be able to please everyone...

That SHE is NOT for me....

That my future is scary because the success that I am being blessed with is catapulting me to places that before...was not possible...

That it's okay to be scared....

That someone will eventually break down my "walls"....

That I am not as "smart" as I think I am...

That I am a Flirt...A REAL FLIRT!!!!..lol

That in 007, I am going to REALLY enjoy being 30!

That some things do not always work out the way we want them to....

That some people are just ALWAYS going to find something wrong with you....especially HER!

That sometimes...I CAN be a cocky lil sonuvabeeyoch!

That in 007, I need to NOT keep my peace...Heaven help me!

Coming soon...Vol III - "The Absolution"

----PEACE

Before I get into the usual rundown of the year 2006. I have to just sit back and say that overall this was NOT a bad year....I have learned and grown so much that even through the instances of sad memories...they are are far outweighed by the good memory....

January - So far so good...work is nice and I am looking forward to Black History Month

February - I have the honor of running the Black History Month Program at my job...a true milestone... in addition I think I might want to start dating again (WOW....)

March - Just came back from seeing my best friend in TX (no Glamazon huntin' THIS time), got into a car accident, and work is getting to be a lil less "fun"

April - My Beloved Black Studies Conference comes around and I am in rare form...this is where I came to understand that KNOWLEDGE is indeed a turn on in some women .

May - The reality sets in....I will be moving from my house soon and the thought of that is causing me to be depressed...except I don't realize it conciously.

June - Now it REALLY sets in about the move and the next few months propel me in a negative direction. Only my Faith and my friends are my support and thus begins my 360 Hiatus...

July - Had a kick-ass BBQ and work is not as bad....even my depression is subsiding as I have made silent amends with all parties...

August - Dre has a NEW apartment in the Chicago West Loop area....the possibilites are endless

September - Back on at Yahoo360....I missed the Fam, made some new connections, and even started to "experiment" with MySpace...

October - Turned 30! Walking around with some swagger in my stride...I'm even thinking about actively dating....

November - A new chapter begins as the old one closes...I recieved a promotion at my job, my dating life is starting to hit, and my social life is very....interesting...

December - So many decisions....so many dicoveries...so many different routes for the future...this is truly what it means to be GROWN & SEXY....

Thus ends Vol. I

----PEACE

"You know I had to do a remix right?"

Announcing the SoSoDef, Kanye tothe, Diddy, Jazze Phizzle, Skateboard P remix to the classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas" starring my 360 Fam!....pray for me!

So it's the night before Christmas and all that jazz, I'm still outside kickin it with the guys and gals... I have my Girls looking tight to def with Passion leading the charge, while Akilah, LaLa, NJoyeLife, and Foxy/Voluptuous/whetevershewants to call herself for the day Shae are doing what they do best...LOOKING DAMN GOOD and the fellas can't act right around them...

So like I said, I'm out with my friends listening to a modernized version of a "It's a Wonderful Life...the BLACK VERSION" featuring Mondrea, Dawee R. Jihad, Shima, Hotep 57, PhilsoFE, Renewed, Bean, DredHeadedPoet and Artguy as "Clarence"...

When all of a sudden my boy Jay comes through the door...with a Playa look in his eyes...and with him is his crew of Drop Dead Women too... Juanita, Ms. Tee, Cyn, Ms. Angie, and LC, and Shey, (Tracee Shannon would have been there but she's too young to get IN)...

We lock eyes and greet each other continue to enjoy the show...never knowing the adventure whats now in store...

Then all of a sudden there arose a clatter...everyone truned to the back of the room to see what's the matter... it was girlfight between The Original Glamazon, The Good Life, and Black Beauty...apparently someone said that THEY had the Texas on lock and all hell broke loose...

So being a lover of the ladies and a strict judge of fairness...I had to intervene and said "In the spirit of Chirstmas...can we all just get along?" They agreed and on went the show...besides...they ALL have it on LOCK

Sexy Punkin, Angelis, JD, and (¯`*-♥ºV¡ßξ•º♥ °´¯), sang a BEAUTIFUL rendition of "Silent Night"...So powerful, I saw tears come down PrettyBrnEyes, PRETTY BROWN EYES... while Felony, and Karamel_Coffee slow danced in the corner of the room....

My Sister Shorti was at her table with her lil crew...C.C. and Denni .....SoulSista aka WhiteChocolate and Bella was vibing to the sounds of SAYNTJ... and Silky sing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"....

It was a beautiful sight...a room full of beautiful people....

There was no hating...

There was so violence....Tank wasn't there!

When the clock struck twelve and Chirstmas was finally upon us... Nisha popped up out of NOWHERE and screamed "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! " (She was drunk)

THE END

----PEACE